Shaped by Service: A Journey Through Business and Ethics
Personal Stories and Reflections on Values, Growth, and Leadership
by Edwin Hill, CEO of Jadex Strategic Group
Ethics stands at the very core of business and the enduring promise of capitalism—this belief is not simply theoretical for me, but a lesson woven through the fabric of my own story. Before I share my perspective on why ethics matter so deeply in business, let me first reflect on the roots of my values and principles. These origins, I believe, are often missing from today’s conversations about leadership and enterprise.
This article traces the journey that shaped my convictions, beginning with the enduring influences of family, heritage, and service. It explores how my Irish and Hispanic roots, small-town upbringing, and exposure to entrepreneurship molded my understanding of leadership and resilience. Through personal stories and reflections, I examine the ways adversity, community, and responsibility have guided my approach to ethics in business.
Key themes covered in these pages include:
- The impact of family heritage: How traditions and the examples set by past generations inform present-day values and business philosophy.
- Resilience through adversity: Lessons learned from overcoming personal and collective challenges, and how these experiences foster both empathy and determination.
- The role of community and service: The belief that business is fundamentally about people, and that true leadership is rooted in compassion, service, and trust.
- Ethics and leadership: Why acting with integrity and a sense of responsibility is the foundation of sustainable success in both business and life.
Together, these themes provide a lens through which I examine not only my own journey, but also the broader questions of what it means to lead ethically in our complex, ever-changing world.
Family Roots: Irish Heritage and Small-Town Foundations
My family story is woven from the lessons of everyday heroes and the close bonds of tradition. My father was raised in Carsonville, Michigan, in a true one-stoplight farming town in the thumb area of the state. He grew up in a large, traditional Irish family, where community, faith, and resilience were daily realities. In Carsonville, my grandfather was the janitor at the local high school, and my grandmother worked there as the secretary. That tight-knit, blue-collar environment shaped my father’s outgoing personality and values, giving him the kind of popularity that comes from truly knowing—and being known by—everyone.
Witnessing my family’s perseverance through adversity and their unwavering commitment to those around them instilled in me a deep-seated belief that business is, at its core, about people. The ethos of community—of supporting neighbors, pitching in for the greater good, and never shirking hard work—became the backbone of my own business philosophy. These early lessons taught me that true leadership means embracing responsibility, acting with integrity, and cultivating trust. In business, as in family, resilience is not just about weathering challenges but about drawing strength from collective effort and shared purpose. My approach to leadership and ethics is grounded in these values: put people first, foster genuine relationships, and let your actions be guided by both compassion and principle.
Hispanic Roots: Family, Resilience, and the Spirit of Service
On my mother’s side, our story is equally rich in tradition, sacrifice, and quiet heroism. My mother was the eldest of her siblings, a role that shaped her life from a young age. After serving in the Marine Corps and fighting at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, my Abuelo made his way to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he first worked as a salesman before pursuing a longtime dream—opening a small, inviting Tex-Mex restaurant in Brownsville, TX. The restaurant quickly became a family affair, not just a business, but a gathering place infused with the flavors and hospitality of our heritage.
Shortly after opening the restaurant, my Abuelo’s health began to decline; diabetes struck, and in my mother’s teenage years, he had lost his sight completely. With my Abuela dedicating herself to the kitchen, preparing the dishes that became the heart of their community, and my Abuelo manning the cash register by touch and memory, the daily tasks of raising a large family largely fell to my mother. As the eldest, she learned to shoulder responsibility far beyond her years—caring for her younger brothers and sister, managing the household, and supporting her parents in any way she could.
Her love, determination, and unwavering commitment held their family together through difficult times. The restaurant thrived not only because of the food but because of the warmth and resilience that my mother and her family poured into it. Looking back, I see clearly that entrepreneurship and service aren’t just values I’ve embraced, they’re woven into my family’s very fabric. My mother’s strength and selflessness deeply influenced my own aspirations and instilled in me the conviction that leadership begins with compassion and the willingness to serve others.
Growing Up in Michigan: Weekend Adventures, Comics, and Well-Rounded Youth
I, however, came of age in Lapeer, Michigan—a town that straddled the line between country and budding suburbia, about 45 minutes north of Detroit. Lapeer was a two-high-school town, surrounded by farmland and close enough to the city to feel the pull of something bigger. Weekend fun as a teen there was timeless: bonfires under starry skies, a bit of teenage debauchery, fishing and swimming in the local lakes, catching movies at the town theater, or gathering friends around a table for intense games of euchre.
Another passion that defined my adolescence was comic books. I was a voracious reader and collector, drawn to the stories and artwork of Superman, Batman, and the X-Men. These comics fueled my imagination and sense of justice. Ironically, I lost most of my best issues playing poker with friends—a bittersweet lesson in risk and reward that remains vivid to this day.
Looking back, I realize that the ideals embodied by these heroes have deeply influenced my approach to business and ethics. Superman’s unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and helping those in need has shaped my own sense of mission—reminding me that the real purpose of business is to serve people and stand up for what is right, even when it’s not the easiest or most popular path. Batman’s relentless fight against corruption and his dedication to integrity, discipline, and protecting the vulnerable inspire me to hold myself and my organization to the highest ethical standards, refusing to compromise when faced with moral challenges. And the X-Men, who continually stand up for the marginalized and fight against bigotry, have taught me the importance of creating inclusive environments, championing diversity, and ensuring that my partnership programs uplift those whose voices are too often overlooked.
These stories, larger than life yet grounded in timeless values, have become more than childhood entertainment—they’re a source of guidance that I draw on when making business decisions, building teams, and forging authentic partnerships. The moral courage and empathy of these characters remind me that leadership is not just about results but about standing up for others and using one’s influence for the greater good.
In school, I was well-rounded, if not the star student. Though I was never at the top of my class—more of a solid “C” student, really—my days were rich with variety: playing tenor saxophone in band, and later picking up the baritone saxophone, all while balancing sports alongside an active social life.
My football journey began with flag football as a kid, and in junior high and high school, I played tackle football both on offense and defense. During my freshmen, sophomore, and junior year, I had the honor of serving as one of the team captains that helped me learn about leadership, responsibility, and supporting my teammates both on and off the field. Notably, I made the difficult decision not to play my senior year, a decision that weighed on me with genuine regret at the time. Nevertheless, those seasons on the field taught me about camaraderie and grit—lessons that would echo throughout my life.
Stories, Service, and Faith
From an early age, I soaked up stories about my father’s and grandfather’s time in the Navy, and about my Abuelo, who served as a Marine and fought at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Korea, earning a Purple Heart. These stories, often told in fragments and pieced together as I grew older, gave me a sense of legacy and duty.
Faith was another constant. Raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, I attended Sunday Mass regularly and Wednesday catechism classes. While I valued many of the lessons and teachings the church offered, those experiences often left me with more questions than answers. My love of history only deepened this tension, as I struggled to reconcile what the faith claimed to stand for and the sometimes-contradictory actions of its followers over the years. Over time, I found myself distancing from the institution of the church, yet I’ve carried its core lessons with me. I now believe that each of us can answer directly to our higher power, finding guidance and meaning without necessarily being within a church setting.
Imagination, Comics, and Learning Differences
My dad’s imaginative spirit and love for sci-fi—Star Trek, Star Wars, and especially Frank Herbert’s Dune series—fueled my curiosity. Ironically, though, I didn’t read the Dune books until years later, when I was deployed at sea for eight months with no port calls in sight. As a teen, comic books—with their short stories and vivid artwork—were always more my speed; the idea of tackling a dense, epic series didn’t appeal to me then. But the long, quiet stretches on the ship left me with little else to do, and I finally found myself immersed in the Dune saga, page after page, discovering a world my dad had cherished for years.
Despite my wide interests, my academic journey wasn’t without challenge. Early in my schooling, around third grade, I was placed in special needs classes for a year due to struggles with reading. What I didn’t discover until well into adulthood—after I had children of my own—was that I had both ADHD and dyslexia. High school brought its own set of hurdles, not so much because I disliked learning, but because I found the education system too focused on memorization rather than genuine understanding. I’ve always loved learning, but traditional methods often left me disengaged, preferring instead to seek out knowledge driven by curiosity and real-world relevance. Realizing the roots of my challenges later in life brought clarity and deepened my empathy for others navigating similar paths.
The Dignity of Work and Middle-Class Lessons
For many years after his service in the Navy, my grandfather devoted himself to blue-collar work, spending much of his career as a roofer until the physical toll became too much for his body. I remember him as a gentle, kind man who adored his grandchildren. He was always tinkering with cars—his old roadster, a Mustang, and the Fiero he eventually sold me for next to nothing, making it my very first vehicle. That little stick shift, nimble as a go-kart, instantly became my pride and joy. My grandfather’s talent with his hands was matched only by his boundless imagination. He would invent all sorts of clever contraptions around the house, and family legend has it he came up with the first fiberglass camper, though a shady business partner cheated him out of the patent.
In his later years, as my father entered high school, my grandfather took a job as a janitor at the local school—the very same building where my grandmother worked as the school secretary. He used to say it was his favorite job, because it allowed him to spend his days near the love of his life. You may have heard the saying, “I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO.” My grandfather embodied that wisdom every day of his life, quietly earning and deserving every ounce of respect.
Boot Camp: Lessons in Leadership and Integrity
Graduating from boot camp was an unforgettable milestone. Our chief, one of the first female drill instructors to lead a coed division like ours, addressed us during our final ceremony. She told us, with conviction, that we were “the future leaders of the free world.” I didn’t take this as prideful boasting, but rather as a charge to lead with integrity and to honor the sacrifices and legacy of those who’d come before us. That moment laid the foundation for what leadership would mean to me in the years ahead.
Service at Sea: Humility in Action
When I later reported to the USS Chosin in Pearl Harbor—named after the battle where my grandfather served and was awarded a Purple Heart—I observed a convergence of personal and family history. Early in my assignment, I was tasked with delivering a standard report to Captain Borda. My initial presentation was marked by some nervousness, but Captain Borda emphasized that regardless of position, everyone shares similar experiences, stating, “everyone puts on their boots one at a time.” This perspective contributed to my understanding that effective leadership is associated with humility and respect.
This early experience influenced my view of leadership and clarified the characteristics of effective leaders, as well as those who may lack composure in judgement. In professional environments, there are instances of leaders not supporting their teams or creating division among employees. It is sometimes apparent in the workplace that some leaders have not adopted the principle that all individuals share common ground, instead placing themselves and executives above others, despite the reminder that “everyone puts on their boots one at a time.”
Parenthood, Empathy, and the Challenges of Autism
The journey of raising my three children as a single parent—each with their own unique personalities, needs, and challenges—has profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and empathy. My son’s mild autism presented daily trials, from difficulties with communication and emotional regulation to moments of fleeing school or trying to run away from home. These hurdles, coupled with seeing two of my children undergo inpatient treatment for suicidal thoughts and severe depression, brought into stark relief the immense responsibilities parents quietly shoulder each day.
Navigating these struggles meant countless sleepless nights and impossible choices, all while striving to keep everything together at home and at work. But it is precisely these experiences that deepened my reservoir of compassion, teaching me lessons about empathy that no textbook ever could. I understand how hard it is to balance the demands of work with the all-encompassing duty of raising and nurturing children—especially when those children need extra care and understanding.
This lived reality gives me a powerful sense of kinship with other parents in the workplace. I recognize that my colleagues and team members, especially those who are parents, are often doing their best in challenging circumstances that may not be visible to others. When someone needs flexibility for a child’s needs, or when parenting duties occasionally spill into professional life, I see not a lack of dedication but rather extraordinary resilience and strength.
As a leader, I am committed to offering both support and understanding, knowing firsthand that helping to raise successful, healthy human beings is every bit as important as meeting professional goals. I encourage other leaders to see their team members as whole people—workers, yes, but also parents and caregivers whose invisible burdens deserve empathy and respect. My own story as a single parent of three, striving to support a son with autism, is a daily reminder that leadership is not just about business outcomes but about uplifting and empowering people as they fulfill their most vital responsibilities at home and at work.
Of course, I’ve made my share of mistakes. I’ve failed, stumbled, and been at fault more times than I care to admit. But each trial, each misstep, has given me a clearer view into what others might be enduring. It’s helped me to stand in the shoes of those who are, in their own ways, simply doing their best to make it through.
Business, Capitalism, and the Pursuit of Better
All these life lessons inform me how I approach business. I love capitalism for its potential to advance society, but I know its shadows: how unchecked greed can erode communities, and how the American Dream has become harder to reach since the U.S. left the gold standard in the 1970s, making the single-income, comfortable living less attainable.
I am a student of systems, inspired not just by personal experience but by what I’ve recently learned from various authors works such as Ray Dalio’s “Principles,” Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad Poor Dad – Cashflow Quadrant,” Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich,” and General Stanley McChrystal’s “Team of Teams” to name a few. These works, some of which I explored years ago or others that have only recently come into my life, have crystallized ideas I’d been grappling with for years: the power of adaptability, financial intelligence, and building trust-based teams.
Experience in the service aligns with concepts discussed in “Team of Teams,” highlighting the importance of adaptability, decentralized decision-making, and trust within teams. These principles inform approaches to applying and forming teams as a business grows. Selecting personnel based on skills and willingness to learn is crucial for team structure. Additionally, cross-training and decentralized decision-making are key strategies for differentiating from competitors and providing valuable insights to customers.
Before delving further, I must acknowledge my father’s influence on my journey into business. He once attempted to build a business of his own, only to be faced with the daunting maze of bureaucracy, endless red tape, and entrenched interests that often determined who succeeded and who was left behind. He struggled to find contracts, frequently stonewalled by cliques of dealmakers and those with backdoor access. Most of the people he ended up helping through his business were friends or neighbors—and my father, with his generous spirit, was always reluctant to charge those most in need. His compassion and willingness to serve others, even when it wasn’t profitable, remain a lasting inspiration to me. Yet, I can honestly say that the very same hurdles he faced still persist in the business world today. I’ve witnessed it firsthand: government funding—such as that for preferred cybersecurity vendors here in Michigan—often flows only to a select few on curated lists, awarding contracts not by merit, but through networks of favoritism. For years, I tried in vain to be placed on the state’s preferred vendor list, only to see funding channeled through a nonprofit that functioned as a gatekeeper, ensuring that only certain friends and associates benefited from taxpayer dollars. Meanwhile, those of us with radical ideas and new approaches in IT and cybersecurity were left outside the circle. This experience is just one example among many of the challenges newcomers face. Ultimately, the inspiration I gained from my father, the steadfast support of my sister, and my own grit and determination remain the cornerstones of our business’s endurance.
Building New Partnerships: A Vision in Progress
Most partnership programs in business are one-sided, glorified referral agreements that primarily benefit the creator. Having worked as both a prime and a subcontractor in defense contracting, I saw firsthand how Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) often lack teeth—relying on good faith, but not enforceable. The Budapest Memorandum is a prime example: Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons for security assurances, but the lack of legal recourse left it exposed.
Learning from these lessons, I am currently building a partnership program—not yet established but guided by the principles that have shaped my life. We are actively seeking partners who share our values and principles, who are ready to “walk the walk” and put their commitments down in writing. My vision is for partnerships that are truly mutually beneficial, grounded in both shared values and legal accountability.
The Call for Ethical Capitalism
Business does not have to be ruthless. The best companies, and the best leaders, foster abundance and cooperation, not division. The U.S. Constitution—flawed though it may be—has endured because it grants rights to every individual. As we look ahead, new technologies like AI and blockchain offer ways to strengthen transparency and accountability and perhaps reinforce the values that underpin our freedoms.
My hope is that we can build a new kind of capitalism—one that is collaborative, transparent, and focused on the common good. Too often, leaders seek to divide us, but true leadership unites, inspires, and empowers.
Conclusion: Becoming the Leaders, We Need
In striving to become the leaders we need, we must remember the central values that have shaped this journey: adaptability in a changing world, financial intelligence, the courage to challenge entrenched systems, and, above all, the pursuit of ethical partnerships grounded in trust and accountability. These principles—drawn from experience, family, and the wisdom of others—form the bedrock of genuine progress.
Let us demand more from ourselves and those who guide us. By embracing humility, fostering collaboration, and acting with integrity, we can build a form of capitalism that uplifts rather than divides. Leadership is not about power or exclusion, but about uniting, inspiring, and empowering others to achieve the common good.
The path forward calls us to embody these values in every interaction. May we choose to lead with courage and compassion, to create a future where business serves humanity, and to leave a legacy defined not just by success, but by the strength of our character and the good we do together.