Humble Beginnings

Pizzerias, Roofing and ROTC: Ed Swallow's Resourceful Ride to Management and Mentorship

July 18, 2023 WashingtonExec Season 1 Episode 10
Pizzerias, Roofing and ROTC: Ed Swallow's Resourceful Ride to Management and Mentorship
Humble Beginnings
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Humble Beginnings
Pizzerias, Roofing and ROTC: Ed Swallow's Resourceful Ride to Management and Mentorship
Jul 18, 2023 Season 1 Episode 10
WashingtonExec

If you look up the definition of "resourcefulness," you may find Ed Swallow's story. Today, he's senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer/treasurer of The Aerospace Corp.; yet the White Plains, New York native didn't have a clearly defined path. It's largely the reason why he's adamant about mentorship and provides early career advice to students at universities.

Tune in to hear how Swallow's country club upbringing shifted after his parent's divorce and the recession of 1972. He began helping his family financially at the age of 15, working at pizzerias, gas stations and even roofing on the weekends, thanks to his stepfather's business. To afford college, he declared emancipation, joined ROTC and even started his own roofing business ⏤ at times, redoing roofs for professors. Fast forward two bachelor’s degrees from two separate universities, a master's degree and active duty Air Force experience, and Swallow is inspiring the next generation of diverse talent into the space workforce.   

To learn more about these efforts as Swallow discuses them in this episode, visit Space Workforce 2030.

Show Notes

If you look up the definition of "resourcefulness," you may find Ed Swallow's story. Today, he's senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer/treasurer of The Aerospace Corp.; yet the White Plains, New York native didn't have a clearly defined path. It's largely the reason why he's adamant about mentorship and provides early career advice to students at universities.

Tune in to hear how Swallow's country club upbringing shifted after his parent's divorce and the recession of 1972. He began helping his family financially at the age of 15, working at pizzerias, gas stations and even roofing on the weekends, thanks to his stepfather's business. To afford college, he declared emancipation, joined ROTC and even started his own roofing business ⏤ at times, redoing roofs for professors. Fast forward two bachelor’s degrees from two separate universities, a master's degree and active duty Air Force experience, and Swallow is inspiring the next generation of diverse talent into the space workforce.   

To learn more about these efforts as Swallow discuses them in this episode, visit Space Workforce 2030.