What was your first job?
I worked as a Veterinarian’s Assistant while I was in High School. The Veterinarian, Dr. Ed Riley, DVM had both a traditional large animal  (horses, cows, etc.) and small animal (dogs, cats, pets) practice. The tasks were wide-ranging and included cleaning kennels, cleaning offices and exam rooms, wrestling obstinate calves, cows, horses and dogs. If it needed to be done, I was often tasked to do it. As the months turned into years, I was given greater responsibility to perform additional tasks such as filling prescriptions, taking X-rays and assisting Dr. Riley with surgical procedures both in the clinic and in the field.

How old were you?
15-17 years old.

How much were you paid?
I was paid the minimum wage, which if I remember correctly was around $2.00 to $2.25 back then.

How was your first job different than you thought it would be?
I had only experienced the “patient” side of Veterinarian work up until that point. I had gotten to know Dr. Riley when he either visited our farm or when he examined my dog. I learned that there is an entire support network behind the Veterinarian that assists them allowing them to focus on the patient and the patient’s owner. I now know this is true in every profession.

What important lessons or skills learned in your first job have been instrumental in your success?
I learned that no matter how menial the task may appear—like cleaning up kennels and exercising animals—that the people that perform those tasks are essential to the overall success of the organization. For example, the cleanliness of an animal’s quarters during recovery from surgery and their subsequent care is a critical ingredient to a full recovery. No matter how exceptional of a surgeon Dr. Riley was, if I didn’t do my non-skilled or non-technical role well, his experience and expertise could well be for naught if an animal developed an infection or was not adequately cared for during the critical recovery time.

Consider that a janitor is not why people use an office building, but those folks are critical to the cleanliness, habitability and functionality of that building. I make it a point to thank people I observe that take pride in the job that they do, whether it be a janitor in an airport or a hotel clerk who is genuinely helpful and professional.

Did any of those lessons specifically carry into subsequent jobs after your first? How do you use those skills in your position today?
I started out in the Marine Corps as a Private. I worked hard at any task assigned, regardless of how menial it may have been. In time, I was given greater levels of responsibility and the opportunity to make a career in the Marine Corps. I understood that hard work paid off and that everyone in the organization has a critical role to play in the overall success of an organization. In turn, I always looked closely for those subordinates who took the “do it right” attitude for all tasks regardless of how tedious they might be.

Have you seen how lacking those first job skills could have negative effects on others?
I believe it is critical that individuals have a sound work ethic and develop a sense of responsibility for their assigned task. Regardless of how you or others may perceive the task, be the very best at that task that you can be. In time, the pride you take in doing your best will earn you greater responsibility. If you lack a good work ethic, you may never be considered for promotion or greater responsibility. You will be assumed, right or wrong, as having reached your full potential.

Was there a specific event in your first job that taught you something you still use today?
Dr. Riley and I were on a field call to inspect a young stallion that we were told, “has a bad cut on his back leg”. We arrived at the farm, met the owner and he said the colt was “in the barn over there” and “already has a halter on”. It was a sweltering, summer day in North Arkansas as I walked over to the barn and opened the door stepping immediately inside. The next thing I remember was waking up with Dr. Riley hovered over me with a big grin on his face and smelling salts (ammonia) burning my nostrils. Stepping into the dark barn from the bright sunlight I did not see the horse standing directly in front of me. As I stepped inside he kicked me right back out the doorway, knocking me unconscious before I hit the ground!

The lesson: Always assess a situation or problem before stepping in to resolve it.

Did you face any obstacles that had a significant impact on your career path?
Education. I dropped out of college and enlisted in the Marine Corps. I was subsequently selected for Officer Candidates School (OCS) and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. The vast majority of officers had completed their Bachelor’s Degree prior to becoming an officer. I believe that as a junior officer, I worked exceedingly hard to “prove” my ability ever conscious of the fact that I did not have the formal education of my peers. The Marine Corps subsequently sent me back to College to complete my Bachelor’s degree as a Captain and then to graduate school for a Master’s degree when I was a Lieutenant Colonel.

What people or outside factors affected your work ethic or motivated you the most to succeed?
There were several factors to include the education issue discussed previously. The Marine Corps offered me a tremendous opportunity to excel without any significant obstacles. The Marine Corps is truly a performance-based organization and the opportunities are virtually unlimited. The people you’re surrounded by are simply outstanding and you’re continually challenged to perform to your full potential.


Another was my Father. I was home on leave (vacation) with orders to report to Officer Candidate School. The morning I left to drive to OCS in Quantico, Virginia, he said to me, “if you ever forget where you came from, you’ll have nowhere to go”. I thought about that statement a lot over the next 1300 miles driving and probably have thought about it every day since. It really is profound. I took it to mean “don’t forget what it’s like to be a Private”; “don’t forget what it’s like to be the low man on the totem pole”; “don’t forget that hard work and integrity are what it takes to succeed.” For many years as a Marine leader, I never forgot that the impact of my decisions would be most strongly felt at the very bottom of the rank structure; those young Patriots in combat that must execute and cross that last 500 yards.

What advice would you give to someone starting his or her first job?
Regardless of what the job is, learn everything you can about it and how to be the very best at what you are doing. Learn what others around you do and learn what it takes to do their job. If you have some extra time then lend them a hand with their tasks, if you’re able. Lastly, and I think this is becoming more and more important, where you’re “uniform” is not prescribed, dress for the job you aspire to, not just the one you have now. If a uniform is prescribed, take extra care to make yourself as clean and neat as possible. Paying attention to the little things like personal appearance goes a long way in pointing out your respect for the organization and your attention to detail.

What do you find most rewarding about your position today?
The Company that I’m affiliated with continues to provide support to the outstanding men and women that wear our Nation’s uniform—many in combat zones. Those members in our Armed Forces are the day to day inspiration to me. Additionally, I find great satisfaction in continuing to counsel and mentor our employees to help them meet their personal and professional goals in life. I mark success by the number of people that I’ve shared their challenges and helped them in some small way in attaining their goals. Their success marks my own.