We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lisa Taylor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lisa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the toughest things about progressing in your career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

Originally from Middletown, Ohio, and recently graduated from high school in 1982, I applied for a job with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I was hired as a Cadet Dispatcher at the age of 18, where I learned the job of a dispatcher but agreed that upon reaching the age of 21, I had to enter the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy to begin training as an Ohio State Trooper.

During my 25-year career, I was fortunate to work all over the state, reach the rank of Major on Senior Staff, and served in every capacity except Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel. My final assignment was commanding the Office of Finance and Logistic Services, where my staff and I oversaw the Division’s $300M budget, fleet, facility, and procurement functions for the entire organization.

On Friday, July 13th, 2007, while in the middle of graduate school, and at the height of my career, I took a motorcycle vacation with 3 friends to the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. On that day, I and a friend were struck head-on on US40, just east of Wheeling, WV by an impaired man who had lost control of his vehicle and slid 5 feet into our lane. We had a combined impact speed of 70 MPH. That driver was on Oxycontin, Valium, antidepressants, and cocaine. He was arrested on site.

As a result of the crash, I sustained 9 compound fractures to my left leg and crushed my left hand. I spent 3 weeks in 2 different trauma units–Morgantown, WV, and Columbus, OH. I didn’t walk for a year and nearly lost my left leg.

During my recovery, my doctor prescribed Oxycontin for pain. So, for approximately, 4 months, I took that drug 3 times a day. One day, I decided to quit the drug abruptly. I immediately started going through withdrawal, so I had to wean myself off over the course of several weeks. This taught me much about addiction, and how easy it is to become dependent on a drug. Just before my last and worst surgery–bone grafting, the doctor wanted me to go back on an opiate. I refused because I didn’t want to become dependent on the drug again. I recovered from that surgery with Tylenol.

The crash ended my career and my goal of reaching the next rank. So, at the age of 43, I had to reinvent myself. I started a risk management consulting firm with 2 partners, authored a book–“Was It Irony…Or Was It God. I also became the Senior Operations Manager–a Deputy Director-level position for a local community-based correctional facility, where I again, oversaw the business of the facility–the $5.3M budget, fleet, facility, procurement, HR, IT, food service, and maintenance functions of the prison. I served in this capacity for 3 years, while also serving as an adjunct professor in the Law Enforcement Technology Program at Ohio University.

In 2013, I was fortunate to get a full-time faculty position at Ohio University Lancaster and serve as the Program Coordinator for the Law Enforcement Technology Program, where I remain today.

I have recently left my former consulting business and now run my own consulting business–Lisa J. Taylor Consulting, LLC. I specialize in serving as a professional police driving consultant and conduct background investigations. I also hold a private investigators license.

My crash led me to Ohio Assist. This wonderful organization helps first responders with PTSD and trauma. I first “sat at the table” as a Participant–which helped me tremendously. I then became a Peer helping others. Now, I serve as a Peer, Presenter (on resilience), and President of the organization. Since 2016, we have helped hundreds of people deal with their specific issues and traumas.

While my crash was life-altering, if I could go back and change things, I wouldn’t. My life has been greatly enriched by the people I’ve met on this journey, and the opportunities I’ve experienced have been nothing short of tremendous.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Lisa J. Taylor Consulting, LLC

I provide professional police driving consulting to attorneys, insurance agents, and individuals. I also hold a private investigator’s license in the State of Ohio and conduct background investigations for companies, attorneys, insurance agents, and individuals.

I also do private contract security work for the State of Ohio.

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

See previous pages.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

See previous pages.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.j.taylor.98/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-taylor-mba-0304547/