Paul M. Strickler was born in Ludington, Michigan. He graduated from Mason County Central High School in Scottville where he was awarded the Cox Award for Outstanding Student of Literature. Later, he attended Texas A&M University then transferred and graduated from Michigan State University with a BS degree in computer science and minors in English creative writing and political science. For four years, Paul worked as an intelligence analyst and programmer for the CIA in Langley, VA where he was awarded an Exceptional Performance Award-the Agency's highest honor-by the Agency's Director. After his work at the CIA, Paul moved back to Michigan and lived in Boyne City for the next 11 years. Currently, Paul works at a large aerospace company as their Director of Information Technology and lives with his wife and family on the western coast of Michigan.