Many veterans carry forward the same mission-first mindset, leadership, and resilience that defined their military careers into the civilian world, as well as into the organizations and communities they support.
At SolarWinds, we are fortunate to work alongside veterans whose experiences shape how we serve customers every day. This year, we’re spotlighting conversations that underline the true meaning of service, how military experience translates into civilian impact, and the values that continue to guide their careers.
From Presidential Flights to Public Sector Support
After more than 25 years in federal service, including flying Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden, SolarWinds Senior Staff Program Manager Tim Schnelle understands what it means to operate when failure is not an option. His career began with a pivot from college to Officer Candidate School, and eventually led to flying helicopters during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and ultimately, Presidential flights.
Tim’s sense of duty and planning rigor now guide his work supporting SolarWinds public-sector teams as a senior member of our revenue operations organization and site lead for Reston, VA. The mindset hasn’t changed: “Throughout my career, everything I’ve done has been mission-focused. That perspective helps me quickly relate to and understand our customers’ goals and challenges, and work alongside them to deliver real results.”
Tim’s path is a reminder that veterans bring not only technical and leadership skills, but also a grounded understanding of responsibility, coordination, and consequences. In government IT, where uptime can shape national security, public services, and citizen trust, that mindset matters. His commitment extends beyond work as well. As an IRONMAN athlete and certified triathlon coach, Tim continues to model resilience and disciplined growth, the same qualities that guide his support for public-sector modernization efforts at SolarWinds. Read the piece here.
Continuing Service Beyond the Uniform
Travis Galloway served more than 22 years in the Marine Corps, with deployments, time as a drill instructor, and leadership roles supporting Marine Helicopter Squadron One and serving on Capitol Hill. Today, he leads Government Affairs at SolarWinds, ensuring we stay aligned with emerging public-sector requirements, cybersecurity expectations, and mission needs. “The mission remains the same: supporting our government partners in achieving their goals. I’ve come to appreciate that my role at SolarWinds allows me to continue making a meaningful impact every day.”
At SolarWinds, that means helping our customers stay prepared for evolving security and compliance demands, and ensuring federal partners have the support, clarity, and tools needed to operate securely and reliably. Travis begins each day reviewing policy developments, meeting with agency leaders, and guiding teams who serve public-sector customers. This blend of operational awareness and policy fluency mirrors the tension many agencies navigate between mission urgency and regulatory rigor, and veterans like Travis are uniquely equipped to bridge that gap. Check out the full article.
Leadership, Perspective, and Purpose in Civilian Life
For Greg Fetterhoff, service began when he joined the Marine Corps just before the events of September 11, 2001. That led to global assignments across more than 20 countries, from embassy duty to dignitary protection at the Pentagon, experiences that shaped his approach to leadership, communication, and mission execution. Today, Greg leads Monalytic, a SolarWinds company, delivering expert services and training to public-sector IT teams. He works shoulder-to-shoulder with agency leaders to help strengthen operational resilience, ensure visibility across complex networks, and empower government missions. Greg says: “Once someone truly understands the ‘why’ behind the public sector, it’s difficult not to be passionate about supporting it. Our team adopts our customers’ missions as our own, and we’re proud to help them achieve success.” That clarity reinforces why veterans excel in roles supporting government infrastructure—they understand the stakes, know the demands placed on federal IT, and recognize the people behind the mission. You’ll find the full piece here.
From Combat Boots to Corporate Communications
Director of Corporate Communications Dillon Townsel first encountered SolarWinds during a 40-hour crash-course in a tent in Afghanistan: “I was in a tent in Afghanistan getting certified on SolarWinds and then using it on classified and unclassified networks. For the last four years of my military career, I was basically a network security engineer… That was my first exposure to SolarWinds, and I never forgot it.”
In a SolarWinds TechPod dedicated to his career, Dillon discussed his move from combat journalism and network security in the U.S. Army to leading communications at SolarWinds. Dillon’s career across music, retail technology, military public affairs, and cybersecurity underscores the nonlinear nature of modern transitions and the unique adaptability veterans bring to rapidly changing fields. On TechPod, he reflected on resilience, tactical communication skills, and the transition from a military command structure to civilian collaboration. Most importantly, he highlighted the emotional side of transition: “Asking for help is the hard part. Getting it done, that’s the easy part.”
Today, Dillon helps SolarWinds communicate complex technology clearly, and he continues to support transitioning veterans by sharing guidance, networking help, and mentorship, demonstrating how service can evolve while staying rooted in mission, clarity, and impact. Listen to the whole episode here.
Recognizing the Ongoing Service of Our Veterans
Across these stories, themes stand out: Dedication, adaptability, and a commitment to mission and community. Veterans bring experience forged in high-stakes environments, remaining calm under pressure, clear in their thinking under uncertainty, and possessing the ability to lead and serve at the same time. At SolarWinds, these strengths enable us to support government agencies with the reliability, security, and visibility they need to deliver critical public services. On Veterans Day, we honor not only the years spent in uniform but also the leadership, discipline, and sense of purpose that veterans bring to their civilian careers, and to our mission.
