After graduating from Lyle High school in 1983 (Lyle Washington) Rod moved to Oklahoma City, which was OK for a few months. College was out of the question since his parents fell into the land of not making enough to pay for college, and it was just too much to get college grants.

The USMC is where Rod spent his life from 1984-1988. He got a career as a truck mechanic from the Marines. Rod really hated being a mechanic, but he continued in that career for several years after he got out of the US Marines. Rod even got his ASE certification for trucks and cars, and he knew that a career change was necessary. 

    

He and his son Matt moved from Pennsylvania where he lived for several years, to Everett WA, with what would fit in an old rusted out Honda car (that barely made the trip) to start a career as a low voltage electrician. After 3 months on the job, the company he worked for lost a big contract with Microsoft. This resulted in Rod getting laid off.  Unfortunately, establishment of residency in Washington had not yet been accomplished, so he did not qualify for unemployment and an apartment lease had just been signed, adding to the stress level.
 

    He soon got hired on at a local company in Everett WA, that gave him a truck to use and take home. That truck was the only reason he was able to make it to work everyday. Day care for his 8 year son was a fortune for Rod, as he was working to establish his career. Needless to say, medical coverage was out of the question. After 4 years he got his limited energy journeyman card and his salary increased substantially. Now Rod is a 120v Electrician (01 Journeyman).

    Rod started AVSS shortly thereafter incorporated in 1997.  Rod has been self employed ever since. 

    To be a politician, as viewed by Rod is a duty to be performed, not a lifetime career. "I can no longer sit by and watch this country get destroyed from within," he said when he decided to run for US Senate.