From service to science: Veterans leading with purpose at Bristol Myers Squibb

When Frances Dixon and Kevin Luft transitioned from active military duty, they didn’t stop serving — they simply found new missions as part of the Global Product Development & Supply (GPS) organization at Bristol Myers Squibb.

Having dedicated nearly three decades combined to the U.S. Armed Forces, both Frances and Kevin carry forward the same courage, precision, and sense of purpose that defined their service. Today, they channel those values into a different kind of impact — one that saves lives through science.
 

The call to serve

For Frances, the call came on a defining day — September 11, 2001.

“I was a senior in high school, trying to figure out how to pay for college,” she recalls. “After 9/11, I knew I wanted to serve. ROTC offered a way to both give back and build a future.”

She would go on to serve more than nineteen years in the U.S. Air Force, leading teams around the globe and learning what it meant to thrive under pressure. Today, she continues to serve as a Reservist in the U.S. Air force.

Kevin was drawn to the challenges of submarine service at the Naval Academy.

“Operating a nuclear reactor underwater and completing national security missions were incredible tests of teamwork, discipline and focus,” he says. Kevin was the “officer of the deck” of a missile submarine on deterrent patrol during the critical early hours of September 11, 2001.

He ultimately served for eight-years in the U.S. Navy, honing his leadership skills and learning the power of adaptability and quick thinking.

“Serving my country felt like a noble calling and an adventure.” 

The courage to begin again

Leaving the military meant stepping into the unknown — and redefining purpose.

“Transitioning to civilian life can feel like starting over,” Frances says. “But I knew I needed to work somewhere with a strong sense of mission. When you’ve lived a life of service, purpose is non-negotiable.”

Kevin agrees. “I experienced imposter syndrome at first,” he admits. “But the problem-solving skills and resilience I learned on submarines gave me confidence. You realize those same tools apply anywhere.”

The new mission: Purpose

Both found that mission at Bristol Myers Squibb, where purpose and precision meet science and service.

Frances now leads Strategy & Business Operations for Global Technical Services (GTS), helping teams streamline operations and drive performance across the organization.

“In the military, I studied leadership and strategy for years,” she explains. “At BMS, I get to apply those skills to help others achieve their goals — it’s incredibly fulfilling.”

Kevin now leads a cross-functional team driving transformation, delivering breakthrough capabilities and operational excellence across the global supply chain. He found his next adventure in an area with profound impact.

“I specifically sought out a role focused on cell therapy because of the complex challenges associated with making and delivering personalized medicines,” he says. “That sense of purpose mirrors what drew me to the U.S. Navy in the first place.”

Service, redefined

Their stories reflect a broader truth: veterans bring not just experience, but a mindset — one built on integrity, teamwork, and adaptability.

“Veterans are wired to see through the noise,” Frances notes. “We focus on solving the real problem and ensuring the whole team succeeds.”

Kevin adds, “In the military, you learn urgency, accountability, and pragmatism. That translates perfectly to what we do here — delivering medicines to patients, without fail.”

Passing the torch

Now, both leaders are paying it forward — mentoring other veterans as they transition into civilian life.

“Reach out. Build your network. Ask for help,” Frances advises. “Find trusted people who can help you navigate and grow.”

“Leap first,” Kevin adds with a smile. “You’ll figure it out — and your skills are more valuable than you think.”

A shared legacy of service

From the flight decks to the labs, from submerged submarines to supply chain, veterans like Frances and Kevin remind us that service doesn’t end, it evolves.

At BMS, their mission continues — not in uniform, but in purpose: to transform patients’ lives through science.