After 40 years of government service, I retired this summer! From a Naval Aviator in the US Marines after Wesleyan University, to DOJ as a trial attorney, to US Customs/Homeland Security Investigations as a Special Agent, and then at the Department of Homeland Security as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Law Enforcement Policy, it was time. Along the way I received the DHS Gold Medal for actions in Panama intercepting Russian weapons headed to North Korea, made the largest undercover seizure of Chinese automatic weapons in US history, led a team of Agents into Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, received two silver medals for other law enforcement issues, and upon retirement, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal – the highest award DHS bestows. As a famous predecessor once said, “First 40 years for God and Country – now I am a mercenary!” I now look forward to my daughter Isabelle’s wedding next Spring and some lazy flyfishing!