Detailed Biography

     I entered the USAF at the age of 17. My first job was as an Egress Technician working on aircraft ejection seats.  After a few years I volunteered for special duty as a Technical Training Instructor and was accepted.  This was the beginning of a life-long passion for training.  I completed the Technical Training Instructor school and was assigned to teach the Aircrew Egress Systems course.

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     About 2 years later, I chose to retrain into a career field that was critically short of personnel, MetNav, which included meteorological and navigational systems.  This was my introduction into the world of electronics.  After completing the 6-month training course at Keesler AFB and earning honor graduate status, I was asked to stay and put my instructor skills to work.

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     During my time at Keesler, I attended NCO Leadership school.  At graduation I captured the Distinguished Graduate, Academic Achievement, Communicators, World Affairs and Military Studies Awards.  A feat never before accomplished.

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     After 4+ years at Keesler, I decided to apply for another special duty assignment, as a Basic Military Training Instructor.  I was accepted for this assignment, and captured Honor Graduate upon completion of my training.  I spent 3 years at Lackland AFB training new recruits and preparing them for their military careers.  While there I also completed the NCO Academy, and received the Distinguished Graduate Award.

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     Later, I found a way to fulfill my life-long dream of being an Air Force flyer and retrained as a C-141 Loadmaster.  I was assigned to the 6th Airlift Squadron, McGuire AFB, NJ, as a Flight Chief Loadmaster, supervising some 35 personnel deployed around the world.  I had the pleasure of flying missions in support of the Gulf War, our interests in Somalia, humanitarian missions in: Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia, and many more.  I completed my managerial studies through completion of the Senior NCO Academy.

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     My diverse career included aircraft maintenance, electronics, technical and military training, and earning my wings as an aircrew member.

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     During my career I was honored to have been awarded the following:

• Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster

• Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters

• Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

• Combat Readiness Medal / Combat Crew Badge

• USAF Master Instructor

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     After leaving the Air Force I moved to South Florida and began my current career in the Security and Surveillance industry.  I started with a company called Sensormatic in Boca Raton.  Sensormatic included two sister companies American Dynamics and Robot Research, and was eventually bought by Tyco Fire and Security. 

     I left Tyco to move on to an IP video start up called DVTEL.  DVTEL was at the leading edge of video over networks and this is where I really became network savvy.  As the Education and Training Manager there, I quickly became a subject matter expert in IP networks in order to develop and deliver training to our system integrators.  DVTEL grew and was bought by FLIR, which allowed me to get a deeper understanding of thermal cameras and thermal applications.

     Most recently I worked for Vicon Industries LLC, one of the oldest companies in the security industry as the Director of Learning and Development.

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     I have been a Florida resident since 1994.  I moved from Palm Beach County to St. Lucie County in 2018, where I live with my wife, Chanya Umansky.