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
Working Through Life's Challenges: CEO Jon Rucker's Story is 'About the Journey, Not the Endgame'
WashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh and co-host Mark HuYoung, managing partner of executive advisory firm Northwind Partners, sit down with guest Jon Rucker as he shares a bit about his upbringing in Northern Virginia as the son of a teacher and electrical engineer, and how these experiences impacted him.
Rucker, CEO of Ultra Intelligence & Communications, also discusses the life lessons he carries with him, from his father’s work ethic to his mother’s approach to finding solutions to life’s problems rather than dwelling on them. He tells us why he decided to pursue the hardest degree in college, how he climbed the ranks in Lockheed Martin for 20 years, and how his professional experiences and mentors along the way ultimately led him to where he is today.
Plus, hear Rucker's story of resilience and strength. A month into his new role at SAIC, he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. He never stopped working during treatment, thanks SAIC's leadership team greatly for their immense support, and shares his new perspective and outlook on life.