About Me

I graduated from Lemon Bay High School in Englewood, Florida, in June 1997. Needing parental approval to enlist, and with my initial choice of the Marine Corps had been vetoed by my mother. A stern warning led me to sign a US Army Ranger Contract instead.

Thriving in the comprehensive training provided by the US Army, I encountered a brief and unexpectedly comedic moment involving my mother. Little did I know, she was a high-ranking Dept of Defense employee at the time and utilized her influence to have the base commander personally locate me. He graciously offered me his office, allowing me to make a lighthearted call to her at work, assuring her that I was not yet engaged in combat and promising regular correspondence. With the imposing presence of the mountainous Drill Sergeant Ford, weighing in at 250 lbs, and my daily kitchen duties, I was consistently reminded to keep up with my weekly updates.

Continuing my education into Advanced Individual Training and Airborne school, even though I now had access to a phone, I remained committed to sending letters by post. This was a deliberate effort to keep my identity discreet from my mother's friends. Under the expert guidance of the US Military cadre, I successfully completed all required training to reach my jump week. Despite completing all five jumps and graduating, I unfortunately sustained significant knee damage, preventing me from advancing into the ranks of the elite US Army Ranger Indoctrination Program.

While the initial disappointment was challenging, the 82nd Airborne Division welcomed me warmly. I found a home and a new family among the men of Charlie Rock, C Co. 1st / 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, NC. From 1997 to 2001, I served alongside some of the country's finest, and through their guidance and friendship, I achieved success in every aspect of my life.

Participating in several major overseas deployments, spanning 13 countries on behalf of the UN, NATO, and even engaging in a troop exchange with Germany where I earned my German Jumps wings, were among the notable highlights.

While my initial plan was to retire after twenty years, unforeseen challenges necessitated my adaptation and resilience in the face of adversity.

After leaving the military, I delved into the realm of construction, gaining knowledge in both residential and commercial structures. My passion for the field prompted me to follow my father's advice and enroll in a local technical college to further my education, aiming for roles with higher pay and the luxury of working in air-conditioned environments. Following months of intensive training at Charlotte Vocational Technical School, I secured an excellent position with CH Design, Inc.

Having honed my raw talents and skills, I reached a point where my expertise was in high demand. This led me to embark on the entrepreneurial path, establishing my own company, Albetsen Drafting Services, Inc. While primarily operating in Charlotte, De Soto, and Lee counties, I expanded my ventures opportunistically.

Regrettably, the economic downturn of 2008 forced me to shutter the business.

Thus began the subsequent chapter of my professional journey. Through networking and the invaluable assistance of great friends, I never found myself without the necessities. A dear friend, essentially a brother to me and a former comrade from my military service, introduced me to the world of first-level support in IT. Armed with these skills and a readiness to work graveyard shifts, I secured well-paying positions with various companies. My responsibilities included building servers, managing services, and overseeing entire data centers, with only occasional economic interruptions.

Despite these achievements, the challenges of the persistently turbulent economy and personal struggles led to the loss of these positions. Undeterred and still in need of employment, I enrolled in another vocational school, Roadmaster Drivers School in Orlando. The allure of the open road and the solitude it promised appealed to me. I found contentment traversing the country from the east coast to the west. Unfortunately, this career path was relatively short-lived as the economic downturn began to impact the trucking industry as well.

Forced to return home, I enrolled in another vocational school to obtain unarmed and armed security licenses in the state of Florida. I joined the esteemed Wackenhut Corporation, shortly before its acquisition and rebranding as G4S Secure Solutions. Leveraging my prior military experience, I secured a position on their Quick Reaction Forces, contributing to the security of personnel and equipment during the BP oil spill. I also played a role in safeguarding structures for Bank of America in Bethesda, MD, and Saginaw, MI, amid the Occupy Wall Street protests and demonstrations.

In recent years, as I embarked on a new construction endeavor, personal tragedy struck. While replacing a storm-damaged roof, I fell, and it was a nearby dog that alerted his owner, a fellow veteran from the US Air Force, to my location. Following numerous surgeries and the use of medical apparatus, I now have functional use of my dominant arm and partial functionality in my non-dominant arm. A year of rehabilitation brought me to a point of self-sufficiency, with my parents rallying around me, providing care reminiscent of my younger days. My mother lived with me, and my father was always nearby with financial support and whatever else we needed.

Universal Studios Florida extended an opportunity for me to prove my capability to re-enter the workforce. The theme parks became a platform to showcase and apply the skills, principles, and work ethic instilled in me many years ago. This led to successful promotions over a three-year career, culminating in my graduation from the prestigious DAVE School, marking a significant achievement in my life.

Enrolled as a student at the Digital Animation and Visual Effects School, I rekindled connections with an old friends and colleagues, Gregory Poole and Ace Johnson. I also formed numerous new friendships, with one individual, Bradley Menyhert, deciding to join me in the business venture. Under the guidance of exceptional instructors and industry experts, including Seth Lickiss, Zach Hamelton, Jacob Oliver, PJ Salamon, Braden Brunk, Mary Ghattas, and John Jak Pagan, I acquired valuable knowledge. I pledge to consistently strive to uphold the standards they instilled in me, recognizing that my future successes are made possible by their impactful contributions to shaping my craft.

In addition to contributing to two school projects, "The Unending" and "Christmas Eve at Kelly's," I had the privilege and honor of completing three book covers for author Ace Johnson. These covers were for his "Warrior Women of Superian Island" series, with subtitles including "The Legend of the Six Breasted Man," "Something about Fairies," and "Sleeze." The first title achieved recognition on some bestseller lists on Amazon. Further, I successfully crafted a fully digital 30-second commercial for an HVAC company based in Houston. During my tenure running a residential and commercial design firm, I also produced architectural walkthroughs for an old home building client. Additionally, I created several new coin designs, two of which were designed to commemorate student projects in my final blocks.

Looking ahead, whether it involves securing a position with the various companies exposed to me by the DAVE School or the potential acceptance into film festivals I plan to submit to, I express gratitude for the opportunity to showcase my skills and talent. This platform allows me to bring my stories to a wider audience, and I appreciate the support in this endeavor.