Dave Nordel is a retired United States Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant with over 30 years of
service; he holds a bachelor’s degree in registered nursing specializing in emergency medicine and a
master’s degree in disaster and emergency management. Dave is a Bronze Star combat-decorated medic
and the recipient of the Legion of Merit, our nation’s 6th highest military decoration. 

He operated in Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South America, Iraq, Korea, Japan, and Hungary. Dave grew up in rural Northern California in a dairy farming family. Dave left home at 19 to join the Air Force and ascended through the enlisted ranks to culminate as the senior enlisted leader for all nuclear missile forces in the United States. 

He has vast experience leading small groups and large organizations and has led city government activities and large organizations as an emergency manager for multiple communities through covid and other disaster situations. He is the author of the international best-selling book Giving Back – Life and Leadership from the Farm to the Combat Zone and Beyond. 

Dave is the founder and owner of Max Fab Consulting providing keynote leadership, organizational growth, and strategic guidance, and he is actively involved in using his journey with PTSD to help transitioning veterans and other victims of trauma deal with the condition in a healthy manner. He is an active mentor and speaks to young leaders to aid their development and future successes. He continues to give back the gifts he has collected along the way.