Slaying the Dragon: The Journey from the Dungeon to the Ivory Tower

Over 40 years ago, on August 7, 1980, at the age of24, Koch was released on parole after serving bothfederal and state sentences of 18 months to five years.Koch made the commitment to never return toprison, and set out on his life-long journey, reentering mainstream society and pursuing a newlife and careers that include; Flight Instructor, AirlineTransport Pilot, Software Developer and co-founder, President & CEO of the 68th Fastest GrowingCompany in America - 2001 Inc 500 List.Throughout his career as a pilot, Kochearned all of his commercial and instructorcertificates and ratings, including thehighest certificate attainable - the AirlineTransport Pilot Certificate. Koch spentmany years providing flight and groundinstruction, and flying corporate jets, including the Learjet, Cessna Citation andIsraeli Westwind II, and numerousturboprop aircraft.Koch co-founded Fiber Network Solutionsduring 1995 and served as its Chairman, President & CEO until he sold the companyin 2003. Fiber Network Solutions was one ofthe companies that built the infrastructure ofthe Internet in North America. Fiber Network Solutions was started on a shoe string. Among his many awards, Kochearned the Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Best in Business, and was twice distinguishedon the Inc 500 List of America's Fastest GrowingCompanies - # 68 Nationally, and # 1 in Ohio.Koch's life and career began after his release from prison. His compelling 30-year career as a member of mainstreamsociety provides the irrefutable evidence that a successfulreentry into mainstream society, a path of normalcy andlegitimacy, and all of the rich rewards that life has to offerare attainable after a felony conviction and an incarcerationevent.Whether a person wants one or not, they are going to have a journey. Thedestinations of their journey are dependentupon the choices they make during theirjourney. - - David J. Koch