I was born and raised in Texas. I received my high school diploma from Stephen F Austin High School in June 1969. I attended the University of Texas at Austin for two years.

I came to New Zealand in 1974 to work in the beekeeping industry. I worked full time for commercial beekeepers on the North and South Islands for four seasons, including six months for a queen breeding operation in Tonga.

I kept 80 hives of honeybees as a sideline for five years after that, selling the hives after moving to Tauranga in 1983. During the time I was building up my hive holdings, I worked primarily as a charge baker. During that time my employer was able to take his first holiday in five years, as I managed the purchases and production aspects of the business.

I worked as a self-employed builder for two years on a variety of projects including commercial renovations, residential additions and new house construction.