Gary L. Conrad got his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Northwestern University and a master's in computer science from DePaul University. He worked in the aerospcae industry developing hardware and software. He ran a lab at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base with the software he developed. He holds a software patent. He is cofounder of Tricor Systems Inc. He is retired and presently living in Colorado with his wife Barbara and Tabitha, their cat. He is a private pilot, loves the North Woods, fishing, camping, and hiking.