Fisher serves as chief of staff

WRITTEN BY BOB LABBE

Steve Fisher grew up with the nickname Fish. Even today Robby Parker, his former principal at Bob Jones
High and current superintendent of Madison City Schools, still calls him the nickname that was used
when Fisher attended the school and graduated in 1992.
The four-year Patriot baseball player and 2017 inductee to the Bob Jones Hall of Fame knows he has
come a long way in his life since arriving in Madison at age 13. Today, at age 44, Fisher is chief of staff at
Redstone Arsenal’s Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center, which ensures
the U.S. Army is ready when called to do battle against all foes, foreign and domestic, and is technology
driven and war fighter focused.
Fisher’s adventure into the world’s most superb fighting force began a year out of high school while
attending college. “I never had the ambition of joining the military and following in my father’s soldier
footprints,” said Fisher. “I joined the Alabama National Guard as a Patriot Crew member and soon joined
the Army. I got the itch to do so and was looking for money to continue my college education.”
A member of the Army as an aviation operations specialist from 1997-2009, Fisher was deployed six
times in support of combat operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq, with the first deployment in
support of Enduring Freedom. A portion of his service included three years at Fort Rucker, Alabama,
where he served as the non-commissioned officer in charge of the survival, evasion, resistance and
escape program.
After earning a rank of sergeant first class, Fisher exited the military in 2009 – but not before earning a
bachelor’s degree at Troy University and two master’s degrees from Strayer University and Arizona
State, using the G.I. Bill financial services for his education.
Fisher became a contractor for the Army and made his way back home to Redstone Arsenal, where he
soon became a U.S. government employee and worked his way to his current position as the “right-hand
man” to the AMRDEC director.
Fisher is an engaging leader who exudes a calming and professional demeanor. “I try and think outside
the box,” he said. “I’m a fun-loving guy who has learned not to take life too seriously, as you may miss
out on life. I work hard when it’s time to work hard, and I play hard when it’s that time to do so.”
Fisher is married to the former Pam Monger, who also graduated from Bob Jones High (1991), where
she was the school’s homecoming queen and was a member of the cheer and dance squads. They have
been married for 16 years and have three children: two daughters, ages 20 and 6, and one son, age 18.
Steve’s mother, who retired after 36 years as a government civilian, jumped back into the workforce and
works at the Corps of Engineers, where Pam also works. Steve’s father retired from the military and
passed away in 2005.

Steve has seen firsthand how the U.S. Army has made the transition from the pure fighting soldier to a
more educated force utilizing the newest technology – much of which comes from work by AMRDEC. He
said the military overall is looking for more enlisted personnel with a much higher education.
His son, Robbie, is in basic training in the Alabama National Guard and looks to follow his father’s
footsteps in the military. “I suggest any young person thinking of joining the military to actually embrace
the opportunity and to continue to grow academically and excel at everything they do,” said Steve.
Steve has had not only had a long-lasting nickname but an even more prominent impact on the U.S.
Army as well as his Madison community.