Age: 32
Occupation: Patrol commander, Coralville Police Department
Greatest professional achievements: In the Army, my greatest achievement was being inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. At the Coralville Police Department, my achievements include being promoted to sergeant, completing my bachelor’s degree, and my promotion to lieutenant.
Who are your mentors: Barry Bedford (Coralville chief of police)
Best advice you ever received: The best advice I’ve ever received is to know your job, know yourself and know your people.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you: I served in the active duty Army for five years as a military police officer. During that time, I deployed to Kuwait (twice), Afghanistan and Iraq. While in Iraq, I sustained injuries from a rocket attack for which I was awarded the Purple Heart.
How do you ensure a balance between work and your personal life: I did not do very well while serving in the Army of balancing my personal life with work. Work was everything to me; it was one of the primary reasons for my discharge from the military. I loved being a soldier, but I also wanted a life and a family. When I started my career at the Coralville Police Department, I did so consciously monitoring where my time was spent, and I still ensure to not get caught up in work because I know how important family and friends are in my life.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace: My generation in the workplace wants to know why. We’re more willing to implement change and be an active member of an organization if we understand the importance. I would also venture to say that my generation works to live; we do not live to work.
