WashingtonExec’s Amanda Ziadeh and co-host Mark HuYoung, managing partner of executive advisory firm Northwind Partners, sit down with guest Jon Rucker as he shares his upbringing in Northern Virginia as the son of a teacher and electrical engineer, and how these experiences impacted him.

Rucker, CEO of Ultra Intelligence & Communications, also discusses the life lessons he carries with him, from his father’s work ethic to his mother’s approach to finding solutions to life’s problems rather than dwelling on them. He tells us why he decided to pursue the hardest degree in college, how he climbed the ranks in Lockheed Martin for 20 years and how his professional experiences and mentors along the way ultimately led him to where he is today.

Plus, hear Rucker’s story of resilience and strength. A month into his new role at SAIC, he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. He never stopped working during treatment, and he thanks SAIC’s leadership team greatly for its immense support. Additionally, he shares his new perspective and outlook on life.