The career and life paths traveled by Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General, Medical Expert and Board Member for Axon and several other prominent organizations, were unexpected, not only for where life took him, but also the incredible success he has achieved. Dr. Carmona's determination and drive were fueled by his community and heritage, and have helped him rise to where he is today.

Dr. Carmona’s family hailed from Puerto Rico when it was still part of the Spanish Empire. His parents and abuelita (grandmother) moved to New York seeking opportunity, and he was the first of his family born in the United States. He grew up in Harlem in a time when most kids in that area played kickball in front of project housing, learned to swim in the Harlem River and experienced hardships as young children that many Americans don’t experience in a lifetime. Dr. Carmona's childhood included periods of homelessness, inadequate health care and frequent gaps in access to food, yet he didn’t see his family as having less than others. As Dr. Carmona recalls, “We didn't look at ourselves as poor because that's how it was for everyone on the block, and we were all just happy kids.”

At 17, Dr. Carmona dropped out of high school and joined the Army during the peak of the Vietnam War. He began his service as an infantryman, then focused on getting his GED in order to move into Special Forces. He succeeded, and became a decorated medic and weapons specialist during his deployment.

Though he didn’t realize it at the time, Dr. Carmona's experiences prepared him for success later in life and gave him insight into how the social determinants of health — issues that are inextricably tied to each life's trajectory, like race and poverty — contribute to the challenges people of color continue to face. 

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Carmona shared with our employees reflections on the lessons that have guided him throughout his life. 


“She took on this role, more than just my grandmother, to be more like a social worker or elder for the community. She may have been 5 feet tall and only 90 pounds, but she might as well been 7 feet tall. People listened to her, because she was always there for them.”

Contribute to Those Around You: Dr. Carmona's abuelita was integral to his formative years. She taught him to understand the obligation one has to those around them and their community. 

As Dr. Carmona grew, he began to notice those who fulfilled that obligation — his community who helped him in school, sent him letters in Vietnam and helped him further his education after the war. Through his family and community, Dr. Carmona learned to be a true healer and caregiver. He’s carried this lesson with him throughout his career. “We need to take it personally, as leaders, to help the next generation.”

Believe in Yourself: Dr. Carmona’s mother struggled throughout his childhood, working multiple jobs to give her children the best life possible. While she didn’t have higher education, she taught herself five languages and was well-versed in politics and the arts. Dr. Carmona's mother taught him one always has a choice in how they want to live their life. She encouraged him to always be learning, have integrity and remain true to himself, with a cheer that remained in the back of his head, chanting, “Go for it!”

He took these lessons to heart and focused on his strengths while recognizing areas for improvement. This mindset helped his career trajectory that eventually led him to become the U.S. Surgeon General for George W. Bush and later a valued Axon Board member.

Be Proud of Your History: Growing up in Harlem, Dr. Carmona remembers desperately trying to fit in with his peers by never speaking Spanish in public. His abuelita, on the other hand, took immense pride in her country. She wouldn’t accept his refusal to speak Spanish. Dr. Carmona recalled, “She made me speak Spanish. It was from her that I learned to be proud of my heritage.” She taught him about Hispanic explorers, language, traditions and cooking. As he moved through life, embracing his heritage helped him understand the needs of others who don’t look or sound like him.

Find the Focus to Complete Your Mission: The thought of higher education had always intimidated Dr. Carmona. “I was much more afraid of college than combat. I didn’t feel like I had the academic abilities to compete with ‘smart kids,’” he shared. 

But when he returned from combat, Dr. Carmona’s former high school counselors — who had kept in touch with him throughout his time in Vietnam — stepped in to guide him on his higher education path. They connected him with a former teacher who was now Dean of a college with a veteran program. Dr. Carmona enrolled and relied on the discipline and focus he learned in combat to excel in school. By the end, he realized being smart wasn’t what would make him successful, recounting, “I was never the smartest, but I was the most focused and most disciplined. I knew how to complete my mission.”

To pay for his tuition, Dr. Carmona held positions as a paramedic, registered nurse and even police officer. Each of these roles strengthened his resolve that serving others was his calling. So he applied to medical school and was accepted to the University of California San Francisco. 

And unlike the beginning of his undergraduate studies, he felt prepared: “This wasn’t stressful. Combat was stressful. Being shot at not knowing if you’ll live. This is a mere inconvenience. I had perspective that my peers didn’t.” That perspective and discipline paid off when he graduated top of his class a year early. 

Dr. Carmona’s life-long commitment to do public good eventually led him to join Axon’s board, a position he still considers to be one of his greatest privileges. He has seen how Axon’s powerful team moved the company from unknown with a single product to a global powerhouse Protecting Life across the world, with endless potential to do more good as the company continues to grow and innovate. “We’re fortunate to all be part of this great company that has no limits to the opportunities within it.”

Dr. Richard Carmona’s life is extraordinary by any measure. He overcame immense challenges and disadvantages to become a respected and admired leader in public health and safety. Dr. Carmona credits his success in part to those who lent a helping hand throughout his journey, and who helped him realize that when you accept where you come from, it can help you get where you're going.

BLOG: Completing the Mission: Lessons Learned from a Life of Service and Heritage

Completing the Mission: Lessons Learned from a Life of Service and Heritage

At Axon, we recognize that supporting our employees' whole selves is critical to our continued sustainable success. We go beyond PTO, prioritizing emotional and mental wellness that meets employees' needs wherever they are in the world. This isn’t a this-or-that solution, it’s a yes-and solution.

With the impact of COVID-19 on our mental and emotional wellbeing, this is more important now than ever. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported 4 in 10 adults in our country have reported anxiety or depression symptoms during the pandemic, up from 1 in 10 in 2019. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline network received 2.4 million calls in 2020 — the highest in its history. And so in honor of Depression and Mental Health Awareness Month, we'd like to share our efforts to keep mental health issues in the foreground of conversations and focus on how we can help each other every day.

We’re In This Together
If there has been any silver lining to the pandemic, it is the growing acceptance of open conversations about mental health at home and in the workplace.

Dr. Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General under George W. Bush and a member of Axon’s Board of Directors, recently spoke about mental health during the pandemic, and he explained that we are still in the mitigation phase and we need to recognize it’s not just a physical health issue but also a mental health one. COVID fatigue is very real, and as we gain more control over physical health issues, we all need to focus on mental health — no one is exempt.

With our company-wide focus on employee mental health, we're in a better position to support our employees, communicating early and often to ensure they can thrive. We desire to be transparent and authentic with our employee resources, and continue to proactively look for opportunities to expand our offerings. We have added access to Weldon’s expert-led parent webinars and Empower Health's wellness incentive program as part of our updated healthcare benefits. We also offer access for employees and their entire families to an award-winning mental health mobile app, Ginger, which provides on-demand personal care in an app.


“There have been a number of events over this past year that have been emotionally, mentally charging. Our employees are trying to solve some of society's biggest challenges around safety and justice and that can be mentally wearing. We continue to evolve our mental health resources to best benefit our employees- including following up with what's working and what's not. Accountability at the top really matters. We encourage all employees to take a mental health day and label it a mental health day.”

 — Elizabeth Hart, VP People Ops

Ensuring Access to Mental Health Care
Recognizing and acknowledging that we all need help sometimes is the key to de-stigmatizing mental health.

Our motivation for partnering with Ginger has a lot to do with accessibility and availability, as we know a lot of our employees who are interested in support often can’t access on-site mental health care. With the Ginger app, they can instantly find support. Through real-time chats or video calls, our employees can get advice on how to maintain resilience, counseling on work life and therapeutic support for mental health, including stress, anxiety and depression.

Aimee Bevel, an Axon Quality System Specialist, used the Ginger app after her mother passed away in December of 2020. "My therapist with Ginger has helped me a lot. It works with a busy work schedule and provides reminders and a lot of helpful tools."

Other employees use the app for progress check-ins and utilize the chat function when they need a quick talk through particular anxieties.

"I was intimidated at first and didn't have any clear goals around what I wanted to accomplish, but she walked me through the process and created a very relaxed environment," a corporate recruiter with Axon explained. "Each week, we do progress check-ins and she keeps me on track with meeting my new goals. In addition, the text-based chat function is convenient and easy to fit into my schedule."

"So far in my time with Ginger, I've had help from their coaches on setting personal goals and tips on how to stick to them," one employee said. "For more serious concerns, the therapists are readily available to tackle any issues I want to discuss, whether it's work-related or otherwise. Having that kind of access through the app is reassuring, and I wish more companies offered this service to employees."

We Recognize Global Teams and Support Accordingly
All employees, regardless of location, have access to Ginger’s texting mental health professional function, online events and mental health resources. Axon locations span the globe, with offices in North America, Vietnam, the EU and Australia. As we’ve grown our teams, it’s always been important that our culture transcends borders. When COVID-19 shut our office doors around the world, the leadership team was determined to make every Axon location feel supported even when we could no longer be physically present together, including remote options, care packages and more. We know this sometimes means something different in various regions.

Ginger is a trademark of Ginger.IO, Inc.


ARTICLE: Making Mental Health a Priority at Axon

Making Mental Health a Priority at Axon

Axon is excited to welcome our new SVP of Marketing, Kathryn Smith, to our leadership team. Kathryn joins Axon from Skullcandy, where she led global marketing efforts, developing and implementing their international expansion. Over the past decade, Kathryn has scaled global brands across consumer tech and sporting goods. 

Kathryn’s expertise in building compelling stories and driving global brand awareness will play a leading role in Axon's continued expansion as a global leader in public safety technology.

“I am so excited to join the Axon leadership team. I was drawn to Axon for its powerful and ambitious mission to protect life, and I look forward to leading and growing the marketing team as we continue to pursue this goal.” 

Kathryn holds a B.A. from College of Charleston, SC. She presently resides in Salt Lake City, UT.

What excites you most about working at Axon? 
Joining the Axon team was truly a no-brainer for me! Working for a company that’s transforming public safety through innovative technology is an incredible opportunity and a new challenge. I am excited to utilize my experience in marketing consumer goods to expand Axon’s global impact.

What do you foresee as the biggest marketing challenge in the public safety space?
To me, the biggest challenge is taking a brand that has been very successful selling to one type of customer and opening that aperture up to reach all types of public safety communities, both domestically and internationally. We’ve been so successful in establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with law enforcement, but we also have opportunities to serve the needs of adjacent industries and communities as a whole. Additionally, public safety looks and acts differently around the world, so we need to make sure that we are truly thinking globally with our marketing efforts to ensure the Axon logo holds the same meaning no matter where it's seen. One of our greatest opportunities is to be thought leaders and drive innovation and safety across the world. Axon is just scratching the surface in terms of who we market to, and that’s exciting. As marketers, we have a unique opportunity to tell the Axon story to build trust, increase brand awareness and further our mission to protect life. 

What are your 5-year goals for the marketing team and Axon in general?
My ultimate goal is to have a marketing team that the rest of the organization trusts, supports and looks to as valued partners within the company. I want every single person on my team to have the tools they need to drive this brand forward as leaders in transforming and modernizing public safety. As we start thinking about Axon in the next 5 years or so, we want to drive towards the ultimate goal of creating a recognizable and trusted brand- not just in the public safety space- but also to communities that our customers serve. Our vision is for the name Axon to be globally synonymous with our mission to Protect Life.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited for?
Right now, there are two things that I’m really excited about. Short term, I have the opportunity to build an amazing team and build trust as their leader and mentor. I am extremely motivated by what I can offer my team and alternatively, what they can teach me about being a part of Axon. Long term, I’m excited to bring the Axon brand to life for larger audiences, including a consumer audience that may not yet know our mission to protect life and the products we make to support that.  There is currently a major societal shift in focus on public safety and the communities they serve.  Each day, we have the ability to come to work to build and develop technologies and solutions for transparency and accountability. It’s such an exciting time to be a part of the company that is supporting both public safety and communities by developing products that ensure everyone gets home safe.  

To view open roles on Kathryn’s team, visit: www.axon.com/careers



College of Charleston is a trademark of College of Charleston State University South Carolina and Skullcandy is a trademark of Skullcandy, Inc.

Over the past few months, we’ve received 156 incredible RISE nominations recognizing public safety heroes, including the *Officers*, *Agencies* and *Community* organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and voting for those who have made an impact. Starting next week our panel of judges will begin to review the top 10 finalists in each category to select a winner.

ARTICLE: Axon Welcomes Kathryn Smith as SVP of Marketing

Axon Welcomes Kathryn Smith as SVP of Marketing

Over the past few months, we’ve received 156 incredible RISE nominations recognizing public safety heroes, including the Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and voting for those who have made an impact. Starting next week our panel of judges will begin to review the top 10 finalists in each category to select a winner.

Remember, you can vote to select the 10 finalists in each category through tomorrow (9/17) at axon.com/riseawards

Today, we’re excited to announce the judges who will review those finalists and select the winners. Drumroll please!

Former Chief of Police, Seattle Police Department

Chief Best served with the Seattle Police Department for 28 years, rising from patrol officer to become the first Black woman to lead the department. 

Among her many accomplishments as Chief of Police was the creation of the Collaborative Police Bureau, an SPD initiative to encourage community partnerships and engagement. She also facilitated record-breaking diversity hiring and recruitment within SPD.

Best has received dozens of awards for her contributions to community engagement, public safety, gender equity, and diversity and inclusion, including the FBI National Executive Institute Associates (NEIA) National Law Enforcement Ethics Award 2020. She was also awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, dedicated to recognizing individuals who selflessly contribute to society and uphold the ideals of America, an award read into the Congressional Record.

Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Taclogix, Inc

Dan is a 27-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to serve as Chief Technology Officer, leading LAPD’s Tactical Technology Section and establishing its first Innovation and Strategic Planning Division.

Now, as Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Taclogix, Inc., Dan uses his deep knowledge and experience in law enforcement to implement enterprise-wide technology solutions for public safety agencies.

Dan is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in a variety of public safety and homeland security technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence for crime fighting, automated license plate recognition and digital in-car video systems, digital and analog communication systems and the development of mobile applications for operational and tactical use by police officers in the field.

VP of Community Impact, Axon

As Axon’s VP of Community Impact, Regina connects our public safety customers to the communities they serve by helping to build transparent, trusting and productive relationships. Before joining Axon, she served as Senior Program Manager of NYU’s Policing Project and helped to implement the Neighborhood Policing Initiative in the City of Chicago.

During her tenure as a Clinical Fellow at Suffolk University Law School, Regina developed housing discrimination investigations that led to the publication of a study in Yale Law School’s Journal of Law and Feminism.

Regina is a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity through a partnership between Columbia University and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Former Director, Arizona Department of Public Safety

ColonelMilstead led the Arizona Department of Public Safety from 2015 to 2020, where he established a track record of suppressing crime through innovative crime-fighting programs and technological advancements.

Since leaving the department, Colonel Milstead has served as CEO of Big Leadership, a coaching and consulting firm. At Big Leadership, he helps others in public safety learn the techniques for interpersonal relationships and open, transparent communication that have served him throughout his career.

Colonel Milstead serves on numerous federal, state, tribal, county and municipal law enforcement boards, councils, and commissions. He has been awarded the Torch of Liberty award from the Phoenix Anti-Defamation League, the Medal of Valor, the Rotary Heroism award, and the Medal of Lifesaving.


CEO & Founder, Axon

Equipped with a belief in technology and his vision of making the bullet obsolete, Rick launched our company and the original TASER energy weapon in 1993.

As the TASER device became ubiquitous in law enforcement, Rick then pushed the company to go beyond weapons tech toward a broader mission of innovation in public safety to help make the world a safer place. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a garage in Tucson to a NASDAQ-listed global market leader in energy weapons, body-worn cameras, productivity software and VR training.


ARTICLE: The 2021 RISE Awards - Judges Announced

The 2021 RISE Awards - Judges Announced

Twenty-eight years ago, Rick Smith launched the first TASER device, the Air TASER. Along with a product came a mission: to Protect Life by making the bullet obsolete. Since then, we’ve expanded the Axon Network to include a vast ecosystem of technologies and tools for public safety. Today, we celebrate the strides we’ve made to make the world a safer place.

“Axon products represent how we can use innovative technology and training to save lives and make a difference. But our products are nothing without the people that carry them and keep us safe. Thank you for being part of Axon’s journey to make the world a safer place.” -Rick Smith, Axon CEO & Founder

Twenty-eight years ago, Rick Smith launched the first TASER device, the Air TASER. Along with a product came a mission: to Protect Life by making the bullet obsolete.

ARTICLE: Protecting Life for 28 Years

Protecting Life for 28 Years

We’ve received incredible RISE stories about public safety heroes across the nation, including the Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Now, it’s time to show your support by voting for your favorite stories!

Through Sept. 17, vote once a day for your favorite nominees. The top 10 finalists in each category will then be reviewed by a panel of judges who will select the final winners!

To see all RISE submissions, visit the gallery page at axon.com/riseawards


Check out some inspiring submissions below:

Perry County Sheriff’s Office; Perry County, PA

Just before Christmas last year, in Perry County, PA, Deputies Jared Charles and Andrew Bustin were responding to a county dispatch for a fire at a nearby service station. They were the first rescuers to arrive on scene. Employees of the service garage informed them there were people living in the second-floor apartments in the burning building. Without hesitation or concern for their own well-being, Deputies Charles and Bustin attempted to gain entrance to the building, but were unable to do so because of heat and smoke. They then saw the residents exiting the building onto the roof through a second-story window. The deputies parked their vehicle underneath the roof where the family of five and their dog had huddled to escape the flames. As smoke billowed from the windows, Charles climbed atop the patrol vehicle and handed the family members and their pets off to Bustin on the ground. Charles then found the badly burned occupant of another apartment outside. She had jumped from her second story apartment window. Charles rendered first aid until medical personnel arrived.

Vote and view the full story HERE


St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office

St. John the Baptist Parish, LA
The duties of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office go beyond its core responsibility of law enforcement. Local senior citizens hold a special place within the hearts of officers here, so enhancing their lives is an agency priority. There are 6,500 seniors in St. John Parish, with nearly 2,000 being war veterans. To provide assistance to this population, Sheriff Tregre created Protect Our Precious Seniors (POPS). In its first year, about 20 seniors registered for the weekly welfare check-ins from officers. Over the last nine years, the program has grown tremendously to directly help about 200 seniors in need and provide additional services to nearly all the parish’s senior residents. During check-ins, officers visit seniors in their home to assess overall condition, bring a meal and to have meaningful conversations. “Officers never look for recognition or monetary reimbursement for what they spend to help our seniors,” Sheriff Tregre said. “Their payment is the satisfaction and the blessing received from helping someone in need. Serving our senior citizens is our way of showing support and appreciation for all they have done for our community. All we want to do is make our seniors feel safer, have less stress, and be more positive about their life.”

Vote and view the full story HERE


Cedar Hill, TX
The Cedar Hill PD Police and Community Team (PACT) was created to strengthen the relationship between the community and the police department. The PACT unit dedicates their time to creating programs that build relationships directly with community members. The unit delivers food to elderly individuals every Monday, regularly assists with food drives in the community, puts on CPAAA and COP courses that engage community members, and host an annual Youth Summit. The unit also runs the Drug Take Back program, offers free home safety inspections, Lunch with a COP, Crime Watch and Prevention classes, and child safety seat assistance. In effort to proactively reach out to community members who might not seek help, Chief Reyes developed the Neighborhood Walk. During Neighborhood Walks, leaders from the Cedar Hill City Council, Police Department and the Mayor’s office walk door to door in order to better connect with the community. The response from the community has been so overwhelmingly positive that the walks were changed from quarterly to every other month.

Vote and view the full story HERE

As a reminder, the RISE Awards seeks to recognize the public safety heroes and community partners among us, in the following categories:

The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. 
- 3 Officer winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Axon Accelerate conference in Phoenix, Arizona

The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. 
- 1 Agency winner will receive a $7,500 grant for their police foundation, police nonprofit or community program

The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community.
- 1 Community winner will receive a $7,500 grant for program funding

ARTICLE: The 2021 RISE Awards - Community Voting is Open

The 2021 RISE Awards - Community Voting is Open!

There’s still time to nominate the Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in your communities! Axon’s RISE Awards deadline has been extended through September 1st.

To nominate, please visit: www.axon.com/riseawards

Deputy Charles Williams
Deputy Charles Williams from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was responding to a mental health-related call with an agitated subject. When he thought the subject was going to comply, the subject suddenly turned and thrust a screwdriver into the deputy's neck. This would have merited a use of lethal force, and the deputy had his hand on his gun, but he quickly decided to de-escalate the situation by deploying a TASER energy weapon. The subject is still alive today due to the deputy's quick thinking and decision to use a TASER.

Coral Springs Police Department
For 5 out of the last six years, (2020 programming was cancelled due to Covid), the Coral Springs Police Department has run a Summer Youth Program for underserved elementary-age students. Each summer, three days a week for six weeks, Coral Springs School Resource Officers provide activities, sports, mentoring and food for approximately 110 campers. Teens are also provided with the opportunity to volunteer and build community service hours before graduation. Hearing and eye exams are administered to students, some of whom have never been evaluated before.

Youth engage with officers in a nurturing environment that builds bridges in underserved communities. Through these relationships, Coral Springs PD identifies families in need of additional services throughout the year. These families receive Thanksgiving Baskets and Shop With A Cop opportunities. Every camper leaves at the end of the summer with uniforms and a backpack of school supplies for the upcoming year.

Out On Patrol
Out On Patrol is a peer support organization for 2SLGBTQ+ law enforcement members focused on community outreach, charitable work and education in the Metro Vancouver area.

For many Out On Patrol members, working in law enforcement is mentally and emotionally draining. Strong peer support networks are key to mental resilience and stress relief. Out On Patrol is not only dedicated to supporting members and providing peer support networks, but also uses their unique position as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to build strong, positive, inclusive connections between law enforcement and the greater queer community.

There have been great strides over the years to bridge the gap between the 2SLGBTQ+ community and law enforcement. Out On Patrol recognizes there is still work to be done and is proud to host events that provide the community a positive and welcoming space to interact with 2SLGBTQ+ law enforcement members.

To combat bullying and advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, Out On Patrol is planning educational presentations for elementary and secondary schools. These presentations will provide a platform for members to act as positive role models for youth interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.


To see more submissions, visit the gallery page at www.axon.com/riseawards


The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. 


The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. 


The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community.


Nominations will be accepted through September 1st, followed by community voting from September 2nd through September 17th. A panel of judges will review the top 10 finalists in each category and select the winners.

ARTICLE: The 2021 RISE Awards - Last Call for Submissions

The 2021 RISE Awards - Last Call for Submissions

Women’s Equality Day holds dual meaning to women across the United States. It is simultaneously a celebration of women's suffrage, and a reminder of women's ongoing struggle to be seen, heard and valued as equals.

At Axon, we are committed to meaningfully engaging with diverse voices and actively seeking out different perspectives and experiences to further our shared goal of Protecting Life. We exemplify this commitment through building equitable processes, promoting internal mobility and ensuring employees’ whole selves are supported through thoughtfully designed benefits, compensation and affinity groups.

To learn more about Women at Axon, listen to these employee perspectives from across our organization:



“Axon has cultivated a culture where diverse experiences are celebrated and where every voice matters. I am a single mother of four. Being supported by Josh Isner and other members of the leadership team--and working at a company which allows me to bring my full self to my work--has been paramount to my success here." - Regina Holloway, VP Community Impact

“We live in such a fast-paced world that slowing down sometimes feels impossible. One of the many lessons COVID-19 taught us is the importance of work-life balance, especially as the lines between work and home have become dramatically blurred by working from home for such an extended period. One of the many things I’m proud to have implemented at Axon is encouraging employees to set boundaries and establishing partnerships with platforms like Ginger. Both of these initiatives prevent burnout and allow employees necessary space and time to prioritize themselves and their health.” - Elizabeth Hart, SVP People Operations

If you’re interested in joining a team where you will be valued and supported, come explore with us: https://www.axon.com/careers

At Axon, we are committed to meaningfully engaging with diverse voices and actively seeking out different perspectives and experiences to further our shared goal of Protecting Life. We exemplify this commitment through building equitable processes, promoting internal mobility and ensuring employees’ whole selves are supported through thoughtfully designed benefits, compensation and affinity groups.

ARTICLE: Axon Celebrates Women’s Equality Day

Axon Celebrates Women’s Equality Day

We’re excited to share that Axon’s EVP of Operations, Josh Goldman, has been selected as a member of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2021 40 under 40 class. Josh's selection to this esteemed class was based on his demonstration of strong, dynamic leadership and work shaping the Phoenix Valley into a better place to work and live.

Josh is a highly respected leader and mentor at Axon. When the pandemic struck, he led Axon’s COVID-19 response plan focused on safety and growth, including joining forces to support our One Million Masks Initiative which committed over $1.7 million for personal protective equipment for first responders facing severe PPE shortages. Over 100 employees joined forces to hand pack and ship more than 1 million masks to 7,000+ agencies across all 50 states and 5+ countries. Josh not only maintained Axon’s business operations, but propelled the business forward during a time when so many other companies struggled due to the pandemic. And importantly, he doesn’t take credit for this; he attributes his successes to his team.

Josh believes a solid framework for company success begins with bringing the right people on board and empowering them with the tools necessary to succeed. He believes the best leaders ask questions, listen to understand what resources are needed and rely on their teams to guide them. He places an emphasis on empowering his people, and as a veteran, Josh actively mentors other vets—both here at Axon and externally.

We’re proud of all Josh has accomplished, and are excited to see him continue to develop and grow. Please join us in celebrating this moment with Josh!


What brought you to Axon?
After serving in the military, I was drawn to Axon’s mission to protect life. I am passionate about this mission and our vision to ensure everyone gets home safe. I want to help make a positive difference in the world and leave it a better place for my daughter, and at Axon, I know we are actually making an impact.

What’s your leadership style?
I am a firm believer in leading from the front. As leaders, our job is to establish the framework and vision for the company, then find the right people to bring on board. But it doesn’t end there. We need to empower and provide them with the right tools they need to succeed - whether that’s mentorship, being a sounding board or encouraging them to take risks. At Axon we are doing incredible things. We have a big vision and to succeed we are taking moon shots. With that comes a high bar of talent and making sure that leadership is not only supporting the operations, visions and metrics of the company, but also making sure teams have the freedom to take the lead.

What are you most excited about right now?
I am really excited about international expansion. With the technology strides that Axon has taken in the U.S., we’ve shown the world what our products can do. We are focusing on breaking down barriers with transparency and the tough conversations that need to be had, and we continue to give public safety around the world different ways and tools to deal with critical situations so that they can de-escalate safety and effectively.

Can you tell us about a powerful moment in your life that helped shape where you are today?
While in the Marine Corps, I served two deployment tours and was no stranger to seeing the daily hardships and struggles that war and conflict brought upon those around me. While on tour in Africa, we were stationed in a difficult part of the country that was struggling due to constant conflict and economic suffering. One day, we met a town elder, who although surrounded by hardship and chaps, had the most positive and inspiring attitude that I still think about to this day. It’s a constant reminder of the power of the human spirit; that although a situation may seem insurmountably difficult, with the right attitude and perspective you can change the world and those around you.

What organizations in Arizona are you involved in and passionate about?
As a veteran, I mentor other transitioning veterans both within Axon as well as within the community as a part of several USMC charities and organizations. I’ve participated in Arizona’s “Vet Talks,” similar to TED Talks, which feature presentations from military professionals who have transitioned into civilian life in partnership with several AZ companies. I also give my time to basset hound animal rescue organizations.

What advice you would give your 18-year-old self?
First, to slow down and get the most out of life’s journey, don’t be in such a rush to get to the finish line - it doesn’t exist. Second, to chase the right experiences to round out your skillset and never lose sight of the people you lead and those on your team, as they are the ones that matter most.


Josh joined Axon as VP of Operations in 2017 and leads supply chain, quality, manufacturing, global facilities, and international operations. Prior to Axon, Josh was a managing partner at Logistics Delivered, as well as VP of Operations at Ruan Transportation Management Systems, where he excelled in strategic enterprise-wide leadership and managed P&L/business development for operations across the continental U.S. Josh began his career as a Marine Corps Logistics/Supply Officer serving two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado and an M.B.A. from the University of Redlands with advanced study at the University of Cambridge Institute of Economic and Political Studies in the U.K.

To learn more about joining Axon’s team, visit: www.axon.com/careers

Phoenix Business Journal is a trademark of American City Business Journals, Ruan is a trademark of Ruan Leasing Company, University of Cambridge is a trademark of Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of University of Cambridge, University of Colorado is a service mark of The Regents of the University of Colorado and University of Redlands is a service mark of University of Redlands Corporation California.

We’re excited to share that Axon’s EVP of Operations, Josh Goldman, has been selected as a member of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2021 40 under 40 class. Josh's selection to this esteemed class was based on his demonstration of strong, dynamic leadership and work shaping the Phoenix Valley into a better place to work and live.

ARTICLE: Arizona's 40 Under 40

Josh Goldman: Arizona’s 40 Under 40

At Axon, we're incredibly proud to have so many heroic customers doing inspiring work in the world. The RISE Awards were developed to help highlight those untold stories of the everyday heroes among us. From the individual officers who put their lives on the line each day, to public safety agencies who work tirelessly to protect and enhance their communities, to community organizations who work hand in hand with public safety leaders to build a better future, we look forward to highlighting these outstanding partners through this year's RISE Awards!

There are three RISE Award categories:

The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. 

The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. 

The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community.

"Axon’s RISE Awards showcase the extraordinary courage, compassion and dedication to community demonstrated by officers and agencies across the country,” said Axon CEO and founder Rick Smith. “Our hope is that the stories of heroism and valor highlighted through these awards will inspire others as much as they inspire us."

Visit axon.com/riseawards to nominate an agency, officer or community program that rises above the rest. Nominations from the U.S. and Canada are open July 12 - August 15, 2021. Community voting for nominations will begin on August 16 and close August 30, 2021. Community members, friends and family may vote for one entry per day. The top 10 finalists with the most votes in each category will then be reviewed by a panel of judges and winners will be recognized at Accelerate 2021 in Phoenix, AZ.

Prizes include:

Three RISE Officer winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Axon Accelerate in Phoenix, AZ November 1-3, 2021. 

One RISE Agency winner will receive $7,500 for their police foundation, police nonprofit or community project of agency’s choosing.

One RISE Community winner will receive $7,500 in funding towards the winning community program.

At Axon, we're incredibly proud to have so many heroic customers doing inspiring work in the world. The RISE Awards were developed to help highlight those untold stories of the everyday heroes among us.

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