From Marine to Master Craftsman

For many, military service ends with the final salute. But for Marine Corps veteran and local business owner Chris Gobeli, the mission took a new form, one grounded in craftsmanship, community, and the enduring values of service.

Gobeli, founder of Outdoor Transformations, brings the same precision, discipline, and integrity he learned in the United States Marine Corps to every project he undertakes in St. Johns. His company, known for its expert hardscaping and landscape design, reflects the ethos that shaped his nine years of service,  an ethos that continues to inspire his life, his work, and his community.

“I joined at 19 after suffering a career-ending injury playing football,” Gobeli recalls. “I needed direction, and I was proud of my family tradition in the Marine Corps. Both of my grandfathers were Marines; one served 20 years and trained recruits at Parris Island, the other fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. There was no other option in my eyes.”

From 2006 to 2015, Gobeli served as part of VMA-542, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Al Asad Airbase in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province. “We maintained 100% mission readiness and completed every mission assigned,” he says. Later, in 2010, he deployed aboard the USS Bataan as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit, traveling through Spain, Greece, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

His years in the Marines taught lessons that would define his second career. “The path from the Marine Corps to Outdoor Transformations has been one of discipline, integrity, and purpose,” Gobeli says. “In the Marines, the mission always comes first, and you take care of your people so the mission succeeds. In business, it’s no different. Our mission is delivering excellence for our clients, and my team is family.”
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That sense of leadership extends well beyond the job site. As a husband and father of three, Gobeli’s motivation is deeply personal. “My family fuels my drive to build a company that reflects the values I want to pass down: hard work, honesty, and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.”

My family fuels my drive to build a company that reflects the values I want to pass down: hard work, honesty, and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.”

​Each project, Gobeli explains, is more than just a business transaction. “Every Outdoor Transformations project represents an opportunity to serve my community, to honor my commitment to excellence, and to demonstrate the same discipline and integrity that defined my military service.”

When asked what advice he’d offer to young people considering military service, Gobeli doesn’t hesitate. “It will be the best worst time of your life,” he says. “You’ll give a piece of yourself, and you’ll miss it every day after. Enjoy each moment, better yourself in every way, and never take it for granted.”
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These days, Gobeli finds peace not on distant shores, but at home, tossing a ball with his kids, spending time with his wife, or sneaking in a round of golf when he can.
For Gobeli, the mission of service never really ended. It simply transformed, from protecting the nation abroad to building spaces of beauty, connection, and pride right here in St. Johns.