Experience & Perspective
Chris Theilacker’s experience spans military service, education, and youth ministry—three environments that demand clear communication, trust, and accountability. Across each chapter, his work has focused less on titles and more on people: leading teams, mentoring young leaders, and serving communities with humility and purpose. These experiences shape how he approaches leadership today—practical, people-centered, and rooted in service.
1997 – 2021
2021 – Present
Military Service
Chris is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with more than two decades of service, which shaped his understanding of leadership as a responsibility to people, not simply a position of authority. Over the course of his career, he served in a wide range of leadership roles in traditional as well as Special Operations units and deployed multiple times in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan— experiences that reinforced the importance of clarity, trust, and accountability in high-stakes environments.
Whether leading soldiers directly, managing complex training and operational efforts, or supporting large-scale responses to national emergencies, his work emphasized disciplined execution and clear communication— especially when conditions were uncertain and decisions carried real consequences. Across those experiences, one lesson remained constant: effective leadership depends on people. Building trust, developing others, and taking responsibility for outcomes mattered far more than rank or title. That perspective continues to inform how he approaches leadership, education, and service today.
Education and Ministry
Chris is an ordained minister and currently serves as the Youth Pastor for First Baptist Church of Sylacauga. After retiring from the military, Chris continued his commitment to service through education and youth ministry, working closely with students, families, and community members in Sylacauga. As a high school educator and youth pastor, his focus shifted from operational leadership to relational leadership—building trust, developing young people, and helping individuals grow in confidence, character, and purpose.
In addition to his work in the classroom and church, Chris has served for several years as the team chaplain for the Sylacauga High School football program, supporting student-athletes, coaches, and families through mentorship, presence, and guidance during both victories and challenges.
Chris has also recently partnered with the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE) to facilitate a Strong Relationships workshop through the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Initiative. In this role, he works with individuals and couples to strengthen communication, trust, and long-term relationship stability—further extending his commitment to developing healthy families and resilient communities.
Across education, ministry, and community involvement, his approach reflects a consistent belief that leadership is most effective when it is grounded in relationships, guided by integrity, and focused on helping others reach their full potential.