In August 2025, during Monterey Car Week, I joined the volunteer team at Mecum Auctions, the unseen crew that keeps the spectacle running behind the scenes. For two days, I was entrusted with driving collector cars worth six and seven figures across the stage, guiding them back into crowded lots, and keeping pace with the relentless rhythm of the auction.

The work required precision, calm under pressure, and trust. Behind the wheel, it was all about timing: waiting for the wave, rolling under the lights, holding steady while the auctioneer called and bidders signaled, then handing off and sprinting to the next car. Between stage runs, I parked vehicles in tight rows, coordinated with fellow drivers, and adapted quickly to the quirks of each machine.

What struck me most was the level of responsibility and the flow it created. Being handed the keys to high value cars demanded focus and discipline, but once I settled into the rhythm, it felt like entering a state of organized chaos, a choreography where every role mattered. The experience mirrored the qualities I rely on in program management: trust, adaptability, and steady leadership in high energy environments where timing and teamwork make all the difference.