Major: 
Media Arts and Studies (formerly Telecommunications)
Year Graduated: 
1995
Hometown: 
Dixon, KY
Current City: 
Vestavia Hills, AL
Current Employer: 
Head of Spaceport Command & Control Systems, Jacobs Space Operations Group (NASA Exploration Ground Systems; Kennedy Space Center, FL)
Top played song on your playlist?: 
Donnie Hathaway, “A Song For You”
Where has your CI degree taken you?: 

After graduating and completing the Army ROTC program, I was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. Following my time on active duty, I went on to work in the telecommunications industry for 15 years, ultimately serving as an executive with Verizon. In 2017, I decided to leave that sector and pursue a childhood dream of being a part of this nation’s space program. I was fortunate enough to be hired to lead the team responsible for the primary command and control system at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center that will process and launch the vehicles that will return humans to the moon, and eventually send them on to Mars.

What is your favorite thing about your job?: 

It’s a tie - the mission and my team. Being a part of enabling human exploration of space beyond earth orbit is extraordinary, and so is the passion the members of my team have for it.

What¹s the most valuable thing you learned in CI?: 

John Clark and Shirley Rose were always encouraging me to pursue the things that interested me, but also ensure I tried things that were 'off my beaten path’. I didn’t realize then how well they were equipping me and 'my toolkit' for every job I would ever have - from leading soldiers in the field to managing technical teams and highly complex projects. That rich mix of coursework from multiple disciplines laid the foundation to try many different things in my career- and with the addition of some good timing and a little luck- it enabled me to be successful. I will be eternally grateful for that.

What advice would you give to current CI students?: 

Be bold - take chances. It’s far scarier to have regrets than to try and fail.  -And - If you pursue that goal or dream that seems just out of reach, you will be amazed at the adventure you’ll have and the wonderful things that will happen on your journey.