This biographical data was taken from the Federal Judicial Center [link] on Sep 27, 2017:

Born 1950 in Lexington, VA

Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of AlabamaNominated by George W. Bush on September 4, 2001, to a seat vacated by Alex T. Howard, Jr. Confirmed by the Senate on February 4, 2002, and received commission on February 12, 2002. Served as chief judge, 2003-2010. Assumed senior status on March 7, 2016.