Lead Yourself First: Tactics from the Battlefield to the Boardroom

Three military veterans turned entrepreneurs share hard-won insights on what it takes to lead yourself—and others—when the stakes are high. Whether you’re launching a startup, running a team, considering going back to school or navigating personal challenges, this workshop will equip you with proven strategies to stay grounded, decisive, and resilient.

Bring your gritty questions for your Q&A. From the battlefield to the boardroom to a bustling restaurant, our experiences will help you forge your own leadership edge.

Takeaways-

Self-Mastery First: Learn practical tools to regulate your mindset, energy, and focus—because you can’t lead others if you can’t lead yourself.

Decisive Action Under Pressure: Discover frameworks for making smart decisions quickly, even when resources are tight or emotions run high.

Speak to Lead: Authority without Ego: Explore ways to communicate with clarity and authority while still building trust and connection.

Building a Resilient Team: Get tactics for creating a culture of accountability, mutual support, and adaptability.

Translating Military Discipline into Business Success: Learn how to leverage discipline and structure without becoming rigid or burning out.

Brandon Rosas is the Founder of FOHRT Consulting, specializing in strategy, talent management, compensation and operations. With over 25 years of experience in sectors such as consulting, education, manufacturing, construction, and defense. Brandon excels in tactical talent planning and operational and financial excellence.

In his role at FOHRT Consulting, Brandon provides strategic consulting and leadership to a wide range of organizations. He is instrumental in aligning strategic talent management and finance practices with organizational goals, ensuring robust and successful outcomes for clients.

Commander Tony Strother is an active-duty naval officer where he serves as the Commanding Officer of Navy Reserve Center Raleigh. He is directly responsible for 25 Full-time staff and 475 Reserve Sailors. Tony is also one of the founders of KSB Investment Group, a NC real estate holding company. Tony and his partners own and manage the growing portfolio.

An undergraduate of Jacksonville University, he was commissioned in April 2005 through the NROTC program. He has served on multiple warships and naval staffs.

Tony holds a Master’s of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College’s Joint and Combined Warfighting School. He resides in Wake Forest with his wife Katie and five children.

Arthur “Rally” de Leon graduated from The Citadel in 1986 with a BS in Biology and an MBA from Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University. Currently, he is a business broker, SCORE mentor, on the board of Northern Wake County Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and attends Cornerstone Church, a Providence Church plant in Raleigh, NC.

Rally served as a Chick-fil-A franchisee for over 22 years in Raleigh, NC. Before owning his own business, Rally held various industry positions with the USAF, NATO, MCI Telecommunications, and IBM. In April of 2024, he completed his service as a trustee with Gateway Seminary in Ontario, CA and he currently serves on the Credentials Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, TN.

His hobbies include bicycling, pickleball, camping with his wife of 38 years, and enjoying time with his 2 daughters, son-in-law, and grandson.