Mission in Action: How InfoSec Associates Serve with Purpose Every Day
May 22, 2026 | 4 min read
When 41-year-old InfoSec associate Matthew Stevens took the Oath of Enlistment for the Arkansas Army National Guard on Feb. 5, 2026, he wasn’t just beginning a new chapter, he was fulfilling a dream more than 20 years in the making. A father of nine and longtime technology professional, Matt had once believed military service was no longer possible after life, family and career responsibilities took priority.
Instead, with the support of his family and fellow associates, he enlisted at the Walmart Home Office, where fellow InfoSec associate and Army National Guard officer James Lampkin — whose own story inspired Matt to take the leap — administered the oath.
A Shared Commitment to Service
Across Walmart’s Information Security (InfoSec) organization, many associates bring experiences shaped by military service. What unites them isn’t background, it’s a shared sense of purpose.
For Chief Information Security Officer Jerry Geisler, that connection is foundational. Jerry served in the Marine Corps from 1991 to 1999, working in roles ranging from recruiting to serving as an armorer for Amphibious Assault units.
“My time in the Marine Corps affirmed that I am drawn to mission-focused organizations.” Jerry says.
Jerry’s journey reflects a broader throughline within InfoSec: a commitment to responsibility and staying ready to lead through complexity. He notes that the "high expectations" environment of the military was a natural precursor to his career here.
Beyond the tactical side of leadership, Jerry’s passion for his career is rooted in something simpler: “I enjoy serving.”
“Now instead of serving the country in uniform, it is serving customers, members, associates, and of course, my own team members. Service has always been about protecting what matters most, whether that’s people, information or trust.”
For Matt Stevens, the realization of a 20-year dream was made possible by this culture of mission and service. Matt believed his window for military service had closed until he found a team that offered the tangible support to make it a reality.
“I thought I’d missed my chance to serve,” Matt says. “But this team actually lives its values. I didn't have to choose between my family and this goal. I’m finally doing this because I know my team here has my back.”
Captain James Lampkin, an InfoSec associate and officer in the Army National Guard who mentored Matt, agrees. “There’s a shared sense of accountability,” James says. “You’re part of something bigger than yourself, and you’re trusted to do your part well. That carries over directly into the work we do here.”
Voices of Purpose: What Service Means in InfoSec
To highlight the many ways service shows up across the team, we asked InfoSec associates to reflect on what it means to them, both in their roles and in their personal journeys.
On Readiness & Integrity
“The United States Air Force ingrained a readiness mindset in me: train, verify, and improve every day. That mindset drives how I approach cybersecurity with continuous learning, high standards, and doing the right thing even when nobody’s watching.”
— Walker Thompson, Senior Director, Security Services
On Service Through Leadership
“My time in the U.S. Navy transformed me in so many ways. Through adversity I learned resilience and through diversity I learned true teamwork. Stepping into responsibility and leadership as a young adult shaped my understanding of people and adapting to different needs to inspire and motivate others.”
— Lori Buresh, Director, Technical Program Manager
On Building Trust
“One of the biggest things I have gained through my service is that being a good teammate does not come with a manual. You have to be proactive about finding your own niche and taking the time to listen and understand. This in turn builds rapport and trust which is indispensable.”
— Wilson Lee, Product & Portfolio Management
On Leading with “Why”
“I’ll never forget my first day as a newly commissioned Lieutenant. My Senior NCO sat me down and said, ‘LT, always start with WHY.’ If we understand the purpose behind the task at hand, we create buy-in amongst the team and establish trust at a deeper level.”
— Lauren Faulkner, Product & Technical Program Management
On Staying Mission-Ready
“Service has always meant being ready when it matters most, no matter the environment. As an A-10 crew chief, staying mission-ready meant constant learning and attention to detail in high-stakes environments. That carries into InfoSec, where the landscape is always evolving.”
— Christopher Fowler, Senior Technical Project Manager | Emerging Tech Portfolio
On Continuing to Serve
“In U.S. Army Cyber Command, I protected the United States and its citizens by leading defensive cyber operations. In the Walmart Global Tech Security Operations Center, I still perform defensive cyber operations to protect Walmart, its associates, and its customers. … I may have left the service, but I never stopped serving.”
— Skylar Fikki, Senior Intrusion Analyst
On Teamwork
“As a Navy Diver, I never operated alone. Every dive depended on the entire team, each person playing a role in keeping one another safe. … I’ve found that same mindset here—people stepping in, sharing knowledge, and working toward a common goal.”
— Matthew McGrath, Technical Program Manager
On Reliability & Continuous Learning
“To me, service means showing up with purpose, reliability, and a willingness to help others succeed. In a fast-changing field, I believe continuous learning and staying ready are essential, because being prepared allows us to respond with confidence and serve others well.”
— Ryan Astin, Director, Security Partners
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