Meet Chelvis "CJ" Marshall.

I retired from the U.S. Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) after more than 12 years of service — advancing to Senior Chief in just 10 years (well ahead of the typical 16–22 year timeline) and serving as Engineering Program Manager, the senior enlisted engineer known as "Top Snipe," one of the youngest in the United States Navy to hold that role. I led engineering operations aboard a $500 million guided-missile destroyer, managed a 137-person engineering department, and served as Acting Command Master Chief for a crew of more than 400 Sailors. Those experiences taught me that sustainable success comes from disciplined leadership, clear accountability, and systems that enable people to perform at their best.

I'm not a classroom consultant. I started on the deckplates as a hands-on engineering technician — turning wrenches, aligning equipment, and learning the work from the inside out before ever leading it. That foundation is what makes the MBA matter. I've operated at every level, so when I advise executives today, it's grounded in real experience, not theory.

During my naval career, I was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for my actions during a major engineering casualty aboard USS Hue City (CG-66). That experience reinforced lessons that continue to shape my leadership today: remain calm under pressure, make decisions with incomplete information, trust your team, and execute with discipline when the stakes are highest.

Today, I serve in an enterprise leadership role supporting Fortune 500 organizations, national accounts, and complex operational initiatives. Throughout my career, I've led multimillion-dollar business initiatives, advised executive decision-makers, built high-performing teams, and helped organizations align strategy with execution.