Joe McNamara
Joe McNamara is former combat decorated U.S. Marine Corps Officer and founder of Iron Leader Team, a premier leadership development firm.
Joe’s leadership journey began at Virginia Tech as a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. Upon graduation, he developed through the U.S. Marine Corps officer development programs, eventually leading teams of all sizes in training and in combat.
During his service, Joe built and led elite teams through multiple combat deployments in Afghanistan, orchestrating and leading hundreds of combat missions throughout enemy strongholds. These missions, and the incredible efforts of his men, eliminated enemy threats and delivered stability in the violent, battle-damaged territories in which they operated.
Joe returned from combat and was selected to command and lead Marine Corps drill instructors at the notorious Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island. There, he spearheaded a leadership development program and mentored the leaders responsible for training the nation’s next generation of warriors.
Upon leaving active service, Joe earned an MBA from the University of North Carolina and joined one of the nation’s leading real estate development firms, where he built and managed an award-winning sales organization. The success of that organization ultimately led to a merger and acquisition with the largest and most successful brokerage in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia.
Through the lessons learned from his time as a military and business leader, Joe founded a leadership development firm, Iron Leader Team, that has partnered with elite athletes, coaches, and corporate teams around the nation. Focused on turning passive followers into active leaders, Joe has helped teams unleash initiative, improve decisiveness, and foster adaptability at the lowest level possible – creating strong teams, winning cultures, and adaptable leaders.
Additionally, Joe is a member of the board of directors for Operation Patriots FOB, a veteran-owned non-profit dedicated to creating and fostering positive experiences for our nation’s Combat Veterans. (www.opfob.org)
