Nice to meet you.
I am a federal executive, a Silicon Valley veteran, and a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. By 2027, I’ll be training to become a therapist; by 2029, I’ll leave federal service to open a full-time therapy practice.
I’m building this site because the “corporate transition” is often a lie. Veterans are told their leadership translates automatically (it doesn’t), and mid-level tech leaders of color are told the meritocracy is objective (it isn’t). I’m here to provide the “unwritten manual” for the high-performers who are tired of the theater.
The Career Stats
- 6 years: Serving as an Air Force Officer.
- 5 years: Navigating the hyper-growth and ego of Silicon Valley tech.
- 100+: The number of leaders I’ve managed or mentored across the DoD and private sector.
- 1400: The time my workday ends (I believe in systems, not “hustle”).
The Mantra
I don’t believe in “grind culture.” I believe in leverage. My day starts at 0530 and effectively ends at 1430. If you can’t get your primary mission done in 8 hours, you don’t have a workload problem—you have a prioritization problem.
My personal “mantra”:
- Fuel: Single-origin espresso (anything from Colombia).
- Movement: Biking, running, weight training, & the occasional ruck.
- Mind: 30 minutes of journaling daily to separate the signal from the noise.
- Connection: My wife Alexis and our dogs. Everything else is secondary.
The Philosophy
Most professional advice is “polite.” Politeness can be a tax on your time. I prefer directness mixed with kindness.
- The Veteran Gap: Transitioning isn’t about finding a job; it’s about finding a purpose that doesn’t feel like a downgrade.
- The Tech Reality: Being a mid-level manager of color in tech is a game of political maneuvering. If you aren’t playing the game, you’re simply a pawn.
- The 2029 Goal: I’m moving toward therapy because high-performers are often the most underserved. We fix everyone else’s problems, but we rarely have a safe place to unpack our own. My hypothesis is that healing high performers will unlock their ability to exponentially impact their communities.
The Origin Story
Born in 1984 to Eddie Ortiz Sr. & Maria Velez, I bounced around due to my father’s military career, living all over the globe.
I have a brother, Jordan, who is five years my junior and I’m Uncle to an incredible nephew, Joshua.
I claim one place as “home”, New York City, specifically, Brooklyn. Brooklyn is where my family is from and where I most identify.
My undergraduate experience commenced at the United States Air Force Academy, followed by an MBA experience after commissioning as an Air Force officer in 2007.
Married to Alexis, a family practice physician originally from Colorado Springs, CO. With Greek heritage, she is an incredible cook, crazy dog mom, Christmas decorations expert, and true academic, as she balances her professorship at a local medical school with her attending physician duties at a local Denver hospital.
Alexis and I made our home outside of Denver, CO, in 2023, so our dogs, Monty, Nessie, and Oliver, can have plenty of room to run.
Why eddie.work?
This site is a laboratory. I share the resources, templates, and bs-aside takes I’ve gathered over a career in three distinct worlds: the military, the Valley, and the federal government.
The goal is simple: Help people navigate the mid-career “chasm” without losing your soul or your salary.