The Man Behind the Mission

I grew up in a small town in central Arkansas, where sports, community, and hard work were a way of life. After graduating from Magnet Cove High School in 1990, I enlisted in the Arkansas National Guard as an Infantryman — the beginning of a military journey that would define the next three decades of my life.

I started college part-time at Henderson State University in 1995, but when the September 11 attacks happened, I didn't hesitate. I signed up for active duty with the U.S. Army and spent the years that followed serving multiple deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. It was demanding, dangerous, and the most meaningful work I've ever done.

Over the course of my 22-year career, I was awarded the Soldier's Medal for Heroism in 2012 and earned the Combat Infantryman Badge — honors I carry with deep pride. I finished my Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education while still in service and retired from the Army in 2022.

Since then, I've stayed close to the mission, working in security contracting that supports federal agencies including FEMA. In 2024, I enrolled in the Master's program in Higher Education Leadership at Liberty University, with graduation expected in March 2026. I'm passionate about leadership, service, and building something meaningful in the next chapter.