Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Branch: Air Force
Years Served: 10
Rank: SSGT
Military Occupation: Aircraft Armament
Twitter Handle: TBD
Tell us a little about you outside of the military:
-
- I enjoy spending time with the family outdoors on our hikes and spending time in the garden taking care of our plants.
-
- I’m a regional manager for a national MRO distributor.
-
- I enjoy helping fellow veterans with problems and helping my friends still on active-duty transition into civilian life.
Why are you joining the IAVA Cavalry?
-
- There are many different organizations out there that are in place to help all veterans, but not many geared to IAVA veterans. I have seen many issues that IAVA veterans have faced that have gone unheard that I want to help be the voice for the veterans that can’t be heard.
How did your military experience shape you to be the person you are today?
-
- I am a third generation Air Force veteran and I guess you could say growing up and being in the military has made me more disciplined and focused on detail.
-
- With that being said, after getting out of the military, I feel I have a better chance of helping shape the future of those still in, and those who will join the military.
Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you believe is the most pressing? Why?
-
- For me the most pressing is having the backs of our Afghan allies. I worked firsthand with the local nationals and felt our pull out from Afghanistan was like literally pulling the rug out from underneath them. We left the job half finished. We need to finish the mission.
Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you have the strongest personal connection to? Why?