Who is your biggest transitioned veteran role model (veteran business owner, corporate leader, author, influencer, non-profit founder)?

For me, Fred Smith of FedEx is one of the greatest. He did things others thought could not be done. He built one of the greatest companies in America and when you meet with him or hear him speak he will tell you that creating FedEx comes in third of the greatest things in his life behind his family and his service as a Marine. Hard to beat that one.

A retired 1SG, Steve Mayhew, whom should have made CSM - gave me some great advice while my mentor at Lockheed Martin. On my eval, “Jim, you need to speak-up with your valued opinion!” Was the best advice anyone could have given me after my time in the military where you don’t offer advice until it was requested!

Hate to talk around the question, but my biggest influence was a boss who had no military experience, but, because of his admiration for those who served and his belief that an ex-military person had to be head and shoulders above someone who hadn't served, I put forth my best effort, calling upon all my military experience in leadership, attention to detail and loyalty so as not to disappoint him, or lower his expectations. I figured I owed it to all those military who would follow me.