I graduated with honors from Georgia Tech and a fellowship for my PhD. I had a pilot’s license before getting a driver’s license but wore glasses. The military didn’t want me to fly.
Instead, I found myself in the back of military aircraft, doing prototype electronic intelligence (ELINT) and weapons systems. I was the kid in the back of the room at classified briefings attended by high officers, and, sometimes, the SECDEF himself. They called it “Special Ops.”
After Vietnam, I started my first company and produced the first useful automobile radar detector. We called it “The Snooper.” It made Playboy and the legendary Cannonball Baker Race that was the subject of several movies. You can see one in the old movie, Gumball Rally.
After selling the business, I worked for Tektronix. My last “real job” was as the business development manager for their corporate research labs. We had a joint venture with Sony, who helped mentor me in Japanese culture and Asian ways. I became an inventor and started a consulting firm. Clients included Intel, Hewlett Packard, the Naval Postgraduate School, IBM, and others.
I retired and started writing thriller novels. We could go anywhere, drop in, and do book signings. Our airplane had a problem one night coming home. Finally, the NTSB and FAA agreed it was not a crash. It was officially an “accident,” even though no one was hurt because there was “substantial damage.” It was totaled. The insurance paid.
I promised my wife I’d retire. Then General Vallely called. We hope that books like Invisible Treason can help save our Republic.