he created a national beverage company to provide healthy snack drinks to baby boomers. He went on to manage Caymen Ventures, Inc., which focused on identifying middle market companies for sale in the consumer goods, food and beverage, logistics and supply chain sectors. He has previously served as the CEO of Raymond Express International, in produce and logistics, and then Valudor Products, LLC, an importer of specialty chemicals. He is married to Michelle Tree, and they have 5 children. It is the second marriage for both of them. Tragically, his oldest daughter from his first marriage, Stephanie Tree, died from an accidental drug overdose in August, 2011. He continues to talk about the dangers of drugs and alcohol whenever possible in hopes of preventing future senseless tragedies. He's an Eagle Scout and his hobbies include home improvement projects, foreign languages, and travel. He is a PADI Divemaster and Master Scuba Diver. Early years Tree was born in 1966 in Provo, Utah to Norman and Sallianne Tree. He is the 2nd oldest of 6 children. His father was a career Air Force fighter pilot who flew combat missions in Vietnam for a year. His family moved around frequently due to his father's demanding military career. The whole family lived in Southern France from 1977 to 1980 while his father was assigned as the U.S. Air Force exchange officer to the French Air Force Academy. While living in France he attended 6th through 8th grades at a local French middle school, and he's completely fluent in French. His family returned to the United States in 1980 where he attended three different high schools over the following four years in California, Michigan, and Utah, graduating in 1984. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning his Eagle Scout while in high school. He excelled academically as well as athletically, garnering varsity letters in swimming, diving, tennis, track, and cross-country. The U.S. Air Force Academy recruited him for Diving, and he enrolled there and subsequently competed as a diver in the NCAA Division One Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Education Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (1990) Master of Business Administration, Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii (1994) Squadron Officer School (1995) Master of Arts in Economics, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma (1998) Air Command and Staff College (2001) Air War College (2005) Reserve Component National Security Course (2010) Advanced Joint