What was your first job?
You are obligated to serve for five years after graduating from West Point, so my first job was an officer in the US Army. I wish I could take credit for being courageous or brave, but I decided to attend West Point in 1998. Of course, whatever life I thought I would lead was forever changed on 9/11 during my junior year. I’ll never forget going to my first class after watching the towers fall and having an Army Colonel quietly remark, “Good morning, Cadets. Make no mistake, you're probably going to war.” In that moment, I think we all realized the gravity of the decision we made to attend a military academy, but it’s a decision I would make again. Serving in any capacity is an honor, but serving during wartime will teach you more about yourself and others than any other crucible.
When a warrior fights not for himself, but for his brothers, when his most passionately sought goal is neither glory nor his own life’s self-preservation, but to spend his substance for them, his comrades, not to abandon them, not to prove unworthy of them, then his heart truly has achieved contempt for death, and with that he transcends himself and his actions touch the sublime. - Gates of Fire
It was an honor to lead amazing men and women in combat, who routinely went above and beyond for each other. I think that’s why I’m so excited to be at Phunware (NASDAQ: PHUN). After the Army, I spent over a decade in venture capital and worked with incredible entrepreneurs, but I missed the camaraderie of being on a team. Now I get to work with my Phunware Phamily as we work to not only reimagine how brands engage consumers, but also empower people by decentralizing data.
What living person is your dream mentor?
My dream mentor is Tony Robbins. I know that seems like a cop-out answer, but let me explain. While the person in business I would most like to meet and learn from is Elon Musk, there is a big difference between a role model and a mentor. Being a mentor is a big responsibility and it’s not just about excelling in business. To be a dream mentor, you have to be able to go deep with people and really challenge them on preconceived notions. However, to do that effectively you need experience dealing with all types of people in all types of situations. That’s why Tony Robbins is my dream mentor … his experience. He’s worked with some of the most influential people in the world and been with them on their journey as they’ve tackled probably some of the most challenging personal and professional obstacles. And to be perfectly honest, I need someone who is more aggressive in their approach to mentor me. I have never had a mentor, so I’ve had to teach myself experientially. Someone who I respect very much once told me that I didn’t have a mentor because I never allowed myself to be mentored. There is a lot of truth in that statement and that’s why my dream mentor would have to have a more aggressive style like Tony’s. I know I wouldn’t be able to manipulate our time together and that’s how I know I’d be able to truly grow from his mentorship (i.e. I have a feeling he'd call me on my bullsh!t, LOL).
Best way to describe your generation?
Ironically, my whole life has been filled with interesting clarifications as it pertains to questions that should be easier to answer. If someone asks me if I’m an American, I might be prone to say, “I’m a Texan”. However, anyone from Austin knows that being from Austin is an entirely different classification, so I’m an “Austinite” more than a “Texan”. I also can’t be so easily classified generationally because I was born in 1980, caught right between Generation X and Millennials. No offense to anyone intended, but there is a prevailing sentiment that Millennials grew up in an era of participation trophies and parents telling them they could have anything they wanted. That’s definitely not me; there are winners, losers and maybe those who haven’t yet figured out how to win. I suppose I lean more towards the Gen Xers because they have often been described as growing up with less adult supervision, but my parents were so supportive and I certainly never identified with being disgruntled (or MTV, for that matter). So if I’m not a Millennial and I’m not really a member of Generation X, what am I?
I am a Xennial. We have embraced a digital adulthood, but we were fortunate enough to enjoy an analog childhood devoid of the trappings of social media. We played outside when it was still safe to play outside and we played with friends we still had to see to talk to. So while we spent our time in high school and college assimilating technology, we still remembered a time before technology ruled our lives and I think it’s a special memory … because it’s a special skillset. I believe emotional intelligence is becoming one of the single greatest competitive advantages for a person as technology increasingly rules our lives and impedes our ability to establish true human connection. I’m proud that my generation, the Xennials, were the last to grow up in a world before technology took over. I hope we are able to nurture and teach others about the humanity that was necessary in an analog world because the digital world could use a bit of analog these days.
Who is your favorite superhero?
My favorite superhero has always been Batman. I was never really impressed that much by superheroes with superpowers. From a very early age, my parents taught me about the capacity of the human spirit. While I don’t believe people can have anything they want, I do believe people have the potential to get what they fight for. It may be easier for some due to upbringing, talent or access, but I’ve seen enough examples of people overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to believe people are capable of amazing things. So I love the idea of Batman using his intellect and resources to become a superhero rather than becoming a superhero through birth or accident. I think I also gravitate towards Batman because he is a flawed hero and his flaws make him more accessible. In Batman, you have ego, hubris, vengeance and the burden of growing up with privilege along with the responsibility that comes with power. These are things that many of us wrestle with (well, maybe not growing up with privilege, unfortunately) … how to live a noble life despite the pressures and obligations of a normal life.
As an aside, I went to a Catholic private school when I was little and I drove the nuns crazy with my line of thinking. I probably shouldn’t admit this online, but it’s my truth so here it goes. I recall asking in 4th or 5th grade why Jesus had to be the son of God. I remember thinking that everything he did wouldn’t be as special if he was the son of God because he would basically be a superhero. I remember thinking how much more incredible his story would be if he was just a man … a man who led, taught and sacrificed to change the course of human history forever. Now that’s a superhero.
How many hours do you work a week?
A lot! I don’t count them. In the Army, we used to say, “train to standard, not time”. As a lifelong entrepreneur, I vowed to never punch a clock and I still never have. I have always been driven and self-motivated, so I work pretty much all the time but fortunately, I’ve only ever worked at what I truly enjoy. Whether funding startups or working at startups, I love building value and working without a safety net.
Ironically, I truly believe the Army helped foster my entrepreneurial spirit. While many people think of the Army as a bureaucracy, there are actually many parallels to entrepreneurship and virtually everything we’ve been doing since 9/11 has required varying degrees of innovation. One of my favorite books is Start-up Nation, which explores the role of service and how Israel -- a country of 7.1 million, only 60 years old, surrounded by enemies, in a constant state of war since its founding, with no natural resources -- produces more start-up companies than large, peaceful, and stable nations like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada and the UK.
What is your motto?
I actually have two … one for business and one for life. In business, it’s actually four thoughts that comprise a mantra of sorts:
In life, it’s to never forget that “to someone or something, anything might be everything”. As a kid, my Mom used to remind me of a Wayne Dyer quote “when given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.” This stuck with me and I try my best to remember that acts of kindness, small or large, can have a profound impact on others. From opening a door to smiling at a stranger to standing up for the defenseless, we are so often actually defined by those subtle moments that happen in between the "defining" ones.
You are obligated to serve for five years after graduating from West Point, so my first job was an officer in the US Army. I wish I could take credit for being courageous or brave, but I decided to attend West Point in 1998. Of course, whatever life I thought I would lead was forever changed on 9/11 during my junior year. I’ll never forget going to my first class after watching the towers fall and having an Army Colonel quietly remark, “Good morning, Cadets. Make no mistake, you're probably going to war.” In that moment, I think we all realized the gravity of the decision we made to attend a military academy, but it’s a decision I would make again. Serving in any capacity is an honor, but serving during wartime will teach you more about yourself and others than any other crucible.
When a warrior fights not for himself, but for his brothers, when his most passionately sought goal is neither glory nor his own life’s self-preservation, but to spend his substance for them, his comrades, not to abandon them, not to prove unworthy of them, then his heart truly has achieved contempt for death, and with that he transcends himself and his actions touch the sublime. - Gates of Fire
It was an honor to lead amazing men and women in combat, who routinely went above and beyond for each other. I think that’s why I’m so excited to be at Phunware (NASDAQ: PHUN). After the Army, I spent over a decade in venture capital and worked with incredible entrepreneurs, but I missed the camaraderie of being on a team. Now I get to work with my Phunware Phamily as we work to not only reimagine how brands engage consumers, but also empower people by decentralizing data.
What living person is your dream mentor?
My dream mentor is Tony Robbins. I know that seems like a cop-out answer, but let me explain. While the person in business I would most like to meet and learn from is Elon Musk, there is a big difference between a role model and a mentor. Being a mentor is a big responsibility and it’s not just about excelling in business. To be a dream mentor, you have to be able to go deep with people and really challenge them on preconceived notions. However, to do that effectively you need experience dealing with all types of people in all types of situations. That’s why Tony Robbins is my dream mentor … his experience. He’s worked with some of the most influential people in the world and been with them on their journey as they’ve tackled probably some of the most challenging personal and professional obstacles. And to be perfectly honest, I need someone who is more aggressive in their approach to mentor me. I have never had a mentor, so I’ve had to teach myself experientially. Someone who I respect very much once told me that I didn’t have a mentor because I never allowed myself to be mentored. There is a lot of truth in that statement and that’s why my dream mentor would have to have a more aggressive style like Tony’s. I know I wouldn’t be able to manipulate our time together and that’s how I know I’d be able to truly grow from his mentorship (i.e. I have a feeling he'd call me on my bullsh!t, LOL).
Best way to describe your generation?
Ironically, my whole life has been filled with interesting clarifications as it pertains to questions that should be easier to answer. If someone asks me if I’m an American, I might be prone to say, “I’m a Texan”. However, anyone from Austin knows that being from Austin is an entirely different classification, so I’m an “Austinite” more than a “Texan”. I also can’t be so easily classified generationally because I was born in 1980, caught right between Generation X and Millennials. No offense to anyone intended, but there is a prevailing sentiment that Millennials grew up in an era of participation trophies and parents telling them they could have anything they wanted. That’s definitely not me; there are winners, losers and maybe those who haven’t yet figured out how to win. I suppose I lean more towards the Gen Xers because they have often been described as growing up with less adult supervision, but my parents were so supportive and I certainly never identified with being disgruntled (or MTV, for that matter). So if I’m not a Millennial and I’m not really a member of Generation X, what am I?
I am a Xennial. We have embraced a digital adulthood, but we were fortunate enough to enjoy an analog childhood devoid of the trappings of social media. We played outside when it was still safe to play outside and we played with friends we still had to see to talk to. So while we spent our time in high school and college assimilating technology, we still remembered a time before technology ruled our lives and I think it’s a special memory … because it’s a special skillset. I believe emotional intelligence is becoming one of the single greatest competitive advantages for a person as technology increasingly rules our lives and impedes our ability to establish true human connection. I’m proud that my generation, the Xennials, were the last to grow up in a world before technology took over. I hope we are able to nurture and teach others about the humanity that was necessary in an analog world because the digital world could use a bit of analog these days.
Who is your favorite superhero?
My favorite superhero has always been Batman. I was never really impressed that much by superheroes with superpowers. From a very early age, my parents taught me about the capacity of the human spirit. While I don’t believe people can have anything they want, I do believe people have the potential to get what they fight for. It may be easier for some due to upbringing, talent or access, but I’ve seen enough examples of people overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to believe people are capable of amazing things. So I love the idea of Batman using his intellect and resources to become a superhero rather than becoming a superhero through birth or accident. I think I also gravitate towards Batman because he is a flawed hero and his flaws make him more accessible. In Batman, you have ego, hubris, vengeance and the burden of growing up with privilege along with the responsibility that comes with power. These are things that many of us wrestle with (well, maybe not growing up with privilege, unfortunately) … how to live a noble life despite the pressures and obligations of a normal life.
As an aside, I went to a Catholic private school when I was little and I drove the nuns crazy with my line of thinking. I probably shouldn’t admit this online, but it’s my truth so here it goes. I recall asking in 4th or 5th grade why Jesus had to be the son of God. I remember thinking that everything he did wouldn’t be as special if he was the son of God because he would basically be a superhero. I remember thinking how much more incredible his story would be if he was just a man … a man who led, taught and sacrificed to change the course of human history forever. Now that’s a superhero.
How many hours do you work a week?
A lot! I don’t count them. In the Army, we used to say, “train to standard, not time”. As a lifelong entrepreneur, I vowed to never punch a clock and I still never have. I have always been driven and self-motivated, so I work pretty much all the time but fortunately, I’ve only ever worked at what I truly enjoy. Whether funding startups or working at startups, I love building value and working without a safety net.
Ironically, I truly believe the Army helped foster my entrepreneurial spirit. While many people think of the Army as a bureaucracy, there are actually many parallels to entrepreneurship and virtually everything we’ve been doing since 9/11 has required varying degrees of innovation. One of my favorite books is Start-up Nation, which explores the role of service and how Israel -- a country of 7.1 million, only 60 years old, surrounded by enemies, in a constant state of war since its founding, with no natural resources -- produces more start-up companies than large, peaceful, and stable nations like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada and the UK.
What is your motto?
I actually have two … one for business and one for life. In business, it’s actually four thoughts that comprise a mantra of sorts:
- Be unrealistic when you set goals.
- Be unreasonable when it comes to what you’re willing to do to achieve your goals.
- Be relentless in pursuit of your goals.
- Be present along the way.
In life, it’s to never forget that “to someone or something, anything might be everything”. As a kid, my Mom used to remind me of a Wayne Dyer quote “when given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.” This stuck with me and I try my best to remember that acts of kindness, small or large, can have a profound impact on others. From opening a door to smiling at a stranger to standing up for the defenseless, we are so often actually defined by those subtle moments that happen in between the "defining" ones.