Born in 1949. Graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1971 and from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1975. Private practice in Jamestown, 1975-1993. Served as an assistant state's attorney for Stutsman County, 1977-1986. Appointed Stutsman County State's Attorney in May 1993; elected in 1994; reelected in 1998. Appointed Southeast Judicial District Judge by Governor Edward T. Schafer in 1999. Elected District Judge in 2002. Member, North Dakota Legal Counsel for Indigents Commission. Married: wife, Susan. Three children: Joseph, Karen, and Michael.