Brad Tatum
Brad Tatum is a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, aerospace engineer, and co-owner of The Jump Lab in Pasadena, California. With over 21 years of combined active and reserve service, he currently serves as Deputy Chief Engineer at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. A graduate of the University of Miami, Brad grew up in Aurora, Colorado, where a sports-saturated upbringing and his father's 'Tatums don't quit' code built his work ethic. His path changed in a campus Starbucks when he saw a newspaper photo of Marines at Fallujah while a customer threw a latte; he walked directly to a Marine recruiter and never looked back.
After deployment to the Iraq-Jordan border as an embedded advisor, Brad witnessed the suffering of children in conflict zones, an experience that later fueled The Jump Lab's mission. Co-owned with his wife Santina, The Jump Lab is a youth athletic development facility that helps kids build speed, strength, and confidence across all sports. It uses 3D force plate technology, performance testing, and personalized training to reduce injury risk and develop athleticism before specialization. When the Eaton fire threatened the facility and community, Brad doubled down, investing further to keep the mission alive. His philosophy is simple: don't wait for a perfect playbook—take one more step, figure it out, and turn ceilings into floors.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- That one moment of clarity can redirect a life from comfort toward purposeful service.
- Why Brad traded a comfortable college path for Marine Corps discipline, service, and leadership.
- How he prepared for Officer Candidates School by running the Biscayne Bay Bridge without a perfect plan.
- Why his deployment to the Iraq-Jordan border became the crucible that shaped his leadership philosophy.
- How witnessing children in conflict zones inspired him to build a youth athletic facility years later.
- Why The Jump Lab uses three-dimensional force plate technology to personalize development for every athlete.
- How female athletes benefit from strength training and landing mechanics that reduce injury risk.
- Why entrepreneurs must double down on their mission when wildfires and uncertainty threaten everything.
- How "one more step" transforms discipline into long-term success for young athletes and leaders.
- Why turning a child's perceived ceiling into their floor is the heart of The Jump Lab.
about the show
Operation CEO is an entrepreneur TV series dedicated to veterans who have served their country and are now building businesses, leading teams, and creating impact in their next chapter.
The series highlights former military service members who have transitioned into entrepreneurship, using the same discipline, leadership, grit, and mission-driven mindset that shaped their time in service.
Each episode takes viewers inside the real journey behind the business. Guests share what they learned in the military, how those lessons shaped their leadership style, and what it took to move from service into business ownership.
From early-stage companies to established brands, Operation CEO showcases veteran entrepreneurs who continue to lead with purpose, resilience, and a commitment to something bigger than themselves.
In a crowded business world, many veteran founders have powerful stories that deserve more recognition. Operation CEO gives these leaders a platform to share their mission, build authority, and inspire others through the next chapter of their journey.
