Military Appreciation Month: Highlighting a life of dual service

At Infor™, we consider it an advantage to have many military veterans as part of our team. And we celebrate the unique skills, talents, and life experiences that every employee brings to help us succeed as a company.

Meet Doug Frank, Senior Director of Support Operations at Infor and a Colonel in the United States Air Force (Ret.). He shares his story of collaboration, self-actualization, stewardship, and unwavering support while simultaneously serving Infor and his country.

When I became a manager at Infor in 2002, I knew I would need to balance a demanding civilian leadership role while continuing to serve as an officer in the United States Air Force (USAF).

Fortunately for me, I was afforded the chance to take on this challenge and never overlooked what a privilege it was for me to pursue dual career paths. As I grew in my career, concurrently at Infor and the USAF, I was given the unique responsibility of commanding and leading in two different environments.

• At Infor, I was busy with business strategy, management duties, and continual innovation.
• As an Air Force Colonel, I focused on national defense, humanitarian, and global operations.

Few places would set someone up for success in dual roles like mine, but I was able to fulfill the obligations of both positions because of the incredible support system that was integral to my career at Infor and the USAF.

At Infor, my supervisors genuinely respected my military service. They did more than allow me to meet my obligations; they encouraged and supported me every step of the way. Their trust gave me the freedom to fully engage and contribute to both worlds. I could step away for deployments or critical missions knowing I had their full backing. That kind of leadership is rare, and I am deeply grateful for it.

The same was true of my coworkers. Whenever I deployed, they covered my responsibilities, stayed focused, and made sure my return was smooth. They never treated my absences as burdens. Instead, they treated them as part of a shared commitment to something bigger than all of us. Their support was a testament that service is not something you do alone. It is something you execute with the help of a strong and understanding team, a loving family, and a strong community.

Serving as a citizen Airman required balance, sacrifice, and a deep sense of purpose. It was my honor to command airmen across multiple mission sets that contributed to critical national efforts, including homeland pandemic response and global operations in several undisclosed locations. What made that journey meaningful was the consistent presence of people who believed in my mission and in me. From my military colleagues to the team at Infor, they collectively made the mission possible. My career was never just about wearing the uniform; it was serving alongside people who helped me do it with pride.

My military service was filled with many defining moments. I led logistics efforts supporting critical missions, relocating aircraft, and moving critical cargo when the pace was relentless and the stakes were high. Yet, even in those intense moments, I never lost sight of the incredible support I had and what was waiting for me back home. My family and my Infor coworkers “had my six” (military jargon for “had my back”) and stepped up without hesitation. Every time I returned to my Infor team, I smoothly transitioned back to a positive work environment that respected my military duties and helped ensure I was equipped to fully contribute to our Infor vision.

When crisis struck, I stepped away from the corporate world to serve alongside local and federal partners in a large-scale public health response, helping reach over 49,000 people in need. Later, when called upon, I supported the resettlement of more than 12,000 Afghan allies. Throughout every mission, whether in uniform or at the office, I was never alone. The steady, unwavering support from my military teammates and Infor colleagues made all the difference, and I will always be grateful to every one of them.

As I reflect on my journey, I’m grateful I was given the opportunity to simultaneously serve in both worlds, bringing forward the values that guided me throughout my career. The principles of integrity, mutual benefit, contribution, motivation, and respect have been constant, whether leading in uniform or leading at Infor.

I’m proud to be a military member and part of a company that equally values character, teamwork, and purpose—foundations that allow individuals and teams to thrive no matter the challenge.