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

Robert, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

The most important experience that shaped me as a business owner came from leading soldiers in combat with the famed Outlaw Platoon in Afghanistan in 2006-2007.

Our infantry platoon had already endured months on the front lines when replacements began arriving to take the place of those who had been wounded. By then, those of us who had been there from the beginning had grown comfortable with the demands of the battlefield. We had adapted to the pace, the pressure, and the danger. But that adaptation came with a hidden cost: we no longer realized just how far we had come—and how far our new soldiers had to go.

The challenge was immediate. Our operations tempo was high, and our enemy was determined. There was no time for lengthy onboarding. These new soldiers had to be brought up to speed quickly, not just with procedures but with the courage, clarity, and cohesion needed to survive and succeed.

I quickly learned that the most effective way to lead in that environment wasn’t through constant instruction or rigid control. What made the difference was example. When soldiers could see confidence, discipline, and belief in the mission modeled in front of them—day after day, under fire—it gave them the strength to rise to the occasion. That example inspired trust, and that trust turned us into a team.

That experience guides me to this day. In our Claymore Operations mission, we do not rely on lectures or checklists. Our mentorship thrives because our mentors live out the kind of significance our warfighter mentees are striving for. Like those soldiers on the front lines, our warfighter mentees grow best when they see strength and conviction in action—and learn to follow it, then lead with it themselves.

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

I’m a United States Army infantry combat veteran and the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Claymore Operations, a nonprofit we launched in 2018 in Coppell, Texas. Our mission is simple and urgent: to equip warfighters to find significance after the smoke of battle clears.

For many of us who have served, the transition from the battlefield to civilian life is not just a matter of paperwork and job placement—it is a search for a new mission. We believe that what most veterans are missing is not support, skills, or even opportunities, but significance—a purpose that makes them indispensable to others. That conviction is the foundation of everything we do.

Claymore Operations provides something no one else offers: long-term, relational mentorship for active military personnel. Each warfighter in our program is paired with two dedicated mentors—one military veteran who understands the culture and experiences of service, and one civilian who offers a broader perspective and opens doors into the wider world. That unique dual-mentor model bridges the civilian-military divide and prepares our warfighters to lead lives of greater impact and meaning.

What sets us apart is that our mentorship is not transactional or time-limited. It is personal, consistent, and rooted in trust. Our mentors are leaders from all walks of life—combat-tested warriors, accomplished executives, and men and women of character who are willing to walk alongside our warfighters through real challenges and long-term goals.

Watching warfighters rediscover their sense of purpose—not just for themselves, but in service to others—is deeply meaningful work. We’re not building a program; we’re building people. And when those people step into significance, they change their families, their communities, and the culture around them.

If there is one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s this: our warfighters still have a mission. And Claymore Operations is here to help them find it.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my cofounder, Gayle Westapher, while working at the Coppell Family YMCA. At the time, Gayle was the Executive Director, a deeply respected leader with a long track record of success in the nonprofit world. What stood out most was not just her experience, but her moral leadership. The culture at the YMCA naturally aligned itself around her integrity and example; she was what some might call a “cultural carrier,” setting a standard that others were eager to follow.

As someone who studies business and leadership—and who deeply admired her—I knew I had much to learn from her. Gayle, knowing my military background and having grown up in a military family herself, agreed to mentor me. That decision changed the course of my life.

Her mentorship helped me navigate both personal and professional challenges, including many that were unique to my experience as a combat veteran. She offered not only practical wisdom and valuable introductions but something even more impactful: she led with heart, conviction, and an authenticity that inspired me to do the same. Her influence went far beyond advice; it shaped my own approach to leadership.

That mentoring relationship became the blueprint—and ultimately the catalyst—for the mentorship program we would later build together through Claymore Operations. What began as one veteran learning from a trusted guide became a mission to ensure others could find the same kind of direction and significance.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Without question, the greatest factor in building our reputation has been the caliber of our mentors.

From chief executive officers to military generals, our mentors bring with them a depth of experience, character, and wisdom that speaks for itself. They are not only accomplished professionals but deeply committed individuals who invest personally in the growth and well-being of our warfighter mentees. Their example gives credibility to our mission and inspires trust across both military and civilian communities.

What makes our program truly unique is how dynamic it has become. Our mentors don’t just pour into our warfighters—they learn from one another and from the warfighters who have achieved the most meaningful outcomes. This mutual growth sharpens the quality of our program and creates a culture of excellence that continually renews itself.

Our reputation has also been strengthened by the support of generous individual and family donors who believe in what we do. These supporters provide more than financial resources—they form a living bridge between the veteran and civilian worlds. That bridge, built on trust and shared values, allows our mentors to guide warfighters with not only credibility, but intimacy. It is that human connection—humble, personal, and real—that has built the foundation of our reputation and the strength of our mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.claymoreops.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claymoreops/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claymoreops
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18635775/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@claymoreops