By Scott Jackson
Kelly Anthony (’25 EMBA) came to the Carson College of Business with a distinguished military background and a clear objective: to sharpen his management skills for the private sector.
After serving 24 years in the military, he stepped into a new civilian role in aerial firefighting in 2022—but he knew advancing to higher echelons of leadership would require new tools and perspectives.
Anthony says the flexibility and focus of WSU’s online Executive MBA (EMBA Online) program gave him the opportunity to grow as a professional while continuing to serve the public in a new way.
“I’ve always been searching for new ways to be competitive and viable in today’s leadership environment,” Anthony says. “Being able to pursue higher education is critical to me and would not be possible if online delivery was not an option.”
Finding the right fit
Anthony, who now works as director of safety for AeroFlite Aerial Firefighting, spent decades as an aircraft mechanic, pilot, instructor, evaluator, and ultimately an officer for the US Air Force. He says he explored several graduate programs before selecting the Carson College’s EMBA offered through WSU Global Campus. He says WSU stood out for its veteran-friendly environment, the structure of the online program, and emphasis on applied leadership.
“WSU was the only one that offered a tailored executive MBA program,” he says. “I specifically wanted a higher level of leadership and business education, and WSU filled the need perfectly.”
Anthony says the program is a natural fit for nontraditional students, especially veterans. He found the EMBA format ideal for a working professional like himself, offering a high-quality curriculum designed to meet the needs of experienced leaders.
“It’s better for people that have experience in the real world of management and leadership,” he says. “It will help you fine-tune those skills.”
Course work strengthens practical skills
Anthony says each course has delivered practical takeaways that help him navigate management and leadership in the private sector. He says topics like budgeting, innovation management, and organizational leadership gave him tools he could apply immediately.
He especially appreciated how the Management of Innovation course taught him to balance empathy and availability with the need to manage his time and expectations.
“I’ve learned my weaknesses are that I’m too open, too empathetic, and too available,” he says. “That was the big lesson I took from that class—I need to set expectations, manage my time more, and actually close the door and get work done instead of always being available.”
Anthony also points to the program’s emphasis on practical business skills and interpersonal communication as essential. In his current role, he leads safety strategy for a high-stakes field that requires strong coordination between management, pilots, mechanics, and support staff.
“One valuable lesson to keep in mind is that most people in the private sector want a leader who listens, absorbs information, and effects change through using some of the dynamic tools the program at WSU provides,” he says.
Preparing for what comes next
Looking ahead, Anthony hopes to continue growing in his role and exploring new leadership opportunities within his field. He says the EMBA program has helped him position himself for advancement, especially with his organization.
“As the director of safety, I aspire to continuously improve and make this a better place to work than when I arrived,” he says. “If I am so lucky, I would love the opportunity to lead my current organization as the general manager.”
Anthony has also considered starting a business of his own someday and says the EMBA program gave him a better understanding of what that would entail. Because many of his classmates are working professionals with families, he says the course work especially reflects the realities of business, where it’s often necessary to coordinate around colleagues’ schedules and obligations.
“An executive MBA doesn’t tell you how to run a business, but it does walk you through the process,” he says. “It enhances leadership and interpersonal skills and then bolsters your knowledge of how to run a business and how the inner workings all tie together.”
He says the EMBA program has provided a strong foundation for that future. Whether coordinating cross-functional teams or pitching new ideas to leadership, Anthony says the program has helped him improve his ability to manage at a high level in his new career.
“I pride myself on being a sponge,” he says. “I love to learn, and I enjoy surrounding myself with incredible people who dedicate their all to fighting wildfires from the air and supporting the folks on the ground who are putting those fires out.”
