Veteran Spotlight: Grant Kimmel 26MBV, U.S. Air Force
Tell us a little about your background and your journey in the military.
I was born and raised in southeastern North Carolina, and I started my military career in August 2000. I initially enlisted as a crew chief assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, to work on the C-5 Galaxy, but after four years, I separated from the U.S. Air Force to pursue a college education. At the time, I didn’t plan on returning to the military, but I ultimately decided to join the Air Force ROTC program at UNC–Chapel Hill and commissioned as an officer in 2008. I went on to serve over 20 years on active duty, including 12 years in Air Force Special Operations, as a Combat Systems Officer focused on electronic warfare, airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and communications.
The last five years of my career were spent at the intersection of operations, requirements, and acquisition. I worked with operators to identify what they needed, engineers to develop those capabilities, and organizations responsible for fielding them. My role was to connect those groups and help turn ideas into capabilities required to execute the mission. That experience shaped how I approach problems today, starting with the identification of the problem, working through solutions collaboratively, and focusing on outcomes that create progress rather than chasing perfection. After retiring in 2025, I transitioned from active duty into the defense industry, and now I work at Viasat, where I continue supporting the special operations community by helping align technology with operational needs.
Why did you choose Goizueta Business School?
Before retiring from the Air Force, I knew that to successfully transition into the private sector, I needed to close my knowledge gap in business concepts. I chose Goizueta Business School to build that foundation because it is one of the few universities that offers a specialized Master of Business for Veterans program. The program stood out because it is designed for veterans who have led in complex environments and are now translating that experience into a business context. What I’ve appreciated most is how directly the coursework connects to real-world problems. Whether it’s strategy, structured problem solving, or understanding financial tradeoffs, I’ve been able to apply what I’m learning almost immediately in my current role.
What are your career goals?
I’ve found that I’m most effective and most interested in discovering problems that a customer has and figuring out how to solve them. My goal is to continue operating in that space, particularly within the defense industry, helping organizations better understand the problems they are trying to solve before jumping to solutions. I also want to continue learning and growing professionally to influence how strategic decisions are made.
What do you enjoy outside of work or school?
Most of my time outside of work and school is spent with my family, which is something I’ve come to value even more after transitioning out of the military. I also enjoy spending time with friends in Atlanta and exploring everything the city and state have to offer as we settle into our new home.
Check out more veteran spotlights on Voice of Goizueta.
Goizueta is proud to support our nation’s veterans and active-duty servicemen as they continue their education. Learn more about our new Master of Business for Veterans program.
