Rod was born and raised in Quincy, Illinois.He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University. In 1978 he moved to Colorado and began his professional career as a financial crimes investigator in the banking industry. In 1989 he received a diploma from the University of Colorado at Boulder Graduate School of Banking. Rod held numerous management positions throughout his 17 year banking career specializing in consumer and small business lending. After leaving banking, he ran a home-based small business for 9 years prior to running for office. He was elected as a County Commissioner in 2004 and served for 12 years in that capacity. Rod has been married to his wife Susan for more than 35 years and raised 5 children who graduated from Cherry Creek Schools. They have five grandchildren.