From Public Service to Private Leadership: Lessons That Shaped My Journey as a CEO

Public Sector Leadership

The move from public service to the private sector is often framed as a leap into the unknown. When I made that transition in 2011, stepping from government into entrepreneurship as a CEO, I expected a steep learning curve. What I did not expect was how deeply my public sector experience would shape my leadership style and decision making.

As we begin 2026, I find myself reflecting on that journey. Many of the lessons that matter most in today’s business environment were forged long before I entered the private sector.

Where the Transition Truly Begins

Scaling a company demands focus, resilience, and constant strategic judgment. Early challenges were familiar to most entrepreneurs securing capital, attracting talent, and aligning products with market demand. The most significant shift, however, was cultural.

The private sector moves faster. Stakes are higher. Accountability is immediate. Yet in that intensity, I discovered that my public sector background was not a liability. It was an advantage.

Public Sector Lessons That Endured

Public service is often underestimated. In reality, it is a training ground for leadership under pressure.

Teamwork and coordination: Working across agencies and jurisdictions taught me how to align diverse teams around shared outcomes.

Conflict management: Negotiating competing interests sharpened my ability to resolve disputes with diplomacy and clarity.

Clear communication: Explaining complex policies to the public strengthened my ability to lead teams and engage investors.

Transparency and ethics: Operating under constant scrutiny instilled discipline, trust, and long term credibility.

Regulatory fluency: Understanding policy and compliance created an instinct for navigating risk responsibly.

Public sector leaders routinely manage billion dollar decisions under public scrutiny yet rarely receive credit for shaping private sector resilience.

Applying These Lessons as a CEO

Both sectors serve people. The difference lies in method, not mission.

As CEO of Intermestic Partners, founded in 2011 as an international business advisory firm specializing in cross border trade and development, these lessons guide our work with leading national and international companies.

My background as former mayor of a border city in Arizona, former Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce, and former Chief of Staff at U.S. Customs and Border Protection informs how we advise clients navigating complex markets and regulatory environments.

Public sector discipline improved our decision making, strengthened internal collaboration, and reinforced the importance of reputation and public trust.

A Perspective for Those Considering the Shift

Transitioning is not easy. Adapting to speed and competition takes time. But public sector experience brings perspective, judgment, and resilience that many private organizations urgently need.

Those skills do not disappear when you leave government. They compound.

Closing Reflection and Call to Action

Public service shaped me more than I realized at the time. It prepared me to lead with integrity, clarity, and purpose in the private sector.

As we enter a new year, I invite leaders, entrepreneurs, and public servants alike to rethink the value of cross sector experience. If you are navigating growth, regulation, or cross border opportunity, I welcome the conversation.

Connect with me at Intermestic Partners to collaborate, explore ideas, and build what comes next.

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