Living our core value of caring every day

Ever since I was a young boy, I was always fascinated with planes. Staring up at the sky was a favorite pastime of mine, as I watched planes soar above me. This passion drove me to start training to fly when I was in high school, which led to me ultimately getting my pilot’s license…and I’ve been flying as a hobby ever since!

About 21 years ago, I realized that I could use my aviation skills for a good cause – helping people is something I greatly enjoy doing, and why not combine my passion for aviation with giving back?!

That’s how I got involved in Angel Flight South Central – an organization with a mission to help people in need of free air transportation for medical and humanitarian purposes. Angel Flight arranges travel through a network of volunteer pilots who provide flights at no cost to Angel Flight or the people who require specialized medical treatment not available to them locally. I am proud to be a volunteer pilot and board member, and a former wing leader, for Angel Flight South Central! And when I’m not volunteering with Angel Flight South Central, I fly for two other charitable organizations – Pilots N Paws and Challenge Air. There are so many opportunities to give back via volunteer aviation!  

Recently, I was beyond honored to find out that I was a recipient of the 2021 Public Benefit Flying Awards. Each year, the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), in partnership with the Air Care Alliance (ACA), a nationwide league of humanitarian flying organizations, honor volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and organizations engaged in flying to help others, as well as those supporting such work. The Public Benefit Flying Awards were presented at the NAA Fall Awards Dinner on December 6 in Arlington, Virginia. This is a huge accomplishment for me, and it was awesome to take a trip to attend the awards dinner with my wife and other family members!

You may already know this, but we care is one of Commvault’s core values. To me, it is so impactful that we have a value entirely dedicated to the importance of caring. I was recently named a winner of our CEO Living Our Values Awards in our global Town Hall in November. I was recognized for helping evolve and grow the Field Advisory Services Team (FAST), but I was also recognized for my passion for giving back. To know that my company wants to celebrate not only my professional achievements, but my personal passions as well, was really a great moment for me.

I am so thankful to have met so many incredibly inspiring people along my volunteer aviation journey, as well as my journey here at Commvault. Helping others is engrained in everything I do – from helping my team reach our goals to helping those in need… giving back is what drives me each and every day.

We can all make a difference in this world – why not give back while doing something you love?!