Born 1950 in Springfield, MO

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Nominated by George W. Bush on February 12, 2004, to a seat vacated by Theodore McMillian. Confirmed by the Senate on June 24, 2004, and received commission on July 2, 2004.

Education:
Northwestern University, B.A., 1972
Yale Law School, J.D., 1975
Memphis State University (now University of Memphis), M.B.A., 1979
University of Virginia School of Law, LL.M., 1994

Professional Career:

U.S. Navy/Naval Reserve captain, 1972-2002
Campaign manager, Wendell Bailey for Congress, 1980
Administrative assistant, U.S. Rep. Wendell Bailey of Missouri, 1981-1982
Private practice, Jefferson City, Missouri, 1983-1989
Director of revenue, Missouri Department of Revenue, 1989-1991
Adjunct professor, Westminster College, 1998-2004
Adjunct professor, University of Missouri School of Law, 1998-2004
Judge, Supreme Court of Missouri, 1991-2004; chief justice, 1997-1999
Board member, Federal Judicial Center, 2018-2022