Shawn has been playing chess from about the age of 4. His first and most influential teacher was his father. Although he grew up in the relatively less active chess state of Vermont, by now he is a veteran of tournaments with a rating of just over 2100. His chess accomplishments include high school champion of Vermont in 1993, Dutchess County (NY) champion in 2003 and 2004 and co-national champion of bughouse chess at the 2002 US Open. From 2002 to 2004, he worked for the United States Chess Federation in their books and equipment division. Besides chess, he has enjoyed a variety of activities over the years including high school and collegiate athletics, reading, other games of strategy and playing a modest guitar. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English and is currently employed with the United States Census Bureau. Most important of all, however, are his wife and two children.