Michael (Mike) McDonnell was born in Spokane Washington. He has an older sister (Pat) and two yonger brothers (Kelly, Dan). He attended St. Charles school and Mead Jr. High in Spokane. In 1963 he moved to Tacoma WA where he attended Stadium High School. He worked at Johnny's Dock Restaurant and Stuart Anderson's Black Angus. In 1966 he moved to Portland Oregon attending school and working at the Intercontinential Hotel.

In 1967 he enlisted in the US Air Force in Seattle WA. His first duty was Norton AFB, San Bernardino CA working in cryptography with a top secret security clearance, one of the few IBM computer operators at the time.

His second duty was Bien Hoa AB, Republic of Vietnam where he was temporary duty to the US Army (USARV & MACV) at Long Binh for 8 months to various units as a FAC-Forward Air Controller, then his last months working at the air terminal at Bien Hoa.

His third tour (1969) was Vandenberg AFB CA where he was responsible for classified communications for the Pacific Missile Range Commander . On a two week leave he caught a Hawaii bound Navy plane from Pt. Magu NAS, spending a week with a 'Nam Army friend on Sunset Beach where he was introduced to surfing and the writings of Gurjeiff.

His last active duty tour was Don Muang AB near Bangkok Thailand. He was honorably discharged Sergeant grade in January 1971. He received the following commendations: NDSM, RVCM, VSM w/2BSS, AFGCM.

In 1972 he moved to New York city and later Lakewood NJ where he became the sous chef at the Town and Country restaurant. In 1973 he moved to Roselle, NJ.

That year he traveled for months with a friend from 'Nam and Thailand, Dan Spittlehouse. They travelled from New York to Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Yugoslaia, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Thailand, and returned a similar route. Upon returning to NJ he moved to Roselle Park and worked as a brakeman for the Central New Jersey Railroad.

He attended a group for a few months in NYC with Oscar Ichazo and later another group with the Schneider's who were associated with EJ Gold.

In 1974 he moved to Los Angeles to work with Mr. EJ Gold and the Institute for the Development of the Harmonious Human Being.

In 1977 he opened up a health food store while attending college. In 1978 he moved to Grass Valley CA, along with the Institute.

In 1979 he moved to the Reno area and worked with Silver State Business Products and later Computer Business Applications, Incline Village NV, an OEM for Digital Equipment Corp. computer systems specializing in systems for US Govt agencies (Argonne, Sandia).

In 1982 he moved to Bodega Bay, CA where he spent his time studying and giving classes in Sonoma and Marin County. In 1992 moving to Sonoma CA to set up an Internet development and marketing company. In 1994 he began working for Computer Currents magazine from his home office as the online/web manager until 2000.

From 2000-2002 he took time off to travel and study finance. From 2003 to 2008 he worked for General Electric Finance in San Rafael, CA and later Genworth Financial as a financial advisor.

He currently works as an independent financial advisor focusing on retirement investing and long term care planning. His clients are located in big cities and small towns all across the country.

These days he works with clients primarily over the Internet, email and phone . He also gives financial seminars for buinesses and groups such as Rotary's, retiree associations such as the Sacramento County Retiree Assn, and schools such as CalTech for staff and faculty. You can contact him by email.

favorite quote: "You've mistaken me for someone who knows anything."