Austin McMahan: Building Strong Teams from the Military to the Workplace

Growing up in Salem, Austin McMahan always gravitated toward team settings. From high school sports to military service, camaraderie and shared goals have been central to his life. After a semester at Lander University, where he played basketball, McMahan decided to pursue a new path by joining the Air Force, hoping to travel and experience diverse cultures.

He was stationed at the Royal Air Force Base in Lakenheath, England, and went on two deployments that took him to 17 different countries — Scotland stood out as a personal favorite, while Cyprus left the biggest impact from a military perspective.

As part of the Phoenix Raven program, McMahan and his team provided specialized security for aircraft in regions where carrying weapons wasn’t permitted. He fondly recalls the challenge of guarding U-2 satellite planes and the close bonds he formed with fellow service members.

“The military expanded my horizons and showed me how different experiences make us stronger as a team,” he said.

Upon returning to South Carolina, McMahan joined the inaugural apprenticeship cohort at BASF ECMS’s Seneca site, finding yet another family among his Atomization teammates.

“Without my military experience, I wouldn’t have been able to contribute to the kind of team we have here in Atomization. We’re like best friends,” he said.

McMahan recently married at Murrell’s Inlet, where he included his coworker Price Thompson as a groomsman and noted, “I would’ve had the whole team there if possible.”

McMahan is also committed to giving back, participating in Seneca VETS initiatives as his schedule allows. Most recently, he and his wife volunteered with VETS to build beds for children in need through the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program. For McMahan, being part of a strong, supportive team is more than just a work philosophy — it’s a way of life.