Denise is an Army brat who was born in Atlanta, Georgia.  Her family spent the next 18 years moving around the world – Fort Ord, California; Savannah, Georgia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Heidelberg, West Germany.

She received her undergraduate degree from The George Washington University and her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law (Florida).

While in law school, Denise was recruited to join the U.S. Coast Guard.  Denise entered active duty in August 1998 and spent the next four years proudly serving her country.

In 2002, Denise joined the Transportation Security Administration and helped create the new agency and the new Department of Homeland Security.

Denise served as Senior Counsel on the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee from 2005-2009.  During this period, she wrote the rail and maritime security provisions in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act.

In 2008, Barrack Obama was elected President.  Denise joined his Administration in September 2009 as the Chief Counsel, U.S. Maritime Administration.

She left the Administration in 2012 and is currently a lobbyist for the U.S. ship recycling industry; commentator on Backroom Politics, a weekly political radio show; and Girl Scout troop leader.

Denise is also an accessories designer.  She enjoys selling Elon Augustus headbands at the annual Barrack’s Row Fall Festival and local holiday shows.