Keynote Topic
Leading Through Inspiration: It’s all in the Details

Summary
Will Kocken shares his experience as the senior enlisted leader of the TAAC-East military Quick Reaction Force (QRF) where he led 36 men to stay driven and ready for missions ranging from downed aircraft recovery to US Coalition and Special Operations rescue and assistance. He explains how being a servant leader is an important foundation to inspire training every day, even when the outcome may be unknown. Kocken also tells of his journey toward breaking the World Record for the fastest marathon carrying a 100-pound pack. Motivating thousands along the way to reach new personal levels of success, including physical challenges they never thought possible and bettering their work and home lives through setting and accomplishing goals.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about a leader’s character and the issues of being a leader before being a  servant.
• Explain how servant leadership is built on character, how to promote leaders based on character ,and the importance of trusting your people.
• Share the four step process to goal achievement: set goals, plan & strategize, reflect and adjust/pivot.

Keynote Speaker

William Kocken
Platoon Sergeant & Readiness NCO, Public Speaker, Podcast Host, Leadership & Culture Consultant, Coach, & Realtor 

Biography
William Kocken was born and raised in De Pere, WI where he now lives with his wife and two young daughters. A 2003 graduate of West De Pere High School, William joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard at the age of 18. As a two-sport athlete and an Eagle Scout, William understood the importance of strong leadership early on and felt that the military would afford him the opportunity to grow his leadership skills and make an impact in the world.

SFC Kocken is active-duty for the Army National Guard, executing numerous on-going stateside and federal activations throughout Wisconsin. With dedication to duty and continual education, SFC Kocken has become well-known for his achievements and leadership skills, including earning his Ranger Tab in 2013. With three overseas deployments (twice to Iraq in 2005-06 and 2009-10 and once to Afghanistan in 2018-19), SFC Kocken has first-hand experience to hundreds of combat missions which have earned him multiple military decorations; including the combat infantryman badge.

Additional recognition for his leadership in the community includes the Green Bay Packers Community Quarterback Award, Order of Saint Maurice, Thomas E Wortham IV Achievement Award, and Greater Green Bay Chamber Current Young Professionals Future 15 Award. William also has his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from UW-Green Bay.

In 2013, William co-founded 4^th H.O.O.A.H (Helping Out Our American Heroes) WI. An organization that provides a wide variety of services to Veterans and their families. William recognized his opportunity to help other service members with adjusting to civilian life and improving their mental health by learning from the struggles he overcame himself. The organization has helped thousands in the state of Wisconsin and continues to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to maintain this support.

Endurance sports are another passion of William’s, as he believes they help him stay in peak condition - physically and mentally. He has completed three Ironman races, the World’s Toughest Mudder in 2011, the Army’s Best Ranger competition in 2014, and in 2018 he broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon carrying 100 pounds. He is now training to complete a 100-mile ultra-marathon race called the Keys 100 in southern Florida in May 2022. 

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