Born in Richmond, Virginia, on January 4, 1958; educated at Concord College (B.A., 1980); Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D., 1984); Attorney; married Siobhan Deeds; Warren Stambaugh Award (1998); Leadership in Public Policy Award (Nature Conservancy 1999); 2006 Profiles in Courage Award, Coalition of Labor Union Women Western Virginia Chapter;Virginia Association for Parks, 2007 Legislator of the Year; 2008 Legislator of the Year Award, The Washington DC Building Trades Council; 2008 Col. Michael S. Harris (Ph.D.) Award, American Association of University Professors Virginia Conference; 2012 Enduring Support Award, Virginia Association of Parks; Outstanding Legislator of the Year for 2012, Virginia Sheriffs' Association; 2013 VAISEF Distinguished Service Award; 2014 Richard T. Greer Advocacy Award, National Alliance on Mental Illness; 2014 Legislator of the Year Award, Psychiatric Society of Virginia; 2014 Outstanding Legislator Award, NAMI Virginia; 2015 Legislator of the Year, Virginia Association for Parks; 2015 State Legislator of the Year Award, American Psychological Association Practice Organization; 2015 The Champion Award, Virginia Brain Injury Council; 2016 Legislative Award, Virginia Emergency Management Association; 2019 Legislator of the Year Award, Virginia Counselors Association;2019 Outstanding Service Award, Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work; 2021 Legislator of the Year, Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers; 2021 Virginia Records Award, Virginia Genealogical Society; 2022 Legislator of the Year, Psychiatric Society of Virginia; 2022 Legislator of the Year Award, Virginia Wineries Association ; Member of the House: 1992-2001; Member of the Senate: 2001-