Preston Swift:  

I developed early leadership traits when tapped as the student leader of the Claymont High School "Flaming Arrow" Marching Band. During my senior year of high school, I joined the US Naval Reserves and departed for active duty in the fall of 1971. Based on entrance examination results, the Navy selected me for training as an Aviation Ordnanceman working with bombs, rockets and missiles. Within two years, I was assigned my first management role as a crew leader with four other sailors assigned. From those humble beginnings, I started my ascendant up the ranks. With each advancement in rank, I progressed from crew leader, to shift supervisor, shop supervisor, branch officer, division officer, department head and general manager. Based on my professional skills and success in leadership and management, I was awarded a commission as a Naval Officer. This promotion was achieved without the benefit of a college degree, which I did achieve while serving as a department head. My performance of thirty years was consistently documented by outstanding performance, innovative achievement and coast-to-coast recognition of my professional expertise. My assignment as second in command of a Naval Weapons Station was the first such assignment for any officer in my field. Throughout my military career, I was consistently assigned positions of greater responsibility, often being the first to be assigned to specific duties or assigned duties beyond the scope of my current rank. My varied assignments included aircraft and shipboard equipment maintenance, avionics systems, research and development, logistical support, technician training, technical inspection, unit and company wide management. Upon my retirement from the Navy, my first position as a civilian was with a small business concern. As the Program Manager for Communication Products, I marketed products to military and government agencies, foreign and domestic. I drafted responses to RFPs (Request for Proposal), presented visual and practical demonstrations of solutions to senior management, installed electronic systems, and provided training to client personnel. The position required extensive travel nationwide and internationally. In order to increase sales, I developed strong associations with marketing and engineering personnel. I also spent considerable time staying in contact with former and current clients. My ¿customer first¿ approach often resulted in new sales and referrals to new sales opportunities. Typical customers included the US Navy, National Security Administration, Egy...Expand for more