About Me
Hi, I am Lonnie Alcantara Essex
I am an author, an Air Force veteran, business strategist, and lifelong builder of people, teams, and ideas.
My leadership journey started early, managing a grocery store at 17, joining the military at 19, and by 23, I was serving at the White House under President Reagan.
After my military service, I spent 17 years at Cisco leading global sales teams and helping scale operations worth billions. Since then, I’ve led federal business units, advised universities, mentored young professionals, and co-founded a successful real estate company with my wife.
But beyond the titles and milestones, what truly defines me is my belief in doing things by design, not by default. I’ve learned that great leadership isn’t about ego or titles, it’s about service, structure, and showing up with purpose.
Today, I coach emerging leaders, serve as a fractional COO, and speak to audiences about practical leadership, resilience, and creating impact that lasts.
My book, Things That Matter, is the culmination of hard-earned lessons and heartfelt stories that I hope will inspire a new generation to lead with intention
Whether you’re building your first team or navigating change at the top, I’m here to help you lead with clarity, build what matters, and leave a legacy worth remembering.
A few notable things about me
- Author of “Things That Matter”
- Part-time cook, full-time connector.
- Genealogy keeps me grounded and curious.
- World-class traveler with 4+ million miles traveled.
- Led more than $2B in business growth across my journey