Representative, United States House of Representatives, District 2, 2011-2016

Former Member, Appropriations Committee

Co-Founder, Fix Congress Now Caucus

Former Member, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government

Former Member, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch

Member, United States House Committee on Armed Services

Member, Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, 1995-1999

Owner, Automobile Dealerships

Founder, Freedom Automotive

Chair, Freedom Automotive

Former Member, Local Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Corporations

Sergeant, United States Marine Corps Reserve, 1978-1984

Former Member, Board, Horizons Hampton Roads

Volunteer, Boy Scouts of America

Volunteer Mentor, First Colonial High School

Board Member, Friends of Saint John's University

Co-Founder, Friends of Saint John's University

Former President, Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers Association

Lifetime Member, National Rifle Association (NRA)

Elder, Trinity Church

Member, Trinity Church in Virginia Beach

Founding Member, Tusk and Trunk Club

Volunteer, United Way

Partner-In-Education, Willoughby Elementary School

Chair, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, 2007

Favorite Book:

Undaunted Courage by: Stephen Ambrose

Favorite Movie:

Gladiator

Favorite Musician:

Boston, U2, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles

Favorite Quote:

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." - Ronald Reagan

Favorite TV Shows:

The Office, WWII documentaries, any show on the History Channel, Frontline

Hobbies or Special Talents:

Hunting, Woodworking, Boating, Playing the drums in Guava Jam

Names of Grandchildren:

Parks, Reese, Cade

Number of Grandchildren:

3

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

I am running to meet the obligation we have to pass on to our children and grandchildren an America that is safe, strong, and truly free.

I am running because my experience as a small businessman, creating hundreds of jobs right here in our community, gives me a deep understanding of the steps we need to take to get our economy moving again.

I am running because I want to move forward an Energy Independence Plan that will allow American workers to tap American sources of energy, both traditional and renewable for America's homes and businesses.

I am running because three generations of military service in my family has instilled in me a profound respect for and desire to serve our men and woman in uniform and their families, whose sacrifices keep us free.

I am running because we need experienced, proven leadership in Washington; leadership that will require accountability and put the brakes on reckless spending, regulation and taxation.

Our Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore families are hurting from job losses and rising health care costs. Washington has placed a heavy burden on families, and on our small businesses. Each year we grow deeper in debt to nations who do not share our values. We continue to depend on foreign oil, at a cost of $500 billion dollars a year; money that should be circulating within our economy. Instead that money flows to countries and individuals who have publicly expressed their desire to see America fail.

These and other issues represent a serious threat to our way of life and, if unchecked, place our national security at grave risk. In business and in life I've learned that we solve problems by setting the right priorities, listening to and welcoming good advice, and acting boldly on plans that move the best ideas forward. I understand the inherent dangers of over borrowing; I make a budget and I stick to it. I hold myself and the people who work with me accountable for results. I'm convinced we must take the same proven, common sense approach in Congress.

As Virginians we have a special duty to lead the renewal of America. From the rich soil of our Commonwealth have come patriots like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and now Governor Bob McDonnell, who serve with steady resolve when America's next steps are uncertain. As voters in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District you have the power to send the right leader to Washington, to join with other conservative leaders who are rising up across America to take back our United States Congress.