Innovation summit inspires Army veteran to give back
Colonel Bob Dixon retired from the U.S. Army after serving almost 30 years, but retirement for him actually means another day at the office.
What You Need To Know
- Colonel Bob Dixon credits the Synapse Innovation Summit for inspiring his post military move.
- Now, he’s a veterans outreach advocate for Synapse.
- Summit scheduled for Feb. 17 at Amalie Arena
He’s traveled the world, seeing all the states and more than 60 countries.
For the third-generation military member, moving about every year or two also meant a new job.
“I loved working at the Chief of Staff, the Army’s think tank in Washington DC. I got to to that for a bit,” said Dixon.
“I got to command a basic training outfit in Missouri and I got to command a district a Corp of Engineer District in Arkansas.”
The veteran took skills from the service as an engineer strategist and founded Arete Strategic Consulting, where he works as a leadership coach.
Dixon credits the Synapse Innovation Summit for inspiring his post military move.
“When I was leaving the service, you kinda gotta figure out what you’re gonna do when you grow up,” said the veteran.
“After three decades in uniform, well, I’ve got a lot of different skills, how does that fit into the civilian world.”
He left the summit inspired with a new path and wanting to pay it forward and help other veterans.
Now, he’s a veterans outreach advocate for Synapse.
“That’s what veterans leaving the service need is the ability to network with the companies that need them and with the people that are looking for talent,” said Dixon.
Hoping to help other veterans find where they fit, making connections in civilian life, like the ones that changed his
“I think there’s a huge place for them in the startup world, I think that veterans, service members of any service have figured out how to do a lot with a little bit,” said Dixon.
“I think it’s awesome that Tampa Bay is such a champion of innovation and we’re getting on the map like nationwide and people are coming here to be part of the innovation community.”