Some careers follow a straight line. Others are built through service, adaptability, and the relationships that endure along the way. For Kevin Horgan, five years in the U.S. Marine Corps became the foundation for a decades-long career at UPS, a commitment to the veteran community, and an approach to leadership rooted in listening, learning, and bringing your best every day. Through every transition, Kevin learned that success is rarely an individual achievement. As he puts it, “No one’s an island.”
In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, sponsored by CareSource Military & Veterans, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Marine Corps veteran, retired UPSer, VETS-TALK Co-Founder, VETLANTA Executive Board Member, and author Kevin Horgan to reflect on his journey through military service, law school, corporate leadership, and veteran advocacy. Kevin shares lessons from becoming a young Marine officer, learning when to listen instead of lead, attending law school while working at UPS, and navigating a career filled with challenging assignments and transitions.
Today, Kevin continues turning those experiences into service through VETS-TALK, VETLANTA, and his writing. His latest work translates Marine Corps leadership principles into lessons for civilian life, drawing from his own experiences and fellow Marines he has known across more than four decades. His message remains simple: maintain the relationships that matter, learn from the people around you, and bring your best to whatever comes next.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro
(02:07) Growing up in New Jersey
(04:40) College lessons, marriage, and finding direction
(05:34) Choosing the Marine Corps
(06:35) Entering OCS during the Iran hostage crisis
(07:17) An unexpected leadership lesson from Santa
(13:22) Learning to listen as a young officer
(15:17) Leaving the Marines for law school
(17:31) Balancing law school and nights at UPS
(21:53) Building a career through constant change
(27:59) Navigating a major UPS restructuring
(29:05) Moving to Atlanta and putting down roots
(30:05) Building community through veteran events
(33:46) Friendship, faith, and showing up for others
(46:11) Turning Marine leadership lessons into a book
Additional Links & Resources:
Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/chapter-of-a-patriot-kevin-horgan-life-uniform-work-words-2tt18
