What inspired you to join the U.S. military?

I wanted to see the world—and travel, I did. Also, the military was something that I was familiar with, and it was a bonus that my time in service helped me pay for college. I liked the structure, the stability, and the ability to do some pretty cool stuff.

What’s one highlight from your military career?

The first thing that comes to mind is me leading all of the planning and coordination of Air Force assets for former President Reagan's funeral. I needed to arrange the personnel, Air Force marching band, honor guard, and aircraft to be able to pull off the Funeral Operations Plan. It's definitely a highlight for me because I had just arrived at my new base when he died. I still hadn't gotten my household goods shipment from Japan (which simply means I was pretty new to the area and base) and had only been there for two or three weeks.

What led you to join NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries?

I was looking for a challenge (and boy did I find one), as well as greater responsibility. I wanted to return to my operational roots and I had a desire to do something completely different. Growth and personal development is of great value to me and pursuing new and different things is one way to grow. I have been exposed to a lot during my time at NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and while it can be exhausting, I love my job.

How did your military experience prepare you for a role at NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries?

By virtue of it being the military, it is very operational and can be very rigid. And yet, not many know that flexibility is key to military prowess. One of the sayings I learned during my time in the Air Force is, ‘flexibility is key to air power.’ Being able to be dynamic is something that my military experience has prepared me for and is necessary in my current position. In addition, organizational operations is something that I am familiar with. I recall multiple months of twelve-hour day long exercises and preparation for various contingencies when I was in Japan. Being stationed in Turkey, even though we were in peacetime, my peacekeeping responsibilities were operational and similar to my role now.

What would you like the public to know or understand about the contributions of veterans at NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries?

I would like the public to know that the contributions of the veterans at NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries are valued and absolutely necessary. I honestly do not believe that any organization can operate effectively without the unique skill sets that veterans bring to bear. And these include loyalty, commitment, focus, and the ability to remain calm in the face of intense pressure and challenges. Having veterans across the National Marine Sanctuary System brings a diversity of thought and skill level that is appreciated and necessary to get our mission done.