A nonlinear path to building people and leading with intention
My career path has never been a straight line, and that is exactly what brought me to where I am today, where I believe I’m supposed to be.
I graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in human resources during the 2008 recession, when finding that first real opportunity felt nearly impossible. After a few jobs taught me exactly what I did not want to do, I went back for my MBA and bet on economic recovery before I had proof it would happen or pay off. It did.
I spent the first seven years of my career in energy and manufacturing, learning strong HR fundamentals, building credibility with frontline teams, and developing the executive presence needed to lead across every level of a business. What energized me most was helping people grow. That passion is what pulled me into higher education, where I earned my PhD and spent the next seven years working to establish a career center and outreach programs that connected students to industry. I loved the classroom, the mentorship, and the chance to shape the next generation. But my real calling was always the same: building organizations by building people.
That is what brought me to AAON in 2024 after several years of consulting with the company and seeing its impact on workforce development in Oklahoma. For the past two years, I have led our people, community, and development teams. Now, I’m stepping into a new Chief of Staff role, in the Office of the CEO, to help drive strategy and execution across the organization. I have a renewed feeling of being stretched and energized, and I welcome this as a gift. Growth should make you feel a little uncomfortable. If it doesn’t, you may not be pushing hard enough. I wake up excited by the challenge, and I think that says everything.
