What inspired you to join the U.S. military?

I was inspired to join the military by my grandfather, who retired as a chief in the U.S. Navy.

What’s one highlight from your military career?

One of my greatest highlights relates to being part of a highly trained and highly motivated team that always put service before self. I enjoyed being a part of a team that recognized that the work we did was on behalf of the American people and that we had a responsibility to show up every day and do the best that we could.

What led you to join NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries?

I am inspired by the common mission of ocean stewardship and the passionate staff that carry out the day-to-day activities to protect these amazing places. NOAA Sanctuaries is such a small team, and it reminds me a lot of my time with the Coast Guard. Everyone that's a part of the National Marine Sanctuary System is there to support a higher calling. Staff recognize the importance of protecting these special places and it’s inspirational to work alongside our dedicated team.

How did your military experience prepare you for a role at NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries?

The military prepared me to work in teams dedicated to achieving a common goal. It reinforced the idea that being a service member or a government employee requires you to put the organizational needs ahead of your own. Working in the military also prepared me to look at the bigger picture and to not sweat the small stuff. We make so many decisions every day, and we have to be able to put the impact into perspective and focus on those decisions that matter the most. I try to keep my focus on which decisions will have the biggest impacts on our people and programs, and that is in large part due to my experiences within the Coast Guard. .

What would you like the public to know or understand about the contributions of veterans at NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries?

I know several veterans within the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and they are all tremendous assets to our overall team. Having operated in environments where lives were regularly in danger, our veterans bring within them a "calm in the storm" approach that is so critical during otherwise stressful operations.