Energy Resilience Is National Resilience
Energy Resilience Is National Resilience
I grew up in a small town in Eastern Oregon and was the first in my family to serve in the military. I set my sights on serving in the Air Force and went on to attend the Air Force Academy. What followed was one of the most formative experiences of my life.
After graduating, I worked on space systems at Los Angeles Air Force Base under the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, helping manage the development and deployment of satellite technology and space defense infrastructure. The mission was clear: develop the critical space assets the country depends on to maintain peace and protect its people.
That work shaped how I think about business and every job I’ve had since, including what we do at CLEAResult today – because energy is one of the critical systems our country depends on.
A grid under pressure, rising peak loads, projected demand growth from data centers, new manufacturing, electrification, and other sources of consumption – combined with infrastructure that wasn’t built for what's coming – aren't just operational challenges. They're resilience challenges with real implications for the country. The work CLEAResult does plays a role in addressing them, helping to dampen demand through energy savings and making energy more efficient, reliable, and accessible. That isn't just good for utility programs. It's good for the country, the grid, and the environment. As we mark 250 years of American independence this July 4, that connection is worth making.
What veterans bring to energy work
I’ve also experienced the transition out of the military. It can be hard. Translating what you did in uniform into language the civilian world understands takes real effort, and the stakes feel high because they are. There were moments of self-doubt. But the discipline, accountability, and work ethic the military builds don't go away when you take off the uniform – and those are exactly the qualities the energy industry needs.
Veterans know how to operate in complex environments, execute under pressure, work as a team, and hold themselves accountable. Energy efficiency is a technical, fast-moving, mission-driven service business. It's a natural fit. And what the field offers in return is meaningful work – work that matters for communities, for the grid, and for the country. That's not a bad next mission.
Why SkillBridge matters
CLEAResult participates in the Department of War’s SkillBridge program, which allows active-duty service members to gain civilian work experience during their final 180 days of service while still receiving their military pay and benefits. It's one of the ways we can support veterans as they build the next chapter of their careers.
The people coming through this program aren't starting over. They're bringing everything they built in uniform and applying it somewhere new. My advice to any veteran has always been the same: learn to communicate your experience, don't hesitate to ask for help, and stay true to the principles that got you here. SkillBridge is a bridge, not a starting line.
As we celebrate 250 years of this country, I'm proud CLEAResult is doing work that connects to its resilience – and that we're bringing the people who defended it into the work of powering it.