In the Spotlight this month is George Forrest, one of our many veterans, who retired from the Navy. In 2012, George began working with the Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences (USUHS), Department of Defense, in training. George conducted training as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, and found that the transition to USUHS was the perfect job. He has a passion for training, likes the people he works with, understands the military environment, and is familiar with health care since he was stationed at Walter Reed as a young sailor.

The USUHS human resources office signed George up for TOC. George says his first meeting was great, and he has been a regular participant in TOC activities since that first luncheon. George recommends TOC to other people because he feels individuals can always learn something from the meetings and the Institute. He also learns from other TOC registrants and many people are now his friends. George tries to be a sponge at every TOC meeting or workshop to gain as much knowledge as possible.

George was born in Baltimore but moved around the United States and overseas with his step father who was in the Army. He graduated from Forest Park High School in Baltimore, and went to Frostburg State University in Maryland. Later, George completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems Management and a Master’s in Organizational Management at the University of Phoenix.

George has a variety of work experiences. As a young man, he went into the Navy for eight and a half years. He then joined the Winston-Salem, NC, police for three years, and went back into the Navy where he retired in 2011. After leaving the Navy, George worked in community relations for ITT Technical College where he talked to high school students about furthering their education, often working with state officials in Maryland. George also worked with JP Morgan as an account transition specialist. He realized he liked working with people and not just dealing with money so he applied to USUHS to continue his interest in education and training.

George has five children and is a single parent with a daughter still at home in Severn, Maryland. George is active in sports, playing softball, baseball and football. He is also a body builder. As a local guy in 1989, George tried out for the Orioles at the old Memorial Stadium. Although he didn’t make the team, he says it was epic to work out with the team and at least try out. While in the Navy in California, George had the opportunity to play softball against some retired players like Bob Feller and Paul Blair.

Be sure to introduce yourself to George. You will enjoy meeting him—he’s always smiling and loves people!

Editor’s Note: Each month we feature a TOC attendee in the TOC newsletter. Our goal is to assist with networking among registrants and also to share reasons why participants value TOC.