About

Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to Barbara and Ken Schwab. My father was a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam and an honorably discharged Army Non-Commissioned Officer who taught me the meaning of sacrifice. My mother was a school librarian who instilled in me a love of reading and learning.

My father stopped being able to work due to complications from agent orange poisoning and a workplace accident. Almost overnight, we went from a solid middle class family to struggling to pay bills.

Spent two weeks helping Ukraine rebuild its Jewish community after the fall of the Soviet Union. I saw firsthand the impact of authoritarianism and understood the promise of America for the first time.

Made the decision to join the Army and enrolled in ROTC.

I was at college in Washington DC on 9/11. I could see the Pentagon smoke from my dorm. I grew up that day.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and assigned to Fort Cavazos (then known as Fort Hood). In March of 2002, I was introduced to Candace. In September, I proposed to her. We planned to get married after she graduated college in 2004, but had to wait an extra year due to my first deployment.

Deployment #1: I deployed to Iraq as a Medical Company ("Charlie Med") Platoon Leader and Executive Officer. Among my many experiences, I ran convoy missions along some of the most dangerous routes in Baghdad.

My best friend, a former Marine Corps NCO, was killed in a single-car accident during a tropical storm. The road he was on was poorly designed and created a wind tunnel causing him to hydroplane. This was one of the most traumatic events of my life and led to my deep conviction that we need to invest in infrastructure.

Deployment #2 I deployed once again to Iraq. This time I would serve in multiple rolls including officer in charge of a Mortuary Affairs Transfer Point. We were responsible for honorably transferring our fallen heroes. This was the most difficult experience of my life, but taught me the true cost of freedom.

Company Command In April 2007, I took command of the Charlie, 115th Brigade Support Medical Company while in Iraq. Soon after I took command, the "surge" began and we were extended for 3 months leading to a 15 month long deployment while facing some of the toughest fighting of the war.

Returned from Iraq and immediately started prepping for the next deployment. Every key officer in my Battalion moved or separated from service except for me. I would provide continuity for the unit since we only had 12 months before deploying again

Deployment #3 We deployed once again to the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq. I was chosen to lead a forward logistical element at a remote Joint Security Station.

In July 2009, I assumed a role as the deputy to the Brigade logistics office. Overall, I commanded for 27 months - much longer than the 12-18 month regular rotation.

Parenthood While working towards my MBA, my first child was born. Caleb is now 15 and plays freshman football for Clemens High School.

CFO Experience #1 I became the Chief Financial Officer of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research - the DoD's largest biomedical research laboratory. I became an expert on the research process, its financing, and cost accounting.

In May I became a father for the second time as my daughter, Jenna, was born. I coach Jenna and her Buffalo Valley Youth Association (BVYA) teams in basketball and softball.

PhD I earned my PhD at the Wharton Business School in managerial science and applied economics with a focus on healthcare management. This is normally a 5-6 year program. I graduated in under 3 years, among the fastest time in my department's history.

In 2017 I became a father once again. My son, Colin, was born. I coach Colin and his BVYA team in baseball.

CFO Experience #2 After teaching military students for 3 years, I was assigned as the Chief Financial Officer of Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) - the Military's largest hospital and only Level 1 trauma center. I was able to cut waste effectively while executing our mission. I will take this skill to Austin to ensure any cuts are ONLY waste and do not impact our services.

I retired from the Army and took a position as a business school professor at UTSA. I conduct research on the workforce and the role of interpersonal relationships, while teaching healthcare and human resources management

(mandatory disclaimer - UTSA does not endorse any candidates).