Who Am I? What Do I Want?

I am a practitioner of Industrial and Organizational Psychology.? That means I apply psychological principles in business situations, focusing on the human element in business operations.? I am a dual-service (Army/Navy) disabled veteran.? I was injured by a First-Class Petty Officer, a Senior Chief, and sexually assaulted by another First-Class Petty Officer.? My mind is first rate, my body is injured, and so I cannot do physically what I used to do.? I am a child of a loving Heavenly Father and work daily to be a Disciple of Christ!

I like fixing business operations; Juran was 100% correct; when there is a problem, 85% of the time, the problem is the process, not the people.? I have seen this percentage as high as 98%.? Since leaving the US Navy (2004), I have chased online academic qualifications while working in many different industries and roles to keep the wolves away from the door.? I have been homeless, living on the street.? My wife and I have been homeless and living on the street. ?Indeed, the PhD journey will try and test you to the Nth degree in places where you feel strong it will humble you.? In places where you are weak, it will test and stretch and try you, and like any muscle worked, it will be painful, exhausting, and strengthening.

I am passionate about fixing the US Department of Veterans Affairs.? The current system is broken, abusive, overstaffed, and not operating in any logical sense.? I take umbrage that it has been allowed to continue committing fraud, waste, and abuse!? I love working in call centers.? Call centers have a vibe, an energy, and an environment where business principles are taught and learned and leadership principles are honed.? I like working as an operations manager, a human resources SME, a project and program manager, and in many other roles.

In high school, I was asked what I wanted to be, and I said, “A Jack-of-all-Trades and Master of none.”? I am a Jack-of-All-Trades, but I have mastered some areas and am a master in human resources and training.? Does this mean I have become all-knowing, all-seeing, omniscient?? Absolutely NOT!? I am the first to seek training, choose to learn, and teach so I may learn more perfectly.? Being a master of something is nothing more or less than being an engaged and enthusiastic learner.? Teachers are leaders and learners in a holistic cycle of growing knowledge and application.

I have loved being a journeyman firefighter, emergency first responder, and emergency on-scene leader, and I have had many adventures in this field.? However, due to the neurological damage from my injuries, I can no longer work in this field.? It is a bittersweet feeling to have learned so much and not be able to use it.? I loved working in construction, even though it frustrated the life out of me too many times to count.? I enjoy the IT industry, including hardware and software, but injuries make this field exceedingly challenging.? However, the knowledge gleaned represents a plethora of skills, talents, experience, and knowledge I can use in other roles.? Being a class B diesel mechanic, knowledgeable about pneumatic and hydraulic power systems, and a host of other machinery repair roles filled (successfully) means I bring to every employment situation (W-9 and W-2) added insights and valuable knowledge in project and program management.

I learned supply chain and logistics while on the sharp end of the stick and at the end of complex supply chains.? I have experience in global supply chains moving supplies globally and have become very knowledgeable about the problems and opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, and getting products to market.? I even have skills and knowledge in supply chain and logistics emergencies.? I enjoyed being a truck driver and delivering goods.? It was an honor to help with beta testing software for the supply chain and logistics industry, where cross-functional skills were used daily, and learning on the fly was mandatory.

What does being Dr. M. Dave Salisbury, PhD/MBA/MAET mean? ?It means I have value.? Injuries some prefer to insist are “disabilities,” which mean I have things I cannot personally do or can only do slowly, which includes speaking and a functional neurological movement disorder.? When a company hires or contracts my services, it gets a genuine “Jack-of-ALL-Trades” who is capable, knowledgeable, well-skilled, and highly qualified.? That company is getting an enthusiastic and engaged learner and a professional with scars and bruises, wounds, and accomplishments that are only achievable through vast and varied experience.? Those diverse experiences have included relocating almost thirty times in my professional career.? While relocating is more challenging now, it is possible but not likely due to the aforementioned injuries.

What do I want?

I want to work, preferably with operations, to improve the human element in business.? I want to fix operational processes and business hierarchies that hinder and waste and then build the training program that builds the human element to meet tomorrow’s business challenges.? I want to be useful.? At the core of my being is not an urge to be famous or well-known.? That core is a deep desire to be useful in my damaged state.? I have met a plethora of handicapped people with this same burning desire, but, like myself, are passed over, passed by, and discounted.

I have advocated for the handicapped/injured community for a long time. I will continue to do so, for I know this community has significant value to businesses of all sizes, shapes, and industries, and all this community needs is a chance.? However, I am not political, even though many have tried to accuse me of being politically motivated.? If anything, I am human-enabled. ?I would see you succeed, and if I can help you achieve what you define as “success,” then I have succeeded.

Technology has improved to a point where remote working is successful and possible.? Due to my injuries, I cannot travel, nor can I drive.? Does this mean I am less useful?? Absolutely not!? It only means that technology will be required, and imagination will be invested in making employment situations work.? The same is true for so many others in this community.? I had hoped COVID would change mindsets and business operations to allow more remote work opportunities, but the reverse is more accurate.? However, I know that change IS possible, and value and ROI can be achieved through changing the organization.

What do I want?? I want to be useful!? I want to help motivate fundamental organizational changes that improve, grow, and build the human element of business.? I want to work remotely, where I can research business problems and build people to face and overcome themselves, building the steps to see people achieve professional success.

If I can assist your organization, please contact me at [email protected]. I am available immediately.

? Copyright 2025 – Dr. M. Dave Salisbury, Ph.D./MBA The author holds no claims for the art used herein; the pictures were obtained in the public domain, and the intellectual property belongs to those who created the images. All rights reserved.? For copies, reprints, or sharing, don't hesitate to get in touch with me through LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/davesalisbury/