Coast Guard to CEO: Nick Schellman on Rescue, Transition, and Structure

Nick Schellman joined the Coast Guard after 9-11 wanting to give back. What he found was more than service, it was family. During Hurricane Katrina, stationed in New Orleans, Nick rescued an elderly woman from a flooded home. As they headed back to dry land, she leaned over and asked him to hold her hand. That moment changed everything. 

In this episode of The Eleventh: The Mission Continues, Nick talks about what drew him to the Coast Guard, why that one rescue stayed with him, and how military structure prepared him for entrepreneurship. After five years in IT program management and a role as CIO liaison officer at DHS headquarters, Nick transitioned directly to founding Central Strategies proving that military chaos and business chaos aren't so different when you know how to stay cool and plan. 

His message: service teaches you structure. Structure gives you a plan for every day. That's how you move forward, whether you're rescuing someone or running your own company. 

Watch the full video below!