Chris Taylor

University of Florida, Warrington Online MBA

“Marine veteran, operations leader, husband, father, people builder, pursuing growth through disciplined leadership and service.”

Age: 46

Hometown: Holmes Beach, FL

Fun fact about yourself: Prior to a 20-year career in the Marine Corps, I was an opera major in college!

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Excelsior College, Bachelor of Arts in Arabic
National Intelligence University, Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence

Where are you currently working? I’m currently the Vice President of Operations at Mantis Security

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Across both my military and civilian career, the most meaningful achievement has not been a specific role or milestone, but the people I have had the opportunity to develop. In the Marines, leadership was about responsibility for others in high-stakes environments. That perspective carried forward into the private sector, where I have focused on building teams, mentoring emerging leaders, and creating environments where people can grow. Seeing individuals step into leadership roles with confidence and purpose is the accomplishment that stays with me the most.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I’ve wanted to be a Gator ever since I was a little kid. When I retired from the Marines and started looking at additional educational opportunities, I started evaluating various MBA programs, including the UF MBA. At this stage of my life, I needed a program that could match both the demands of my career and my responsibilities at home. The University of Florida offered that balance without compromising on rigor. The program allowed me to continue leading within my organization while gaining structured exposure to strategy, finance, and brand management, all of which I could immediately apply.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? What I loved most about the online MBA program was the opportunity to collaborate with working professionals who were focused on a similar goal. The caliber of student that the University of Florida brings into their MBA program is top notch. I was constantly encouraged by the thoughtfulness and level of participation my cohort-mates provided.

How did your online MBA experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The online MBA required a different level of discipline and ownership. There is no passive participation. You have to be intentional about engaging, contributing, and managing your time. At the same time, the depth of discussion often exceeded what I experienced as an undergraduate because everyone brought practical context into the conversation.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Approach the program with the mindset that it is part of your leadership responsibility. Consistency matters more than intensity. Engage with your peers, apply what you learn immediately, and treat every assignment as an opportunity to improve how you lead in your current role. Take every opportunity to join on-campus or regionally hosted events. Growing your network is the hidden gem of an MBA program.

How has your online MBA education helped you in your current job? The program has strengthened how I approach decision-making. I now evaluate problems with a more structured lens, particularly in areas like financial tradeoffs, organizational design, and long-term strategy. It has also improved how I communicate decisions, ensuring alignment across teams.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? When I started the program, I was the Director of Resources and Staffing, primarily focused on talent acquisition and human capital. My CEO recognized the impact that my studies were having on my contribution, focus, and insight. A little over 6 months into the program, I was promoted to Vice President of Operations, overseeing all employee operations, business development, and external partner engagement.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? Stepping away from my career and family was not the right choice for me. The online format allowed me to remain fully engaged as a leader, a husband, and a father. It also gave me the ability to apply concepts in real time, which made the learning more immediate and practical.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? AI has been introduced as a tool to enhance analysis, research, and decision-making. The most important takeaway for me has been understanding its role as an amplifier, not a replacement. It can accelerate insight, but leadership still requires judgment, context, and accountability.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 15 to 20 hours per week

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term goal is to build and lead organizations that prioritize people development as a core function of business. Through my current role and future ventures, I want to address gaps in leadership, particularly at the mid-level where execution often breaks down. Ultimately, I measure success by the strength and effectiveness of the leaders who emerge from the environments I help create.

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