Colonel Ted Studdard

Colonel Ted Studdard always wanted to be a Marine. And on early Monday morning following his high school graduation, Ted shipped off to Parris Island to pursue his dream.

He began his service as a Private and would go on to retire 29 years later as a Colonel. His Marine service included leading an artillery platoon in combat, teaching tactics and leadership at the Marine Corps University, and planning and directing combat operations for a 20,000 person multi-national force. He participated in international negotiations and worked on national security strategy in the Pentagon.

After suffering a heart attack, Ted faced new challenges—retiring and charting a new path. Post retirement, he transitioned to his second career with The Home Depot, a company whose values aligned with his own. Ted has held positions of increasing responsibility in field operations, corporate leadership training, talent acquisition and staffing, and business to business operations. These roles have given him a unique perspective on optimizing human capital in Corporate America.

Ted has appeared as a featured guest on national TV, radio, and podcasts. He is a published author and his book Depot to Depot hit shelves in the Fall of 2019.

Ted speaks to a variety of audiences about individual and organizational leadership ranging from junior leaders to executives. Ted also educates business leaders and their HR partners about the value veterans bring to the civilian workforce and how to best incorporate them into Corporate America.

Ted and his wife Melissa have two grown children, Alexis and Ward, and currently reside in the greater Atlanta area. Ted is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Arts in Business Management. He also earned a Master of Military Studies degree from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College.