You are a United Airlines International First Officer Pilot on the 787 Dreamliner and previously a Naval Aviator. Commercial pilots are required to retire at the mandatory retirement age of 65. Do you believe this age limit should be reconsidered? Could you also share some highlights from your first career as a Naval Aviator?
It has truly been a remarkable journey enlisting in the United States Marine Corps right out of high school, progressing to a commission as an Officer in the United States Navy, and now serving as an International First Officer for United Airlines. I was raised by a single working mother in a challenging socioeconomic environment, and she instilled in me a strong work ethic and discipline that have been foundational throughout my career. The Marine Corps provided the structure I needed, and during my service, I pursued my undergraduate degree, which paved the way for my transition to naval aviation. Flying for the Navy was a major highlight of my life, filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and camaraderie that led to lifelong friendships.
You’ve asked for my thoughts on the mandatory retirement age. Given your background as a private pilot, I’d like to provide some context for those outside the field.
To start, despite the inherent rigors of international travel and frequent circadian disruptions, many pilots retire while still at the top of their game. It’s rare to find another industry where both the commencement and conclusion of a career are so strictly regulated. Regulations around pilots’ health and age set aviation apart from many other fields.
Additionally, commercial aviation operates on a seniority-based system where career progression depends solely on the date of hire. When one pilot retires, the next in line becomes the most senior, and so on. When I was hired, the retirement age was 60, but it was soon raised to 65. This change, coupled with the Global Financial Crisis and other factors, had a significant impact, leading to reductions in flying hours, career stagnation, and even furloughs. As a result, the topic remains quite sensitive. Recent attempts to extend the retirement age to 67 have not succeeded, and my union does not support this change. It’s worth noting that while the mandatory retirement age applies to commercial aviation, pilots can continue to fly beyond age 65 in non-commercial environments.
Despite these challenges, my passion for commercial aviation remains steadfast. This career has given me the opportunity to work with a diverse array of individuals, hone my skills in environments with unique challenges compared to military aviation, and see parts of the world I once only imagined. The view from my “office” is ever-changing, never gets old, and is arguably the best in the world. Not a day went by that I could see myself doing anything else—until a watershed moment occurred in my personal life.
As a true Re-Imagineer, you are being proactive about your own reimagination. You have just started a Master’s in Wealth Management at Columbia University’s School for Professional Studies. What led to this decision? How long did it take to hone in on this course of study?
The loss of a cherished family member prompted me to reimagine my life. Through this process, I learned that each person’s grief journey is unique. With the guidance of a skilled counselor, I chose to channel my emotions into pursuing my passions, embracing the ROAR concept as I moved forward.
During a work trip to Tel Aviv, I received an email—a departure from our usual phone calls—because my mentor was in the ICU. Despite his condition, he excitedly shared his latest achievement: “I bought the boat!” You might know the type—someone who could take a quick detour to the E.R. and be back on the road as if it were a pit stop at Daytona. Known for his unstoppable drive and charm, he was a larger-than-life figure who could brighten any room with his infectious laughter and endless array of “dad jokes.” To say he was a pivotal figure in my life is an understatement. He was not only a father figure and mentor but also a trusted confidant and best friend, embodying a perfect blend of fatherly guidance and unwavering support.
Unfortunately, I never learned if he received my response to his email. During his celebration of life ceremony and in the months that followed, it became clear that those with self-serving interests would not be honoring his final wishes. Despite our difficult conversations about estate planning, his sudden death exposed a significant vulnerability: his final wishes were not fulfilled, and his life’s work went to individuals he would not have chosen. This not only intensified my grief but, I believe, also tarnished his legacy.
The decision to enroll in Columbia University’s Wealth Management program was a direct outcome of my grief journey. As I began to chart my path forward, I realized I wanted to transform this adversity into a life opportunity. Observing the sale of my mentor’s business to a publicly traded company and managing some of the underlying tasks revealed the true complexity of wealth management—a field I sought to understand better. He had encouraged me to pursue this passion during our often lengthy discussions detailing the financial instruments he was now invested in after the sale. A good friend who owns an independent registered investment advisor (RIA) practice suggested I pursue the CFP designation. In researching the pathways to this level of mastery, I discovered that Columbia University’s program was truly groundbreaking.
Once you complete this course of study, what is your plan to take off into your second career?
The course of study is a 16-month asynchronous program with two residencies, one at the beginning and another at the end, which concludes with our capstone project. We were honored to have you, Michael Clinton, as our guest speaker during our first residency, which was an inspiring start to our journey.
I’m thrilled to be learning alongside my incredibly talented cohort and from our esteemed scholar-practitioners. Many of the professors have authored influential books on topics such as the family office space and contributed to numerous other publications and studies in their respective fields. The course covers a broad range of subjects taught by these industry-leading practitioners.
This holistic wealth management program represents the convergence of my passions, experiences, and aspirations. My goal is to leverage the knowledge and skills I acquire to meaningfully contribute to my community, family, and friends. Following the events surrounding my mentor, I am particularly drawn to the ultra-high-net-worth space. I believe that, regardless of the scale of wealth, we all share fundamental aspects of the family dynamic. As one professor recently emphasized, our shared purpose is helping families “achieve their life goals, not just their financial goals”. Witnessing firsthand the impact of family discord and failed plans has underscored the importance of having a comprehensive strategy for managing, growing, and safeguarding one’s wealth.
Dovetailing my aviation background with wealth management principles, I see many parallels—such as risk management, overcoming cognitive biases to enhance situational awareness, and controlling one’s responses during adverse market conditions. Whether it involves complex estate planning, managing liquidity events, or simply introducing a young 9-year-old to the concept of compounding interest from her lemonade stand profits, I find it incredibly rewarding to assist others on their financial journeys. I hope to honor my mentor and his legacy by bringing the work ethic, humility, integrity, and principles he embodied into the field of wealth management.
Thank you, Michael, for giving me this opportunity to share my story and celebrate the memory of my mentor. I am proud to join the ROAR community and eager to pursue my next chapter as a Re-imagineer!
