I’m a technology enthusiast who believes strongly in the impact that innovation can have on our nation, our warfighters, and as it emerges, on our people. I’ve worked with Army, Maritime, and now Air Force simulations and technology utilized in training for almost 15 years. I know the Defense industry and Government acquisition process well (from Government and Industry sides), have an extensive network, and am comfortable talking about technology at all user levels (from technical with engineers to users operating the software to talking big picture why’s with leaders). I also have more than a decade of project management experience. At Fort Sam Houston, I managed the use of software for training and a team of IT personnel who maintained our hardware/networks. Not only did we fix the problem, but we worked to create requirements for the software developer to improve the product and recommended best practices on how the software/simulation could be used to best support training. The teams I’ve led or contributed to consistently came under budget, provided excellent service (we are routinely accommodated by military units and students after the training), and saw repeat customers. Finally, I earned a M.S. in Commercialization of Technology with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. As a student in the program, I had the opportunity to evaluate new technologies, their industry, and appropriate market segments. After choosing real technologies (a drone sensor in my case), we developed and implemented business goals, created proposal pitches to investors, and lead the creation of a new business. After an initial struggle, I excelled in this program and its impact on me, and my professional life has been invaluable.