Dash 2 Wingman: In aviation parlance, Dash 2 is the Wingman. He supports the lead pilot and ensures the mission stays on track. As a former Naval Aviator, Carmen knows how important planning is to the success of any endeavor. He’s the Dash 2 for Ignite Financial, supporting our efforts so we can stay focused on our mission of positively impacting the lives of our clients in the ways that matter most.

Workflow Optimization Expert: With civilian executive experience that spans the industries of global banking, logistics, and technology, Carmen is experienced in corporate strategy, financial management, and project management. Carmen brings his expertise to creating the structures, workflows, and processes that allow Ignite to efficiently and seamlessly execute for our clients.

Backstage Manager: Wingmen don’t operate in the spotlight, they operate behind the scenes, allowing the leader to be out front and focused on mission completion. In true Dash 2 form, Carmen is incredibly active behind the scenes running the firm’s day-to-day technology, HR, and finance operations so Julie and Kelly can remain 100% focused on our mission of empowering our clients. You might have also noticed, Julie shares his last name…. he’s also the lucky guy that has embraced the challenge of being Julie’s husband and her personal Dash 2.

What Makes Him Tick: We all have our passions in life and Carmen is no different. Flying is one of the things that he is most passionate about. As a child, he dreamed of being a pilot, but had no idea how he could make that a reality. At 23, he enlisted in the Navy to chase another dream, but circumstances presented him with the opportunity to not only finish his college education, but to become a pilot as well, achieving the coveted Wings of Gold and being designated a Naval Aviator.

Flying isn’t his only passion though. At the other end of the spectrum, is his love of scuba diving. Carmen has been diving for nearly 20 years and has over 300 dives to his name. He even talked Julie into getting her certification! He’s working on getting his certification as an instructor so he can share his passion and teach others to dive.

Another of his passions is his love of animals. Along with Julie, he is a serial adopter and volunteers with several rescues. Doing everything from fostering to transporting the animals, helping the critters to a better life is one of the things that gives him the most joy. He and Julie currently have 2 dogs and 6 cats and have had as many as 11 animals. Did we mention that he loves animals??

Most near and dear to his heart though is his family. A family man in every sense of the word, he has 2 children, Jack and Carly, and a beautiful wife, Julie, that are the center of his world.