Personal: Born Wilmington, Delaware Dec. 14, 1947. Evangelical. Republican. Married to Deborah P. Hockenbury. One child Carolynn and four grandchildren. Enjoys backpacking, gardening, Civil War history and sailing.

Education: College at The Citadel B.A. with honors 1969 and Wake Forest University School of Law J.D. 1972. Member Phi Alpha Delta. Graduated from the general jurisdiction course The National Judicial College 1996; Participant National Judicial College 2006 course, "Managing the Capital Case".

Military: Former Captain U.S. Army Infantry Reserve

Practice of Law: Admitted to practice North Carolina
1972, U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina 1972 and U.S. Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit 1973. In legal practice Wilmington, NC as associate with W.K. Rhodes, Jr. (1972-1975); Sole Practitioner (1975-1984) General practice with emphasis on Criminal and Family Law; Partner with James D. Smith, Law Firm of Hockenbury and Smith (1984-1994).

Organizations and Community Affairs: Chairman Technology Committee Conference of Superior Court Judges. Vice Chairman State of North Carolina Community Justice Partnership Commission. Board of Directors Sentencing Services Fifth Judicial District. Past President and current Board Member Wilmington Railroad Museum Foundation. Presiding Judge National and North Carolina High School Mock Trial Competition Finals. Member Community Resource Council Wilmington Residential Facility for Women.  Member Federal Point Historical Society. Columnist on Judicial Affairs Beach Weekly News (2002-2005). 

Legal Activities: President Elect, Fifth Judicial District The North Carolina State Bar 1995. Instructor, Structured Sentencing Seminar University of North Carolina at Wilmington 1996. Panelist, "11 Secrets to Success in the Courtroom: Fact and Expert Witness" Superior Court Judges Fall Conference Litigation Section North Carolina Bar Association 1999. Adjunct Faculty Member-Group Facilitator, The National Judicial College 2000. Guest Lecturer on "Sentencing Procedure and the Role of a Trial Judge", The Citadel 2003; Lecturer "Alternatives that Work-Investment Means Savings" Community Programs That Work Conference, April, 2006; Lecturer on "Computer and Internet Tips and Resources for Superior Court Judges"
Fall 2006 Conference of Superior Court Judges.