My first job out of college was as a mortgage banker which I did for a very difficult 9 years.  Then, with the support of my family, I quit my job and went back to school to get my MA and DA in 1982.  That was a life changer and and allowed me to follow my love of writing, literature, and the humanities and led me to a teaching position at DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College).  After 35 years as a Professor of English, teaching humanities, film, literature, and various writing courses, I amcalling it quits and will retire May 30, 2023.

I have lived most of my adult life in Des Moines, Iowa with my wife, Denise Mernka. The eldest of our two daughters, Adrienne, currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband Michael and their dog, Morphy.  Our youngest daughter Natalie lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband Ryan son Bruce and dog Fiona.