Timothy Ballard recieved an MA (summa cum laude) in international politics from the Monterey Institute of International studies.  He has worked for the Central Intelligence Agency and as a special agent for the Department of Homeland Security, and is the founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad, which rescues children from child-trafficking organizations throughout the world.  He was recently named a Social Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young.  Tim and his wife, Katherine, have nine children.