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Chanda Mofu

Chanda Mofu joined Fayetteville's 40 Under 40 in 2014 at the age of 38. At the time he was nominated he was currently Chief of Operations of a Parachute Infantry Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This was Chanda's second time living in Fayetteville and wanted to find ways to give back to a community that gave so much to his family of three. He is currently a Battalion Commander in the United States Army.

Interview Notes

• :50 Chanda was a collegiate lacrosse player, loves lacrosse and ice hockey. He has two daughters and is a single parent to both girls.
• 1:36 He joined the army ROTC while in college and had no idea what he was getting himself into.
• 2:00 His original plan was to go to medical school and take over his father’s practice. Today he’s a battalion commander.
• 2:52 Today he’s a battalion commander. Every year the army takes it’s cohort of 5,000 officers. the top 5% of the officers gets selected to command a battalion. Chanda is the chief of training for these company commanders.
• 8:10 Chanda came back to Fayetteville in 2012 to get custody of his two daughters. In the transition he received help from many people in the community. “You have this family that surrounds you” he says, speaking of the community outside the military.
• 9:00 Recognizing the help that had been given to him from so many, he started thinking how he could give back to the community who had helped him so much. He started helping in the school district, city council and other opportunities.
• 11:41 He loves that his daughters were able to be a part of the 40 under 40 celebration. They recognized service is a great thing.
• 15:26 One of the most rewarding parts of his job is when a soldier says “thanks Sir”.
• 16:35 When not working, Chanda loves to play hockey, lacrosse, and spend time with his daughters.

Lightning Round

• 18:07 When asked if he felt he deserved being on the 40 under 40 list Chanda replied, “no. I thought there was more I needed to do. But it’s not about that. It’s about the desire to contribute and serve”
• 18:30 A book that’s had a significant impact on Chanda: How to Measure Your Life by Clayton Christiansen.
• 19:09 Anybody that wants to contribute gives him energy more than anything else
• 19:40 Chanda loves GPS functionality of smartphones and Facetime.
• 20:30 If he were to start his career again and do something the same, Chanda would continue with his tenacity to look for something bigger and better.
• 20:59 As for something he would do differently? He would have more confidence in his abilities.
• 21:49 To reach Chanda, email him at [email protected]. or at @chandamofu on twitter.
• 22:25 Last advice: Be genuine, and leave it all out on the table. At work or with the family, leave it on the table.