Favorite Color: Plaid (Knows it's not a color, but has many colors in it)
Favorite T.V. Show: Dr. Who (and the Simpsons)
How Many Push-Ups Can You Do? "Over 20." (Knows he really needs to work on this.)
Favorite snack: Triscuits crackers
Hobbies/Recreation: "I like vintage video games, and I'm teaching myself Japanese."
Favorite Toy Growing Up: "My imagination." (Good answer.)

What are you currently working on?
"Right now, I'm working on something called the Block-15 IC. It's an integrated system evaluation that takes all of the new projects that we worked on for the Block-15 build for the C-17, and we're actually taking them out into the real world to be tested, not only by our test pilots here, but by actual pilots who are out in the field. We've gotten a lot of good data."

What are some of the newest technologies at Edwards?
"Right now, I think the biggest thing is the F/A-22 Raptor. That's probably the biggest system that's taking place. That's on the right side of where I work. On the left side is the Joint Strike Fighter. And that's also very, very popular."

"As far as the C-17, the C-130 and other test planes that I work on, we get to see the actual production of the aircraft if we want to. We get to be right in there and get our hands dirty in helping to make the best airplane we possibly can. So, we are seeing the newest technology."

What was your most exciting day, so far?
"My most exciting day on the job would have to have been in February of 2004. That was my first flight. We went up to test something called the drop parachute video monitoring system. It was a night flight, so it was absolutely dark. But we got to use night vision goggles (NVGs) to see some pallets literally shot out of the airplane with parachutes opening. To be able to see that, and to see some of the neatest technologies…to be able to see at night - it's absolutely gorgeous. To be there as the back of the plane opened, taking down notes, and observing- it was phenomenal. To actually see all the work I put into it and others put into it come to fruition was just tremendous."

What about career options once you're on base? Can you move to another engineering area if you want?
"You get here and if you're like me, a Human Factors Engineer, you enjoy it but then you think, 'Man, being an Avionics Engineer would be so much cooler!'. You can, if you so desire, work with the people on base to get the schooling, the necessary information, and the background you need to start working there. They can plug you in. So, moving around on base is pretty easy."

What type of training can I expect to receive?
"The different types of training you can expect to receive are…a warm welcome from those around you. You quickly get to know pretty much everybody you're going to be working with. You get not only a real in-depth look at your own expertise, but others engineering fields. Because working on the C-17 is integrated, we have to work as a team. And it's a wonderful environment. So, you're going to get a cornucopia, a literal plethora of information."

What's available for recreation?
"On base, as a civilian working for the military, the facilities are pretty much open to all of us. If you are really interested in working out, or swimming, or rock climbing…if you want to take advantage of some of the tours they have to Las Vegas, or do land sailing or some other really neat things - those are certainly there for you. For a base that is supposedly out in the desert, they offer quite a bit of new and exciting things to try out and test, and have fun with."

What are some of the advantages of working for the DoD?
"First, unlike contractors, the DoD actually wants people like you and me to put our talents to work. There's a lot of safety and security in working for the DoD. It's not like the contractors where you work three to five years and then, 'Oops, the contract is up,' and you're stuck looking for a job. The DoD provides for you. So, if something gets cancelled, they'll move you to someplace else…to something that you'll most likely be comfortable with…that you have an interest in. And that's the great thing about the DoD. You get the best of both worlds. You get to work with really neat technologies and materials and systems, but at the same time, you don't have to worry about your security. And you're working with some great people and some great stuff."

Has your career as a civilian working with the DoD met or surpassed your expectations?
"I would certainly say, only being here for nine months, that it has met and is starting to surpass my expectations. It's just wonderful to be able to take what I learned from school and apply it to the real world. The school I went to prepared me for this type of job. It's utilizing what I learned in school. It's tremendous. It's challenging. It's a lot of fun. I'm working with all sorts of new technologies and with fantastic people from all walks of life."