Leo Casiple Feature Story

I am an immigrant and first-generation American. I never finished high school and joined the US Army with a Green Card and a GED. I had very little confidence and no longer believed in myself. During my service, after failing the Selection Course twice, I earned the Green Beret on my third attempt. Later, I was selected to attend the 18-month Arabic Language Course at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. I was grateful to maintain a near-native proficiency for many years. While in the Army, I completed a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts degree from Excelsior College. Immediately after the Army, I founded a Language Training company; however, I failed because I did not know how to ask for help.

Post-military, with one GI Bill, I earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Global Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) from California Lutheran University, and a scholarship and Master of Competitive Intelligence Certificate (CIP-1 and CIP-2) from the Academy of Competitive Intelligence. Additionally, I obtained a Multi-Cultural Leadership Certificate from the United Way of North Carolina, and a Competent Communicator Certificate (Public Speaking) from Toastmasters International. I got to where I am today because of amazing leaders and mentors who kept me going in the right direction. My family (wife Cecile and my boys) have been my motivation to keep going. I would not be here today without their love and support.