I earned two degrees—a BBA in business and a BA in political science—from Southern Methodist University, but renounced both of my own accord for political reasons. I was on the U.S. Senate staff of Senator Lloyd Bentsen and was an investment manager for a firm I founded and led, based in Houston. I love the high desert plains, being around working artists, and stumbling upon wonderful singers in the indie scene. My upcoming projects include converting my home to be one-hundred-percent energy efficient and constructing a community garden and cultural arts gathering place.