What happens when a Navy intel specialist fails BUD/S – twice – and decides to run toward the next hard thing anyway?
In this Operator Series episode of Build Your A-Team, Freddie and Charlsey sit down with Nathan Sable, Market Area President at Apex Service Partners, where he oversees multiple HVAC brands across Central and Southern Virginia. Nathan’s path to leadership wasn’t conventional — from U.S. Navy Intel to Cyber Command and the DIA, from Deloitte consulting to commercial fishing in Alaska and mold restoration — and now leading one of Apex’s top-performing markets. It’s a story built on discipline, resilience, and executing when it counts.
Nathan breaks down:
◦ Why no one is ever “qualified” to run a business
◦ What failing BUD/S taught him about leadership and resilience
◦ How Intel tradecraft translates into running a PE-backed operator business
◦ How active listening builds trust across every level of a company
If you’re a veteran transitioning into business, a PE operator, or a leader building teams at scale – this episode is for you. Because winning isn’t about pedigree; it’s about discipline, execution, and taking care of your people.
What is Build Your A-Team?
Welcome to “Build Your A-Team” a podcast powered by MilSpec Talent, where we educate Small Business owners on how to attract, recruit, and retain high-impact, low-ego talent.
I’m your host Freddie Kim, founder of Milspec Talent, I’m am a West Point grad, former Green Beret, Kellogg MBA, and more importantly, I’m passionate about championing the value and leadership of Veteran 2.0s in our workforce.