Born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY I spent much of my time growing up with a pencil in my hand. It wasn't until just prior to graduating high school that I wanted to make my talent a career. In 1986 I enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the Visual Communications program. Following graduation in the summer of 1989, I accepted employment as an in-house Graphic Illustrator for a food distribution Company in Pittsburgh, PA where I worked for the next two years. In April of 1991 I decided to join the United States Marine Corps entering boot camp at Paris Island, South Carolina. After boot camp training I spent my first four years as an enlisted Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewman, (AAV's) and was deployed to several locations world wide. During that time I was assigned to 2nd AAV Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (2nd MAR DIV) and participated in a number of Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (MEUSOC) exercises including a six month deployment enjoying all the comforts of home aboard the USS Saginaw. In the fall of 1992 we supported operations off the coast of the former Yugoslavia and participated in a number of training exercises. Returning to the Mediterranean Sea in the winter of 1994 this time for support in "Operation Restore Hope" in Somalia as part of the 24th MEU (SOC), aboard the USS Spartanburg County. Upon landing in the capitol of Somalia (Mogadishu we participated in an operation would last four of the six-months of the deployment and consist of the withdraw of US troops from Somalia. Upon returning to Camp LeJeune from the latest deployment and a long six months, the 24th MEU (SOC) and Alpha Company 2nd AAV Battalion 3rd Platoon would make history. This time the 26th MEU (SOC) was recalled from authorized leave after only two weeks back in the US. This was the first time the 24th MEU (SOC) was reactivated after standing-down and the MEU's units were instructed to return back to Camp LeJeune after only 2 days on leave, where a normal block of leave time is usually a 2-3 week period. The deployment "Operation Support Democracy" in troubled Haiti, required us to remain at sea in the area for another two months, in hopes of disrupting the violence and restoring peace in the country. Shortly after returning to the US as second enlistment came around in March of 1995, I accepted orders to Quantico, VA, where I would spend the next four years as a Graphic Specialist, "reeducating" myself in the Graphic Design field. Continuing my education I attended Northern Virginia Community College majoring in multimedia design. By the end of my second enlistment I would hold the title equivalent to Junior Art Director, producing several world wide marketing promotions including Illustrations for the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Krulak, and his campaign for the Professional Reading Program. In October of 1998 I elected to end my military career at Marine Corps Base, Quantico Virginia honorably, and decided to enter into a civilian career in the marketing/advertising and graphic design field. After departing Virginia I experienced a short stay in Ohio, where I worked as a production manager and graphic designer for a very successful marketing firm. Soon after, I was on my way back to the Northern Virginia area where I accepted an employment opportunity working once again with the United States Marine Corps. This time as a civilian with a consulting firm where I would produce and assist with the development and implementation of interactive multimedia training simulations. The United States Marine Corps used these simulations as part of the field training exercises in leadership. Since that time I have continued a career in the multimedia development field and enjoy all the challenges this career has to offer. Although I have always expressed interest in the American Civil War, and that trying time of our great nations history, I attribute my time spent in the United States Marine Corps as a historical military educational period and feel that combining my talents with my enthusiasm for Military history has enabled me to focus completely and further develop my artistic interest.

Semper Fi -Chris