Despite a 30-year career in the Army, Lisa Keough faced challenges when she retired from the military.
“What kept me up at night was planning for the transition to try to figure out what you want to do for your second career and for what company to continue to provide for your family,” she said. “Luckily, I had some good mentors and peers/friends who had transitioned before me and helped me out along the way.”
Today Keough has a job she loves as a senior business advisor for USAA*. We asked her about her Army career, her transition and her civilian career in financial services.
Lisa Keough
Senior Business Advisor
USAA*
Job Location: San Antonio
Employed Since: April 2022
Age: 54
Military Service: Colonel (O6), Army (1992–2022)
MOS: Logistics (90A)
Post-secondary education:
Bachelor’s degree, criminal justice, Metropolitan State University of Denver, 1992
MBA, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2003
Masters of Science, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, 2014
Certifications:
Certified Regulatory Vendor Program Manager I-V (CRVMP)
Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)
Certified Cyber Resilience Professional (CCRP)
Certified SaFE6 AGILE
Why did you volunteer to serve your nation? I joined because of my family legacy of service. My grandfathers and father served. I grew up in a family where you served your community in one form or another—my mother was a nurse.
Please summarize your military career path. I was first commissioned in 1992 and was assigned to the Air Defense Artillery (Patriot). My first deployment was to Saudi Arabia with a Patriot Battery to protect their airport toward the end of the Gulf War. After three years, I was transferred to Ordnance Corps, Maintenance. I managed the mechanics and supply for the units.
Why did you choose this career field? I choose Business Continuity because it is like what I did in the Army. I love to help people. Not only do I ensure USAA* is prepared to serve our members in an outage or disaster, I get to continue to help people who are still serving.
How did you find this job? I planned my transition and asked my leadership to allow me to participate in Hiring Our Heroes. This program helps you transition by helping you find a company and apply for a 12-week training program with an opportunity to apply for a job with the company.
Did social media play a role in your job search? The one thing everyone tells you is that LinkedIn is critical. The first thing I did is update my profile and while transitioning, you can get a free year of premium LinkedIn services to network and find jobs.
Please summarize your current job. I am a USAA* P&C (Property & Casualty) Insurance Business Continuity Advisor. I work with the P&C Experience owners to ensure that we have a Business Resiliency Plan with manual workarounds or alternate technologies and suppliers to continue to serve our members in an outage or disaster.
What do you love most about this career field? I get to help people who serve those still serving.
How are the pay and benefits? USAA* is the best company to work for with the best benefits. It is really the full impact of the pay and benefits at USAA* (PTO, educational, medical, dental, etc.) that enable you to both provide for your family and have a work/life balance. I never had that work/life balance in the military. One is prioritized over the other at all times.
What hours and days do you typically work? I work Monday through Friday, 8-hour days. I do have to be on call periodically.
What do you wish you knew when you transitioned from the military that you know now? Plan your transition and work with your leadership to ensure you have it prioritized. Do not worry, you are well trained and possess leadership that makes you a competitive candidate for the job you want. This is not the only job you will do the rest of your life. If you don’t like it, you can find another one.
What about you would surprise most people? I am a bowler. I have bowled since I was 7 years old. I bowled All Army from 2014 to 2019 and continue to bowl in leagues and tournaments today.
*Paid client
