Lacy Kiser
Lacy Kiser wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted to do with his life after leaving high school. However, inspired to join the military by his family before him, he found himself in the marines as a member of “The Few, The Brave.” There, he worked as a bulk fuel specialist and a marine security embassy guard, forging connections and seeing the world.
After returning to the U.S., Kiser earned a bachelor of science in organizational management and a master of science in management with a concentration in human resources management. Additionally, he earned an advanced human resources executive certification from the University of Michigan.
Originally from Fairmont, West Virginia, Kiser now lives in Dallas, Texas, as he serves as chief administration officer for PLH Group Inc., where he is responsible for marketing communications, risk management and human resources.
Fraternity like no other
“Coming out of high school, I wasn’t ready (financially or otherwise) for college. I had family in the military and wanted to follow in their footsteps and serve our great nation. I chose the Marine Corps because of their reputation as a rough and tough minded fighting force. To be a member of The Few, The Proud, The Marines is a fraternity like none other.”
Diplomatic missions
“My most memorable experiences are from my time serving as a Marine Security Guard at the Embassy in Vienna, Austria, and Dakar, Senegal. Marine Security Guard details is, in my opinion, one of the best special duty assignments in the military. Our primary function was to protect the Embassy (personnel and property). We also had the unique opportunity of working daily with the diplomatic corps while also serving the American community deployed as part of the diplomatic mission.”
Promoting veteran wellness
“Along with the support of PLH Group, we participate in and donate to Warrior Wellness Solutions, an organization with a mission of delivering personalized health and wellness education and training to our nation’s wounded, ill and injured warriors, as well as their families and caregivers. You can find out more about this organization at www.warriorwellnesssolutions.
True grit
“Although a lot of traits former military personnel bring to the table help the industry, the ones that standout the most are perseverance (grit) and agility. Veterans bring a wellhead of training on how to adapt, pivot and be agile to ensure success in the mission, skills that are critical in our environment. Additionally, the ability to persevere through the ups and downs of a task or mission is a trait that translates extremely well to the industry.”
Discipline
“From the moment you enter basic training until the time you exit, discipline is instilled into all aspects of your life — the discipline to focus on and complete the task at hand along with the discipline to focus and plan for tomorrow. Former Navy Seal and author Jocko Willink probably puts it best with his phrase “Discipline equals Freedom,” and learning that early in my adult life has paid dividends in my career. The leadership skills instilled, whether it was self-leadership as an individual contributor or the skills to lead others with courage and compassion, have carried through and help me every day.”