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Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Bret Petkus and Russell Toll are Army veterans and co-founders of Compassion Neurohealth, a neuroscience-driven brain health practice focused on changing how mental health is measured and treated. As an accomplished healthcare executive, Bret brings significant P&L leadership across medical and life science companies, while Russ, a Stanford-trained neuroscientist and combat veteran, leads the scientific development behind their technology. Their paths into this work were shaped by distinct but deeply personal experiences. Bret's own traumatic brain injury exposed gaps in how neurological damage is identified and addressed, while Russ witnessed the long-term impact of blast exposure during his service in Iraq. Their shared commitment to improving brain health led to a partnership grounded in both mission and medicine. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Bret & Russell about: Battlefield to Brain Science: Russell's experience with blast exposure and Army medicine, and how it shaped his commitment to advancing neurological care. The Injury You Can't See: Bret's unexpected discovery of his own TBI decades later and the mission it sparked. Precision Starts with Data: How EEG data and the Halo platform map dysregulated brain networks before prescribing precision TMS. Engineering Long-Term Recovery: Tracking outcomes through ongoing assessments and follow-up scans to maintain remission and intervene early. Mission Beyond Medicine: Their nonprofit initiative supports Gold Star families and expands access to care for those who cannot afford treatment.    Timestamps: 00:38 Brett's Background and TBI Discovery 02:01 Russ's Combat Experience and Shift into Brain Health 04:26 Connecting on LinkedIn and Building the Clinic Partnership 05:59 Personalized TMS and the Halo Mapping Platform 08:03 Suicide Loss and the Cockpit Metaphor 13:26 How Halo Identifies the Right Brain Networks 17:51 Patient Stories and the "Veterans Aren't Broken" Perspective 19:35 Durability, Follow-Ups, and Long-Term Monitoring 32:56 Scaling Clinics, SaaS Expansion, and Heroes in Mind Connect with Bret & Russell: LinkedIn | Bret Petkus  LinkedIn | Russell Toll Compassion Neuroscience  [email protected]  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Bret and Russell for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jesse Prince is an Army veteran who served nearly six years on active duty, including two combat tours to Iraq. After transitioning from the military, he built a career in commercial real estate brokerage while earning his Master's in Real Estate Finance from NYU, graduating near the top of his class and deepening his expertise in institutional-level real estate. Today, Jesse is the founder of IncrediVer, an AI-powered accredited investor verification and qualification platform for private fund managers and capital raisers. An engineer by training with years of experience in securities offerings and real estate technology, he helps issuers streamline compliance, reduce onboarding friction, and move serious investors from interest to investment more efficiently. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Jesse about: From Platoon Leader to Principal: How Jesse bridged a decade of military service with institutional real estate knowledge to compete with seasoned professionals. Building IncrediVer from Scratch: How Jesse identified a broken accreditation process and built an AI-powered tool that reduces 5–7 day verifications to under two minutes. Turning Your Website into a Conversion Engine: How IncrediVer transforms a static marketing page into an active lead scoring and qualification system for issuers. 506(b) vs. 506(c), Breaking It Down: The key differences between private and publicly solicited offerings and how IncrediVer removes the biggest barrier to going 506(c). The Billion-Dollar One-Man Company: Jesse's long-term vision of building a technology-driven, AI-powered capital markets company through warm introductions and strategic growth.   Timestamps: 00:52 Jesse's Military Background 02:04 Real Estate Pivot and NYU 03:52 Low Minimum Investing Idea 05:43 Problem with Accreditation Verification 07:52 Building IncrediVer Fast 14:08 How the Funnel Works 21:47 Beyond Compliance Differentiation 23:11 Goals and Moonshot Vision 25:58 506B vs 506C Deep Dive Connect with Jesse: LinkedIn | Jesse Prince www.incrediver.com  [email protected]  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Jesse for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Tom O'Hare is a U.S. Navy veteran and the founder of Keel Capital and Keel Home Development, where he leads multifamily and infill residential projects across the Midwest and Northern Virginia. Before starting his own companies, Tom spent 17 years in real estate investment banking and later served as CIO and COO of a national single-family rental platform. During that time, he worked on large institutional portfolios and gained firsthand experience in how deals are evaluated, financed, and executed at scale. He now brings that perspective into his own development work. Today, Tom focuses on workforce housing and ground-up projects that help close supply gaps in growing markets. He partners with investors, local governments, and community stakeholders to move projects from concept to completion and deliver housing that meets real community needs.   In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Tom about: Stepping Into Entrepreneurship: What it took for Tom to leave a corporate executive role and "turn pro" as a full-time developer Midwest Multifamily Strategy: Why markets like Michigan and Ohio offer strong demand, supply gaps, and favorable development incentives Urban Infill Development: How shorter-cycle projects in Northern Virginia complement long-term multifamily developments The Brixton Project: A 148-unit workforce housing development backed by tax increment financing and strong rent fundamentals Deal Sourcing Through Relationships: Why Tom finds the best opportunities through networks, direct outreach, and boots-on-the-ground insights.   Timestamps: 00:28 Tom's Real Estate Journey 01:20 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 04:46 Types of Real Estate Projects 07:57 Current Projects and Market Focus 10:12 Future Goals and Plans 14:31 Sourcing Deals and Partnerships   Connect with Tom: LinkedIn | Thomas O'Hare www.keelcap.com [email protected]  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Tom for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Tim Siemer is an Air Force veteran, aviator, and partner at SMB Equity, a real estate private equity firm investing in stabilized and development projects nationwide. At SMB, Tim focuses on evaluating new opportunities and managing investor relationships, applying a disciplined risk management approach shaped by years in military and commercial aviation. He works alongside his father, Mike Siemer, who transitioned into real estate investing after a career as a CPA and corporate CFO for both public and private companies. Over the past 24 years, Mike has helped lead SMB Equity through more than $3 billion in transactions, scaling the firm through long-term partnerships, disciplined underwriting, and a focus on tangible, value-driven assets. Together, they combine generational experience, financial expertise, and risk discipline to offer individual investors access to institutional real estate opportunities.     In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Mike and Tim about: Scaling a Multi-Billion-Dollar Real Estate Platform: Mike's transition from CPA and corporate CFO to leading more than $3 billion in real estate transactions over the past two decades. Choosing Ownership Early: Tim investing his Academy loan into real estate instead of spending it, reinforcing a long-term asset-based wealth strategy. Risk Management in Real Estate: Applying aviation discipline to deal evaluation, downside protection, and structured decision making. The Power of Relationships: SMB's emphasis on trusted operators, repeat partnerships, and character as the first filter in any investment. Alternative Investments with Discipline: Positioning private real estate as a complementary asset class within a diversified portfolio.   Timestamps: 01:02 SMB Equity Overview 01:45 Origins And Early Deals 05:35 Selling Before The 2008 Crash 06:54 Post Recession Pivot 09:24 Investor Base And Tax Edge 11:36 Tim Joins The Business 17:53 Deal Sniff Test Framework 24:27 Deal Types And Structure 30:45 2026 Goals And Investor Mindset Connect with Mike and Tim: LinkedIn | Tim Siemer  LinkedIn | Mike Siemer If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Tim for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Ryan Dau is a former Air Force officer, and founder of ReframeRIA, a consultancy that helps financial advisors streamline their operations, refine their client experience, and optimize their technology stack.  Through ReframeRIA, Ryan partners with advisory firms to improve their workflows, refine their client experience, and implement technology that truly supports their businesses. His mission is simple: remove the operational chaos that slows advisors down so they can spend more time serving clients and growing their firms with confidence. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Ryan about: The Nonlinear Career Path: Ryan's Military, software, and advisory experience shaped his transition into consulting. Serving the Advisor, Not the Tech: Work begins with clarifying an advisor's ideal client and core processes before any tech is added. Fixing Operational Chaos: Streamlined onboarding, workflows, and service calendars help advisors reclaim time. The Rise of AI Note-Taking Tools: AI tools like Jump AI simplify communication and sync data across essential systems. Building Partnerships & Scaling Smart: Ryan's 2026 goals center on advisor partnerships and exploring a future fractional C-Suite Model. Mindset Shifts After Military Service: Adjusting from mission-first service to revenue driven entrepreneurship remains an ongoing mission. Timestamps: 00:41 Ryan's Path to Reframe 03:41 Advisor Pain Points 05:51 Workflow Before Tools 09:01 2026 Goals and Growth 11:42 Fractional C Suite Vision 17:12 Partnerships to Build 19:02 Challenges and Mindset Shift 24:44 Moonshot Be Better Brand 28:37 Connect and Wrap Up Connect with Ryan: LinkedIn | Ryan Dau www.reframeia.com  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Ryan for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Andrew Garcia is a U.S. Navy veteran and founder of The Arena and Pursuit, two businesses focused on helping veterans and transitioning professionals break into the tech industry. After a successful career in tech sales at Salesforce, Andrew launched The Arena to provide veteran-friendly recruiting services for defense tech startups. He later expanded his mission through Pursuit, a career training platform designed to help aspiring tech sales professionals land their first role. Today, The Arena partners with growing companies to place high-performing sales talent, while Pursuit offers coaching, community, and an online platform that helps job seekers prepare for interviews, build professional habits, and stay accountable. With a long-term vision to build a full career pipeline, Andrew combines mentorship, training, and recruiting to help veterans succeed in high-growth industries.   In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Andrew about: Building a Dual Business Model: How The Arena and Pursuit work together to serve job seekers and hiring managers across the full tech sales career journey. From Salesforce to Startup Founder: Why Andrew left a stable career to test his skills and pursue entrepreneurship full time. The Pursuit Platform: What makes Pursuit training cohorts different, and how the platform helps veterans land roles faster with more confidence. Lifetime Value: Why Andrew created a lifetime membership program that helps graduates land jobs not just once, but throughout their careers. Data-Driven Recruiting: How The Arena is building a defense-tech talent insights platform to help startups hire smarter and faster. Timestamps: 00:08 Joining the Chess Team and Soccer at the Academy 02:04 Founding The Arena and Pursuit 05:01 Challenges and Successes in Entrepreneurship 11:40 Goals and Future Plans 22:17 Marketing and Business DevelopmentTimestamps: Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn | Andrew Garcia www.arena.vet | www.pursuit.vet  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Andrew for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Steve Buchanan is a U.S Army Veteran and the CEO of TDY Rentals, a company on a mission to transform the way government travelers experience temporary duty assignments. What started as a frustrating personal experience with TDY housing, turned into a purpose-driven venture to make extended stays feel less like deployments, and more like home. At TDY Rentals, Steve and his team provide fully furnished tech-enabled housing solutions tailored for government agencies, defense contractors, and active-duty personnel. With a focus on comfort, reliability and logistics, the company helps clients reduce cost, streamline coordination, and vastly improve the TDY experience. As a veteran entrepreneur, Steve is not just building a business, he's reshaping the standard for federal travel.      In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Steve about: From One Unit to Nationwide Reach: How a single TDY rental turned into a multi-million dollar business built by veterans, for veterans. Logistics at Scale: The behind-the-scenes systems that allow TDY Rentals to furnish, service, and manage properties across the country. Government Travel, Reimagined: What federal travelers really need, and why traditional lodging options fall short. Lessons in Leadership: How military experience shaped Steve's entrepreneurial journey and management style. A Mission to Serve: How TDY Rentals is creating long-term opportunities for veterans through hiring, partnerships, and purpose.   Timestamps: 00:07 First Impressions of 10X Vets & Value of In-Person Connections 02:21 Introduction to TDY Rentals & Steve's Background 08:08 How TDY Rentals Started and Gained Traction 13:37 How the Business Works + Customer Experience 22:32 Lodging, Furnishing, and Creative Budgeting for TDY 24:07 2026 Goals, Revenue Growth, and Property Expansion Connect with Steve: LinkedIn | Steve Buchanan www.tdyrentals.com [email protected]  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Steve for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jeff Evenson is an experienced business leader and scaling strategist at scaling.com, where he works with founders who are ready to move from early traction to sustained growth. Alongside Blake Erickson and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, he helps entrepreneurs shift from being day-to-day operators to becoming strategic leaders who design companies that scale. Over the last two decades, Jeff built and exited multiple businesses, including a $3.5M hair salon operation, a manufacturing firm, and a machine shop. He formally entered the coaching space in 2021 and recently joined scaling.com after an introduction from fellow West Point graduate Freddie Kim. Today, his work centers on helping business owners grow with clarity and discipline through three guiding principles: raising frame, raising floor, and sharpening focus.     In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Jeff about: From West Point to Multiple Exits: Jeff's journey through the Army, corporate finance, business ownership, and the lessons learned from exiting companies through divorce and partnership dissolution. The Three Pillars of 10X Growth: How a simple, proven framework turns seemingly impossible goals into achievable ones in three years or less. The Print Shop Case Study: How one business owner went from $850K to a path toward $10M by eliminating sub-$5k clients and acquiring a $3M company with a built-in sales team. Operator to Architect: Why the biggest transformation isn't in your business model, it's in who you need to become to lead a 10x company. The Big Vision: Scaling.com's goal to help 5,000 businesses scale simultaneously in the next two years.   Timestamps: 01:02 Jeff's Journey from West Point to Scaling.com 05:02  Why 10X is Easier Than 2X 09:07 The Three Pillars: Frame, Floor, and Focus 12:34 Case Study: Scaling a Print Shop from $850K to $10M 26:57 Transformation Required, Operator to Architect 34:19 Scaling.com's Vision and How to Get Involved Connect with Jeff: LinkedIn | Jeff Evenson www.scaling.com [email protected]  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Jeff for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Kurt Greene is a certified EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, where he helps leadership teams build stronger, more scalable companies. A graduate of West Point and an Army veteran, Kurt brings a unique mix of Fortune 500 leadership, HR expertise, and peer-group facilitation experience through Vistage Worldwide, Inc. He works with founders and executive teams to implement practical tools that cut through complexity so they can regain control, align their teams, and get back to their visionary role. Whether partnering with veteran-owned businesses or mission-driven entrepreneurs, Kurt's work is grounded in service: helping leaders lead better, build healthier teams, and create workplaces people actually want to be part of.     In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Kurt about: The EOS Framework: Kurt explains how EOS equips overwhelmed business owners with tools to get out of the weeds and back to thinking big. Right People, Right Seat: The "right people, right seats" approach brings clarity to hiring and retention, helping teams align on values, roles, and performance. Visionaries vs. Integrators: Founders can't keep straddling roles forever. Defining the integrator role frees up leaders to lead, and keeps the trains running on time.    EOS Life: A business should work for you, not the other way around. EOS makes space for leaders to do what they love, with people they enjoy, and get paid fairly for it, Veteran-Led Goals: With a service-driven mission, more veteran-led businesses are using EOS to create healthy, well-led teams and long-term growth.   Timestamps: 00:31 Kurt's Journey to Becoming an EOS Implementer 03:28 Common Challenges Faced by Business Owners 06:40 The EOS Life and Its Benefits 07:22 The EOS Implementation Process 10:58 Key EOS Tools and Frameworks 16:47 Structuring the Leadership Team 27:05 Kurt's Business Goals and Vision 32:37 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Kurt: LinkedIn | Kurt Greene eosworldwide.com [email protected] (865) 407-0703 If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Kurt for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ ____ Michael Quilty (USNA '88) is a Navy veteran and franchise development leader who's built his career around creating opportunities for others. After years leading growth and strategy across multiple industries, he's now focused on helping fellow veterans transition to entrepreneurship through franchising. At Wild Bill's, he plays a key role in growing the company's franchise footprint, and expanding the presence of their nostalgic craft soda brand across the country. Michael's work focuses on identifying the right partners, particularly military veterans for opportunities that combine operational excellence with community engagement. His leadership is driven by purpose: helping others succeed while scaling a mission-led business.   In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Michael about: The Wild Bill's Franchise Model: A turnkey opportunity centered on events, nostalgia, and customer engagement. Veteran Empowerment: How franchising provides a path to ownership and autonomy after military service. Business Expansion: The challenges and rewards of scaling a product-driven brand through national events and local franchises. Leadership and Mindset: Why teamwork, resilience, and adaptability matter most in business. Looking Ahead: The future of Wild Bill's and how others can get involved.   Timestamps: 00:26 Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic 04:43 The Origin Story of Wild Bill's Soda 07:40 The Business Model and Franchise Expansion 12:23 A Day in the Life of a Franchisee 18:00 Future Goals and Opportunities 28:18 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Michael: LinkedIn | Michael Quilty www.drinkwildbills.com If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Michael for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Travis Wittick is the founder of Academy Endeavors, a coaching company that helps high school students navigate the competitive and complex admissions process for U.S. Service Academies and ROTC scholarships. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and former Air Force hospital administrator, Travis first discovered his passion for mentorship as an Academy Liaison Officer helping students prepare their applications while still on active duty. After transitioning to the civilian sector and earning his MBA from Duke, Travis launched Academy Endeavors in 2020 leaving his corporate job and betting on his vision full-time. Since then, the company has grown steadily, with an 85% success rate and 40–50% year-over-year growth. Travis and his growing team of Academy graduate coaches now support families across the country with application strategy, essay development, interview prep, and ongoing guidance from freshman year to appointment day. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Travis about: The Mission Behind Academy Endeavors: Helping families gain clarity, confidence, and strategic support throughout the service academy admissions journey. From Side Hustle to Full-Time Impact: How Travis made the leap from corporate America to founder and gained traction during COVID. A Coach's Perspective: Why application success starts with storytelling, mentorship, and early preparation. Growing a Values-Driven Team: His vision for hiring Academy grads as assistant coaches and culture carriers. Academy vs. ROTC Options: Helping students and families make informed decisions that lead to service and scholarship opportunities even outside the academy path.   Timestamps: 00:36 Travis's Background and Academy Experience 08:06 Launching Academy Endeavors 11:17 Early Success and COVID-19 Impact 13:46 Ideal Start Time for Academy Preparation 23:45 Indirect Benefits for College Applications 34:25 Hiring and Team Expansion Connect with Travis: LinkedIn | Travis Wittick www.academyendeavors.com [email protected]  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Travis for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Speaker Bio:  Zach Farkas is the founder of Relos, a proptech company automating real estate workflows to streamline transaction coordination and reduce hours of manual work. Before launching Relos, Zach was the #4 ranked VA lender in the nation, a career he built by focusing not on volume, but on educating veterans about how to leverage their VA home loan benefits. A former Army officer, Zach built his lending business by combining his personal mission with practical insight, and carried that same energy into Relos. Frustrated by the inefficiencies in real estate operations. He created a system that uses AI to extract contract data, assign stakeholder tasks, and help lenders save up to 12 hours per transaction. Now, Zach's focused on scaling Relos into a category-defining platform.   In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Zach about: From Lender to Founder: How Zach built a top lending career by educating veterans before shifting into proptech. The Problem with Real Estate Ops: Why outdated workflows are still the norm, and what Relos is doing about it. AI-Powered Contract Automation: How Relos reads real estate contracts and turns them into stakeholder action plans. User Experience is Everything: Why customer success is more important than sales for long-term adoption. Big Vision, Big Surface Area: Zach's plan to build the next proptech unicorn by owning the transaction workflow. Timestamps: 00:41 Zach's Journey to Becoming a Top VA Lender 04:08 Transitioning from Lending to Real Estate Technology 08:32 How REOs Works: Streamlining Real Estate Transactions 11:51 Goals and Future Vision for REOs 14:01 Challenges and How You Can Help 15:21 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Zach: LinkedIn | Zach Farkas www.tryrelos.com [email protected]  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Zach for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Omar Ritter is a West Point graduate, fractional CFO, and the author of West Point to Wall Street: My Journey to Mental Wellness. Currently serving as an Area President at FocusCFO, he helps small and mid-sized businesses improve their financial visibility and achieve sustainable growth. With a career spanning financial leadership, entrepreneurship, and military service, Omar works to strengthen the backbone of small business communities through expert financial guidance and genuine care. At FocusCFO, Omar provides business owners with fractional CFO support, helping them clarify their financials, structure operations, and prepare for strategic exits or growth opportunities. Beyond numbers, Omar is an advocate for mental wellness in high-performing communities, openly sharing his own journey through burnout, healing, and growth. His work bridges financial strategy and personal resilience, empowering others to succeed in business and life.     In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Omar about: FocusCFO's Model: How fractional CFO services help business owners regain clarity and control. Mental Health Advocacy: Why high performers need to prioritize emotional and psychological well-being. The Power of Structure: How Omar helps businesses build financial systems that drive growth. Lessons from Burnout: Personal insights from Omar's journey through mental health challenges and healing. From Book to Mission: The story behind West Point to Wall Street and the message it carries for fellow leaders. Timestamps: 00:54 Omar's Background and Focus CFO 02:24 Services Offered by Focus CFO 05:54 When to Hire a Fractional CFO 08:57 Case Study: Transforming a Business 18:13 The Importance of Mental Wellness 30:14 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Omar: LinkedIn | Omar Ritter www.focuscfo.com [email protected]  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Omar for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ ____ Anthony Pinto is the founder of Veteran Vectors, an AI consulting and automation company serving defense and government contractors. A former submarine officer with nine years of service, Anthony previously appeared on the SABM podcast in April 2020 while still on active duty, managing real estate deals from overseas. After leaving the Navy and navigating the challenges of military spouse life, Anthony pivoted from real estate to launch Veteran Vectors in 2025. His company helps small and medium-sized defense tech companies compete with prime contractors by automating manual processes, streamlining compliance audits, and building custom AI solutions. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Anthony about: Veteran Vectors Mission: Helping defense and government contractors use AI to automate manual processes in HR, compliance, and backend operations. The RAPID Framework: Identifying tasks for automation using criteria like repetitive, accuracy-driven, process-driven, input-heavy, and digitized workflows. Real-World Applications: Examples include payroll automation, job search tools, and CMMC compliance audits that save hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. Military Spouse Entrepreneurship: Building a remote business that provides flexibility during frequent relocations and duty station changes. Family First Philosophy: Taking a six-month break from real estate to focus on family after his first daughter's NICU stay and finding clarity in the process. Timestamps: 00:31 Catching Up: Life Changes and Career Shifts 01:32 Introducing Veteran Vectors 02:02 The Mission of Veteran Vectors 03:47 From Real Estate to AI: A Personal Journey 09:37 AI Solutions for Business Efficiency 17:05 Future Goals and Vision 23:01 Balancing Family and Career Connect with Anthony: veteranvectors.io LinkedIn | Anthony Pinto [email protected]  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Anthony for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01  

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ ____ Travis Winfield is the founder of Military Operated Real Estate, and author of the upcoming book Military Money and More. A retired Navy Command Senior Chief with 24 years of service, Travis founded the Winfield Group in Southern California, successfully helping 100-150 military families per year before passing the business to his son in 2024. Recognizing that less than 12% of the nearly 20 million active duty and veteran population has used their VA home loan benefit, Travis launched MORE to create the first national real estate brand exclusively serving the military community. With military-affiliated certified agents, SkillBridge integration, and VA-approved education benefits for real estate training, MORE aims to become the trusted resource for veterans coast to coast, the "USAA of real estate." In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Travis about: Military Operated Real Estate (MORE): Creating a national brand connecting veterans with military-affiliated certified agents. Mission Before Commission: Training agents as resource managers who understand veteran benefits beyond transactions. SkillBridge and Ambassador Programs: Leveraging VA benefits to create opportunities for transitioning members and military spouses. Financial Literacy Crisis: Addressing the education gap affecting military families through his book Military Money and More. Long-Term Vision: Making MORE the trusted real estate brand synonymous with USAA and Navy Federal. Timestamps: 00:37 Travis's Journey into Real Estate 01:43 Building the Winfield Group 02:10 Mission Before Commission 03:46 The Vision for Military Operated Real Estate 06:27 Financial Literacy and the New Book 07:39 Future Goals and Challenges 11:42 How the Platform Works Connect with Travis: Traviswinfield.com militaryoperatedrealestate.com thewinfieldgroup.org LinkedIn | Travis Winfield     If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Travis for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01