Neal was born in Bakersfield, Ca and raised in the small ranching town of Glennville, Ca on the family cattle ranch in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. His father was a Captain with the Kern County fire department and a cattle rancher. His mother a homemaker. Neal has two older brothers. Neal has worked in and around the movie industry in various capacities since 1987. Neal has worked in positions of actor, supporting cast, extra, producer, production manager, second unit director, stunts, special effects coordinator, technical advisor, armourer and site manager on approximately 30 plus movie, tv and music video productions. Neal was in law enforcement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department starting in 1981 and served with distinction until Dec 1992 when injuries received in the line of duty forced his retirement. Neal received numerous commendations while a deputy sheriff as well as receiving the Los Angeles County Sheriff Departments second highest award for valor, Meritorious Conduct Medal Gold, for his actions in a life saving attempt. His specialties were criminal and traffic investigations. From 1996 to 1999, Neal served as second in command with the new Cuesta College police department and helped establish the agencies policies, rules and procedures. Neal served in the California State Military Reserve (Army) 1994 to 1996 at the rank of Sergeant (E-5) working G-2 intelligence. He was commissioned a First Lieutenant(O-2) and was a search and rescue pilot with the Civilian Air Patrol (Air Force) 2002 to 2006. Neal is a commercially rated multi engine pilot. From 2008 to 2009, Neal was with the DOD as an instructor and SME with the Marine Corp., training and instructing Marines as well as deploying with Marine units. He held an honorary Special Staff Officer rank of Lt. Col. (O-5). Show less «