Shawn joined CooperRiis in July of 2025 after retiring as a Colonel from the US Army. Throughout his 34-year career, he held positions of increasing responsibility and leadership, including serving as a battalion commander and an assistant deputy director on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. Shawn is also an experienced cabinet maker and woodworker, and found a meaningful second career at CooperRiis, where he is excited to continue a tradition of service.
“It may seem counterintuitive, but I see a lot of natural overlap between the military and mental health recovery as this has been an area of increased focus over the past twenty-plus years of conflict, which has not only impacted the mental health of service members, but their families as well. Woodworking has been therapeutic for me, and I’m excited about the opportunity to share that with others. There are so many skills involved in woodworking, such as planning, organization, creativity, problem solving, and perseverance, that naturally complement recovery, resiliency, and personal growth.”
“Shawn earned his Bachelor of Science in Geology from the College of Charleston, South Carolina and holds Master’s degrees in International Relations from Troy University, Alabama and in Strategic Studies from the Army War College in Pennsylvania.”
When not in the woodshop at CooperRiis, Shawn enjoys spending time in his workshop, as well as with his family and dogs.
