I grew up in my family’s aerospace and defense manufacturing company, which my father started 38 years ago. Early in my career, I helped commercialize a Lockheed Martin product that became the first polymer 3D-printed part certified for use on the exterior of an aircraft, now flown on multiple global air force fleets and commercial operators. I then developed the Aerospace & Defense go-to-market strategy for a major 3D printing OEM, driving adoption across Tier 1 OEMs. Afterward, I returned home to Tulsa with my wife (an SMU alum as well) to lead operations at our family company, where I have driven significant growth and expansion into new market verticals.