SERVICE AS THE SECRET INGREDIENT FOR A VETERAN'S SUCCESS STORY
For Adam Henkaline, service isn’t just something he did. It’s the backbone of who he is. Through fifteen years in the Ohio Army National Guard and five deployments that included time spent in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina relief, he built a military career steeped in purpose, responsibility and leadership.
Now, as Manager of Analytics on the Demand Creation Team here at Rich Products, Adam carries that same sense of mission into his civilian role. Whether he’s helping steer our marketing strategies or mentoring colleagues, the values he learned in uniform, like discipline, curiosity, and community still guide his work today.
“I’m the product owner for analytics,” Adam explains. “That means translating strategy into tactical plans, prioritizing projects, and making sure things get done. But I also jump in as an individual contributor, too.”
A dual mindset—working as leader and doer—is one of many habits that Adam brought from his time in the service. One of the most enduring lessons he’s continued to carry with him? Always reflect and improve.
“In the military, after every mission, you do an After Action Review,” he says. “You ask, ‘What went well? What didn’t? How do we get better?’ At Rich’s, we call them retrospectives, but it’s the same principle. Be critical, learn, and grow.”
That spirit of continuous learning also shaped his transition out of the military. For Adam, leaving the National Guard was more than just a career shift, but rather a full reset. When he stepped away from both military and government work, he had to rediscover his next calling from scratch.
“I read this book called Fail Fast, Fail Often” he recalls. “It talked about trying things quickly to find what sparks your passion. So I tested out courses—MBA, IT, analytics—and analytics lit something up in me. I liked the challenge, the creativity. I went to a bootcamp, then pursued a master’s. It snowballed from there.”
When Adam and his wife relocated to Buffalo during the pandemic, he was introduced to Rich Products through a family friend. What drew him in wasn’t just the job—it was the culture.
“There’s this strong sense of community here,” he says. “It reminded me of the camaraderie in the military. People here help each other. There are no barriers…just a willingness to lend a hand.”
Adam carries that sense of belonging to his active involvement in our Veterans Associate Resource Group. From supporting fellow veterans to volunteering in the community, he finds the group offers an outlet for his enduring commitment to service.
“I missed that spirit of service when I first left the Guard,” he says. “But Rich’s has all these ways to give back—whether it’s planting trees, donating or joining groups aligned with your passions. That thread runs through the company, and it’s something I deeply value.”
Despite the challenges of pivoting mid-career (he highlights trading a clearly defined military promotion path for the less linear world of corporate advancement as a major adjustment), Adam believes his background offers a long-term edge.
“In the military, leadership is ingrained from day one. You’re responsible for people early on. That kind of experience pays off as I take on more responsibility in my current role.”
Finally, when asked about his advice for other veterans considering a civilian career, Adam is clear: be bold, be curious and don’t be afraid to fail.
“Try different things until something clicks,” he says. “You might not find your next passion right away, but when you do—it won’t feel like work anymore. You’ll know you’ve found your next mission.”
And here at Rich’s, we’re thrilled that mission is here with us.
