Alan enlisted in the United States Navy. He served his country from 1988 to 1992. During his enlistment, he was stationed aboard USS Anchorage LSD 36 from

1989 to 1992. While on the USS Anchorage, they deployed to Desert Shield/Desert Storm in1990 to 1991. Then the USS Anchorage moved to the Bay of Bengals in support of Operation Sea Angel in 1991.

During the 4 years in the Navy, Alan earned the rank of Petty Officer 3 rd Class while serving as a Quarter Master. He departed the military with the following ribbons and medals: National Defense Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Humanitarian Service Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Commander, Amphibious Group 3 letters of Commendation; Good Conduct Medal; numerous Letters of Appreciation from 2 Commanding Officers of USS Anchorage; and Junior Sailor of the Quarter for 1 st Quarter of 1990.

After separating from the Navy in September 1992, Alan moved to Denton Texas to attend University of North Texas and studied Finance. While at UNT, he worked as a property supervisor at Asset Management Systems, which is a real-estate management company in Denton from 1992 to 2000.

In 1999, Alan wanted to pursue welding and began attending Grayson County Welding Technologies from 1999 to 2001. He excelled in welding and graduated in 2001 with Summa Cum Laude. He was so good at welding that the college hired him in 2003 as a teacher in the Welding Department.

From being a teacher, he moved to a Program Director in 2012 and in 2013 became the Chair of the Industrial Technologies. This is a position he currently serves in. He oversees 8 programs and January 2024 will mark 21 years at Grayson County College. In 2016, he was awarded Professor of the Year.

After he became settled in his current position with Grayson County College, he wanted to give back to his comrades. He joined the VFW in 2015 and become a Legacy Life member in 2022. Upon joining the VFW, he held various positions to include the current one as Commander. He has been the Commander of VFW Post 2772 here in Sherman since June 2022. 

 

Alan resides in Sherman, Texas with his life-long partner, Kaye. Together they have 7 children and 6 grandchildren.