Veteran to veteran: Brian Abeyta finds his purpose in giving back
Brian Abeyta, Synovus enterprise business architect director, learned servant leadership from his family’s military legacy. “My grandfather fought in World War I, my dad served in the Army in the Vietnam War era and his brothers all were either in the Army or Navy,’’ he shares.
Abeyta graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1989 and served until 1997. He joined Synovus in 2021 and dedicated his time to serving fellow veterans before he left Columbus, Georgia, to live in Auburn, Alabama. In Alabama, he’s continuing his service for the veteran community.
His family’s military legacy and his time in the Air Force instilled a sense of responsibility for helping those who protected our country. “Since I joined Synovus, our team here has worked on two House of Heroes homes,” he says. “We’re looking forward to volunteering with the nonprofit on more homes.”
His time in the Air Force and his lineage inspire him to help others, especially those who’ve served in the armed services. Abeyta serves on the boards of House of Heroes and Boy Scouts of America and is a former board member of the National Infantry Museum Foundation at Fort Moore. Each group is a service organization that helps veterans and others thrive.
His work with House of Heroes is near and dear to his heart. House of Heroes honors military and public safety veterans and their spouses by improving the living conditions of those who need help maintaining their homes. “We make our services known to the community, receive and process applications for support and then grant assistance to as many people as possible depending on the financial support and volunteer labor available,” the father of two explains.
“I was always impressed with the House of Heroes mission, and when another board member asked me if I was interested, I jumped at the opportunity.”
For Abeyta, helping veterans with home renovations enhances their quality of life, home safety and security. “I was always impressed with the House of Heroes mission, and when another board member asked me if I was interested, I jumped at the opportunity,” he says. When he helps them, Abeyta says he’s reminded of his family’s military history and how he is continuing their legacy of service and dedication.
Abeyta grew up in Buena Vista and Colorado Springs, Colorado, surrounded by family who saw value and honor in serving the country. There he learned leadership and the significance of being an effective leader. “Graduating from the Academy allowed me to serve alongside many amazing people and gain valuable leadership experience,” he recalls.
Abeyta also graduated with a master's in systems management from the Florida Institute of Technology and is pursuing a Doctor of Public Administration from Valdosta State University.
“Being in a leadership role is a privilege,” Abeyta shares. “It requires us to think of others before ourselves and treat others with dignity and respect to build trust.” A quote Abeyta learned in the Academy still rings true to him: “True character is revealed when you come face-to-face with adversity.”
Academy lessons still serve as life anchors. He says he’s proud that he still maintains his physical conditioning, shoe-shine routine and military-regulation hairstyle. You can take the man out of the Air Force, but you cannot take the Air Force out of the man. Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win.
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