Q: WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT MAVERIS?

A: It is my responsibility to provide Maveris employees the tools required for meeting our mission of helping customers reach their fullest potential. I believe, first and foremost, it is my sacred responsibility to ensure our employees’ needs are met, both professionally and personally, so they can be successful in providing the best services to our customers. I also lead the efforts to hire, retain, and develop our Veteran workforce. When a person joins the team here at Maveris, they not only commit to sharpening their own knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) in service to our customers, but they commit to our entire team, regardless of which one they are working on. And of course, last but not least, without our customers the company would not exist. Taking care of them is inextricably linked with taking care of employees. It is my job to do both.

Q: WHAT DOES LEADERSHIP MEAN TO YOU?

A: In the military, we had a saying: “We take care of our own.” At Maveris, we take care of our own. Fostering an environment in which a healthy work-life balance can be accomplished is important to me, and so I take that into consideration when making decisions for the company and its people. Leadership also means hiring top talent and offering ongoing training and learning opportunities for employees to grow their careers. Finally, a leader should surround themself with smart people and be willing to learn from them.

Q: CAN YOU DISCUSS HOW YOUR MILITARY BACKGROUND HAS SHAPED THE COMPANY?

A: I’ve always been a builder, tinkerer, and fixer. I began my career in the Navy in 1984 as an Aviation Metalsmith, and then advanced to increasingly complex projects in the airline industry. My most difficult avionics challenge was conducting audits to ensure components were operating within defined tolerances. In a role where zero defects is the standard and mistakes mean the difference between life and death, precision is the name of the game. This is why precision is one of our core values as a company.

My Navy career was formative for the development of one of my life’s missions: to help my fellow Veterans. It is not lost on me how fortunate I am – while I left the service injured, so many of my brothers and sisters have left in far worse shape, mentally and physically. This company is a vehicle for me to advance my personal mission through hiring and developing Veterans, putting their unique talents to use, and advancing the leadership skills they developed in the service. I am especially proud to have attained the HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion for our company’s Veteran employment focus. Veterans have a home at Maveris.

Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT MAVERIS?

A: It is a tremendous honor to work alongside some of the smartest and friendliest people I’ve ever met, and to provide employment for distinguished Veterans who have served this great country. In short, this company provides me the opportunity to learn, have fun, and to give back.

Q: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO ASPIRE TO BE CEO OF A SMALL BUSINESS?

A: I wish there was one simple nugget of wisdom, like “follow your dreams” or something equally cliche. But the truth of the matter is, there is no trick, no process, nor solid path, and there are definitely no shortcuts. Here’s what I have learned though. —  1.) Don’t assume you are the smartest person in the room. 2.) Find a few role models and emulate them. 3.) Treat everyone around you with dignity and respect [and demand the same from your colleagues]. 4.) Don’t live life like it is a zero sum game; there is room for everyone to be successful. 5.) And last, find win-win solutions.

Q: WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN CONSIDERING  PROSPECTIVE JOB CANDIDATES?

A: Finding the right person for each role is exceptionally challenging. We try to evaluate the whole person, and employ a number of different techniques throughout the recruiting process. If I had to identify a single trait as being a common predictor of successful employees – which is an almost impossible task – it would be “curiosity”. An inquisitive mind, an insatiable desire for  knowledge, and a hunger to improve oneself is for sure a recipe for success.

Q: ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING FOR FUN?

A: Anything outdoors! I love fishing, hunting, hiking; stuff like that. I also like tinkering in the garage.