What I've Learned in my 20 Years Working for the Air Force

Tomorrow marks a pretty big day in my career. As an Advertising student at the University of West Florida in 1999, I would have never imagined I would start my career as a graphic design contractor at Eglin Air Force Base on November 15, 2002. I had worked for a local real estate agent (which I'm very thankful for) and then lost my job after Sept 11th. A friend of my dad's worked on base and told me about all the cool stuff he got to do as a designer and I was intrigued. I was lucky enough to get an interview and I got my start working at the Eglin Multimedia Center working for DynCorp.

The Multimedia Center was such a great experience. I worked with a really fun group of people and learned so much about Eglin and the Air Force along the way. Coming out of school, I thought I was pretty hot stuff as a designer, and that was tested daily. After my ego was adjusted a bit, I learned a ton about design from a very excellent designer named Bob Brown. Sadly, Bob passed a couple of years ago, and I'm not sure he'll ever know the impact he had on my career. It got me thinking about how you may never know the impact you have on others and how you can learn so much from all the people you interact with.

I left the Multimedia Center in 2009 after being offered better pay. I literally wept the day I left. I was leaving a family. The people I shared so much with. It was very difficult, but I made the right decision. I got hired to work for a Developmental Planning acquisition organization and was introduced to the REAL Air Force. I learned so much and got opportunities to be more than a designer. I had a great boss who I still consider a friend to this day, John C. . He brought me into his front office in an exec-like role. I truly believe he saw in me what I didn't see in myself at the time. Working with Deanna Morales and Todd Carnahan, I designed a shield for the newly (2012) stood up Air Force Lifecycle Management Center. A shield that still represents 30,000 acquisition professionals and shows proudly on the gates of Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Working for COLSA Corporation, I had the opportunity to further my education, earning my Master's Degree in Strategic Communications and Leadership at the University of West Florida under the tutelage of Athena du Pre' and Brendan Kelly . All I can say is, WOW, the experience was amazing. My confidence grew and knowledge with it! Armed with the degree, I met with Luke Gianelloni at AFRL, who was looking for someone in a Strategic Comms role.

In 2014, I started working for AFRL. I was being asked to brief in the almost legendary Taconi Room. First, whoa, I'm no Brian Mitchell ! I was the shy kid that didn't want to speak in front of people, but I had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Through the years, I briefed Congressional staffers, met the Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Air Force, AFMC Commander, White House Staffers, and so much more.

All that to end up as the Branding and Creative Services Lead for AFRL that has over 11,000 people. I really never could have imagined my life. Now I'm working with an unbelievably talented team that are truly trendsetters for Air Force Public Affairs.

What I've learned in the past two decades - When you see an opportunity, take it, even if it's terribly uncomfortable. Give it your hardest effort and solve problems, people notice. You don't have to be the smartest, just stay driven. Learn what you can from others and don't burn bridges. And lastly, fight for your worth and your boundaries. It may sound trite, but you're so much more than you could ever imagine.