Today we’d like to introduce you to Trace Johannesen.
Trace Johannesen is a former Marine Corps sergeant/infantry squad leader (2001 – 2005), and Iraqi military advisor (2007- 2008). Currently, he is a Client Service Lead and minority partner in Slalom, a purpose-driven and people-first full-service business strategy, transformation and technology consulting firm. He uses his firm’s collective expertise to help drive business outcomes for his clients’ executive leadership. His professional career began in business intelligence (BI) and data analytics, with a specific focus on leading professional services organizations. In addition to partnering with Salesforce with the VetForce program, Slalom is a leader in the Hiring our Heroes program.
Prior to his professional career, Trace spent most of the late 90s and 2000s in between construction jobs, Texas A&M University (three times; one degree) and the Marine Corps (two times), where he served as a proud fourth-generation Marine in Western Washington, Okinawa and the Philippines (2001 – 2005); and later Ramadi and Basrah, Iraq (2007 – 2008). He completed his degree in Management Information Systems in 2009.
He and his wife Amy – a former small business owner and now a full-time mom – live in Rockwall, TX just east of Dallas, with their five children (18, 16, 6, 1-year-old twins). In addition, Trace serves in varying capacities, from City Councilman in Rockwall, TX, to Adjutant in the local Terry Fisher American Legion Post 117, founding member of Rockwall Veterans Business Alliance within the Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce; founding member of the 100 Business Leaders of Rockwall, to advisor on the board for William Chris Vineyards in Hye, TX.
He also volunteers his time offering advice to transitioning veterans via Veterati, FourBlock and other channels. His specific focus is on the transition to the business world, particularly in how to focus on working at the right firm vs. just taking a job. Trace is passionate about purpose-driven and mission-focused organizations – finding them sorely lacking in the civilian world – is blessed to have found such a firm in Slalom.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
HA! Definitely not a smooth road.
1. Failed out of Texas A&M
2. Went in the Marine Corps – did not deploy to Middle East
3. Got divorced
4. Came back to Texas A&M (Round 2)
5. Recalled to Marine Corps (Round 2)
6. Back to A&M (Round 3)
7. Let go from first corporate job (<1 yr.)
8. Laid off from software company (4 yrs.)
9. Laid off from consulting company (<1 yr.)
10. Now at dream job with Slalom (4 yrs.)
11. Pregnant with multiples – lost one baby
12. Balancing work, city service, volunteer work, varying entrepreneurial projects, husband and parent of five
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am blessed and proud to work for Slalom Consulting, which is a purpose-driven and people-first consulting firm focusing on business strategy, transformation and technology. We are the smallest of the big guys (Accenture, Deloitte, PWC, etc.) but we hire a lot of alums from there who are tired of the road warrior life. We are also the largest of the little guys at 7,500 folks and almost $2B in revenues, so we’re not a boutique firm. We are passionate about helping our people and our clients love their work and being the most impactful place to work. This is evident by our myriad of best places to work awards, both locally (DBJ and Dallas Morning News) and nationally (Forbes, Fortune, LinkedIn and Glassdoor). This is my last job as I’ll retire from Slalom.
What were you like growing up?
High school was not too challenging for me, academically-speaking. However, this often meant that I would ace tests and just not do homework. I was fairly outgoing, and somewhat of a geek; riding my classic Triumph motorcycle to school every day to band practice. Yes, I was in band. I enjoyed listening to music and riding motorcycles; with some skateboarding and mountain bike riding thrown in for good measure. I didn’t do well in Boy Scouts, as I tend to eschew rules as guidelines for folks without judgment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tracejohannesen.com
- Email: info@tracejohannesen.com
- Instagram: ig.me/tracejohannesen
- Facebook: fb.me/traceforrockwall
- Twitter: twitter.com/tracejohannesen
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/tracejohannesen
Image Credit:
Trace Johannesen
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