My story begins with humble beginnings, where I learned early in life the importance of independence, responsibility, perseverance, hard work, and creating opportunities for a better future. Those values became the foundation for many of the decisions I made throughout my life, including my decision to serve in the United States Army.

I enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1996 at the age of 26 and served on active duty until February 1998. I then continued my service in the Army Reserve from February 1998 through December 2003. My Military Occupational Specialty was 92A, Automated Logistics. In that role, I supported logistics operations and helped ensure that personnel and units had the resources necessary to accomplish their missions.

Although I did not serve in a traditional overseas combat zone, my most significant and life-changing combat-related experience occurred at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

On September 11, I was at the Pentagon in 1D520, less than 75 feet from where the aircraft impacted the building.

I experienced the attack firsthand and sustained second- and third-degree burns to my face, hands, and back. Being that close to the impact was an experience that permanently changed my life. The physical injuries were only one part of what I had to overcome. The experience tested my resilience and strength and changed the way I viewed life, service, and the responsibility we have to one another.

That experience also gave me an even greater appreciation for the courage, selflessness, and commitment demonstrated by the people who continued helping others despite the tremendous danger and uncertainty surrounding them. It reinforced for me that service is not simply about a position or a uniform; it is about being willing to help others, taking responsibility, and doing what is necessary when circumstances are difficult.

My military service shaped me in many ways that continue to influence me today. It taught me discipline, leadership, accountability, teamwork, adaptability, and the importance of remaining focused on the mission even when circumstances are challenging. Those lessons followed me into my education and Federal career.

After my military service, I continued challenging myself academically and professionally. I pursued higher education and ultimately earned multiple graduate degrees while building a career in Federal information technology. Throughout my Federal career, I have had the opportunity to serve with the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I have served in positions including IT Specialist, IT Project Manager, IT Manager, and Scrum Master.

Each of those positions has provided another opportunity to serve the public, solve problems, improve processes, support teams, and contribute to the mission of the Federal Government. My military experience has remained an important part of how I approach that work.

In my current role at the USPTO, I serve as a Scrum Master supporting Federal IT teams and complex technology initiatives. The leadership and teamwork principles I developed through military service continue to help me in this role. I use those experiences to facilitate collaboration, help teams address obstacles, improve processes, maintain accountability, and keep everyone focused on successfully delivering mission-critical work.

I have learned that leadership is not simply about having a title. It is about taking responsibility, supporting others, communicating effectively, listening, being accountable, and making sure the mission remains the priority. Those are lessons I first developed through military service and have continued to carry with me throughout my professional career.

I have also been a member of the USPTO United Military Association (UMA) since 2021. Being part of the UMA has given me an opportunity to remain connected to the Veteran community, share experiences with other Veterans, and continue the sense of camaraderie and service that was such an important part of my military career. I appreciate being surrounded by people who understand the significance of military service and the experiences that come with it.

When I think about what I would want someone to remember about my service, it is that service does not necessarily end when you take off the uniform. The values, discipline, relationships, experiences, and resilience developed through military service can continue to influence how we live, lead, work, and serve others long after our military careers have ended.

My journey—from humble beginnings, to joining the Army at 26, serving on active duty and later in the Army Reserve, experiencing the September 11 attack at the Pentagon from less than 75 feet away, overcoming significant injuries, pursuing higher education, and building a career in Federal service—is ultimately a story of perseverance, purpose, and refusing to allow difficult circumstances to determine the direction of my life.

If I had to describe my “superpower,” I would say it is resilience. I have learned that when life presents circumstances you did not expect or cannot control, you can still control how you respond, how you move forward, and what you choose to make of the experience. That mindset has carried me through my military service, the challenges I experienced at the Pentagon, my continued education, my federal career, and my commitment to serving others.