I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to the late Janet and the late Richard Hovis.
I grew up, primarily, in Santa Monica, California where I attended private elementary schools (Bonner, Carlthorp, and St. Augustine’s By-the-Sea Parish School), Lincoln Junior High School – go Bears, and Santa Monica High School – Samohi (graduating in June 1974)..go Vikings, and summer school at Santa Monica College – 1975-1977…yes, a Corsair.
Further, it was in 5th grade (1967), in elementary school at St. Augustine’s By-the-Sea Parish School, that I found unconditional love in hamsters, leadership, greatness in being an acolyte, and that I committed myself to getting accepted to, and becoming an Arizona State University Sun Devil, and where I made my choice to Walk with, and Journey with God – to becoming a Christian.
In addition to elementary, junior high school, and high school activities, clubs, extracurricular activities, seasonal and summer employment, and University Major and Drafting Minor high school studies, I involved myself in gardening, bike riding, golf, basketball, baseball (Little League to Colt League), hockey, ice skating, distance running, body surfing, paddle tennis, football, recreational (Sunday softball) and league softball (a Santa Monica City Championship in 1982)..and much, much more.
I was accepted to, and attended Arizona State University (the University of a Nation – the University of the World; the New American University; Sun Devils; and, yes, a “dream” fulfilled) from 1974 to 1978 (of note, I am a lifetime Sun Devil, and my late mother, Janet, is an honorary Sun Devil Mom via the 2020-2021 Arizona State University Baseball Team – and, I must admit that my mother was an Arizona State University Mom while I was on campus, as an undergraduate – even if she was a UCLA Alum.).
At Arizona State University, I was seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree in December of 1977, and, further, I also graduated with a wealth of friends, relationships, memories, mentors, leadership skills, athletic talents, fraternity friends, pranks, and leadership skills – Theta Delta Chi – ITB, and, various clubs and board memberships (one of which was as a board member to build the Student Activities Center – which was eventually was built on campus in Tempe, and was and is a “jewel” in my lifetime achievements ++).
After four years in Tempe, Arizona and at Arizona State University, I attended (September 1978-June 1979) California Polytechnical State University at San Luis Obispo, where I studied City and Regional Planning (MCRP). I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning program.
I returned (June 1979) to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my full-time, private, and public sector career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA.
Of note, while working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon Company, USA.
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi, and in April 1983 we had our (my) one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
After five years with Exxon Company, USA, Laura and I moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work in 1985 as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM.
After leaving Kitchell CEM in June 1987, I became an independent contractor, and a registered representative in insurance, radio advertising sales, mortgage finance, financial management, mutual funds, land planning, graphic design, and drafting – dba, The Azymuth Group.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix (1989-1992) and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in February 1992.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in chapter leadership, chapter management, chapter board of directors, community events and projects, to include the Parada Del Sol – as a parade announcer for over 10 years.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix, AZ, to Reston VA in February 1995.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency.
In 2002, I accepted and worked as a Specialized Skills/Support Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency until my retirement (due to shoulder surgery) in September 2018 (retiring with a private and public sector career length spanning from 1979 to 2018 – 39 years).
Away from my 23 years of continuous Federal Government service, I was involved with, and in various organizations and church related activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California, and I, subsequently, moved from Reston, VA to Rebecca’s home in Alexandria, VA – where I found love in Rebecca’s hobbies, tastes, and unconditional love for our kitty cats – Lady Grey and Pearl, and my hamsters…+++.
In May of 2019 I moved to my “final destination” or “home” in San Tan Valley, AZ where I live with my hamster – Travis….and all the desert creatures..rabbits, roadrunners, desert quail and desert fauna and flora…and more.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka the RJ Hamster