When I was 16 years old I got my first computer and immediately wanted to unlock its potential to automate the world!After earning a B.S. degree in Computer Science, I enlisted in the Navy with the idea of becoming an officer and helping the military transition into the computer age. Instead I became involved with Naval Nuclear Power, studying electrical and nuclear theory. I spent the next decade serving onboard aircraft carriers in Southeast Asia, building and testing nuclear reactors in shipyards, and teaching and mentoring future engineers at Naval Nuclear Power School.At this point in my career I applied to Officer Candidate School and was accepted into my second naval “boot camp”. At OCS I learned the essentials of leadership and dedication, and I also learned that I couldn’t run nearly as fast as I could ten years prior.From there I went to another shipyard and built the latest Aegis destroyer, earned my master’s degree in Software Engineering at Naval Postgraduate School, and began a 15-year career as an Engineering Duty Officer – the Navy’s premier Program Managers. As a certified Defense Acquisition Corps member, I turned in my wrench for a paperweight and learned contracting, financial analysis, and strategic planning.I have gained many important skills in my 24-year naval career. I am collaborative, decisive, and assertive when necessary. Conducting nuclear weapon operations, I’ve developed meticulous, detail-oriented execution of plans and procedures. As a certified Green Belt in process improvement, I’m no stranger to problem solving, conflict resolution, risk management, data analysis, and status reporting.Although I haven’t automated the world, I’ve been all over it! I’ve interacted with people of many different cultures under many different circumstances and consider myself calm under pressure and highly adaptable. I enjoy team building and creativity and I’ve been known to make up silly songs about my coworkers and perform them on my guitar.