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transition into corporate America—working with industry leaders like Qwest (now Lumen), Cisco Systems, and Avaya—taught me the discipline and strategic execution necessary for sustained business growth. These experiences provided invaluable insight into scaling operations, driving innovation, and leading teams in highly competitive environments, further sharpening my ability to build and sustain a thriving enterprise in the IT sector. Cole: What inspired you to pursue a career in the technology field, and how did you get started? Lewis: I was very fortunate; in that I always knew that I wanted to work in the technology career field, because I have always enjoyed and excelled in math and science. My passion for science led me to Major in Computer Science at the United States Air Force Academy. After graduation, I served in the Air Force for ten years as an IT
Communications Officer; designing, installing and testing IT and Communications systems all over the world and in a variety of environments, including, aboard a United States Navy aircraft carrier cruising down the Suez Canal to the Persian Gulf. The ever-evolving nature of the IT field continues to inspire me, and I look forward to many more years of innovation and growth in this industry. Cole: What do you believe to be the most important piece of advice for a leader to follow? Lewis: For any leader, or entrepreneur, or organization, or family… setbacks are inevitable. This is why my advice to anyone determined to lead is to be Resilient! Remove defeating thoughts from your mind and words from your vocabulary. I was laid off twice before starting my own business. The second time I was laid off was just months after being awarded full custody of
23 The Acumen
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