By: Jerry Steinley
Photos: Bailey Sadowsky
It was his dream job—a place where discipline, teamwork, and service came together.
When Travis Hedrick enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1995, he believed he had found his purpose. Working on A-10 aircrafts in electronic warfare was more than a technical role; it gave him a sense of mission.
That clarity, however, was short-lived. Just two years into his service, an unexpected injury led to a medical discharge, abruptly ending his military career and leaving him uncertain about what came next.
Despite his brief tenure, Travis had already demonstrated a capacity for leadership and service.
While stationed in North Carolina, he organized 47 airmen to help a struggling soup kitchen meet critical compliance standards—an effort completed in just two days. The initiative earned him a nomination for a humanitarian award and, more importantly, sparked a realization.
“I had no idea what to do with my life after the Air Force,” Travis recalled. “I didn’t know where to go or what to do, so I defaulted to what I knew.”
What he knew was helping people. That insight would become the foundation of his next chapter, shaping a career defined by service and purpose. After leaving the military, Travis found community
through the American Legion, serving at the state level, while also pursuing faith-based work as an
ordained minister and pastor, mentoring youth and college-age adults.
By 2013, Travis found himself in the classroom, teaching career readiness as an adjunct professor at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Washington. He loved helping students discover their paths, but he also felt a pull toward a different kind of work, one that put him closer to people and organizations in need of guidance and support. That curiosity led him to human
resources, a field that took him from Washington to Texas, navigating the challenges of building teams, supporting employees, and shaping workplace culture.
In 2021, a new opportunity brought him to South Dakota, where he joined the State as Classification and Compensation Program Manager in Pierre. From there, he continued his journey of service, taking the helm as Executive Director of the Sacred Heart Center in Eagle Butte. Along the way, he pursued his passion for learning, earning a Doctorate of Education (EdD) from Trident University International in 2023 an is nearing completion of a a second doctorate in Theology, a reflection of the same curiosity and dedication that has guided his entire life.
Fast-forward to a nearly a year ago, Travis and his family made their latest move from Pierre to Rapid City to take on the role of Human Resources Manager for Project Solutions, Inc. But this move wasn’t just about a new title; it was a chance to plant roots, become part of a community, and continue building a life centered on service, leadership, and connection.
Travis and his wife, Juli, recently celebrated 27 years of marriage. They are raising their daughter and grandchild in the Black Hills, while their son and his family live in
Ellendale, North Dakota, bringing them closer together.
Weekends often find Travis and his family hiking the Needles or exploring the Black Hills. “There’s a lot of value in family here,” he said. “You can go up in the hills and do things you just can’t do in some other areas.”
As they prepare to buy a home and settle in, Travis is already thinking about how to contribute to the community. “Where do we fit? How do we grow with the community?” he asks.
“It’s just a unique place,
the whole area,” he said.
“Offering so much while
still keeping that small-town feel. We’re really growing to love that aspect of Rapid City.”
For Travis Hedrick, Rapid City isn’t just the next step in his journey, it’s where decades of service, leadership, and compassion are finding new purpose.
Original Article available in the January edition of Elevate Magazine
