If you had asked me earlier in my life if I would be working on Capitol Hill, I would have never believed you. But this is an incredible way to fulfill my obligation of service to the country that has given me fantastic opportunities. The quote by President John F. Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country," is a call to service. It creates the desire to give back in meaningful ways at whatever level you can, either through your local community or on the national level. The message that the quote delivers is my primary motivation for joining TechCongress. Working in Congress offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping public policy and contribute to the nation's greater good by serving the American people.
During my time in the Marine Corps, emerging technology was always at the forefront of everything we did. My time in the military allowed me to find new and cutting-edge ways to solve rapidly transforming problems. After that, doing international mergers and acquisitions allowed me to understand further that our policy helps keep America among the world leaders in technology and innovation. To remain the place the world turns to for innovation and expertise, we need to shape our policy to reflect that. The world never stands still, so our ability to adapt to a changing environment is crucial. We can also apply our technological advantages from the battlefield to the boardroom and policymaking circles. Since the military, I have been working at the forefront of technology, cyber security, and intelligence. My expertise, real-world knowledge, and experience will be a great asset and help de-mystify some of the more technical aspects of our high-tech world.
The opportunity that TechCongress has afforded me cannot be understated. This program has given me a chance to continue to fulfill the goal set forth by President Kennedy in that famous inauguration speech. I can now help adapt public policy for the future and set up the next generation for success in ethically advancing the use of technology during a time when technology is playing an increasing role in our individual lives and at a more macro-strategic level.