You were the Founder and Executive Director for the Wounded Warrior Project, Chief Development Director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, and served as a Board Director for Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. Tell us about your passion in the nonprofit space (that also included an Executive Program for Non-Profit leaders at Stanford).
My passion for nonprofit work was born out of personal experience. After being injured in a helicopter crash while serving in the Marine Corps, I saw firsthand how hard it was for wounded service members and their families to get the support they needed. That experience led me to found the Wounded Warrior Project, where I served as the first Executive Director and helped build it from a grassroots effort into a nationally recognized movement.
Later, I served as Chief Development Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and on the board for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation – both roles that continued to align with my deep belief in service, mentorship, and honoring military families.
I also completed the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at Stanford, which gave me the strategic tools to lead with both heart and discipline.
Today, I’m channeling that same energy into a new personal project called Don’t Quit Your Soul – the title of an upcoming book and podcast. It’s a message for veterans, people in recovery, and anyone who’s experienced profound loss – whether that’s the death of a loved one, a business failure, or the loss of a dream. You can lose a lot in this life, but you can’t quit your soul. That belief continues to guide everything I do.
While you have also worked at for profit companies, you decided to become an entrepreneur in your 50s and launch your own business, Contender Equipment Rentals, a veteran-owned construction equipment rental. What led to the launch of the business in the second half of your life, and how has it been to be in charge of your own company?
After a career that spanned both nonprofit and for-profit work, I hit a point in my late 50s where I felt called to build something new from the ground up – something with my name on it. That led to Contender Equipment Rentals, a veteran-owned construction equipment rental company based in Texas.
The idea came from my time in the oil and gas industry, where I worked in telematics and sold to rental companies. My customers became my teachers. Over time, I realized I had the mindset, the drive, and the operational understanding to start a company of my own – one that focused on service, efficiency, and relationships.
Starting a capital-heavy business like this in midlife hasn’t been easy. The risks are real, the hours are long, and everything’s on your shoulders. But I’ve never felt more alive. This work – helping people build homes, businesses, and lives – matters deeply to me. We don’t just rent machines. We help build dreams.
What advice would you give to someone over 50 who is thinking of launching their own business? What are the pros and cons? The ups and downs? Give us some of your wisdom now that you have been in business for over 5 years.
My advice to anyone over 50 thinking of launching a business? Do it – but do it wisely.
The upside is that you bring life experience, emotional intelligence, and a strong filter for what matters. You’ve likely faced real adversity before, so you don’t panic at every setback. You’re also better at relationships, which are the currency of any business.
The downside? It’s not for the faint of heart. The pressure can be immense. You may not have the same runway as a 30-year-old, so each decision carries more weight. And the learning curve – especially around technology or digital marketing – can be steep.
But if you’ve got a mission that lights you up – something that won’t let you sleep – then it’s probably time. Just be prepared to work harder than you ever have and love every minute of it. And no matter what happens, don’t quit your soul.
