The world's largest celebration for the talents of veterans will be held on December 10th in Dallas, Texas, with the aim of honoring outstanding former military personnel who have contributed to the development of American business.
Chicago, November 6th / PRNewswire / -- According to Ashling, the company's Go-to-Market Vice President Morgan Conque has made it to the final list for the 2026 U.S Forces in Business Awards SMB Leader of the Year. This award, now in its ninth year, is the largest celebration globally for veterans transitioning to civilian careers; this year's shortlist was selected from hundreds of nominations.
Conque was appointed as an officer in the United States Army through ROTC. She served with NATO forces in Germany, was responsible for personnel operations in South Korea, and provided expertise to a hospital in the Afghan army, helping to reduce the medical evacuation time from 17 hours to 3 hours. She ultimately held the position of Medical Operations and Logistics Officer for the First Cavalry Division, supporting over 18,000 soldiers.
Her military experience with Conque quickly transformed into business leadership skills. After retiring, she first took charge of branch operations for a large specialized infusion pharmacy team, then moved into the field of intelligent automation, and rapidly expanded her responsibilities from bidding manager to include sales platforms, empowerment, content, and strategic leadership. Her educational background also supported this trajectory, including a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Seattle, a Master of Science in Biosafety and Disaster Preparedness from the University of St. Louis, as well as a degree from the MBA School of Business at Baylor University.
Today, Conque is responsible for the go-to-market strategy of Ashling, coordinating sales, marketing, and partner teams to drive rapid growth and adapt to the ever-changing market environment. Conque said: "When I look back on my transition into the field of AI and automation, I consider it a stroke of luck. The discipline cultivated in the military, my ability to lead teams, my capability to make decisions in the face of incomplete information, and my sense of responsibility towards tasks have all been directly transferred to this field, and they suit me very well. I am still fascinated by the discussions I participate in and am full of anticipation for the future development of the industry."
Each year in the United States, over 200,000 active-duty military personnel retire, but studies by ZipRecruiter, Call, of, and Duty Endowment have found that nearly one-third of veterans are underemployed, a rate 15.6% higher than that of their non-veteran peers of the same age. The careers of Morgan demonstrate the achievements that such individuals can attain. Forces, in, and Business Awards were established in 2018 with the aim of honoring veterans like her and reflecting the breadth of impact that former military personnel have had in various industries and professional fields.
U.S. Forces in Business Awards Official Charity Partner. The Chairman and CEO of Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a retired Rear Admiral of the Navy. Milton " Jamie " Sands III said: "Congratulations to this year's finalists. Their achievements demonstrate the value that military experience can bring to business. Service has cultivated leaders who are capable of taking responsibility, building strong teams, and completing tasks under pressure. These finalists are applying these qualities in new ways to strengthen their organizations and communities, while also helping others to see the possibilities after retirement."
Ashling, co-founder and co-CEO, Marshall Sied said: "Her experience as a veteran has clearly laid a solid foundation for the development of her career. At Ashling, she balances our fast-paced industry with her enthusiasm and clear thinking, as well as her continuously evolving capabilities. Morgan possesses creative thinking, leadership skills to inspire the team, and strong execution abilities. We are honored to have Morgan helping us drive many of our most critical tasks. She is more than worthy of being among the finalists."
The winners will be announced on December 10, 2026, at the Black Tie Gala held in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Dallas Hilton Lincoln Center Hotel. The event will be hosted by CBS News, a veteran host, and Doug Dunbar, the son of Gold Star.
About Ashling
Ashling is a global AI and automation consulting and development company, focusing on digital process transformation. The company works around the definition of corporate value, designing, building, and managing solutions that can transition from pilots to production, and establishing an operational model aimed at rapid deployment and continuous amplification of results.
The Ashling delivery acceleration tool can increase the speed at which customers can enter the production environment by a factor of 5, allowing for earlier verification of return on investment. It is supported by the pre-delivered AI team and an award-winning innovation team. Ashling claims that the company is a trusted partner for enterprise customers, serving over 400 clients across various industries, with NPS clients in total, and is always committed to achieving the business results promised in its deliveries.
Regarding Forces, in, and Business Awards
Forces in Business Awards is the largest commercial celebration in the world targeting military personnel. This award is held in the United States and the United Kingdom, and it serves as a leading platform for discovering and showcasing the achievements and talents of veterans. It presents them as visible role models for other veterans and recognizes ambitious employers who provide opportunities for both active-duty and retired military personnel. The event emphasizes the value that veterans bring to the economy after their service.
Media Contact
Madison Ramsay, Ashling Senior Marketing Manager, madison.ramsay @ ashlingpartners.com
