Leo was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands in 1939. His family survived WWII. As a child, he was faced with learning problems and ended up at an elementary boarding school. No one at the time realize Leo was dyslexic. Facing many problem in his youth, he managed to findish high school and went to the unviersity, graduating with a degree in engineering in 1963 and in 1967 received a degree in economics.

Leo's work brought him to 11 countries and he has lived in eight countries. His tasks were to help government to increase their export industry. Leo started and got 16 factories on track in the labor intensive sector and got five companies out of bankrupcy. He was part of the Dutch Secretary of Foreighn Affairs. When he was living in Jamaica, he was also very close to the USA government and was an Advisor for four years to the Reagan Committee for the Develpment of the Caribbean under the charimanship of David Rockefeller. Leo's other functions at the same time were the resonsiblity as a Consul for the north and west part of Jamaica, the liason of the Dutch Interpol for 14 years, and he was involved in the intelligence for the Netherlands.

Leo met his wife, Judi, in 1983 while she was on vacation in Jamaica. She soon joined him there. In 1998 a U.S. company brought him to the USA to help their company in Mexico get through some problems. Leo wnet on to start two companies in Mexico and one in Haiti for the same organzation.

Leo retired at 78 and decided to move from Texas to La Crosse, his wife's hometown. They now in Onalaska since December of 2024 and are happy to have found a great Rotary club here in La Crosse.