ABOUT ME
I grew up in Wichita and graduated from East High School, where my only real ambition at the time was to serve in the military. I joined the Marine Corps as an infantry Marine, and while the skills didn’t translate neatly into civilian life, the experience built the discipline, work ethic, and resilience that have shaped every chapter of my career.
After the Marines, I served with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department as a Detention Deputy, but it wasn’t the right long‑term fit. I returned to military service—this time in the Navy—where I became a Storekeeper and managed supply chain operations aboard a ship.
When my enlistment ended, I transitioned into the private sector with Galicia Medical Group. I eventually became the Purchasing Manager, taking on responsibilities I never expected to enjoy but that pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t anticipate. During that time, I completed my degree in Psychology and learned how to approach purchasing as a true professional.
That experience prepared me for my next step: joining Wichita Public Schools as the Purchasing Manager. I was fortunate to learn from an exceptional supervisor whose guidance shaped the foundation of my work. Those lessons helped me grow into broader responsibilities, eventually leading to my role as the district’s Supply Chain Director.
In that final chapter with Wichita Public Schools, I again had a supervisor, and now friend, who encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. Those opportunities—often unexpected—ultimately put me in the position I’m in today: helping others find the same kind of growth and success that shaped my own career.
I share this because I believe opportunities rarely arrive in perfect packaging. Many times, I felt pushed into tasks that weren’t part of my job description, yet every one of them led me somewhere better than I could see in the moment. Don’t overlook the opportunities in front of you—whether in business or in life. You may not know where they lead, but seize them anyway. They have a way of shaping your future in ways you can’t predict.
