Humble Beginnings
The CEOs and senior GovCon leaders of today weren't always sitting in the corner office. They weren't born in suits with a handbook for success and a direct path to leadership. In fact, before many of these executives came into positions of powers, they had rather humble beginnings -- no corporate family tree or unlimited access. Many had to find their way on their own with little to fall back on. This podcast will share the stories of high school part-time work, first jobs and early-career decisions, decades before the CEO appointments and the board memberships. We'll learn about the unconventional paths to success, the ones most of us can relate to.
Humble Beginnings
DCS Corp.'s Jack Jackson's Journey from Naval Ships and Small Towns to People-First Leadership
DCS Corp.'s Jack Jackson was raised in Baltimore, Maryland, as one of nine kids and the son of a local sports journalist. While Jackson and his siblings all attended Catholic school growing up, he chose a different path when it came time for college. Rather than head to a state university, Jackson chose to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. This would be the start of his professional journey.
In this episode, Jackson shares stories of his six years in the Navy including three years on a ship and two working for NATO, what he learned during this time (failures and all) and how seeing a bit of the world changed his perspective. He left the Navy to start a big family, spending years with General Electric working in remote, small towns around the country. He shares how he shifted from business to a human resources role and how his family growing up sculpted his understanding of how to deal with people. Tune in to hear how Jackson ultimately landed leading HR at DC Corps., and the impact his experiences have on him today.