Shane was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. At age 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he completed 2 years of active duty. Leaving the service for only 1 year, he enlisted in the United States Army serving 4 more years’ active duty. While serving in the Army, Shane met Valerie in Fayetteville, NC. They married in 1997 and moved to Milwaukee, WI, the following year. Shane immediately took advantage of his savings and college fund from his active-duty service and enrolled in the Business Administration curriculum at Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, WI. While pursuing his studies he worked full time for a privately owned electro-mechanical repair company and for a Fortune 100 company. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2000 and was accepted to Navy Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, FL; he was commissioned on August 18, 2000.

Since 2000 Shane has completed 4 combat tours of duty in the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, serving 2 tours onboard ship and 2 on the ground in Africa and Kuwait. Shane’s awards include 3 Joint Service Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, 3 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various unit and campaign awards. Despite being away from his family for 4 of the last 8 years, Shane has earned a Department of Defense Acquisition and Contracting sub-specialty certification and received a Command and Staff Graduate Diploma from the Naval War College. He is currently working toward his Master’s Degree in Business Finance at the Naval Post Graduate School (NPS), Monterrey, CA. Shane enjoys writing poems and lyrics, reading, playing guitar, fishing, cooking, and engaging in fitness activities. And he still rides his BMX bicycle.