Born in Medford, OR, Dwight graduated from Medford High School in 1964. He graduated from the U.S Air Force Academy in 1970 with a degree in Latin American Affairs and earned a Masters Degree in Business Management in 1977 from Troy State University, AL. During the Vietnam War, Dwight flew 82 combat missions, earning two Meritorious Service medals and seven Air Medals. Retiring from the Air Force in 1988, he moved back to Grants Pass, his wife Bonnie's hometown. Dwight served as the Grants Pass/Josephine County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director from 1990 to 2005 and was named the Oregon Chamber Executive of the Year for 2003. Dwight has been married to the lovely Bonnie Valker for 34 years. They boast four children and four grandchildren.