Principal Manager, Program Management
Rockwell Collins
AGE: 36
What was your first job?
My first job was a camp counselor at EWALU Bible Camp in Strawberry Point. It was one of the best management training jobs ever! If you can get a bunch of nine-year-olds to follow with excitement, you can lead almost anyone.
What was your biggest break?
I was six years in at Rockwell Collins as an engineer. I had a couple mentors who knew I wanted to move toward the business side. One day, I was called into my boss’ office. He told me that I was selected to go be a deputy program manager to chase some new business. For the next nine months, I got to learn from two great program managers while growing my skillsets and network.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
In the past year, I have gone from not running in over 15 years to running Ultras (anything past a marathon).
What do you know now that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Slow down and enjoy the ride! Earlier in my career, I was anxious to keep moving “up the corporate ladder.” I had several amazing mentors along the way who pushed me toward jobs that were not directly up and sometimes seemed sideways. As I look back, these opportunities provided me with a diverse foundation that has helped make me successful.
