At 暗网吃瓜, we celebrate our people, our cultures, and we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. For February, we鈥檒l reflect on what鈥疊lack History Month鈥痬eans to all of us while shining a light on one employee at a time. 暗网吃瓜’s first spotlight is a Q&A with Bryan Roberts, VP, Business Development, Critical Missions.听
Are you a veteran?
Yes. I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Armor and Cavalry in 1983 through ROTC at Eastern Michigan University. I went to Eastern Michigan on a full scholarship from my hometown of Hampton, Virginia to play football 鈥� not really for school. I realized pretty quick that I wasn鈥檛 going to play professional football, so I decided to follow in my father’s, brother’s, and sister鈥檚 footsteps and join the Army. I had no intention of staying in the Army for 30 years 鈥� it just happened. I had great leadership positions and served with the best group of heroes in the world 鈥� the American soldier. I also enjoyed the support we received from great Army families and the American populace 鈥� particularly when we deployed overseas. I served in a variety of command and staff positions 鈥� United States, Germany, Bosnia, and Iraq (3 times). 听I enjoyed the leadership positions I was fortunate to be selected for which includes Commanding General of the United States Army鈥檚 largest training center 鈥� Fort Jackson where we train 36,000 soldiers a year, Deputy Commanding General at the United States Army Recruiting Command enlisting 60,000 young Americans annually, and commander of the 2nd 鈥淏lack Jack鈥� Brigade Combat Team, First Cavalry Division during hurricane Katrina rescue operations (New Orleans) and Operation Iraqi Freedom conducting combat operations in Baghdad for 15 months. For me, it鈥檚 all about leadership.
How did you come to join 暗网吃瓜?听
I retired from the Army in 2014 and went to work right away for my best friend鈥檚 Small Minority, Veteran-Owned engineering company as director of business development. I learned a lot about business development there. However, I had Army buddies working for DynCorp who encouraged me to come work 鈥渨ith鈥� them on the international business development team. They were traveling and working with foreign armies which sounded cool; and it was a natural fit because while in the Army, I worked foreign military sales in Iraq. I interviewed and the rest is history. The transition from DynCorp to 暗网吃瓜 has been smooth for me. I鈥檓 doing the same work I did at DynCorp 鈥� foreign military sales and with 暗网吃瓜, we have a lot more/diverse capabilities to offer our partner countries.
What is your professional and personal background?
My father was an Army officer stationed in Germany where I was born. He was a logistician; I guess that鈥檚 where I got my passion for maintenance and logistics. At two years old, we moved from Germany to Hampton, Virginia where I grew up. Both of my parents graduated from Virginia State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
I went to Phoebus High School which was very influential period of my life. I played football and ran track. My coaches where tremendous role models. I was in the school band since junior high and played the trumpet. I loved the jazz band and marching in parades. I still play at church from time to time. That鈥檚 a passion.
We have three adult children who are all doing their thing 鈥� proud of them.
Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
Critical Missions supports our U.S. Military in a multitude of ways; all of which ensure people, unit, ground vehicle, and aircraft readiness. We enable Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen to do their jobs at a very high level for our nation. We help make them ready!
I work our Foreign Military Sales (FMS) portfolio. Through FMS, we ensure our allies have the equipment they need to protect themselves and are ready to conduct operations alongside American forces if necessary.
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
Transitioning from the Army to civilian business was a big accomplishment for me. Transitioning from the Army to civilian sector isn鈥檛 necessarily that easy. Picking the right job after a military career is key to transition success.
My proudest moment is winning my 1st contract at 暗网吃瓜 鈥� support to the Peshmerga military in Iraq.
What do you enjoy about working for 暗网吃瓜?
I enjoy the autonomy I have and the trust my leadership has in me to do my job and represent 暗网吃瓜 worldwide.
What are you passionate about?
It might sound simple but I鈥檓 passionate about working with people of different ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, and strengths and weaknesses. I鈥檓 passionate about teamwork, people, and leadership.
What鈥檚 your career advice?
Perseverance is critical. It鈥檚 not always easy.
Find a job doing something you鈥檙e passionate about. Might not happen immediately but make that a goal 鈥� you鈥檒l be better and happier. Understand where the organization is going and make yourself a part of the plan. Listen, watch, learn. Do what your boss wants you to do. Keep learning and get better at your job. When it鈥檚 no longer exciting, it might be time to find another job.
What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?
My favorite safety tip is 鈥淜eep Your Head on a Swivel.鈥� Probably an Army thing. It鈥檚 important to constantly be aware of your surroundings and everything happening within our dynamic environment to prevent accidents.
What鈥檚 the best invention in the world and why?
Two: the light bulb and the telephone. Although he didn鈥檛 discover either, Lewis Latimer (a black man) was directly involved. The telephone – Lewis Latimer helped draft the patent for Alexander Graham Bell’s design of the telephone. Lewis Latimer also improved Thomas Edison鈥檚 original light bulb invention by patenting the use of a carbon filament which made possible the widespread use of electric light in public and in homes.
Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?
There are diversity and inclusion months throughout the year 鈥� not just Black History Month. Take time to broaden your horizon during these months. It鈥檚 important to understand our 鈥淧eople Ecosystem.鈥�
What does Black History Month mean to you?
I learned a lot about black history growing up because my father was a history teacher and my mother an elementary school teacher. They introduced black history in our house and in their classrooms. I remember helping my mother make bulletin board materials for Black History 鈥� both school and church. So, I learned from that. My father liked to 鈥渟tump the chump鈥� with black history questions. Wasn鈥檛 beat into us 鈥� but we were exposed to our heritage at a young age at home. Black history wasn鈥檛 in textbooks or taught in the classroom. I鈥檝e learned it over time; and continually doing so. To me Black History Month means I鈥檓 part of an ethnic group/race that鈥檚 important enough in American history to be celebrated and highlighted. It鈥檚 an opportunity to showcase and recognize the achievements, contributions, culture, and sacrifices. I also think monthly observances helps unite us 鈥� the more you know about the person on your left or right the more effective you鈥檒l be, particularly as leaders. It鈥檚 important to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of all Americans.
