About The Show
Who We Are
Welcome to Out of the Wild Blue Yonder! We are Mark Tate and Luther King, your co-hosts and fellow travelers on this journey through the experiences and insights of retired United States Air Force colonels. With over 50 years of combined service as logistics readiness officers, we have navigated the intricate world of military logistics, leadership, and life beyond the uniform.
Our backgrounds are rooted in small-town America, where the values of community and resilience were instilled in us from a young age. Mark hails from Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Luther from Selma, Alabama. Both of us followed paths that led us to serve in the Air Force, and our careers have been filled with remarkable challenges and triumphs. Through various assignments across the globe, we've learned that success is built on teamwork, collaboration, and the power of relationships.
Out of the Wild Blue Yonder is more than just a podcast; it's a platform to share our stories, insights, and lessons learned. Our goal is to create a vibrant community where active-duty military members, veterans, retirees, and military spouses can connect, learn, and grow together. We will explore topics ranging from effective leadership strategies and innovations in military logistics to the challenges of transitioning to civilian life.
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Mark E. Tate
Colonel Mark E. Tate, USAF (Ret.) is the CEO and Founder of Transcendent Consulting, LLC, a supply chain management firm in Loudoun County, Virginia. He earned his degree in Transportation & Physical Distribution from Auburn University, where he also received his commission through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. With 27 years of military service, Mark served as a Logistics Readiness Officer in seventeen assignments and deployments. He commanded organizations three times, served in multiple combatant commands, and participated in various contingency operations worldwide. Mark is married and has three children.
Luther L. King
Colonel Luther L. King, USAF (Ret.) is the CEO and Founder of Stratix Solutions LLC, a Logistics and Supply Chain Management consulting firm located in Alexandria, Virginia. He earned his degree in Industrial Management with a concentration in Productions and Operations from The University of Alabama, where he also received his commission through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. With 27 years of military service, Luther served as a Logistics Readiness Officer in fourteen assignments and deployments. He commanded organizations three times, served in multiple combatant commands, and participated in various contingency operations worldwide. Luther is married and has three children.