Occupation:
Storyteller, CEO of Outpost Security
What motivates you?
The opportunity of change. I think we are at a major inflection point (then again, when are we not?). While we have unprecedented access to technology and the ability to engineer powerful solutions, the majority of our overarching systems are running with outdated constructs, rules, and leaders. It is up to us to build new systems, or the new solutions to old problems will be for naught.
Why do you work out of a coworking space? And more importantly, why 100state?
During COVID I have gained a new appreciation for being an extrovert. People = energy for me, and being in a new company of two people, 100state gives me the opportunity to have an extended group of co-workers.
Who do you look at as a role model and why?
Cheap answer – it depends. Dr. Frank Byrne when he was CEO of St. Mary’s. He used to host these “Breakfast with Business” events and invite 15-20 local leaders and we’d have discussion about the intersection of life, business & healthcare. There’d be some really intense questions and discourse, like end of life care & how do we manage it from a policy standpoint – deep stuff. Of course we’d ask Frank what he thought as a Hospital CEO & Medical Doctor – and he would usually say something like, “My champion for this is so & so, and this is what they would say.”
So in that vein I look to model Richard Branson for his entrepreneurial and free spirit, Colin Powell for his servant leadership, Nassim Taleb for his deep intelligence and analytical approach, Elon Musk for his “keep building BIG” mentality, Peter Thiel for his contrarian courage, Oprah for her lifetime commitment to positivity and giving, and Girl Talk (Gregg Gillis) – he’s just a musical genius.
What is your favorite 100state memory?
I remember going to one of the first 100state events when 100state was located at the original location. We had some impromptu break-out sessions where we attacked a problem as a group – master mind style. I don’t remember what the issue was, or even the year. It is fun to think about how much 100state has grown since then, but it is still driven by the kind of people and ideals that began it.
What inspires you to keep going and pursue your dream?
This question begs the meta – so here it goes:
The opportunity for change is just that – an opportunity. There is still a lot of work and effort to build and deliver new solutions – to build new realities. And you can’t skip the work – because that is where you learn what the truths really are. And when you build on truth – you will always build something that is durable & effective.
That’s my lasting fire – search, build, & deliver durable change founded in truth.
When you’re not at 100state, where can you be found?
I live downtown so I’m always hovering in the 100state general vicinity. With our redacted social options I’ve been taking a lot of runs/walks around the square & campus. I have also doubled down on the Branson model and acquired kiteboarding gear – so when the wind is right you might see me face planting behind a 12 meter kite somewhere on Monona or Mendota.
