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The VeteranCrowd Spotlight

The VeteranCrowd Spotlight

By VeteranCrowd

The VeteranCrowd Spotlight - where citizen soldiers who are making a difference step into the Spotlight twice each week.

Join your host, Bob Louthan, and guests with skills and discipline forged in the crucible of the US Military.

The VeteranCrowd Network brings businesses, veterans, and military spouses together with the resources they need to prosper.
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76 - Garrett Cathcart - Mission Roll Call, Giving Every Veteran a Voice

The VeteranCrowd SpotlightMar 16, 2021

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34:05
76 - Garrett Cathcart - Mission Roll Call, Giving Every Veteran a Voice

76 - Garrett Cathcart - Mission Roll Call, Giving Every Veteran a Voice

Garrett Cathcart - Mission Roll Call, Giving Every Veteran a Voice

Garrett’s military career started as a student at West Point. After graduation he served until 2012 in the United States Army. He spent time in both the Iraq and Afghan wars and ended his time as a Cavalry Troop Commander. There are many lessons he took from his time in service but his greatest lesson was how to take care of people.

Upon separating from the Army, Garrett wasn’t sure where to land. After a stint with a medical device company he knew he needed to find purpose in his work. It was this drive that led him to get plugged into veteran organizations. He has for worked for Vetlanta, Bunker Labs, Team Red, White and Blue and now Mission Roll Call. The idea of Mission Roll Call came from a conversation around a campfire in Montana.

Mission Roll Call:

Mission Roll Call was born out of the realization that almost half of all veterans are unaffiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs or any veteran service organization. They give all veterans a voice on issues impacting their lives. "This unified voice is getting the attention of our nation’s leaders and communities so change can happen."

“A community where veterans, their spouses, families, and caregivers can share their stories, concerns, hopes, wins, and voice their issues."

Learn More:

Garrett Cathcart LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-cathcart-386319a3/

Mission Roll Call Website: https://www.missionrollcall.org/

Mission Roll Call LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/mission-roll-call/

Mission Roll Call Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MissionRollCall

Mission Roll Call Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/missionrollcall/

Mission Roll Call Twitter: https://twitter.com/missionrollcall

VeteranCrowd Partners:

Fund the First:  Crowdfunding for our Nation's Heroes

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Mar 16, 202134:05
75 - Nicole Malone - Air Force Veteran and Nutrition Coach Helping Others Achieve a Healthy Lifestyle

75 - Nicole Malone - Air Force Veteran and Nutrition Coach Helping Others Achieve a Healthy Lifestyle

 Nicole Malone - Air Force Veteran and Nutrition Coach Helping Others Achieve a Healthy Lifestyle

Nicole is a 14-year Air Force veteran and Precision Nutrition Certified coach. She has always had a love for fitness. After leaving the service and its very structured environment she struggled with her own health. She encountered a lot of fad diets and short term success but didn’t know how to get fit for life. A furlough as an intel analyst due to Covid helped her take that final leap and found Dark Horse Nutrition, where she merged her passion for fitness and desire to serve others

“I have come to realize that weight loss and living a healthier lifestyle is so much more than just the foods you eat and what you do in the gym.”

Dark Horse Nutrition

Dark Horse Nutrition LLC takes a holistic approach to help each client find their optimal health. As a client you receive individualized nutrition plans and customized fitness programs. Nicole walks you through changing unhealthy behaviors and managing stress. She takes it one step at a time. Her goal is to create a long-term sustainable healthy lifestyle for each client.

Sneaky Fit Podcast

Another avenue to educate others about health and fitness is Nicole’s Sneaky Fit podcast. The podcast drops each Sunday and helps to dispel the health myths out there. Nicole wants to reach as many people as she can to share the truth about weight loss and healthy lifestyles.

Check out who else has stepped into the Veteran Crowd Spotlight.

Listen on Anchor: Watch on YouTube: Learn More:

Website: https://www.darkhorse-nutrition.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/nutritiondark

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dark-horse-nutritionllc

Podcast: Sneaky Fit Podcast (podbean.com)


VeteranCrowd Partners:

Fund the First:  Crowdfunding for our Nation's Heroes

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Mar 12, 202133:55
74 - Bill Militello - Providing Veteran Entrepreneurs a Fast & Easy Way to Raise Capital

74 - Bill Militello - Providing Veteran Entrepreneurs a Fast & Easy Way to Raise Capital

Bill Militello - Providing Veteran Entrepreneurs a Fast & Easy Way to Raise Capital

Bill Militello is no stranger to entrepreneurship, after three successful companies he recently founded his fourth, Localvest. He knows what it takes to create a thriving business. After graduating from the Naval Academy, Bill served as a Marine Corps Signals Intelligence Officer. His service created a passion to help the veteran entrepreneur. Bill began his career on Wall Street in 2001. This led to founding Militello Capital in 2011. "Militello Capital guided the wave of registered investment advisors “RIAs” to think beyond Wall Street and challenge the conventional allocation model". This was just the stepping stone needed to launch Localvest in 2019.

Localvest

“The success of an entrepreneur, if they need to raise capital, is largely dependent on the size of the wallet of their personal network”, Bill shares. It is this struggle that drove him to create Localvest. Their mission is helping veteran entrepreneurs raise the capital they need with ease.  Localvest is a SaaS (Software as a service) solution, that “goes beyond simply displaying your offering. It works in such a way that investors can easily communicate with you, schedule meetings, request more information, and much more".

Learn More:

Localvest LI: www.linkedin.com/company/localvest

Localvest FB: https://www.facebook.com/LocalvestPlatform

Localvest Twitter: https://twitter.com/localvest


Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Mar 09, 202138:35
73 - Ben Biles - American Veterans Group, Helping Veterans While Doing Business

73 - Ben Biles - American Veterans Group, Helping Veterans While Doing Business

Ben Biles - American Veterans Group, Helping Veterans While Doing Business

Ben Biles is a Naval Academy graduate and Navy veteran. He shares how his upbringing and service in the Navy paved the path for entrepreneurship. He founded the American Veterans Group, Wall Streets only Public Benefit Company. “We've incorporated as a public benefit corporation. It’s been a great way for us to align ourselves with our mission, which is to provide great business service to our clients and increase shareholder value, but also help as many veterans as we can."

Navy Officer

At 6’9” Ben played basketball at the Naval Academy. Juggling being a student athlete and the demands of the academy taught him how to better manage his time. It set him up for success not only as a supply corps officer but later an entrepreneur. “There are a lot of parallels that I could talk forever about how the military experience has been helpful in this entrepreneurial endeavor.”

American Veteran Group

American Veteran Group is an investment bank and broker dealer. It specializes with municipal clients and corporate clients, helping them find capital through capital markets. “We add value to both our clients and our communities through fusing the military values of selfless teamwork, uncompromising integrity, and unwavering accountability with industry leading knowledge and experience. We believe success isn't just measured by growing profitability, but also by the social impact our firm delivers.”

Learn More:

Ben Biles LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbiles/
American Veterans Group: https://www.americanvetsgroup.com/

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Mar 06, 202135:38
72 - Dave Gillespie - Virginia Technical Academy Providing Hands-On Technical Training

72 - Dave Gillespie - Virginia Technical Academy Providing Hands-On Technical Training

Dave Gillespie - Virginia Technical Academy Providing Hands-On Technical Training

Dave joined the Coast Guard at the age of 17. He spent 20 years on active duty. Called back to active duty from retirement after 9/11 Dave served again from 2003-2005. He came to realize that his hands-on training was unique in learning to be an electrician. After his second retirement he opened the Blue Crab Appliance and then the TruBlue Appliance Repair company. He saw the need for more skilled technicians in the technical fields. He started teaching repair classes out of his retail store. The demand for these classes continued to grow. As a result, the Virginia Technical Academy was founded.

Virginia Technical Academy

“On August 14, 2018, Virginia Technical Academy was established as a post-secondary education school, approved and certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia as a post-secondary educational facility.” The Virginia Technical Academy provides hands-on technical training. It also provides a network of support for HVAC technicians, electricians, plumbers, appliance technicians and facilities management technicians. The unique curriculum is over 50% hands-on. This approach sets students up for success in their new fields. Dave’s goal “is to have the best trade school and make it available for all with or with out a high school degree.” Out of the first graduating class of 110 students, 99 of them had a job before graduation. They are working on getting certified to be able to accept the GI Bill.

Curious to see who else has been in the VeteranCrowd Spotlight?  Check them out  here.


Learn More:

Virginia Technical Academy:  https://vtacademy.com/

Phone Number: 757-260-3351

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Feb 26, 202133:56
71 - Sultan Camp - Veteran and Military Spouse Recruiter for Newport News Shipbuilding

71 - Sultan Camp - Veteran and Military Spouse Recruiter for Newport News Shipbuilding

Sultan Camp - Veteran and Military Spouse Recruiter for Newport News Shipbuilding

Sultan Camp joins the VeteranCrowd podcast to share the value of hiring veterans and military spouses. He is the Veteran and Military Spouse Programs Leader for Newport News Shipbuilding, a Division of Huntington Ingalls. It is the nation’s “only industrial designer, builder and re-fueler of Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carriers and one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building Nuclear-Powered Submarines”.

Navy Career

He spent his first career serving in the Navy. What started out as an attempt to join the Army, a late recruiter caused him to head to the neighboring Navy recruiter’s office. Sultan was a sonar technician. He says, “My time in the Navy was a complete blast”. It set him up with the leadership skills and disciplines needed to be successful in any job after his service.

Recruiting Veterans & Military Spouses

He actively recruits veterans and military spouses to work at the Newport News Shipbuilding facility. Huntington Ingalls has a commitment from the top that makes the company military and veteran friendly. It won recognition from Military Times as one of the nation’s best places to work for veterans. Sultan knows the deep network of military spouses. It is this network that allows the shipyard the confidence they need to hire a military spouse. They know that the military spouses’ network can often fill their position before they even leave it vacant.

Learn More:

Email: sultan.t.camp@hii-nns.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sultancamp/

Jobs & Internships at Huntington Ingalls

Hampton Road Military Affairs Committee 

Article: Congratulations on Your Military Service…Now Here are 9 Reasons Why I Won’t Hire You 

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Feb 23, 202139:13
70 - Kevin Black - Army Veteran, Podcaster and Leadership Expert of Unconventional Strategies

70 - Kevin Black - Army Veteran, Podcaster and Leadership Expert of Unconventional Strategies

Kevin Black - Army Veteran, Podcaster and Leadership Expert of Unconventional Strategies

Kevin Black, a Virginia Military Institute graduate and former Army military infantry officer steps into the spotlight today. He is a leadership expert, Forbes coach and host of the Black Market Leadership podcast. His military experience drove him to become an entrepreneur. He wanted to offer businesses an unconventional leadership education.

Black Market Leadership

Kevin saw a distinct difference between how the military and civilian sectors train their people in leadership. He decided to take his computer war gaming experience from the military and create a unique leadership education for the private business world. He has helped create over half a billion dollars of value for his clients, through the training and coaching of their executives, directors and frontline managers. His clients can “gain new insights from a non-traditional perspective, connecting leadership to strategy and management, and diving deep into history, military history, and philosophy.”

“In leadership, there's really two major pillars, people and mission, if you can balance both, you can be a success.”

Black Market Podcast

His podcast is an extension of his leadership training. It’s an opportunity to gain a “leadership education usually reserved for billon-dollar companies”. Kevin will teach you the "art and science of leadership the way military leadership and elite Fortune 500 leaders do".  He gives you the insights and knowledge that help you excel in your field, business and life.

Curious to see who else has been in the VeteranCrowd Spotlight?  Check them out  here

Learn More:

Email: kevin@blackmarketleadership.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kevinblack1999

Website: https://blackmarketleadership.com/

Podcasts: https://blackmarketleadership.com/podcast/

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Feb 19, 202139:13
69 - “Iron” Mike Steadman - Shares About Boxing, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Making an Impact in Your Community

69 - “Iron” Mike Steadman - Shares About Boxing, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Making an Impact in Your Community

“Iron” Mike Steadman - Shares About Boxing, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Making an Impact in Your Community

Mike Steadman didn’t grow up boxing, but found his love for it at the Naval Academy. He became a three-time National Collegiate Boxing Champion during his time there. After graduation he was commissioned as a Marine Corps Infantry officer and served until 2015. His experience gave him a passion to serve the inner city youth, teaching both boxing and leadership.

“There’s no better way to unleash your inner bad-ass than training like a boxer.  You’ll build the grit, confidence, and discipline that will enhance and improve every aspect of your well-being, personal development, and job performance.”

Ironbound Media

As a self-proclaimed renaissance man, Mike is a successful entrepreneur and founder of Ironbound media. He produces his own podcasts and helps other businesses do the same. “I feel like podcasting is the future of publishing, writing the book and stuff is awesome, but there is nothing like hearing your guests' voices and sharing it to the universe. I think it's really powerful.”

Ironbound Boxing

After visiting boxing gyms in various cities, Mike felt “the kids didn't have any options outside the ring, that it was either turn pro or go back to the streets. In the inner city, that's what a boxing gym does.” This frustration led to the creation of Ironbound Boxing, a reproduction of Mike's own training at the Naval Academy. “Our goal is to use the transformative powers of boxing to create champions both inside and outside of the ring. As an organization, we’re committed to providing free amateur boxing training, entrepreneurial education, and employment opportunities to inner-city youth & young adults.”

Learn More:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iron-mike-steadman-3387586a/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironmikesteadman/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NativeSonSpeaks

Ironbound Media Website: https://ironboundmedia.com/

Ironbound Boxing Website: https://ironboundboxing.org/

Podcasts:

The Transition

Confessions of a Native Son

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Feb 16, 202137:50
68 - Jake Hutchings - RecruitMilitary Connecting Employers With High-Quality Veteran Talent

68 - Jake Hutchings - RecruitMilitary Connecting Employers With High-Quality Veteran Talent

Jake Hutchings - RecruitMilitary Connecting Employers With High-Quality Veteran Talent

Jake Hutchings is the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Sales for RecruitMilitary. It was in 2001, after 9-11 that Jake felt the call to serve in the military. He accepted an ROTC scholarship and four years later found himself in the Army. His own personal experience has given him a desire to help his fellow veterans find the right employment after serving. RecruitMilitary helps both veterans find the right job, but also companies learn how hiring veterans can be beneficial.

RecruitMilitary

“RecruitMilitary is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI), the largest military-focused recruiting company in the U.S. Together, BMI and RecruitMilitary offer employers access to more than one million military job seekers via services that include contingency recruiting, military job fairs, a job board, employer branding, a military base publication, and more.”

Businesses Seeking Veterans

Businesses are often overwhelmed by what seem like nontransferable skills a veteran might have coming out of the military. RecruitMilitary seeks to help businesses learn what veterans bring to the table in areas that are often overlooked. It offers the “nation’s largest single-source veteran database with over one million members.”

Veteran Seeking Jobs

For any veteran looking for a job after their service it can be a daunting task. RecruitMilitary is there to offer free job search support. It will help a veteran learn how to transfer their military skills into the civilian workforce and find a fulfilling job.


Learn More

RecruitMilitary Website: https://recruitmilitary.com/

RecruitMilitary LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/recruitmilitary

Jake Hutchings LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jchutchings

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Feb 12, 202133:55
67 - Angela McConnell - Founder of NOVA Veterans Association, a Comprehensive Veteran Care Organization

67 - Angela McConnell - Founder of NOVA Veterans Association, a Comprehensive Veteran Care Organization

Angela McConnell - Founder of NOVA Veterans Association, a Comprehensive Veteran Care Organization

Angela McConnell’s entrepreneurial work, 22 years in the military and experience within the military and civilian health care systems has given her a passion to help veterans. While working with various veteran service organizations she found many are singularly focused and could only help one type of veteran. She wanted to know why there wasn’t a “one stop shop” to offer comprehensive care for veterans. She saw many veterans just didn’t know where to get their resources. This ultimately led to the founding of NOVA Veterans Association in 2015

NOVA Veterans Association

Northern Virginia Veteran Association is  “one point of entry for comprehensive support". This unique approach helps the whole veteran get care.  "We are the only local veteran nonprofit that performs a comprehensive veteran intake, determines priority of needs, case manages, coordinates with multiple potential service providers, advocates, and provides continual follow up to ensure services are received and continued as needed."

Success Story

McConnell shares about one veteran in particular. It shows how NOVA Veterans Association is truly meeting the needs of the veterans in their community. Arthur, was a veteran in need of transportation. McConnell was able to connect him with a service to meet this need, but that was just the beginning of this relationship. As Arthur continues to get his needs met he in turn has been able to volunteer himself and serve other veterans.

Curious to see who else has been in the VeteranCrowd Spotlight?  Check them out  here.

Learn More

Nova Veterans Website: https://www.novavets.org/donation/

Upcoming Events: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veteran-health-needs-in-the-pandemic-moving-toward-innovative-solutions-registration-132463793773

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/novavets

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mcconnell-497915a/

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Feb 09, 202138:59
66 - Jason Van Camp - Unique Leadership Training and Veteran Entrepreneur Support

66 - Jason Van Camp - Unique Leadership Training and Veteran Entrepreneur Support

Jason Van Camp - Unique Leadership Training and Veteran Entrepreneur Support

Jason Van Camp is a West Point graduate and decorated Green Beret. He took this foundation and hasn’t stopped building. From successful business owner to author to nonprofit founder. He is honored to be the founder of Warrior Rising as well as the CEO of Mission 6 Zero. His passion to serve the veteran community is unstoppable.

Veteran Entrepreneur Support

Described as his passion project, Jason launched Warrior Rising in 2015. This organization set out to create an opportunity for veterans “to create something sustainable, where they can do it for themselves and build something. It gives them purpose.” Warrior Rising helps veteran entrepreneurs to start or accelerate their businesses.

Deliberate Discomfort

Being an author was always on his bucket list, but after creating a successful company it seemed a natural next step. His story telling ability matched with leadership wisdom are paired beautifully in this hard to put down leadership book. Deliberate Discomfort” is the ultimate book on leadership and self-improvement, pushing you to get out of your comfort zone.

Curious to see who else has been in the VeteranCrowd Spotlight? Check them out  here.

Learn More

Mission 6 Zero Website: http://www.missionsixzero.com

Warrior Rising Website: https://www.warriorrising.org/

Justin Clapsaddle Knives:https://www.facebook.com/clapsaddleknives/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-van-camp-076a5339/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5oRLrXJyLR_63embDN8UcQ

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Feb 05, 202137:34
65 - Dr. Kendra Lowe - Air Force Veteran, Military Spouse and Author of “Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat"

65 - Dr. Kendra Lowe - Air Force Veteran, Military Spouse and Author of “Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat"

Dr. Kendra Lowe - Air Force Veteran, Military Spouse and Author of “Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat"

Dr. Kendra Lowe’s own unique journey has given her a passion to help military spouses. She started her military journey at the Air Force Academy. Kendra loved her time on active duty, but decided to hang up her uniform and let her husband continue to wear his. From active duty to military spouse she had a “front row seat to some of the traumas, setbacks, successes, discrimination and celebrations that military families experience.”

Military Spouse

Dr. Kendra continued to pursue her education. Working on her master’s and doctorate she researched the topic of military spouse stress. She wanted to answer her question: “Was I the only one experiencing it, or were there more military spouses out there that were experiencing significant stress?” Her research showed her she wasn’t alone. This fueled her desire to help others in the same boat.

Author

She determined she wanted to meet spouses where they were “in their living room” and the best way to do this was with a book. “Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat” has become an invaluable tool to help military spouses face the unique challenges of a military spouse. “Dr. Kendra has expertly woven research, personal anecdotes, powerful stories from other military spouses, as well as practical principals of Rational Behavioral Therapy to help individuals work through stressful situations while maintaining better emotional control.”  This books is indispensable for all military and first responder spouses.

Curious to see who else has been in the VeteranCrowd Spotlight? Check them out  here.

Learn More

Website: https://drkendralowethriveonllc.com/

Email: drkendra@icloud.com

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Wake-Up-Kick-Ass-Repeat-113845850043144/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkendralowe_thriveon/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kendra-lowe-97294986/


About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Feb 02, 202132:42
64 - Robert G. Williscroft - Retired Submarine Officer and “Real Life” Jack Ryan

64 - Robert G. Williscroft - Retired Submarine Officer and “Real Life” Jack Ryan

Robert G. Williscroft- Retired Submarine Officer and the “Real Life” Jack Ryan

Tom Clancy might have said; “The only way to do all the things you'd like to do is to read” but he never met Robert Williscroft. Robert has spent a lifetime taking adventures most of us only read about. Have you spent 22 months underwater or a year at the South Pole? Robert has and so much more. His love for adventures has led him to author over 17 books and hundreds of articles, both fiction and nonfiction.

Adventurer

He has a degree in Marine Physics and Meteorology and a doctorate “for developing a system to protect SCUBA divers in contaminated water.” From the Arctic to the South Pole and a year at the equatorial Pacific are just a few of the many places Robert has been.

Author

Robert’s journey as an author began as a young kid. He shares, “When I was a teenager, I wrote a science fiction story, the editor, bless his heart, wrote me a letter back and said, you got a ways to go kid, but keep at it.” That is what he did! His bestseller, "Operation Ivy Bells" blends his own personal experience on that mission with fictional characters. It's sequel, “Operation Ice Breaker” is already available. Also be watching for the third book in the Mac McDowell Mission series, “Operation Arctic Sting”. It's in the final editing stage and will be released soon.

Learn More

Website: https://argee.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/argee/

About Your Host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Jan 29, 202134:45
63 - Dennis Volpe – Retired Naval Officer and Author of “Transition on Purpose”

63 - Dennis Volpe – Retired Naval Officer and Author of “Transition on Purpose”

Jan 26, 202137:11
62 - Jen Amos – Award Winning Podcaster of Holding Down the Fort

62 - Jen Amos – Award Winning Podcaster of Holding Down the Fort

Jen Amos – Award Winning Podcaster of Holding Down the Fort  

Jen Amos is an award winning podcaster and online entrepreneur.  Growing up as a Gold Star Daughter and later becoming a military spouse has taught her the importance of community. Podcasting has not only given her the ability to build a community across the country but also an avenue to battle depression.  

Her podcast, Holding Down the Fort is “dedicated to curating knowledge, resources and relevant stories for military spouses, so they can continue to make confident and informed decisions for themselves and their families.” Jen covers a wide variety of topics, but her preferred ones involve military families, entrepreneurs, women, and mental health.  

With over 300 episodes under her belt, she has a passion to get to know her guests. She truly appreciates the unique story each one shares. As a podcaster her favorite thing to do is learn what she has in common with her guests. Jen shares, “I think podcasting has been the perfect medium to find community in anyone you interact with, we all come from different walks of life, but we're more alike than different. My primary goal when I interview people is to find out what do I have in common with this person."  

Learn more  

Website:  https://www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holdingdownthefortpodcast/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hdtfpodcast 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/holdingdownthefortpodcast/ 

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKKFDnb9OPV2LMcvBbJFW4Q 

About your host Bob Louthan - VeteranCrowd  

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Jan 22, 202132:23
61 - Elise Woodworth – Small Town Indiana Girl to Executive Coach in the DC Metro Area

61 - Elise Woodworth – Small Town Indiana Girl to Executive Coach in the DC Metro Area

Elise Woodworth – Small Town Indiana Girl to Executive Coach in the DC Metro Area

Elise’s fear of not making something of herself, led this small town girl to follow in her father’s footsteps attending the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). This decision, along with a four year stint in the Air Force, laid the foundation she needed to pursue entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship

Elise says her time at VMI and in the Air Force gave her the leadership skills and “opportunity” to fail, which made her into the person she is today.  She shares; ”One of the things I think people need to understand is that all you need to overcome obstacles, recognize problems and find solutions in business and in your personal life is the right mindset.”

Woodworth Enterprises

She founded Woodworth Enterprises in 2014. Their mission is to “ignite tomorrows leaders, inspire today's, and help develop teams that will shape history.” One way of achieving this goal is by evaluating the culture of a company, then giving their leadership insight on what values are shared and a clear picture of their workforce’s heartbeat. This evaluation becomes a tool that leadership can use to decide if they want to make any “tweaks or edits” in their management approach.


Learn more

Website: https://www.betterwithwe.com/

LI:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisewoodworth/

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/betterwithwe

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Jan 19, 202136:09
60 - Mike Sformo, Founder and CEO of Operation Backbone

60 - Mike Sformo, Founder and CEO of Operation Backbone

Mike Sformo, Founder and CEO of Operation Backbone is our guest in this episode of the Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network. Sformo grew up in the Buffalo area and joined the Navy right out of high school.

"I learned so much, it was such a blessing. Where I am today is because of the Navy - the friendships, the connections,  it was the greatest thing ever."

Founded almost ten years ago, Operation Backbone performs thousands of skull and spine surgeries for our nation's warriors.The problem is significant - traumatic brain injuries and serious spine problems can develop after repeated blows, and one can never predict the tipping point.

In addition, our warriors are prone to tough out the injuries - it's a part of the culture. They have careers at risk, security clearances, retirement, benefits. Thus they endure the pain until problems compound or reach the breaking point. Many of these injuries are career ending, but the warriors would rather die than quit.

"It's hard to accept and it's devastating. The mental side of things is crushing. It's depressing." Says Sformo

There are many challenges, and Operation Backbone has made great progress with active duty personnel, but veterans lag behind. The VA was created to serve a certain type of disabled veteran, but lacks the structure to support the needs identified by Operation Backbone. And identifying the incident that leads to a long term injury is so much more difficult with the veteran.

Sformo credits the military for instilling the disciplines and grit to be a successful business person. "Everything, everything, everything, it's. It took my life and went and it put me in line."

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

Learn more

Website: https://operationbackbone.org/mike

LI:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/operation-backbone-llc-disabled-veteran-sdvosb-mike-sformo-15444a172/

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/mike.sformo/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mikesformo/

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Jan 15, 202138:07
59 - Doug Spitz - US Army Chemical Corps to i2Pure CEO

59 - Doug Spitz - US Army Chemical Corps to i2Pure CEO

Doug Spitz - US Army Chemical Corps to i2Pure CEO

When Doug Spitz took on the challenge of going through VMI, little did he know how difficult it would be. He suffered a serious injury late in the first semester of the Rat Line.

"I went home with a broken sternum and I did the worst thing I could have possibly done - laying down for two weeks. And because I was breathing very shallow and I developed pneumonia and I couldn't return."

So he had to start all over ...walking the Rat Line twice.

Spartan Experience

Spitz credits the Spartan experience and the full day for his drive, work ethic and stamina.

After graduation, he chose the Army Chemical Corps, in part because chemical weapons were becoming the 'third world nuclear arsenal." And he learned many lessons in the military that have served him well in business.

"I think that the military education and military experience gives you a degree of confidence, capability, and a stick-to-it-iveness that I don't believe our peers in the civilian colleges possessed."

Venture Capital and Techstars

Spitz has been an advisor to Bay Area venture capital firms and an advisor to Techstars. Focused on startups selling to the Federal Government, Spitz believes there is a lot of money on the sidelines for the right technology and the right business model.

And now he serves as the CEO of i2Pure, which is manufacturing and marketing products internationally using molecular iodine to solve the toughest anti-microbial problems. And though not available yet in the US, i2Pure products are very effective in Covid-19 prevention in three foreign countries including India.

So we asked Doug Spitz to step into the Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network.


More about our Guest

Doug Spitz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-spitz-4b7b169/

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/i2cure/

Website: https://www.i2cure.com.sg/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/i2cure

Twitter: https://twitter.com/i2cure

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxAzelNlf_fl5ZYTQB7mNFg

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Jan 12, 202150:10
58 - Brent Gleeson - Embrace the Suck - The Navy SEAL Way to an Extraordinary Life

58 - Brent Gleeson - Embrace the Suck - The Navy SEAL Way to an Extraordinary Life

Brent Gleeson - Embrace the Suck - The Navy SEAL Way to an Extraordinary Life

An award winning entrepreneur, best selling author and acclaimed speaker, Brent Gleeson forged his skills in the crucible of the military.  He is stepping into the Spotlight to share an inside look at his new book Embrace the Suck - The Navy SEAL Way to an Extraordinary Life.

The book is a  treasure. Brent has woven tales from the military and business into the fabric of the book, sharing actionable steps to change your personal and professional life. Instead of running from discomfort, Brent encourages the reader to embrace the hard things. For it is in struggle and through failure that we make real progress.

Brent is the Founder and CEO of Taking Point Leadership, a leadership and organizational development consulting firm building high performance teams and resilient cultures.

A combat veteran, Brent says the entrepreneur's world is tough and scary - so he is helping others inject leadership skills to drive better results,  and navigate change successfully. And this is his second book. His first, Taking POint: A Navy SEALs 10 Fail-Safe Principles for Leading Through Change, became the foundation for his business.

More about our guest

Personal LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentgleeson-takingpoint/

Personal Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/brent_gleeson/

Taking Point Website: https://takingpointleadership.com/

Taking Point Twitter: https://twitter.com/takingpointL

Taking Point LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/takingpointleadership/

Taking Point Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takingpointleadership/

Taking Point YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrUm7le3H5ehmEyD1RgsMfw

Taking Point FB: https://www.facebook.com/TakingPointLeadership/

Embrace the Suck Book: https://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Suck-Navy-SEAL-Extraordinary/dp/0306846330#ace-2342880709-- 

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Jan 08, 202142:53
Brent Gleeson will be our guest on January 8th

Brent Gleeson will be our guest on January 8th

An award winning entrepreneur, best selling author and acclaimed speaker, Brent Gleeson forged his skills in the crucible of the military.  He is stepping into The Spotlight to share an inside look at his new book Embrace the Suck - The Navy SEAL Way to an Extraordinary Life.

Jan 07, 202100:43
57 James Patrick - Special Forces veteran on entrepreneurship, transitioning and giving back

57 James Patrick - Special Forces veteran on entrepreneurship, transitioning and giving back

James Patrick - Special Forces veteran on entrepreneurship, transitioning and giving back

James Patrick attended Cornell on an Army ROTC Scholarship, a detour from the University of Michigan, his family school. And until a mentor convinced him to "give the Army one more chance," he was ready to leave after his initial tour. 

But stay he did, and selection to Special Forces led to command and a path he would never surrender.

No regrets. A great experience.

Now an executive managing risk in San Antonio, Patrick is also the Chairmen of the Board of Sound Off, a non-profit whose mobile application allows individuals in a mental health crisis to see an anonymous path to help. 

In this episode, Patrick shares his wisdom as an entrepreneur, military transition mentor, and volunteer.

On Entrepreneurship 

Founding a business, Patrick said, "Running my own company was probably the most stressful event I've ever had to come across - more so than being in combat."

On Transitioning

Patrick gives three points: 1) Use your network, ask for help 2) Know your true North and why and 3) Know your passions.

Why Volunteer?

Patrick says he was blessed and fortunate all of his life, so called to pay it forward. Relying on his fiath in God, he knows we are not in this alone - we all need one another. He lives by the Golden Rule, doing unto others as he hopes they will do with him. And he emphasizes "being kind, gracious and loving."

His story about the calling to Sound Off is divinely inspired.

Patrick is our second guest from Sound Off. We previously aired an episode with William Negley, Founder and CEO.

About our guest

James Patrick LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestpatrick/

SWBC LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swbc/

Sound Off website:  https://sound-off.com/

Sound Off LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sound-off-inc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundofforg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soundofforg/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoundOFF

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Dec 29, 202043:21
56 Sound Off delivers an anonymous gateway to mental health - William Negley, Founder steps into the Spotlight

56 Sound Off delivers an anonymous gateway to mental health - William Negley, Founder steps into the Spotlight

When William Negley returned from Afghanistan in 2013 after serving in the CIA, he felt called to a new mission. Hegley recognized that individuals in mental health crises, especially veterans and military personnel, don't reach out for help for fear of the consequences.
Mental health carries a stigma, asking for help is perceived as weakness, and seeking help can sideline career aspirations. So upwards of 47% of military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan in a mental health crises never seek professional help.
But Negley's story is more tragic.
On June 9, 2017, Negley's brother-in-law took his own life. Bill Mulder had retired 127 days earlier after twenty years as a Navy SEAL.
"Bill did not feel safe accessing mental health support or effectively engaging with mental health support for exactly the reasons that I had started Sound Off." Negley said. "I mean, we're already suffering in silence as a society, but the military in particular, pushes seeking help underground."
Sound Off is an elegant solution. Drawing on military tactics, Sound Off allows individuals in crisis ANONYMITY. By Simply assigning a call sign and never tracking the individual, Sound Off becomes a safe gateway for individuals to seek and find the help they need.
And the current pandemic, with job loss, financial pressures, and isolation makes the mental health need more acute.
So we asked William Negley to step into the Spotlight to help other step out of the shadows.
More about Sound Off and our guest
Sound Off website:
sound-off.com/
Sound Off LI: www.linkedin.com/company/sound-off-inc/
William Negley on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wwnegley/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/soundofforg/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/soundofforg/
Twitter: twitter.com/SoundOFF
About your host
Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.
Dec 22, 202049:11
55 - Thomas Brennan - Marine turned Journalist - Founder of The War Horse

55 - Thomas Brennan - Marine turned Journalist - Founder of The War Horse

55 - Thomas Brennan - Marine turned Journalist - Founder of The War Horse 

The road to journalism began on November 1, 2010. Thomas Brennan was a Marine Infantryman in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.  He says it was the worst day of his life - a rocket propelled grenade took down four Marines, Brennan among them. 

A year later and in the process of medical retirement, the photos an embedded journalist took of that day were crucial to Thomas's recovery. 

Wrestling with the loss, Brennan had little recollection of the events, and having difficulty expressing in speech, he picked up a journal and began to write.  An acquaintance at the New York Times agreed to help Thomas polish his grammar, but three hours later was asking if they could publish his story. 

That was 2011.  

Inspired by the stories from WWII veterans and seeking a new call to service, Brennan founded non-profit The War Horse in 2015 with a $50,000 Kickstarter campaign. Today The War Horse boasts a growing staff and a reputation for serious investigative reporting.  And they are master storytellers, refreshing in a day when most for-profit journalism is sensationalized opinion disguised as news. 

The Spotlight 

We asked Thomas Brennan to step into the Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network.  

Links 

Visit The War Horse Newsroom online at https://thewarhorse.org/ 

Follow Thomas J. Brennan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasjamesbrennan/

About your host  

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. 

Dec 18, 202040:19
54 - Recon Marine and Navy Seal - Mike Sarraille talks Leadership and the Talent War

54 - Recon Marine and Navy Seal - Mike Sarraille talks Leadership and the Talent War

Dec 15, 202043:34
53 - Navy EOD Veteran to Indoor Skydiving - Bob Pizzini elevates your leadership

53 - Navy EOD Veteran to Indoor Skydiving - Bob Pizzini elevates your leadership

Navy EOD Veteran to Indoor Skydiving - Bob Pizzini elevates your leadership

Bob Pizzini says Navy EOD is the "Nation's best kept secret and most lethal weapon." And all this time I thought that title went to the Army Combat Engineers.

Pizzini enlisted in the Navy at 18 and began a 26 year first career that included Navy diving and "about a thousand jumps" from aircraft. Training all over the country, he realized Virginia Beach needed and did not have a vertical wind tunnel. The location seemed perfect - a combination of high density military and a resort destination for civilians.

That began a six year marathon culminating in the opening of iFly Virginia Beach in 2015 in the heart of the oceanfront. 

Pizzini seems to be a natural entrepreneur - but admits he knew nothing when he started. He sought the training he needed to succeed in business for himself, but when he sought the kind of leadership training for his staff he had experienced in the military, it just wasn't there. 

So Pizzini has launched Elevate Your Leadership to bring military style leadership education to the private sector. 

"Leadership is a perishable skill." says Pizzini

So he teaches the critical traits of a leader and the art and science of leadership. He discusses his "verses" ...

Lead vs. manage, culture vs. climate, voice vs. vote, performance vs. behavior - a great play on words.

You will enjoy his style and manner, and you should consider a trip to iFly Virginia Beach and the Elevate Your Leadership training for your team. 

Links:

For more about Bob Pizzini and Elevate Your Leadership and on Linkedin and on Facebook
Want to visit iFly Virginia Beach - click here

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.



Dec 04, 202044:09
52 - Bobby Garland - Fund the First is crowdfunding for first responders

52 - Bobby Garland - Fund the First is crowdfunding for first responders

How will we look back on 2020? In a year of great political unrest, a global pandemic, contested elections, it is hard to tally the cost, even harder to see the silver lining.

But we believe in this country.  As in hard times before, it is resilient and spawns new and creative innovation. 

Bobby Garland, John Eichorn, Michael LaLuna, Kevin Darcey, and Mitch Weinstein co-founded and launched Fund the First this summer. Fund the First is the only crowdfunding site that certifies the identity of the first responder, medical and military beneficiaries. 

As an active first responder, Bobby Garland has seen firsthand the hardships that the brave men and women who serve their communities face both on and off duty. As CEO and Founder of Fund the First, his sole mission is to provide a trustworthy platform where fellow first responders, members of the military and their families can get financial support in times of need.

The inspiration for Fund the First came when Bobby set out to help his superior officer who was facing mounting medical expenses related to his daughter’s rare illness. As he researched the best ways to raise money, he realized his brothers and sisters in blue were skeptical of existing crowdfunding sites. It was then, Bobby made the decision to build a better platform that all first responders and military can trust.  

Beyond Fund the First, Robert is a decorated Detective with the New York City Police Department where he specializes in complex investigations. During his 12 years in law enforcement, Robert has worked in various roles and the NYPD’s Narcotics Division which included various joint interagency operations with the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

About Fund the First and Bobby Garland

On Instagram

On Facebook

On Twitter

On LinkedIn

On YouTube

On TikTok

Parler - @fundthefirst

And visit the website FundtheFirst.com

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.

Dec 01, 202043:18
51 Checca's Raiders - The Great Army Mule-napping Caper and the VMI Class of 1982
Nov 11, 202052:00
50 Top Gun's Top Ten: Leadership lessons from the cockpit with Guy Snodgrass, CDR USN (Retired)

50 Top Gun's Top Ten: Leadership lessons from the cockpit with Guy Snodgrass, CDR USN (Retired)

Guy Snodgrass, Commander, USN (Retired) is a former US Naval Aviator, Top Gun Instructor, and FA 18 Fighter Pilot.  

A speechwriter in the Pentagon for the Chief of Naval Operations, and later for GEN Mattis as Secretary of Defense. Guy (call sign “Bus”) is also the author of two books including Top Gun’s Top Ten: Leadership lessons from the cockpit. 

A 1998 graduate of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Snodgrass developed a love and interest in aviation at a young age through the Boy Scouts. While at Annapolis, he spent one semester in enemy territory studying at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Upon Graduation, he was one of fifteen to be sent to graduate school, earning the first of three masters degrees from MIT. 

After flight school and selection for jets,  his first tour took him to Oceana and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was selected to attend theUS  Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun), and upon completion was selected to a “rush ride” and offered the chance to remain as an instructor. He went on to be a squadron commander on a second tour in Japan, before serving as speechwriter to the SECDEF. Snodgrass is also the CEO of Defense Analytics, a consulting firm he founded after retirement from the Navy in 2018. 

The Spotlight 

We asked Guy to step into the Spotlight to share some of the lessons from his book. 

TopGun’s Top Ten is a great collection of stories that have a moral. In each chapter, Snodgrass draws the reader in with a real life experience that makes his point on topics like staying calm under pressure, and leading in times of crisis. A speechwriter, his skills with the written word are apparent, and he says a lot without needing to write a lot. 

About our guest 

Learn more about Guy Snodgrass on LinkedIn Check out his book Top Gun's Top Ten: Leadership lessons from the cockpit 

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.

Nov 10, 202045:51
49 Pro football, rocket scientist and Green Beret - Lee Harvey of Team Rubicon

49 Pro football, rocket scientist and Green Beret - Lee Harvey of Team Rubicon

Three things I know I have ever said in the same sentence: "pro football, rocket science and Green Beret." But our guest Lee Harvey is, literally, all three!

Lee Harvey is the Crisis Innovation Lead for Team Rubicon. Founded in 2010, Team Rubicon deploys volunteers to provide relief to disaster areas the world over. Its "gray shirts" are forward deployed right now helping the victims and survivors of Hurricanes Laura, Sally, Delta and Zeta.

And almost 70% of those gray shirts are military veterans.

So we asked Lee Harvey to step into the Spotlight.

The Spotlight

Lee grew up in Missouri in a vulnerable community and with a challenging home life. So enlisting in the military seemed like a path out. 

"The military became a father figure for me because it taught me discipline, esprit de corps and leadership - it became a father figure for me." Harvey says. 

When it came time to re-enlist, "I felt that at that point in my life I had reached is as far as I can go in my current position, I was like, you know what? I've always wanted to be an educated man. So I got out and I decided to go to college and step out on that branch of faith."

Harvey attended Texas Southern University and played D-1 college football. He also majored in engineering - one of only two players on the team to do so. (Author's - sarcasm: Was the other engineer the kicker?). 

The NFL scouts noticed, and the Vikings and the Eagles came calling. He ended up with the New Orleans Saints, "probably where I was the most dedicated to anything ever in my life."

When that ended, as all football does, he returned to Houston. A college acquaintance had once offered him a shot interviewing for NASA - so he called back. 

Lee became a satellite tracking engineer communicating with the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station and working with the flight director.

Then one day he saw a parachute team out the window - he had to ask. The path to Green Beret laid before him. Afraid of heights, but sure he wanted to be a part, Harvey overcame his fear- he has over three hundred jumps himself. 

This is a fascinating story about a man who took some difficult paths and triumphed, but not without  tragedy. PTSD, and heartbreak.  

About our Guest

Lee Harvey on LinkedIn

Team Rubicon

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.


Nov 06, 202040:15
48 Mark Casper of Tech for Troops - Marine Corps to Laptops

48 Mark Casper of Tech for Troops - Marine Corps to Laptops

Mark Casper, a former Marine, had lost touch with the veteran community until December 17, 2015.

Then he walked into Tech for Troops.

“I was asked by the Founder to come in, visit Tech for Troops and see if I wanted to be on the Board. Absolutely, I will do that – it’s veterans I want to help out; it’s my brothers and sisters. And when I walked in the door God smacked me upside the head and said, “You’re home.””

It has been a hard a winding road since that day almost five years ago, but Mark's passion for the mission is evident.

Tech for Troops helps veterans who have fallen on hard times. Without a computer, you can accomplish little these days, especially in the midst of a pandemic. Tech for Troops gifts refurbished donated laptops to veterans in need and trains them to arm them with computer skills to be effective.

Some localities have staggering statistics. In Los Angeles, 13% of the estimated 55,000 homeless are thought to be veterans. Tech for Troops reaches nationwide.

Marshall is one such veteran. On the verge of suicide and mired in total hopelessness. Tech for Troops was able to provide Marshall a computer, skills and hope. And...introductions to employers. Marshall lost his first job to the pandemic, but found another with their help and is on the verge of a six figure income.

Having a computer can make all of the difference. 

And sponsors like Altria, Carmax, and Dominion are stepping up in support.

Hack for Troops is coming up on November 14th - a 24 hour online contest you need to check out. Contestants are coming the world over. 

About our Guest and Tech for Troops

Mark Casper on LinkedIn.

Web page - https://techfortroops.org/

FB -  https://www.facebook.com/Tech4Troops/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/TechForTroopsVA

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/4794466/admin/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/techfortroops/

Get the Hack for Troops Flyer - click here

About your host 

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.



Nov 03, 202043:33
47 From the Marine Corps to the Navy Seals - Kevin Seiff USNA '08

47 From the Marine Corps to the Navy Seals - Kevin Seiff USNA '08

When Kevin Seiff was twelve years old, he discovered the Navy and decided he wanted to become a Navy SEAL. His quest successful, Kevin entered BUD/S in Coronado.....
Fifteen years later.
Kevin Seiff steps into the Spotlight
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seiff learned about the Naval Academy through his grandfather, father, uncles and cousins that served.
"I didn't know the difference between an officer and enlisted, or much of the differences between the branches other than the Army fought on the ground and the Navy was on the water."
At Annapolis, Seiff played water polo and boxed well enough to make his mark in the Brigade Championships.
But the competition was stiff for SEAL slots. The Class of 2008 attracted a large number of serious midshipmen in a wartime footing. Fewer than 26 slots were available to a class of over a thousand. Sief would have to wait.
But he did not relent. Seiff commissioned and served as a Marine for almost four years, applying twice before success and orders for BUD/S at 27 years of age.
Kevin shares his journey, the challenges and trials.
Residing in Encinitas, CA has recently transitioned, attended the Honor Foundation, and is currently Head of Business Development - Biotech for Theery, where he sources professional talent for the Life Sciences industry.
About our guest
Kevin Seiff on LinkedIn
Theery on LinkedIn
The Honor Foundation
About your host
Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.
Oct 30, 202044:21
46 Army ROTC to Pharma - Stan Miele - President of Aqualung Therapeutics

46 Army ROTC to Pharma - Stan Miele - President of Aqualung Therapeutics

The path from Army ROTC to Pharma is one less traveled. Stan Miele, the President of Aqualung Therapeutics, stepped into the VeteranCrowd Spotlight.

Miele entered Army ROTC at the University of Dayton, and selected the Army Medical Service Corps with an eye to the post-military applicability. That turned out to be the first step in a career in the pharmaceutical industry spanning over 35 years and leading to his role at Aqualung.

Aqualung Therapeutics is developing promising monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of unchecked inflammation. Their leading product has wide potential applications with specific benefits in acute lung injuries.  Addressing trauma induced inflammation, the product helps regulate the cytokine storm and dampen runaway inflammation. Aqualung believes the product will have a significant mortality benefit, and is condusting trials to complete FDA certification. 

Miele credits his military experience as a foundation for success in his career. 

"You don't know how to become an effective leader until you have that baptism by fire." he says.

A motorcycle enthusiast, Stan Miele now resides in Payson, AZ, a small town he discovered northeast of Phoenix. Passing through on the Harley, he and his wife fell in love with the town and choose to make it home. 

About our guest

Stan Miele on LinkedIn

Aqualung Therapeutics company page on Linkedin

Follow Aqualung Therapeutics on Facebook

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.



Oct 27, 202039:32
45 Annapolis to Blockchain - Stephanie Vaughan USNA '07

45 Annapolis to Blockchain - Stephanie Vaughan USNA '07

You trust your bank to be private, accurate and secure. So how is Blockchain technology the next evolution in trust, privacy, accuracy and security?
Stephanie Vaughan, VP Corporate Development at Equa, stepped into the VeteranCrowd Spotlight to tell us how.
A 2007 graduate of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, she commissioned into the Marine Corps. After five years of active duty, she earned her MBA at Columbia and entered investment banking. Her career path includes venture debt, venture lending, and now blockchain technology.
Blockchain and digital currencies continue to evolve.
But blockchain applications are not limited to digital currency like Bitcoin. Equa is developing blockchain applications for the tokenization and digital forms of securities. So imagine a new way to compensate employees with stock, only digital. This technology allows even small business to have an efficient, verifiable, secure means of issuing incentives.
And blockchain does not stop there - Equa will be applying it to a wide variety of applications where accuracy and security are required.
But enough about that.
Stephanie also shares her thoughts on military business leaders, and we discussed the evolving role and acceptance of women at the Academies and on active duty.
About our guest
You can learn more about Stephanie Vaughan on LinkedIn or Follow her on Twitter
And learn more about Equa
www.equa.global/
About your host
Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.
Oct 23, 202043:51
44 The Fear Sherpa - Brian Muka tames your fear

44 The Fear Sherpa - Brian Muka tames your fear

Fear as your ally - that is the theme of everything Brian Muka does these days. 

Brian Muka is the Founder of Fear Sherpa and the author of Your Secret Superpower - Tame Fear to Thrive.  A special operations officer in the US Navy, Brian learned to harness his fear and use it as an ally. Now he is sharing these lessons through his books and business.

So we asked Brian to step into The Spotlight.

About our guest

Book your free breakthrough call here

Download "Your Secret Superpower, Tame Fear to Thrive!" on Amazon, Your roadmap to thrive when it matters the most: 

Learn more about Brian Muka on LinkedIn

Two short videos from Brian Muka - Fear can be an amazing tool and Fear Sherpa

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded VeteranCrowd to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.

And consider Joining the VeteranCrowd Network today

Oct 20, 202040:47
43 Take one more step or fall down - Tim Mobley in the Spotlight

43 Take one more step or fall down - Tim Mobley in the Spotlight

Tim Mobley learned a valuable life lesson at US Army Ranger School. “I had the choice to take one more step or fall over,” he said.

And life as an entrepreneur is much the same way.

In 2008 when Mobley’s boss handed him an outsourcing book, saying “Read this and do something,” that meant India. So Mobley did, and in the process learned all of the tools he would need to launch a company of his own.

In the Spotlight

Tim Mobley is the Founder and President of Connext Global Solutions, a business process outsourcing company located in Honolulu. BPO is broadly defined as contracting the operations and responsibilities for a certain process to a third-party service provider.

Mobley is a 1993 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point. He branched Medical Services upon graduation, only to be assigned to an Infantry Battalion and sent to Ranger School.

An economist at heart and interested in business, Mobley long planned for business school and attended Harvard. Not to be left out, Mobley’s wife decided to attend business school too, and got accepted first!

An Army connection invited Mobley to Hawaii to work in hospital management, and he and his wife have lived there ever since.

Business Process Outsourcing

Mobley founded Connext Global Solutions in 2014 with a partner, personal savings and one customer. Today that business has grown to 170 employees and is continuing to expand. Connext sources talent in the Philippines and focuses on staff augmentation for clients primarily in the medical field. The company has plans to expand from Hawaii to offer services in the contiguous forty states.

About our guest

You can learn more about Tim and Connext Global Solutions  with the following links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connextglobalsolutions

Website: https://www.connext.solutions/

ShareShop (Web Development) Website: https://shareshop.connextglobal.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connextglobalsolutions

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded

VeteranCrowd to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.

And consider Joining the VeteranCrowd Network today

Oct 16, 202042:27
42 Scott Tucker - Author of Veteran Wealth Secrets in the Spotlight

42 Scott Tucker - Author of Veteran Wealth Secrets in the Spotlight

Scott Tucker, author of Veteran Wealth Secrets,  acknowledges we surrender a lot of our liberty when we enter the military. So, as we transition out, we have a responsibility to get that freedom back and become autonomous again, personally, professionally and financially.

He is the founder of US Veterans Wealth, the author of a new book Veteran Wealth Secrets and the creator of the Thirty Day LinkedIn Liberty Challenge. He provides powerful tools to help the veteran find financial freedom.

The Spotlight

So we asked Scott Tucker to step into the Spotlight.

Scott Tucker grew up wearing camo pants and studying the Civil War. So it was a natural thing for him to consider West Point. A 2002 graduate, Scott served in Germany and in OIF II as an Air Defense Artillery officer and as a liaison in an Air Force squadron.

As a language major at USMA, words matter and have meaning. Consequently, how we say things and how we communicate have a significant impact.

Take the term “Military Transition Process.”

Military” – It is focused from the military point of view.

Transition” – it is a change.

Process” – the military has some boxes they need to check

Bottom line, it’s about the military and not about the individual...

When Tucker hears canned guidance that each transitioning service member has to do certain things a certain way, Tucker responds, “Says who?”

Veteran Wealth Secrets

So why not write a book about it? After twenty years of perpetual war, the transition back to civilian life has become another “out-processing center.” Designed without much regard for the future and best interest of the veteran, Tucker thinks it is time for a fresh view.

VeteransWealth Secrets is "The playbook for obtaining financial control in the modern economy."

He writes, “Trends continue to show that veterans do not feel transition assistance programs are preparing them for a successful transition into civilian life.” Citing the Blue Star Families 2019 Military Family Lifestyle Survey.

“The big takeaway here is that a substantial percentage of military families are struggling financially even before transition. And people who are struggling to meet their day-to-day and month-to-month financial responsibilities do not have the means to implement any longer-term financial plans, which means they probably aren’t even making them.”

So rather than publish yet another “how to”  guide on resume writing and what kind of suit to buy, Tucker takes us on a deeper dive. Each veteran needs to find their passion and seek a career that leads to real independence, autonomy, and individual and financial freedom.

About our guest

You can learn all about Scott Tucker on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrtucker/

US Veterans Wealth online at   https://usvetwealth.com   and on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/usvetwealth

His new book https://VeteranWealthSecrets.com

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded

VeteranCrowd to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.

And consider Joining the VeteranCrowd Network today

Oct 13, 202042:12
41 - Michael Donnelly - Navy SEAL chases passion to help others with CBD Path

41 - Michael Donnelly - Navy SEAL chases passion to help others with CBD Path

When Michael Donnelly was designing the logo for his new company, he chose the image of the compass to indicate  direction, and the elephant to show loyalty, strength, memory and confidence. CBD Path is a new company providing hemp-based cannabinoid products designed to help with pain, anxiety, inflammation and sleep issues.  About Michael Donnelly

Michael Donnelly is a former Navy SEAL, residing in Miami, founder of Alarm and Electronics Systems, and CBD Path. He is a board member for the Navy Seal Museum and  motivational speaker  passionate about paying it forward.

Coming out of high school, Mike admits he wasn't the best student, so he mapped out a path to the military. Initially lured to become a Green Beret, he took a look at the Navy on advice of his mother. Seeing parachuting and explosives, he decided to seek to become a Navy SEAL "before being a SEAL was cool."

Mike was one of 18 out of 127 candidates to graduate with BUD/S Class 173. Mike spent ten years on active duty, leaving in 1998 and serving a short period with the Navy Reserve. 

Mike worked in the low voltage security alarm business in multiple roles before starting a company of his own. Today that company has multiple offices installing smart home technology across Florida and Georgia. 

CBD Path

Mike is truly passionate about helping the veteran community, so when cannabinoids were approved by the Federal Government, he starting researching. CBD Path was formed and now offers a variety of oils, topicals, pills, gummies and pet treats.

We asked Mike to step into The Spotlight with a challenge - we were skeptical. These products still need additional research, so we dug in on the science and the positive outcomes. While there is a long path ahead, these products are generating notable results, and the success stories Mike shares are compelling. 

Reach and follow CBD Path

Website: https://www.thecbdpath.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecbdpath/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecbdpath/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5fAL6Md5QDn1YlaAT9x39g

A special offer for VeteranCrowd Spotlight listeners

Visit the website and enter the code VETERANCROWD25 for 25% off the entire site! (expires 12/01/20)

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded VeteranCrowd to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.

Oct 09, 202042:43
40 – Dr. Bob Adams – Swords, saints and six days of impossible

40 – Dr. Bob Adams – Swords, saints and six days of impossible

Bob Adams’ Great-Great-Grandfather’s battlefield commission at Gettysburg hangs on the office wall, a reminder of generations of service.

But Bob Adams almost broke the tradition, a grandson of the CNO from the Naval Academy Class of 1926, Bob was “more interested in motorcycles and girls” than going into the military until he read an article about the then very secret Navy special warfare operatives.

That article changed his course, and Bob Adams headed to the Naval Academy with the Class of 1973 determined to become a SEAL.

Today, Adams is a retired physician, an author, and veteran who is still paying it forward.

Visit the Swords and Seals website.

The stops along the way suggest the course was not so straight and narrow.

Because there were only three slots for the Class of 1973,  for Adams spent time in the fleet before being accepted to BUD/S training. Adams would be one of eleven out of 70 to complete SEAL training and pin on the Trident.

He would earn his MBA, enter the business world and hate it, and then decide, at the age of 35, to apply to medical school. With an Army scholarship in hand, Adams resigned his Navy commission, and his 0-5 rank, and became a freshly minted Second Lieutenant. He would become a Command Surgeon within Army Special Operations and also deploy to Iraq with the 82nd.

And… build a private medical practice outside Raleigh, NC, then author two books, support veteran causes, and mentor entrepreneurs in medicine.

He’s busy even in retirement.

We asked Bob to step into the Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network.

More about Dr. Bob Adams

Six Days of Impossible Adams returns to interview his BUD/S classmates to discover why some succeed and many do not.

Swords and Saints a book of stories of a doctor's  life changing experiences. 

Bob Adams on LinkedIn shares the legacy of paying it forward, one step at a time. 

Victory Strategies is a leadership development company comprised of elite leaders.

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded VeteranCrowd to bring veterans and veteran led business together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob on LinkedIn

Oct 06, 202042:32
39 Veteran Shark Tank will splash December 7 - Alex Archawski - Founder steps into The Spotlight

39 Veteran Shark Tank will splash December 7 - Alex Archawski - Founder steps into The Spotlight

The Veteran Shark Tank – Eighth Edition will splash on the scene on December 7, 2020. Applications for Military Veteran Businesses to pitch their company and have a chance for the $50,000 First Prize close on October 19.

Alex Archawski is the Founder of the Veteran Shark Tank. He steps into the Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network today.

Born in France, Archawski immigrated to the US as a young boy, sailing into New York beneath the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. A family of service, his grandfather was an infantry officer who survived the trenches of WWI with the French Army, and his father served in the French Navy.

Following their footsteps, Archawski enlisted in the US Navy and served as a rescue swimmer and later in small boats in the Navy Reserve.

For the past decade, Archawski has been very active within the veteran community in the Greater Philadelphia area. He helped form the Greater Philadelphia Veteran Network, an organization devoted to connecting veterans and get them supporting one another. This network boasts over a thousand members and businesses in the region.

The Veteran Shark Tank event promises to be unique this season, going virtual to overcome pandemic challenges.

The keynote speaker will be NASCAR Driver and Naval Academy alumnus Jesse Iwuji, who was a previous guest on The Spotlight (listen to that episode here).

About Alex Archawski

You can learn more about Alex Archawski on LinkedIn.

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded

VeteranCrowd to bring veterans and veteran led business together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob Louthan on LinkedIn.

Subscribe to the VeteranCrowd Network

Oct 02, 202043:37
Episode 38 - Authentically American and Made in the USA - Dean Wegner in The Spotlight

Episode 38 - Authentically American and Made in the USA - Dean Wegner in The Spotlight

In the midst of a global pandemic, Americans are seeking more products made in the USA.

Dean Wegner, Founder and CEO of Authentically American, is our guest on this episode of the VeteranCrowd Spotlight. He is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point. Once commissioned in the Army, he flew helicopters, and was one of a very few aviators to attend and compete Ranger School.

Becoming an Army officer was the by-product of other ambitions, including the love of ice hockey. West Point’s quality education and a chance to play hockey were enough to lure Wegner to the banks of the Hudson.

Upon leaving the Army, Wegner developed business development and marketing strategy skills at P&G and Mars before acquiring an apparel business that produced uniforms for the military.

In 2017, Wegner sold his interest in the apparel firm, and started Authentically American. The initial business plan was a blank sheet of paper.

Seeking a key point of differentiation, Wegner focused on quality American made clothing at a fair price. “In 1993 when I went to West Point, 50% of apparel was made in the USA. Today that number is less than 3%.” Said Wegner.

With a vision to return manufacturing to the US, Wegner found partners in the US across twelve states to develop his supply chain network.

Authentically American expects to triple sales in 2020, even with a significant impact from the pandemic.

A special offer for Spotlight listeners:

SHOP Authentically American: LINK  *Discount Code: FOUNDER = 25% off total purchase (*one-time only purchase; tracked by email address)


Learn more at the VeteranCrowd Network

Sep 29, 202041:58
Episode 37: Letters From Home - Sam Meek of Sandboxx

Episode 37: Letters From Home - Sam Meek of Sandboxx

Sam Meek is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sandboxx.

Growing up in Sun Valley, ID, Sam learned to ski and spent countless hours outdoors.

He also grew up in a family of Marines. Sam almost always knew he too would become a Marine. So, when the Towers fell on 9-11, he enlisted and headed off to Pariss Island. Sam had two deployments, the second to Fallujah, where a non-combat injury and recovery brought him back to the States.

Sam left the Marine Corps after five years.

While trying to determine his next step, Sam started caddying. A golf course conversation led to an interview and a job on Wall Street working for a hedge fund…sometimes showing up makes all the difference.

That happenstance meeting really started Sam on the path to Sandboxx – it's funny how our lives make so much more sense in hindsight.

The Spotlight

We asked Sam to step into The Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network.

Join us as Sam shares the story of the foundation of the company. He shares the story of his unique founding partner, Ray Louis “E-Tool” Smith,  MG - USMC Retired.

Sam describes how Sandboxx found that one unique thing that makes a company different.

And he shares some of the trials of starting a company and being the CEO.

About Sam Meek

Follow Sam on LinkedIn

And stay up with all things Sandboxx:

Facebook: /sandboxxapp

Instagram: /sandboxxapp

Twitter: @sandboxx

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded VeteranCrowd to bring veterans and veteran led business together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob on LinkedIn.

Sep 25, 202040:29
Episode 36 - Capital for Military Veteran Startups - Seda Goff at the PenFed Foundation steps into the Spotlight

Episode 36 - Capital for Military Veteran Startups - Seda Goff at the PenFed Foundation steps into the Spotlight

What makes veterans such successful entrepreneurs?

Seda Goff thinks it is "problem solving" and an "ingrained sense of purpose."

Seda Goff is the Director of Veteran Entrepreneurship at the PenFed Foundation. Part of Pentagon Federal Credit Union, the PenFed Foundation was formed in the period right after 9-11 to assist veterans in need. Over the years, the Foundation has helped thousands.

And now it has taken the initiative to support and invest directly into veteran-led startup businesses.

We sat down recently and asked Seda to step into the Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network.

Seda is not a veteran, but her family and her career path followed veterans all the way. A graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy in Istanbul and having served in the Turkish Navy, Seda's father came to the US and taught at the USMMA, LSU and West Point. But Seda calls DC home. She attended college as a sailing team member and lacrosse player.

And she's no stranger to entrepreneurship herself. Seda traces those roots back to the lacrosse team she started in high school, and she has been bitten with the startup bug ever since.

Seda's experience includes work at The Capitol Post in Alexandria and as a leader for Bunker Labs in the DC area.

And now the PenFed Foundation is investing directly in promising startups, and hosting a Masters Program for entrepreneurs. The first cohort met this month in a retreat at Patriot Point in Maryland.

Learn more about Seda Goff on LinkedIn
Are you a veteran looking to connect with others? Are you a veteran led business seeking resources to help you prosper?
Subscribe to or Join the VeteranCrowd Network




Sep 22, 202035:01
Episode 35 - Leadership and coaching go hand in hand - Ben Pappas steps into The Spotlight

Episode 35 - Leadership and coaching go hand in hand - Ben Pappas steps into The Spotlight

Leadership and coaching go hand in hand - just ask Ben Pappas.

A football player in high school, Ben attended the US Naval Academy to play linebacker and special teams. When he was injured, the team kept him on as a coaching assistant. The seeds of coaching were sown.

The Spotlight

We asked Ben to step into The Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network.

Ben Pappas is the CEO and Founder of Ben Pappas Leadership and Life Coaching. He has over 25 years of leadership experience in some of the most demanding positions and environments on earth. Ben has led, mentored, and coached thousands of people from across the US and world.

Leadership

Ben’s leadership experience spans commanding precision raids in direct combat, promoting foreign relations in Europe and Asia, coaching people to achieve personal and business success, teaching graduate-level leadership courses, and even leadership on the football field.

His expertise includes leading organizational change, and helping people make breakthroughs to achieve peak performance, intervention, negotiation, communication, change management, building teams, and improving decision-making skills.

He is a former Marine special operations leader who can assess, develop, and achieve individual, and organizational goals. Ben commanded the elite 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, one of only three Special Operations Forces battalions in the Marine Corps. He also served as a platoon commander with 1st Force Recon and was in charge of the Basic Recon Course in Coronado and Camp Pendleton, CA, which included Scout Sniper School.

His other overseas assignments included a regional tour as a Foreign Area Officer in the US Embassy in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, and as the Marine Attaché to Italy where he served as an accredited diplomat and advisor to senior US officials. He worked with both US and foreign diplomats to foster relations and facilitate dialogue on strategic international issues.

Education

Ben is a graduate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He is also a distinguished graduate of the National War College in Washington, DC, where he earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy with a focus in strategic leadership and planning.  He also holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. He completed several intensive language programs at the Defense Language Institute and is proficient in French, Italian, and Tagalog.

After graduate school, Ben was selected to serve as a faculty member at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, a graduate-level university program, in Quantico, VA. In this capacity, he lectured and led seminars on leadership and strategy planning for hundreds of US and international military and government leaders.

Learn more about Ben Pappas Leadership and Life Coaching

Follow Ben on LinkedIn

About your host

Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded VeteranCrowd to bring veterans and veteran led business together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob on LinkedIn

Sep 18, 202040:13
Episode 34 - Military Veterans make better entrepreneurs - just ask Emily McMahan

Episode 34 - Military Veterans make better entrepreneurs - just ask Emily McMahan

Military Veterans make better entrepreneurs - just ask Emily McMahan. She’s part of a new investor network bringing venture capital directly to military veteran startups.

So we asked Emily to step in The Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network.

Off to West Point

Growing up in Massachusetts near the New Hampshire border, Emily visited the United States Military Academy for the first time when her older brother was touring colleges. “I remember getting dragged to go to West Point when my older brother was looking at schools.” said McMahan. “I really felt this sense of awe, and the aura of the school really impacted me.”

McMahan did tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq as a MP.

So she joined the Class of 2001, decided the Military Police was the branch for her, and quickly found herself at the Pentagon after 9-11. She saw combat tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and was awarded the Bronze Star...twice.

McMahan settled in the Washington area after separating from the Army in 2006, joining a classmate's company. The West Point network proved invaluable, and DC soon became home.

The City of Alexandria formed the Capitol Post in 2014 in the height of sequestration to assist with veteran transition.

When McMahan approached Todd Connor of the Bunker Labs about collaborating, Todd’s immediate response was”Yes!”

Capitol Post, McMahan and Seda Goff hosted four cohorts totalling 55 veteran led businesses. Seda Goff has moved to the PenFed Foundation, and McMahan is one of three founders of the Academy Investor Network.

Backing the Veteran Entrepreneur

The Academy Investor Network is bringing together pre-seed and Series A capital for veteran-led (industry agnostic) or a civilian-led startup that is focused on GovTech / DefenseTech space.. The AIN opens up venture capital investment opportunities to graduates of the five military academies - an investment class many cannot access.

Members of the network are uniquely positioned to assist in the due diligence process, with both military and government experience.

McMahan is also a driving force in the Common Mission project. Started at Stanford, the Common Mission Project enlists teams of students to solve government problems. The program has expanded to over thirty schools in the US and now reaches to the UK as well.

Learn More

Emily McMahan on Linkedin

The Academy Investor Network

Academy Investor Network – website, LinkedIn, twitter – Co-Founder is Sherman Williams (USNA 2003)

The Common Mission Project

Common Mission Project – website, LinkedIn, twitter – Executive Director is Alex Gallo (also USMA 2001)

About Bob Louthan

Bob is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded VeteranCrowd to bring veterans and veteran led business together with each other and the resources they need to prosper. You can learn more about Bob on LinkedIn

Sep 15, 202037:24
Episode 33 - VeteranCrowd Spotlight - Jerry Flanagan of JDog Brands

Episode 33 - VeteranCrowd Spotlight - Jerry Flanagan of JDog Brands

Jerry Flanagan of JDog Brands launched his first company because he was simply tired of making a lot of money for the guy who owned the company.

"Of course, I quickly fell flat on my face."

He went back to the old job, then he and his wife ventured out again, creating a birthday party business and gaining six franchisees in the first two years. But 2008 happened, and the "Moon bounce" went flat.

They say the third time's a charm...

So in 2011, seeking a "recession proof business," Jerry started hauling junk. That business, "JDog" now has 230 franchise contracts and continues to expand.

So we asked Jerry to step into the VeteranCrowd Spotlight.

Jerry is an Army Veteran and entrepreneur who, along with his wife Tracy, have created a national Veteran brand dedicated to empowering Veterans through entrepreneurship. Rooted in the Military values of Respect, Integrity, and Trust, the JDog®️ Junk Removal & Hauling and JDog®️ Carpet Cleaning franchise systems have become a nationwide movement, creating business and employment opportunities for Veterans and Veteran family members.

They launched the first JDog Junk Removal & Hauling franchise in 2011. It was a two-person operation – Jerry hauled junk and Tracy managed the back office. As a Veteran, Jerry gained trust and credibility with customers quickly, and referrals came easy. Within a year, he had more business than one person could handle and began hiring local Veterans who embodied the brand’s values.

Through Jerry’s vision and leadership, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling has since grown to hundreds of locations, 90 percent of which are Veteran owned. To date, the company has created more than 1,000 job opportunities across the United States.

Jerry also founded the JDog Foundation, whose mission is to support Military Veterans and Military Veteran-related causes – with a particular focus on suicide prevention, PTSD and higher education programs.

You can follow the JDog Family in multiple ways:

Reach out to Jerry on LinkedIn

JDog Brands

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jdogbrands

Twitter https://twitter.com/JDogBrands

And on Linkedin

Junk

On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jdogjunkremoval

On Twitter https://twitter.com/JDogjunkremoval

On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/j-dog-junk-removal/

And on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jdogjunkremoval/

Carpet

On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jdogcarpetcleaning

On Twitter https://twitter.com/JDogcc

On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jdog-carpet-cleaning

And on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jdogcarpetcleaning/

Now, should you become a Member of the VeteranCrowd Network?

Sep 11, 202041:43
Episode 32: VeteranCrowd Spotlight - Daniel Gade Republican Candidate for the US Senate in Virginia

Episode 32: VeteranCrowd Spotlight - Daniel Gade Republican Candidate for the US Senate in Virginia

Politics is a tough business, and for a long time I have felt we need more leadership in Congress - specifically more veterans.

And while the Presidential campaign floods the airwaves, it is the local and statewide elections this fall that will shape Congress and the political landscape.

I also believe the future of our nation depends upon an informed electorate, and so much of the news and information today is influence rather than fact. We have to invest more time listening.

Because we want to share the facts and let you decide, we asked Dan to step into the VeteranCrowd Spotlight.

Dr. Daniel Gade is certainly tough enough to enter the political arena.

He is a decorated combat veteran running to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia in the US Senate race in November. A West Point graduate, Class of 1997, he was severely wounded by an IED near Ramadi in Iraq in 2004, eventually losing his right leg.

When he bled out from his wounds and exhausted the supply of blood at the field hospital, 25 Sailors and Marines with A+ blood stepped up, saving his life.

“This is America at its highest and best.” he said.

Refusing to let the enemy determine when he would leave the Army, he recovered and served until his retirement in 2017.

Now Dan is the Republican candidate for the US Senate in Virginia seeking to unseat incumbent Democrat Mark Warner.

Dan was open - we talked about national issues and Virginia. Though this is his first run, he is no stranger to Washington. We talked about the economy, education, reforming healthcare, and veterans.

He is a scholar on the Constitution. We discussed free speech, gun measures, and attempts to modify or eliminate the Electoral College. And he did not shy away from the current political unrest, nor the attempts by fringe elements to hijack the message. Many thanks to Dan for stepping into the Spotlight. 

You can learn more at www.GadeforVirginia.com

Facebook @GadeforVirginia

Twitter  @GadeforVirginia

Instagram @GadeforVirginia

And you can become a part of the VeteranCrowd Network at www.veterancrowdnetwork.com

Sep 08, 202037:32
Episode 31: SeaWolf Brewing Company - Alan Beal and Robert J. O'Neill

Episode 31: SeaWolf Brewing Company - Alan Beal and Robert J. O'Neill

When Robert J. O’Neill and the group of Navy SEALS embarked on the mission to take down Osama Bin Laden in May of 2011, they did not think they would be coming back.

“We did it for the people in Flight 93, who were the first Americans to fight Al-Qaeda.”

At great risk, Operation Neptune Spear concluded a man-hunt for the World’s most wanted terrorist. spanning almost ten years.

Rob, and his partner, Alan Beal stepped into the Spotlight this week on the VeteranCrowd Network. Together, they are building SeaWolf Brewing Company, a craft beer company in Annapolis dedicated to the military community.

With brands like “Cat Shot”American Lager, and “Special Hops” IPA, the product has gained traction in the exchange system. The company is scaling up quickly, with plans for its first brewing operation and national expansion.

Alan Beal is a 35 year veteran of the food and beverage industry with a passion for beer and the military. As CEO, he is steering the expansion of the company with plans for a brewpub in the Maryland/Virginia area. He also envisions a national rollout, and the expansion of the brand outside of the Navy theme.

Alan hails from a four branch Military family. His Grandfather, Father, Brother, Nephew, two Uncles, and several Cousins served in the US Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force.

Robert J. O’Neill is Seawolf Brewing Company's Director of Military Relations and National Brand Ambassador. Rob is a former Navy SEAL, and the author of the best-selling book “The Operator: Firing the Shots That Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior.”

Rob is a sought-after public speaker, appearing frequently at events and on television. A social media influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers, Rob’s career is closely followed.

Rob is also the Founder of the Special Operators Transition Foundation, which provides individualized transition support for Special Operations heroes and their families.

Beer. Life lessons. Missions. Current events. Movies. Reality.

This team opened up for the Spotlight. The SeaWolf Brewing Story and that of a Navy SEAL just doing his job at a pivotal world event make for some interesting conversation.

  • Building a beer brand
  • Becoming a Navy SEAL
  • That fateful mission - what happened and what Hollywood got wrong.
  • Giving back and finding your next mission in life.
  • Controversy, criticism, and writing books.
  • And tweets gone wrong and rogue.

You can learn all about Alan Beal, Rob O’Neill and Seawolf Brewing Company

Seawolf Brewery Links:

Website: www.seawolfbrewery.com

Instagram: @seawolfbreweryannapolis

Twitter: @SWBannapolis

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/SeawolfBrewery/

Robert J. O’Neill Links:

Website: www.robertjoneill.com

Instagram: @mchooyah

Twitter: @mchooyah

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RJORobertJONeill/

Sep 04, 202035:02
Episode 30: MG Cedric Wins - From College Basketball to The Military

Episode 30: MG Cedric Wins - From College Basketball to The Military

In his senior year in high school, Cedric Wins turned down a scholarship to the US Naval Academy to play basketball. He could not see the transition from college basketball to the military.


So retiring after 34 years in the Army, MG Wins thinks that youthful decision makes for “an interesting backstory.”


“Three years was my military commitment. The other 31 was all gravy.”


We asked MG Cedric Wins to step into the VeteranCrowd Spotlight.


The Spotlight


We covered a lot of topics in this episode:

  • The transition from College basketball to the military.
  • Being a part of many “first” within his career.
  • The influence of mentors and NCOs in his experience.
  • Solving problems and leading - lessons for the military and the civilian.


MG Wins retired effective December 31, 2019, after a distinguished career and seeing the world. WIn’s last assignment was the commanding general of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC). There he led the transformation and organizational re-alignment of CCDC from the Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM).


The CCDC is the army’s largest research & development organization.  Its mission is to discover, develop and deliver technology that produces capability to ensure decisive overmatch in unified land operations for soldiers and the joint warfighter.


In the eight months since retirement, MG Wins has remained very busy. He begins his new role at L3Harris starting September 1.


And he has also been actively engaged in two  non-profits solving problems for underserved youth. “I am a living breathing example of what can be accomplished.”


Wins serves on the board of Great Minds in STEM, an organization steering underserved youth to science, technology, engineering and math programs.


He also supports Resolve Solutions and E. Sean Lanier who was a previous Spotlight guest.


About MG Wins


MG wins  graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He holds masters’ degrees in management from the Florida Institute of Technology and in national security and strategic studies from the National War College.


Learn more about MG Cedric Wins, USA Retired

Cedric Wins on LinkedIn

Sep 01, 202046:28
Episode 29: Navy veteran, spouse, and author Charlie Palumbo steps into the Spotlight

Episode 29: Navy veteran, spouse, and author Charlie Palumbo steps into the Spotlight

Charlie Palumbo Navy is a veteran, a military spouse, an author and a hiring expert. She is our guest on this episode of the VeteranCrowd Spotlight Podcast.

Charlie Palumbo was jealous. During her senior year in high school, her younger brother was receiving mail from military recruiters and she was not.

So it did not take long for Charlie to march down to the recruiting office to make her interest known, and to enlist in the Navy.

And since then, Charlie has served on a Navy cruiser, seen the far reaches of the globe, and been a military spouse. She has held positions in government and the private sector serving and hiring veterans in the workforce. She is an author having published The Face of a Memory: Emerging after the Military through Poetic Voice.  And she is currently the Veteran Program Manager for the Delivery Service Partner Program for Amazon Logistics

We asked Charlie Palumbo to step into the VeteranCrowd Spotlight. In this episode, she shares her journey from recruit to executive.

The VeteranCrowd Spotlight

During this episode, Charlie, a Navy veteran, spouse and author, shares how:

  • There is a difference between a sponsor and a mentor.
  • It is important to build your professional network.
  • You can discover your new mission in life.
  • The role of women in the military is changing and evolving, and the impact that 2 million women veterans are having in this country
Charlie Palumbo

Follow Charlie on LinkedIn

Aug 25, 202034:39
Episode 28: Taylor McLemore- Managing Director of Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator and Founder of Patriot Boot Camp

Episode 28: Taylor McLemore- Managing Director of Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator and Founder of Patriot Boot Camp

Nine years ago, Taylor McLemore penned a blog article about how we, as a startup community,  could do more to support veterans. The “germ of that idea” came from family members who had been in the military, and Taylor’s resulting passion  to “serve those who served.”


Taylor was surprised when a tweet directed at Davod Cohen, one of the co-founders of Techstars got a very direct response. “Cool idea. What do you think we should do?” That call to action set the Patriot Boot Camp in motion.


We asked Taylor to step into the Spotlight on the VeteranCrowd Network.


So today Taylor McLemore is a venture builder, scale operator, community connector, and investor. He currently serves as the Managing Director of the Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator in Denver.



And Taylor is also the founder and a board director for Patriot Boot Camp, the spawn of his blog post, the nonprofit that supports military veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. Patriot Boot Camp programs have worked with more than 1,000 military veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs to build technology companies of impact and scale.


These companies have raised more than $110 million in venture capital and created more than 2,000 jobs.


I met Taylor in Chapel Hill in 2015 when I attended Patriot Boot Camp as a speaker and mentor for the first time. Over the course of additional PBC events in places like Detroit and Austin, I watched this weekend seminar have a profound impact on veterans and military spouses starting all manner of businesses.


And I also grew to appreciate Taylor’s talent  and passion for the military community.


In this episode we cover:


Conviction is a more powerful motivator than capital gain.


Entrepreneurs are made, not born.


The power of a team aligned on the right mission.


The impact of  COVID 19 and the tech answers coming from it.


Mentor driven entrepreneurial models and much more.


And we talk about the impact of the Patriot Boot Camp - learn more at the PBC Web Page


Techstars


Techstars is a  global platform for investment and innovation. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas—entrepreneurs create the future, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Today the mission is to make innovation accessible to everyone, everywhere. Visit the Techstars web page


More about Taylor McLemore


You can see Taylor’s Profile on LinkedIn


Previously, Taylor was Managing Director of Able, a venture and product studio. While at Able, he was a co-founder and investment lead for Codeable, a coding school in Latin America. Taylor serves on the Colorado Banking Board.


He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Spanish, Phi Beta Kappa from Davidson College.

Aug 18, 202042:06