We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adam Derito. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adam below.

Alright, Adam thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Adam DeRito was born in Poughkeepsie, NY and grew up in West Milford, NJ. He started his public service career as a local volunteer Fire Fighter, Emergency Medical Technician, and Search and Rescue Technician; specializing in high angle rescue and vehicle extrication. He moved to Colorado in 2006 when he was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy. He has over 12 years of experience in the upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas sector. Earning his Master of Science in 2015, Adam has extensive experience in hydraulic fracturing, well bore cementing, production facilities, completions operations, reservoir production methods, cased hole pump down perforating procedures, refinery operations, and industrial wastewater treatment.

The founder of Leatherwood Development Group LLC, Adam has advocated for reform in the Department of Defense for over 14 years in Washington D.C. He provides consulting services for local, state, and federal legislative work. As the originator of the “DeRito Act” he provides resources to Federal Military Service Academies and fellow service members when it comes to ending sexual assault and retaliation in the ranks. A member of the “Common Sense Network” composed of fellow veterans, he is the host of the Dark Sabre Podcast and the Tuxes & Tomahawks Podcast that gives a voice to others who are dedicated to progressing reform in their local community, state, and nation.

A veteran of the Global War on Terror, Adam continues to serve in the Army Reserve as an Intelligence Analyst for Civil Affairs, and is a substitute teacher for St. Mary’s Catholic School in Greeley, Colorado. A paratrooper, hobby farmer, and Constitutionalist, he is dedicated in his position as President of the Colorado Chapter for the America First Veterans Alliance. His vision is to bring our First Responder and Military Veteran communities together by ensuring our collective conservative values are empowered in local, state, and federal elections to protect the freedoms of all Americans that our service men and women have dedicated and sacrificed their lives for.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been an advocate for military legislative reform when it comes to sexual assault and retaliation for over fourteen years in Washington DC as a member of the Class of 2010 from the USAF Academy. Our military is in desperate need of true leadership and revitalization after twenty years of war in the the Global War on Terror. Since 2019, I’ve been featured on several podcasts concerning these topics, and run the “Dark Sabre” and “Tuxes & Tomahawks” Podcast.

Professionally, I am a licensed Industrial Wastewater Specialist for the Denver refinery, and have been working in the oil and gas industry for over 12 years. Part time, I serve in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Civil Affairs Officer, and as a substitute teacher for the local Catholic School in Greeley, CO.

On the volunteer side of the spectrum, yearly I work with Developing World Connections to travel to other parts of the world to help impoverished areas that need help, and to empower women in their local communities.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As a Cadet at the USAF Academy, I was sexually assaulted and have fought for over 14 years to seek justice in that case, and to advocate for others who have been assaulted and harassed during their military service. Unfortunately, this is a massive problem and threat to our national security that is ofter overlooked.

Despite the significant challenges I’ve seen over the years with this case, I have persevered and have been featured on many podcasts and news interviews about the DeRito VS. USA Case against the USAF Academy over the last decade. I encourage anyone interested in learning about this case to look me up on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for the Cleared Hot Podcast, or The Failure Podcast to get a more indepth look at this case, how it has affected my life, and how it has motivated me over the years to become involved in politics and make a difference in my local community, state, and nation.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was to blindly trust people and their intentions. Whether its been the military, or the energy industry, you must always stick to your principles to make moral and ethical decisions. During my time in the military and in the energy sector, I’ve learned about many who provide a false persona in order to maintain personal gain. I would encourage others to always vet their counterparts, and ensure they have moral and ethical boundaries in their relationships and decision making processes. For me, that has been my faith and it has significantly changed my outlook and opportunities in the military and business. world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.adam.derito.com
• Instagram: adam.derito2010
• Linkedin: Adam DeRito
• Twitter: @adamderito
• Youtube: Adam DeRito