Before Alex Mangum began maintaining a well-known, privately owned UH-60A Blackhawk here in Utah, he was a specialized A&P mechanic who had developed an incredible career: 10 years of service in the Coast Guard, moving from the USCGC Chase Engine room (conducting fishery patrols in AK) to flying dangerous search and rescue (SAR) missions coast to coast; 10 years of service in the Air National Guard maintaining KC-135's. We discuss the commitment that fueled his Aerospace Engineering degree, leading to his dream job at Scaled Composites, and his recent work at Northrup Grumman. A masterclass in self-engineered ambition.