The power of persistence, creativity, and respect | Matthew Griffin | TEDxTacoma

Manufacturing peace through trade.

Matthew Griffin is a 2001 United States Military Academy graduate commissioned into the Field Artillery. Between 2003-2005, Griff deployed four times to Iraq and Afghanistan with 2nd Ranger Battalion as a Company Fire Support Officer. He planned and participated in over 100 special operations direct action missions. After departing the military in 2006, Griff worked in the defense sector that eventually led him back to Afghanistan. After witnessing the positive effects of economic growth in conflict areas, Griff co-founded Combat Flip Flops with a fellow Ranger and began the mission to manufacture peace through trade.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx