What was your line of service, and how have those skills transferred to your career today?
I served as an Army Blackhawk Pilot and SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) Instructor. The skills transition to my current role seamlessly. My job has always been about identifying risks and avoiding them. In the military, that meant staying alive. Now, it means protecting our associates and the company. Safety is all about the details, and I’ve spent years focused on the ones that matter most.
What is a lesson or piece of advice from your service that still applies today?
Complacency kills, whether it’s in the field or on the job. Be intentional, be alert, and never take routine for granted.
Who was your first mentor, and what did you learn from them?
Dave “Duke” Garrity, who recruited me into the special operations community. He taught me that the human body can endure just about anything—as long as the mind stays motivated. That perspective has carried me through every challenge since.
What’s the first piece of professional advice that really stuck with you?
“In the absence of guidance, you have initiative, and that’s not always a good thing.” I started saying that early in my career. I’m sure someone said something like it first, but it stuck. It reminds me that while initiative is valuable, direction and discipline are just as important.