Took my first flying lesson at age 11, wanted to go to USAFA but decided on Purdue for aviation (out of state) with AFROTC scholarship. Started Purdue at 18 and got my private, at 19 found out I was medically disqualified from Air Force. My 4th semester I did my IRA/COM/CFI/CFII rides in a 6 week period. Instructed two summers in LEX, and was a Chautauqua intern between my junior/senior year. Was selected to fly Purdue's Beechjet fall of my senior year, then did a one-year UPS co-op all of 2005, graduating in December 2005. At that point, I was a CFI-AIM and had roughly 1050tt, 100 multi, and had spent probably 30-35k directly on flying with another good amount on regular college tuition & fees. I had about 50k in student loan debt.

Started at Air Wisconsin the first week of 2006, based at some point in all 3 (at that time) domiciles even as a newly married man, and happily worked there through Nov 2007 when I was hired by my current employer. After 3 months and obtaining my ATP/CE500 type rating, the Chief Pilot quit for NetJets and at age 24 I was promoted by my boss to Chief Pilot "...because I trust you." Given all that responsibility I hired my current colleague, went through a major maintenance event on our old Citation, managed the acquisition of our new CJ2+ along with the divestiture of the old airplane, and have been flying & pushing paper ever since.

Today I'm 26 years old, married with a successful wife, own a nice home on a 15 year note, and will have all but about $5k of my student loan debt paid off before my 27th birthday.

So what did it take for me to get where I am today? A lot of financial burden, even more hard work, a little recognition of that hard work, and more than just a little luck.