Interview: Voyage Austin

Written By Scott Firsing

Voyage Austin publishes interview with Scott on September 17th, 2024.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Firsing

Hi Scott, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Yea sure, but where to begin? I was raised just outside of Princeton New Jersey, in a “typical” middle class family in the 1980s. It was a nice area, very multi-cultural. I got my blue-collar work ethic from my Mom who was a Registered Nurse and my dad an engineer at a big chemical company, who grew up on my great grandfathers farm in the area. I was an enthusiastic reader of books and avid movie watcher. Looking back, I can attribute many of my passions in International Relations and Space in part to novels by Tom Clancy, series like the Lord of the Rings, and watching movies and television shows such as Top Gun, Star Trek and Transformers.

Long story short, I worked my way through college, at Rutgers University (go RU!) graduating in 2003, and soon found myself married and working on nuclear weapons and small arms and light weapons treaties at the United Nations in New York City. This was followed by 10 years living in South Africa.

After this, the last 20 years or so, can be described as a crazy time. From writing intelligence reports on Russian and Chinese contracts in Africa to traveling the world, I have a treasure trove of stories, most are better told over a cold, adult beverage.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Life is almost never a smooth road and that is what makes it exciting. Most people know it is full of trials and tribulations and that is what molds us into the people we are today. However, I have found no matter what happens, hard work and persistence always wins the day.

There have been a lot of struggles, but very few regrets. Moving to another country, a decade in South Africa from 2005-15, was hard but looking back, I’m extremely grateful. Africa will always be in my heart. And I still, to this day, do work with a think-tank in Pretoria and frequently write about the continent.

Coming back to the States was indeed a challenge. The phenomenon of reverse culture shock was a tangible experience for me. Returning to America in 2016 presented its own set of puzzles. From wondering why bread doesn’t mold as quickly here to deciphering the American healthcare system—it was a bewildering time. But gradually, I’ve re-acclimated to American life.

Moving to Austin in late 2016, was also interesting. Those who have moved a lot know it is never easy. We had no friends or family in Austin, and wasn’t quite sure where my career was going. Fast forward to 2024, where I have been running my own company for several years working with some of world’s most innovative aerospace companies alongside my beautiful wife Taylor and our five children. I have entered Texas and US politics, somewhat as an outsider, and the road hasn’t been “smooth” but I’m happy to report that both my family and I are in a very good place and are excited about the future.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Good questions. Well one of my children recently told me that AI calls me a “multifaceted professional with a diverse background in politics, aviation, and academia. He is currently running as a Republican candidate for the Texas House of Representatives for District 47 in the upcoming 2024 election.” I guess not a bad summary from ChatGPT.

AI is also right that I own an Austin Texas based aerospace consultancy called Scott Sky Advisors and I sit on multiple Boards including the National Flight Training Alliance, Sim-U-Tech and the World Affairs Council of Austin. I’m also a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Global Dialogue, a think-tank associated with the University of South Africa in Pretoria.

I love to write, making one my notable achievements as a frequent contributor to fields like United States-Africa relations and global space diplomacy. I tend to think I’m one of the worlds experts on US-South Africa relations, which was the topic of my doctorate degree in International Politics, and of course an important topic for me. Two of my daughters were born in Johannesburg and are still dual citizens of both South Africa and the USA. My other areas of expertise range from aerospace, migration, mining, public policy and technology. My 100+ publications and interviews can be found in a wide range of media outlets including Associated Press, BBC, CNBC, Huffington Post, Forbes, The Conversation, Wall Street Journal and many others.

I have a passion for education and space, which I have turned into a long academic career as a K-12 Principal and later as a university professor and researcher. I have taught at numerous universities such as Monash University, the University of North Carolina, Coastal Carolina University and The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina. I also co-founded the Aerospace Leadership Academy in South Africa to help train the next generation of Africans working in the growing space sector. I was honored to be have received several awards for my work including for social inclusion.

I’m also passionate about learning, my career and beliefs. Moreover, I’m a dedicated father of five and value my family above all else. I give my children the same lessons I gave to university students when I was a professor…the value of hard work and the importance of good analytical and listening skills, as well as plenty of travel.

However, to answer your one question, I’d say I’m most proud of making a positive difference in peoples lives. Those sharp memories I have of a former student saying “thank you” and explaining how a specific class or experience positively impacted their life is the cherry on top, the icing on the cake. Those moments can’t be beat.

This is why I’m entering politics, to help people. In 2024, both Texans and the wider American populations are disillusioned with our political system and many people in it. The extremism, the perpetual conflict, the careerist politicians, the political vendettas, the corruption, and the dysfunction—it’s all become too much. Politicians seem to be more engaged in conflict than in problem-solving.

Austin, Texas is home and I will fight for my neighbors and my community, and my country. Together we will make a better place for us all.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m sure there are many things we can do together. We are always stronger together. The best first start is to email firsingcampaign@gmail.com.

Key Takeaways:
• Scott Firsing is an up-and-coming Texas based politician who co-founded organizations like Scott Sky Advisors. His passion for aviation, aerospace, education, international relations and philanthropy in ventures around the world sets him apart as a global scholar.
• Firsing’s impact extends beyond technology, inspiring the next generation and disrupting industries like flight training and education. A former university professor, he serves on numerous Boards that commit to drive meaningful change.

An avid writer of over 100 widely cited publications, and described as a global renaissance man, his story is of a family man who continues to make a significant impact in various fields. From his entrepreneurial and passionate endeavors in the realm of education and technology, to his recent dive into Texas and US politics, Dr Scott Firsing’s journey is nothing short of intriguing.

Contact Info:

Full interview w/photos can be found here: https://voyageaustin.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-scott-firsing-of-sw-austin/

Scott Firsing
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