Tell us about your military service. What did you do? Where did you serve? What do you value the most about your military service?
I served as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army with the 10th Mountain Division and later with the 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. I served as a Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer. I also deployed to the Middle East in support of combat operations twice. What I value most about my service is the people. I had the privilege of leading some of the most capable and selfless individuals I have ever met. The military taught me that leadership is earned through competence, presence, and genuine care for your people. I value the trust placed in me and the responsibility of taking care of those I
served alongside.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
Mentoring other students is one of the biggest responsibilities of being a Bass Scholar at Vanderbilt. I benefited from leaders who challenged me, invested in me, and held me to a higher standard. I want to provide the same support to others, particularly veterans transitioning into new academic and professional environments. As a role model, I want to emphasize authenticity and accountability. I believe leadership is earned through consistent actions and being the leader you wish you had as a younger professional. I hope to be someone others can trust for honest advice, steady support, and a willingness to show up when it matters while maintaining standards and a culture of accountability while in the program.
While at Vanderbilt, what will be the focus of your studies and how do you plan to use this knowledge in your future career?
While at Vanderbilt, I plan to focus my studies on entrepreneurship through acquisition, with an emphasis on finance and operations. I want to understand how to identify a strong company, evaluate its potential, acquire it, and lead it through sustainable growth. I plan to apply this knowledge within defense technology and international logistics. My military experience gave me firsthand exposure to the importance of emerging technology, supply chains, and logistical coordination in complex environments. My goal is to acquire and operate a company in one of these industries, using what I learn at Vanderbilt to build an organization that is both commercially successful and meaningful to national security.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
I would tell other veterans that the Bass Military Scholars Program is more than financial support, it is a community that recognizes the value of military service while helping veterans succeed in their next chapter. The program provides mentorship, professional development, and the opportunity to continue serving through leadership and involvement at Vanderbilt.