By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Kurt Radtke, AMU Graduate
As global demand for critical minerals continues to grow, the people who discover and develop mineral resources play a vital role in shaping our future. American Military University (AMU) alumnus Kurt Radtke is a part of that effort. Throughout his career, he has been involved in the global mining and mineral exploration industry, leading large-scale operations, developing future leaders, and driving innovation in organizations around the world.
As the founder of Vestigium Global Advisory Group, Kurt advises mining companies, investors and executive leadership teams globally. His journey to executive leadership was shaped by military service, international experiences, perseverance and lifelong learning.
Maintaining a Balance Between Work and Other Responsibilities
A native of Santa Ana, California, Kurt spent much of his childhood in Australia and later returned to the U.S. “Growing up in two different countries gave me a broader perspective and taught me how to adapt to new environments and different cultures from an early age,” Kurt says.
Shortly after high school, Kurt enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country. Kurt started college during his military service.
As his responsibilities grew, balancing work, military service, family and education became increasingly difficult. He decided to put his education on hold.
Developing Leadership Skills in the Mining and Mineral Exploration Industry
After his separation from the U.S. Army, Kurt entered the corporate mining industry. He advanced through leadership positions with several international companies, including Boart Longyear®, IMDEX®, First Drilling and Major Drilling.
In 2021, Kurt joined Maaden, Saudi Arabia’s national mining company. Hired as Drilling Manager, he used the position to gain experience and maintain a progressive career path.
“I originally expected to stay for only a short time, but the opportunity quickly expanded. I was promoted to Director of Field Operations and later Vice President of Field Operations and Logistics,” Kurt notes.
With Maaden, Kurt helped to lead what became one of the world’s largest mineral exploration programs. He oversaw exploration activities across nine sites, managed more than 850 direct employees and contractors, and helped Maaden grow from a relatively small team to more than 1,200 professionals.
“It was an incredible opportunity to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 while building a world-class exploration organization and developing future leaders.”
Choosing AMU for More Leadership Training
As Kurt’s career progressed, he realized his leadership experience needed to be supported by formal education. He chose AMU and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2025.
“Every promotion increased my responsibility, illustrating the importance of complementing my practical leadership experience with a formal business education. I knew that earning my bachelor’s degree in business administration wasn’t just about checking a box; it was about becoming a better leader.”
AMU’s flexible online format and resources allowed him to focus on earning his degree. “When I wasn’t working, there weren’t many distractions. It was either work, stare at the walls of my camp room or work on my education. The internet wasn’t always reliable, but I made it work.”
After earning his bachelor’s degree, Kurt decided to further his education and earned a master’s degree in business administration in 2026.
Kurt also notes that classroom discussions became meaningful because they reflected the leadership challenges he faced every day. The discussion forums created a safe space to talk with his peers and share experiences.
“I’m glad I waited until I had years of real-world leadership experience before pursuing those degrees. The classroom discussions weren’t theoretical to me; I was living those challenges every day. That made the education far more meaningful and allowed me to apply what I was learning almost immediately in my executive roles.”
Advice to the Next Generation of Leaders
Kurt remains focused on helping organizations improve operational performance, governance, strategy and leadership in the global mining industry.
“Mining creates opportunities for communities, supports economic development and provides the critical minerals the world depends on. But none of that happens without capable people and strong leadership. That’s why I’m passionate about mentoring future leaders and helping organizations build lasting capability rather than simply achieving short-term results.”
Kurt offers three pieces of advice for anyone considering a career in exploration or becoming a leader. He says, “First, never stop learning. Your degree is only the beginning. Every experience, every project and every challenge is another opportunity to grow.
“Second, build your reputation before you build your resume. Technical knowledge is important, but people will remember your integrity, work ethic and how you treat others long after they’ve forgotten your job title.
“Finally, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Some of the greatest opportunities in my career came from accepting assignments that were difficult, unfamiliar or halfway around the world. Growth rarely happens in comfortable places.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to learn from exceptional leaders. I believe it’s now my responsibility to pass those lessons on to the next generation, both professionally and within my own family.”
Boart Longyear® is a registered trademark of Boart Longyear Company.
IMDEX® is a registered trademark of IMDEX, Ltd.
About the Author
John Robert Morton is a Student & Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the University for 17 years. His bachelor’s degree in European history is from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He also completed master’s degrees in political science and sports management from American Military University. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys helping students and alumni achieve their personal and professional goals.
About Our Department
The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Office is dedicated to sustaining lifelong relationships with university alumni by providing engaging opportunities to stay involved and connected. We work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen the alumni experience and offer numerous benefits, services, activities, and events throughout the year.
As a team, the Alumni Affairs team works to build and sustain relationships with alumni along their personal and professional journeys. We actively look for ways to recognize and showcase alumni, telling their stories to motivate and encourage students to pursue their goals.
If you are an alumni community member and looking for ways to remain actively involved, please get in touch with alumni@apus.edu and speak with a team member.
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