Lee Kirby, Salute Co-Founder, and retired Army colonel interviewed Amanda Wood, US Air Force Veteran and Account Coordinator at Salute.
Before we dig in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood “backstory”?
I was born and raised in a small town in upstate New York, just outside of Buffalo, with a population of about 1,800 people. I’m the oldest of two and was fortunate to grow up with incredible, hard-working parents who gave us a wonderful childhood filled with support and encouragement.
By my senior year of high school, I had already completed several college courses and did well academically, but I still wasn’t sure what career path I wanted to pursue. Coming from a family with a strong military tradition, service felt like a natural path. My father and brother both served in the Marine Corps, and my great-grandfather, both grandfathers, and numerous uncles and cousins also served across the Armed Forces. Among them was my dad’s youngest brother, an Army Ranger, who gave his life during Operation Urgent Fury in 1983 at just 20 years old. With his sacrifice and so many other examples before me, I felt drawn to continue that tradition.
For me, the military offered the chance to see the world, be part of something bigger than myself, and carry on my family’s legacy by becoming the first woman in my family to serve. So, right after high school at age 17, I left for Air Force basic training and began a journey that would go on to shape the rest of my life.
What are you doing today?
Professionally, I serve as an Account Coordinator on the Business Finance team supporting the Corscale account. I oversee billing, reporting, pay accuracy, and account records to ensure financial integrity and transparency. I work closely with both internal teams and our customer to keep everything running smoothly, which allows our field personnel and leadership to stay focused on delivery. I take pride in making sure our work is accurate and reliable, because that enables our teams and customers to focus on what matters most.
Outside of work, my husband and I run Wood Glass Studio, a small stained-glass business where we design and create original glass art and teach classes. What started as a hobby has grown into a way to share creativity and help others experience the satisfaction of making something with their own hands. Much like my time in the military, it has taught me patience, discipline, and the importance of attention to detail.
Can you tell us a bit about your military background?
For eight years I served in the United States Air Force as an Aircrew Life Support Technician, responsible for ensuring pilots’ flight and survival equipment was always mission ready. I worked directly with F-16 and F-117 fighter pilots, maintaining their gear such as oxygen masks, night vision goggles, G-suits, survival kits, life rafts, and chemical defense equipment. I also maintained and installed critical life support equipment on the aircraft itself. In an emergency, this equipment meant the difference between life and death, so absolute precision was required. The role carried immense responsibility, but it also gave me the opportunity to travel and see different parts of the world, as well as serve as part of the unit that supported the Air Force F-117 airstrikes over Baghdad, which marked the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 19, 2003.
Can you tell us a bit about your experience as a military spouse?
Becoming a military spouse brought its own set of challenges and rewards. I had already experienced deployment myself, leaving behind my husband and young daughter, which gave me a unique perspective when it was my husband’s turn to deploy. While I managed the home front and cared for our girls, I understood the separation from both sides: the one focused on the mission and the one holding everything together at home.
That perspective also helped me support other military spouses. When frustrations arose and I’d hear comments like, ‘our husbands are off seeing the world while we’re stuck here,’ I could share the reality from both viewpoints. Deployments were far from vacations, and sometimes simply reminding others of that helped shift perspectives and strengthen our sense of community.
Can you share the most interesting story that you experienced during your military career? What “take away” did you learn from that story?
While I don’t have one single story that stands out, the experiences that impacted me most came from my time on the Base Honor Guard team, where I helped carry out military funeral honors for hundreds of active duty, retired, and veteran service members. That meant performing duties such as pallbearing, flag folding, and presenting honors, all with dignity and precision. The appreciation expressed by families after a service was profoundly humbling and many of them left a lasting impression on me.
When my father passed away, I was on the other side of that ceremony, receiving the same honors I had once performed for others. It gave me a deeper understanding that this duty is not just tradition, it is a commitment to ensuring the service and sacrifices of all who have worn the uniform, and their families, are never forgotten.”
Did your military experience help prepare you for business and leadership? How?
Absolutely. One of the most valuable lessons from the Air Force was that success is never achieved alone. From life support to air traffic control to aircraft maintenance, every career in the Air Force depended on trust, teamwork, and accountability. That same principle carries into my career, as I know the importance of working closely with others, taking ownership, and doing my part so the whole team succeeds. In business, just like in the military, results come from collaboration, clear communication, and a shared commitment to excellence.
Do you think your experience as a military spouse helped prepare you for business or leadership? Can you explain?
Absolutely. My experience as a military spouse also prepared me in many ways. Being a spouse requires adaptability, resilience, and the ability to manage uncertainty. You learn quickly how to take on new responsibilities, balance competing priorities, and keep things moving forward during deployments or constant change. Just as importantly, you learn the value of community, supporting others and leaning on each other when things get difficult. Those same qualities apply directly to business: staying flexible, keeping perspective under pressure, and understanding that success comes from teamwork and shared support, not from going it alone.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
The greatest sources of support in my life have been my parents and my husband. My parents were loving, supportive, and dedicated to building a solid foundation for me and my brother. They were married for 40 years before passing away, and their example of commitment still guides me today.
I remember calling my dad when I first became an NCO (non-commissioned officer) and was struggling with challenges from some of my airmen. He always reminded me to “be firm, fair, and consistent.” That simple advice has stayed with me throughout my military career, in raising two children, and in so many other areas of my life.
In addition, my husband Shannon has been my constant source of strength, encouragement, and understanding. His steady support has made me stronger, more confident, and more resilient. I know without question that I am better in both my personal and professional life because of him.
You are a part of the Salute Military Community that shares a common passion for helping veterans get into this industry. Why is this important to you?
This is important to me because I know firsthand how challenging it can be to transition out of the military and into a new industry. Many veterans and spouses have the skills, discipline, and mindset to succeed, but they are often overlooked because their experience doesn’t fit a traditional path. Salute changes that by giving people a chance to prove what they can do, and I’m a product of that. They saw potential in me and invested in my success, and I want to be part of creating that same opportunity for others. It’s about more than just a job, it’s about building confidence, finding purpose after service, and showing veterans and spouses that they belong in this industry.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would it be?
If I could inspire a movement, it would be centered around inclusion and awareness for people of all abilities. As the parent of an 18-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy and developmental delays, I see firsthand the daily challenges that come with navigating a world that often isn’t built for everyone.
What I’ve learned is that most people aren’t unkind, they are often just unaware. A greater focus on awareness, understanding, and genuine inclusion could make a tremendous difference, not only for people with disabilities but also for their families and caregivers. By creating communities, workplaces, and systems that make space for everyone, we open doors to experiences, opportunities, and connections that benefit us all.
How can our readers follow you online?
People can connect with me on LinkedIn and follow Wood Glass Studio on social media, where I share our stained glass work.