Briefly introduce yourself and share your military background, including your branch, rank and years of service.
I currently serve as the assistant general counsel for BDO USA, providing legal oversight on a variety of government contract actions for services BDO Public Sector provides to government agencies. Before transitioning to the private sector, I served for four years as a government contracts attorney for the Government Publishing Office and six years as an acquisition operations manager at Marine Corps Systems Command.
My time in public service began when I was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 2002, following the events of Sept. 11. I rose to the rank of major, earning the Navy Achievement Medal and receiving an Honorable Discharge in 2010. As a Marine Judge Advocate, I served as a defense counsel, defending Marines in criminal cases, and later as an action officer, advising the Commanding General on statues, laws and regulations impacting the mobilization of reservists during the Global War on Terrorism campaign.
How has your military experience helped you find success in a corporate environment?
My military service taught me the value of teamwork, staying mission-focused, and leading in a way that fosters trust and inspires others. In the corporate environment, particularly at BDO, I aim to be someone my team can rely on, and I strive to bring out the best in those around me to achieve our shared goals. This approach to leadership, rooted in my military experience, has been instrumental in helping me contribute to the organization’s mission and create a supportive, high-performing team.
What advice would you give to other veterans looking to thrive in their corporate careers?
Remember the leadership qualities and resilience you built during your military service are powerful assets in the corporate world. While the mission may differ, the principles of teamwork, adaptability and purpose-driven action remain the same and are equally valuable in the corporate environment. The discipline and focus you honed in defense of our country can be just as impactful in driving a company's goals forward. Stay true to those values, leverage your skills, and approach every challenge with the dedication you embodied in uniform. Those who have served have already proven they can adapt and overcome. That experience will help you excel in any corporate environment.
Barrett in his first year as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps
Briefly introduce yourself and share your military background, including your branch, rank and years of service.
I am a Forensics market leader based in the Washington, D.C. area, and I joined the firm in April after 21 years as a forensics leader at another professional services firm. Prior to my experience in professional services, I was on active duty in the Air Force for 10 years. I started off doing secure computing before I was recruited into the Office of Special Investigations (OSI). After going to the OSI Academy and earning my credentials, I began criminal and counter-intelligence work at the felony level.
How has your military experience helped you find success in a corporate environment?
I had many opportunities while in service to network with many other federal agents. Through working on many briefings and investigations, I built a large network and invested in multiple relationships. I made a friend who worked at the NASA Office of Inspector General and helped me transition to professional services. They encouraged me to enter the business world and consulting industry when they joined the previous firm I worked with.
The discipline and integrity I developed in the military are some of the most helpful qualities I needed to transition into a corporate environment. I’m always thinking about everything I can do to perform better and deliver better results for my clients and the firm.
What advice would you give to other veterans looking to thrive in their corporate careers?
Remember how important it was to learn and understand how things worked in the military and apply it to your corporate career as well. Consider yourself a student of the firm and stay up to date on your clients’ actions and objectives. Once you learn the system and align your efforts to it, your efforts will be recognized. I have also discovered that there are fewer “ceilings” in the profit-driven world, so use this to your advantage to advance in your career.
Koch during his time in the U.S. Air Force