Al was born in Lafayette, LA and grew up in St. Martinville, LA where he lived on a small farm with his mother, father and eight other family members. He attended Adam Carlson High School and graduated in 1967 within the top 10% of his class. Al was voted by his classmates in his senior year as the most likely to succeed and he has lived up to that honor.

Upon graduation, Al enlisted into the military in December of 1967 in Detroit, Michigan. He worked as a Procurement Specialist and held many other senior leadership positions during his career. His military travels included several states within the United States, Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, England, South Korea and many other foreign countries.

Upon retiring from the Air Force, Al was employed by the Boeing Company as Construction Subcontracts Manager and later became The Boeing Company’s Southeast Regional Small Business Program Manager. He was later employed by University Research Association as a Senior Contracts Administrator in Dallas, TX and with MK-Ferguson in Oak Ridge, TN as the Small Business Program Manager and Staff Subcontract Administrator. Al is presently Manager of Operations Support-Contracts Division.

Al resides in Knoxville, TN with his wife Mary and is actively involved in the local community. He is a member of the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Contract Management Association and serves on the Board of Directors and is the Chairperson for Employment. He and Mary attend St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They have two wonderful children, Kenia and Kendra and are the proud grandparents of two grandsons, Kalen and Keon.

In his spare time Al enjoys Pinochle, sports, travel, music and of course, cooking. Several of us have been lucky enough to experience some of Al’s culinary delights throughout the years. He participates in the International Festival each year surprising all with his Louisiana style of cooking.

Al’s military decorations include US Air Force Meritorious Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, US Air Force Accommodation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, US Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one cluster, National Defense, Good Conduct with 4 clusters and many others.

Al retired from the United States Air Force with 20 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant.