A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he would spend his summers boating on Lake Winnepesaukee, New Hampshire cultivating a passion for being on the water. Introduced to rowing as a young child, he was quickly drawn to sailing Sunfish and Hobie Cats. Waterskiing, wake-boarding and cruising the lake provided many years of fun and excitement. It would be his love of night-time navigation combined with his respect for boating in marginal weather which continually drew his appreciation of the challenges of boating. Ed majored in Philosophy and Economics, while minoring in Spanish and spent his Junior Year traveling abroad taking language immersion courses in Madrid, Spain. Athletically, he would play intra-mural basketball, compete as a kick-boxer, and receive Varsity Letters in Water Polo. Upon matriculating from Boston College he accepted a commission in the United States Marine Corps. Ed would spend 22 years in the Marine Corps flying the F/A-18 Hornet and the F-5 Tiger II, completing his career in the Marine Reserves as a Marine Top Gun Adversary Instructor Pilot (a.k.a. the “Professional Bad Guy”). Ed retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and now is employed as a commercial airline Captain with Southwest Airlines flying Boeing-737 aircraft. In 2014, Ed opened an MMA gym with his business partner in Frederick, MD teaching kids and adults the arts of Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. In 2018 Ed started Meridian Leadership Academy where he now creates leadership curriculum for corporations as well as personally coaches individuals and corporate teams to find excellence in all areas of their lives. Ed is happily married with 3 children and now lives in Puerto Rico where he enjoys surfing and sailing in the Caribbean sun with family and friends.