In 1997, after earning my Associate of Arts at Southwestern Illinois College, formerly known as Belleville Area College, I began to take EMT –Paramedic classes, while still continuing to take Fire Science classes and training.  Over the course of five years I worked for Medstar Ambulance service as a Paramedic.

In 2001, I became a full-time fireman for the Belleville Fire Department.  In 2002, I attended the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute Firefighter II Academy.  My interest grew in not only fighting fires, but also investigating fires. Over the course of several years, I have assisted in investigating approximately 400 fires.  

In 2008, I earned my Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science from Southwestern Illinois College.  After completing the required courses and testing, I also achieved the rank of Engineer with the Belleville Fire Department.  Later that year, I completed the University of Illinois Fire and Arson Investigation Modules I, II and III.  After completing the requirements and testing, I became a Certified Fire Investigator.  Since that time, I began investigating fires for the City of Belleville Fire Department and Midwest Fire Consulting Group.

In 2009, I attended the Maine State Police Canine Accelerant Detection School in Alfred, Maine.  There, along with my K-9, Chewy, we completed the 200 hour program to become Belleville’s first accelerant detection K-9 Investigation Team.  Chewy and I together, are a Certified K-9 Investigation Team that requires recertification each year.  

In 2012, I achieved the rank of Captain with the Belleville Fire Department. Also, in that same year, I became a Certified Fire Investigator for the Missouri Division of Fire Safety.

Since becoming a Certified Fire Investigator, I have attended the IAAI Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony Course, completed the Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigation and attended Fire/Arson Conferences for the IAAI Illinois Chapter.