“Don’t cry because it’s over – smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
To the Unconquered —
My journey started early when I put on my PF flyers at 3 years old and ran past my neighbor’s son (also 3 years old) and proclaimed myself the fastest kid on the block. Which is what the television commercial said about PF Flyers. My Mom even told that story to Invictus HQ when she was 93 years old.
I really have never stopped my quest to be the best, and I always tried to bring others on the journey to be as good as we could be together. Growing up, I didn’t have it as easy as others, because when they went off to camps and country clubs, I shoveled three driveways every winter storm, or mowed four lawns every week while also having two paper routes, all the way through high school, where I was also running at 6 am and for practice 3-5:00 pm…all the time while trying to be the best I could be. Oh, and by the way I would caddie at a golf course on the weekends.
Most importantly, throughout this journey I tried to be a good kid for my parents, because they were the best. My father the eternal promoter that I could do the improbable and my mother who gave me structure and attempted to keep me humble. I did say attempted. Throughout my life, both professional and personal I have tried to honor their memory and devotion to this country.
Anecdotally, recently when I was up in Boston for Mom’s funeral, I met a woman who asked me if I was Jimmy Kelly the runner and I said yes and she said, I remember you not because you were a runner but because you were nice to everyone. Mom and Dad would have been very proud to hear that statement and I was very touched and felt that unsolicited comment deeply. May we all in this country aspire to “be nice to everyone”.
My dedication to running, as with academics, and everything else (including board games) drove me to multiple state championships and ultimately helped me get into the Naval Academy…which was an inconceivable dream of my father, the 7th son of immigrant parents and the first of his family to graduate from HS. My grades and board scores were good, but it was my running that made the difference.
At the academy, I was the same…driven to be the best, not necessarily the best…but driven to be, nonetheless. My closest friends then, and to this day, have been more Yin to my Yang …including my wife. If one is the storm, someone needs to be the calm. You can guess which one I am. We all need a balance in life and without realizing it, God was providing that balance through my true friends and my beautiful wife.
My 20-year Navy career was solid and steady, but the things that made my fitness reports excellent was my ability to immerse myself with the troops and ensure them that I had their backs. Together we did some amazing things and my reputation for getting things done grew. My sailors, from all walks of life and different political, racial and religious environs bonded together to ensure the mission at hand was successful
I carried that same esprit de corps approach when I turned my attention to government contracting. Starting with DARPA and the R&D world, I met some of the nation’s best and brightest. I had been thrust into technology insertion in my Navy career and soon found that most useful as I was able to communicate to scientists, engineers, and developers what the military operational needs were. I became a medium and a conduit for change between these two powerful forces.
When 911 hit, I started my first company with some very talented people, I felt we were continuing to serve the Nation in whatever capacity we could. We focused on mission and people. Missions that would protect our troops and our Nation and people who were change agents for the future of the IC. It was a good thing to do, as the company grew in strength and reputation, the critical missions we resolved became part of our legacy. The legacy built by the people …like you. Invictus is the capstone of my career, and I am so proud of all of you for what you do daily to ensure our reputation is second to none, but also for your professional devotion to duty, your loyalty to each other and our great Nation.
I walked into the Naval Academy on July 9th, 1973, and 53 years later I am going to depart the pattern. I hope that I have been a small motivating part of who you are and that you remember me fondly, because whether you have been with the Invictus family for a week or over 10 years…you have all had a profound, positive affect on me and my family.
So, although I am Irish and cry on the drop of a hat and I will miss dearly the daily 3 hours I have spent on the road going to and from work…NOT…I will take Dr Suess’ advice and I will not cry because it’s over – I will smile because it happened.
Thank you thank you thank you for being a part of my journey and my life.
God Bless and as always Remain Unconquered,
Jim
P.S. No more birthday cards…sorry 😉