When the phone rang and I saw it was Holloman Air Force Base, I knew it wasn’t going to be an ordinary project. They needed fall protection platforms for their F‑16s—and they needed them fast. The supply chain was a mess, inflation was pushing material prices through the roof, and deadlines felt impossible.

But I didn’t flinch. I said yes. Not because the situation was convenient—but because the mission was critical.

What followed was one of the most intense, rewarding, and revealing projects I’ve ever led.

We flew out to Holloman and walked every inch of the workflow. We listened to the maintenance teams, sat with the guys turning wrenches, and asked them to be honest about what they needed most. That’s always been my philosophy: start with the people, not the product.

What we learned shaped every part of our design.

These crews didn’t just need a platform—they needed a partner. They were working under pressure, on tight turnarounds, and in high-risk zones. Safety wasn’t just a feature—it was a mandate. We engineered dual-level access decks, integrated tool trays, fall arrest systems, and anti-slip coating designed specifically for the F‑16 airframe.

Every weld had a purpose. Every rail had a reason.

Back at our facility, things got tough. Costs were rising daily. Materials we needed weren’t showing up on time. Our budget started to feel like a pressure cooker. And I had a decision to make: delay the project, downgrade materials, or take the hit.

I didn’t hesitate.

We absorbed the costs. We stayed on schedule. We honored our promise.

Because when you build for people’s lives—you don’t compromise.

We shipped that order on time. We exceeded expectations. And the feedback we got from the base was humbling. Crews felt safer. Maintenance times dropped. Injuries were down.

But what mattered most to me was this—trust was up.

They trusted us. Not just because of the final product, but because we showed up with integrity from the beginning. We didn’t sell them something. We served them.

And that project reminded me why SAFE exists.

We don’t just build platforms. We build confidence. We build solutions to protect families and missions and futures.

That job could’ve just been a line item. Another job well done. But instead, it became a story I carry with me. A story of purpose under pressure. Of choosing people over profits. Of faith showing up in the form of a steel platform that helped someone go home safely.

And I’ll tell that story as long as I live.