Andy Wilson

I had the distinct honor of sitting down with one of the most accomplished leaders I’ve ever met: Andy Wilson, retired Command Sergeant Major from Delta Force and founder/CEO of Quiet Professionals.

This conversation wasn’t your typical leadership chat. It was a deep dive into what it takes to go from leading elite special operations teams to scaling multi-million dollar government contracting companies — all while staying true to core values of service, integrity, and humility.

Our discussion was recorded live at the ATLVets Tampa Speaker Series, an event where we gather to highlight and amplify the success stories of veterans making a difference both in and out of uniform. Andy’s story is one that resonates far beyond the veteran community. It’s about self-mastery, mission-driven leadership, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Key Lessons from Andy’s Journey:

1. You Can’t Scale If You Can’t Adapt Andy’s transition from a high-speed, high-risk military career to entrepreneurship wasn’t seamless. It involved starting multiple businesses, failing forward, and pivoting often. He shared how his early ventures taught him tough lessons about risk, reinvestment, and why systems and people matter most when scaling a business.
2. Systems + People = Success Multiplier Quiet Professionals was built on the principle that strong processes combined with strong teams create sustainable growth. Andy reinvested heavily in the business, ensuring the right people were in place, systems were iron-clad, and the company could deliver at scale — especially when competing for large prime contracts.
3. From Operator to Owner: Leadership Evolves Andy emphasized a critical mindset shift: leadership in the military prepared him to lead teams, but entrepreneurship demanded a new level of learning. Whether it was negotiating acquisitions, partnering with private equity, or managing rapid growth, he had to stay humble and continuously learn.
4. Big Dreams Require Big Actions With a goal to reach a $1 billion valuation, Andy didn’t shy away from setting audacious goals. He made it clear: your leadership, your systems, and your people have to level up as the business grows. Complacency is not an option.
5. Lifelong Learning & Legacy What stuck with me most was Andy’s focus on impact beyond business success. Giving back, mentoring the next generation, and lifting others up is part of his leadership DNA. It’s about legacy, not just profit.

For Veterans & Leaders Everywhere

Whether you’re a veteran navigating your post-service career, a business leader aiming to elevate your team, or an entrepreneur ready to scale — Andy’s insights will leave you inspired and armed with tactical strategies you can apply today.

This episode is now live on the Tactical Leader Podcast. Tune in, take notes, and let Andy’s journey remind you: leadership is a lifelong mission.