

Thu, Oct 23
|Allegheny Country Club
From the Depths of the Sea to the Boardroom
How the Navy shaped my leadership journey
-
Oct 23, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:45 PM
Allegheny Country Club
Event Information
The Talk
Mike Cherock is an entrepreneur, strategist, and former U.S. Navy submariner who has spent his career navigating both the deep waters of the sea in nuclear submarines and the complexities of business leadership. As the founder and CEO of AE Works, an innovative architectural engineering firm, Mike has led the company through significant growth, all while refining his leadership philosophy.
In this talk, he shares a deeply personal journey of self-discovery—how an encounter nearly two decades after his time in the Navy helped him uncover the ways his military experience was shaping his leadership approach. Through stories of discipline, resilience, and purpose, Mike explores how lessons learned in high-stakes environments can provide powerful frameworks for building successful businesses.
Join him for a thought-provoking discussion on leadership, purpose, and the unexpected ways our past experiences define our future.
The Back Story
Michael Cherock is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive who has led AE Works, a Pittsburgh-headquartered architectural engineering firm, from startup to a top-ranked player in the building design and consulting industry.
Under his leadership, AE Works has delivered over $2 billion in building projects across 100 million square feet for major businesses, hospitals, research institutions, government agencies, and higher education campuses.
Michael's career began with a unique foundation in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear-trained power
plant operator on fast-attack submarines, where he learned the importance of leadership and integrity. These experiences continue to influence his approach to business, which
emphasizes purpose-driven innovation and people-first values.
Michael’s ability to merge his naval background with entrepreneurial success is exemplified by AE Works' growth and impact. The firm has been recognized multiple times on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list and Architectural Record’s Top 300. Michael holds Master’s degrees from Harvard University and Penn State and is committed to creating value across all aspects of the business as a certified B Corporation.
RECENT AWARDS
Inc. Magazine’s Top 5000 list
-- fastest growing companies, 7
times
Architectural Record 300,
2020-2024
Vetrepreneur of the Year, 2019
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Veterans Breakfast Club, Board
President
Edgeworth Club, Board Member
Sewickley Valley Chamber of
Commerce, Board Member

Enjoy delicious tapas, drinks and live music while socializing with friends, neighbors and new acquaintences before each talk. The conversation continues afterwards with Allegheny's hand-made ice cream with toppings, cookies, coffee and tea.
This ticket entitles you to a Tapas Talks 2025 Speakers Series Season Subscription which includes admission to three engaging evenings at the Allegheny Country Club featuring a selection of delicious tapas, live music, cash bar, dessert, coffee and tea, complimentary valet parking and a lecture by these fascinating speakers:
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Entrepreneur Confidential: What it takes to scale a small business from scratch
Beth Genter, Founder & President, Schenley Capital,
Melissa Horvath, Owner, Designer, & CEO Sweet Water Décor,
C. Holly Wilbanks, Founder & Principal, The Wilbanks Consulting Group
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Foul Deeds and Fair Balls: An insider’s view of a captured war criminal and the saving grace of baseball
Will Bardenwerper, Former Financier. Infantry Officer, Pentagon Official, And now Author
Thursday, October 23, 2025
From the Depths of the Sea to the Boardroom: How the Navy shaped my leadership journey
Michael A. Cherock, PE- CEO AE Works Ltd
Time: Tapas & Cash Bar - 6:00 PM
• Speakers/Panel - 7:15-8:00 PM
• Q&A – 8:00 – 8:15 PM
• Coffee & Dessert - 8:15-8:45 PM
For more information visit tapastalks.com
Your season subscription price includes admission to all three talks, food and valet parking.