John Mata:  

College After completing my undergraduate degree with a BS degree in Criminal Justice from Troy State University, Alabama, I went on to finish my Masters degree with Webster University, Missouri in 1994, majoring in Security Management. I joined the Air Force at age 17 after graduating from Tooele High School. I met my beautiful wife in the upper peninsula of Michigan and took her with me all over the world: Hawaii, Guam, Japan, Spain, Thailand. I Served tours of duty in New Mexico, Michigan, Texas, and Colorado. Most of my Air Force career was with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducting felony investigations. Later I specialized in counterespionage and polygraph. I retired from the Air Force in 1989 after serving 23 years. In my civilian life, I worked for the Colorado Springs Police Department from 1989 to 1991. I then became a contract employee with Wackenhut Corporation and managed polygraph operations for the Department of Energy in Albuquerque, NM. In 2004, I became a federal agent with the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, DC. That job took me to countries behind the iron curtain, Afghanistan, South America, and Asia. Missing the west, I took a federal transfer to El Paso, TX with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2008 where I worked as a polygraph examiner quality control manager until my federal retirement in November 2016. Even though retired, I still work as a contractor for CBP, managing their polygraph program under the employ of Capital Center for Credibility Assessment. This major work changed allowed me the luxury of working from my home. I am so thankful I still have the vigor and health to keep working surrounded by my wonderful family and friends. I was born in Hotchkiss, Colorado but Tooele, Utah was my starting point; however, it certainly did not launch me into my professional career. That I did on my own because there was certainly no one within the school system in Tooele that ever looked out for my best interest. I did, though, leave behind a few good friends, my first love (DM), and acquaintances who could care less, I presume, what ever happened to me after I left Tooele and became successful. I read from posts that I am remembered as kind. I tried to be kind but I was really shy. That all changed as I grew up in life, went to college, and completed an Air Force career. I eventually became the President of the American Association of Police Polygraphists. That shyness had since diminished as I had to face a large membership of private and police polygraph professionals. I have really enjoyed my life and do look forward to my third retirement when I turn 70. For now, I press ahead loving my job. UPDATE - 04/10/2017. In Oct 2014, I moved to the Vineyard Estates in the Rio Grande Valley of Las Cruces, NM surrounded by vineyards and pecan trees. Looked like a good place to enjoy the remaining days of my life - but it was short lived. UPDATE - 12/15/2016. Received a job offer I could not refuse so turned in my gun, badge and credentials and retired from Federal service...Expand for more