I will place some brief biographical information here. I'm doing so in the hope that it may help show that I'm not some psychotic disgruntled ex-employee of NYCHA. Rather, I'm a guy who has led an average life, but who got caught up in a web of corruption that I coulcouldn't close my eyes to. I also believe some of my past experiences had helped me to get a grip on what was happening at NYCHA.
I'm a 52 year old native New Yorker. At 17, I became a Steamfitter apprentice (Construction). In 1969 I voluntarily dropped a draft deferment and entered the Army. Some months later, I was in Vietnam. I was assigned to an Intelligence Operation called Project Dufflebag. We delivered, placed and monitored electronic intrusion detectors and audio monitoring devices. The devices were delivered in one of two methods. Some were emplaced by hand, when we would go out with Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP's), Special Force Units or Special Operations Groups (SOG's).
Other devices were emplaced from helicopters. We would fly low over enemy trails and/or areas where heavy enemy activity was expected. While standing on the chopper's skids, we would drop the device as near as possible to the suspected enemy trail or camp.
Within 6 months, I had become the person in charge of all of the US Army's electronic surveillance activity for II Corp, which encompassed approximately 25% of Vietnam.
I left Vietnam in November of 1970, with a Bronze Star, a couple of Air Medal, an Combat Infantryman's Badge and other pretty ribbons.
(Click Here for documents verifying these facts.)
After getting married while on leave, I was assigned to be an instructor at the US Army Combat surveillance and Electronic Warfare School at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.
A year later, I received my Honorable Discharge and returned to New York.
For most of the 1970's, I worked on various large construction projects, including the ill-fated Shoreham Nuclear Power House. I became a member of Greater NY Mensa and was active as an advocate for special educational opportunities for highly intelligent (Gifted) children. In 1979, my wife and I were selected to be Governor Cuomo's appointees as advisors to the Suffolk County BOCES Gifted Children's programs.
In the 1980's I spent two years as a Member of the Board of New York Mensa. I was also elected Treasurer during that time.
In the early 1990's I was elected President of the Gateway Users International Group, an organization composed of owners of Gateway computers. I was also the Editor and Publisher of the group's monthly magazine. The magazine was delivered/published in 2 formats. Gateway paid for the printing and mailing of a gray scale paper issue, and we also published a full color edition that was sent via the Internet.
My wife Barbara and I have two daughters.