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As the Managing Director and Pastor for RLB Echad LLC, Jonathan guides an organization that (a) helps for-profit business leaders provide a way for employees to fully engage at work, by leveraging religious advisor services, (b) helps executive leaders balance their personal and professional lives and (c) helps non-profit leaders make sound business decisions. Jonathan received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Prairie View A&M University, after which he spent some time in the U.S. Navy. He worked at Frito Lay and then at Michelin before attending Washington State University College of Business where he studied in the Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Jonathan did his capstone (thesis) on what eventually became RLB Echad, a faith-based consulting organization. His extensive research included: leveraging pastoral models to improve employee engagement, pushing work-life balance to prevent burnout, and encouraging nonprofits to seek experts in business. Outside of RLB Echad,  Jonathan Dade leads a congregation that: (a) serves Hebrew Christian, Torah Observant, Messianic Jewish, and Non-Religious Believers, (b) teaches principles on living a biblical lifestyle for spiritually-minded individuals, interfaith families, and non-religious couples, and (c) celebrates biblical feasts and holy days, keeps the seventh day Sabbath, and experiences the Holy Spirit. Theologically, Jonathan published The Church and The Community, pastored groups, researched the Scriptures, and received a Master’s of Theological Studies (MTS) from Colorado Christian University, with a passion (thesis) in Messianic Jewish apologetics, to a Christian audience. Jonathan, Melinda, Karissa (born 2011), Tristen (born 2012), the Rhodesian Ridgeback (Chaya), and a flock of mostly Buff Orpington chickens live in Georgetown, a suburb of Austin, Texas. Outside of Jonathan’s unifying work with Messiah Echad and RLB Echad, he enjoys road cycling, target shooting, and visiting local wineries, usually— safely—in that order. His wife (Melinda) enjoys DoTerra Essential Oils, art, reading, and teaching younger women. And together, they enjoy camping, canoeing, cycling, foster-adopt discussions, and WineShop At Home Parties. Should you ever find yourself in Central TX, be sure to contact Jonathan and learn about RLB Echad.

Captain Joseph Polanin grew up in Carteret, New Jersey, was the valedictorian of Carteret High School’s class of 1986, the first student the school’s history appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and was commissioned an Ensign in May 1990. He was the honor graduate of Basic Diving Officer class 94-30 at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City Beach, FL and qualified as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician at Indian Head, MD in February 1996.   Captain Polanin Commanded EOD Mobile Unit TWELVE, in Virginia Beach, VA; Task Group 56.1 in Manama, Bahrain; and Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal – over 3,400 students, instructors, and staff at Eglin Air Force Base, FL – the sole EOD individual high-risk training command within the Department of Defense. He was the Deputy Commander of Combined Joint Task Force PALADIN in Afghanistan, which integrated U.S., Afghan, and NATO forces from 46 countries to counter the threats posed by improvise explosive devices (IED) and terrorist networks. Captain Polanin Commanded Task Force 68 in Rota, Spain and led more than 2,600 Sailors and Marines in who enabled U.S. and NATO forces across 69 countries in Europe and Africa. He established Task Force SPARTA, which synchronized all U.S. and allied capabilities in Africa to counter IEDs and terrorism. He advised the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on global operations and, while serving at the Pentagon was hand-picked to represent the military at the National Security Council. Captain Polanin’s final military assignment was Deputy Commander and Director of Operations for U.S. Special Operations Command Central; forward deployed primarily in Qatar until his retirement in 2020 after 30 years of active-duty service. Units and warriors under his command earned numerous commendations for valor and meritorious service in combat, counter insurgency, and other special operations with U.S. and multinational forces across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.   Captain Polanin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History with a Russian language minor from the Naval Academy; a Master of Business Administration with honors in 2007 from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ; and a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies as the Distinguished Graduate of the 2014 Combating Terrorism Fellowship at the College of International Security Affairs, National Defense University, Washington, DC. He wrote, “Defeating Violent Radical Islamism,” published in U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, October 2016. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL and the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA. Captain Polanin’s personal honors include the Defense Superior Service Medal (three awards), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, various unit & campaign awards, the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society for business leaders, and a Department of State commendation for transformational diplomacy. He resides in Tampa, FL with his wife of 28 years, Deanne and their daughters Kiana and Sydney.   https://thealakaigroup.com

Colonel (Retired) Jason Blevins is a proven, combat-tested leader who served for 25 years in the US Army as a Combined Arms Aviation Officer, leading Soldiers, complex military operations, and programmatic initiatives within the Army. Born in Wurzburg, Germany, Jason is the son of a Vietnam era Army officer and UH-1 pilot. He graduated from Victoria High School in Victoria, Texas in 1990, later graduating as a distinguished military graduate of Texas A&M University in 1994. Jason’s extensive Army career spanned tactical and operational level positions and combat proven leadership from platoon leader to brigade task force commander in some of the Army’s most elite divisional units including the 82ndAirborne Division, the 2nd Infantry Division, the 101st Airborne Division, and the 1st Cavalry Division. Jason’s professional military education includes distinguished graduate of both the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in 2008, and the US Army War College in 2016. Jason deployed to Iraq in 2003-2004, Afghanistan in 2006, 2009, 2013, and 2017, where he led an advise and assist task force in Jalalabad. Jason’s command experience includes Alpha Company, 9th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment; and Task Force Leopard Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Jason served as the Director of the US Army Aviation Operational Test Directorate in his final Army assignment. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Army in June 2019, Jason initially worked for Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, and currently DelMar Aerospace Corporation. Most recently, Jason opened an in-home senior care business, Seniors Helping Seniors of Northwest Houston. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University, and master’s degrees in Military Operational Arts and Sciences, and Master of Strategic Studies. His military education includes the Aviation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the UH-60 Instructor Pilot Course, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the U.S. Air Force Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. Jason is a Master rated Army Aviator with over 2,700 flight hours, including over 1,000 hours in combat. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Medal for Valor, the Air Medal (with numeral 7), the Meritorious Service Medal (6th Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Combat Action, Master Army Aviator, Senior Parachutist, and Air Assault badges. Jason lives in Tomball, TX with his wife, Camille. They have four children: Madison (22), Jake (21), Luke (18), and Dani (9).

Mike Schindler is a US Navy veteran, an award-winning author, the national podcast host of The Military Wire, which features interviews with some of America’s most elite men and women who have served this country, and Executive Producer of IT’S VUCA: The Secret to Living in the 21st Century documentary that features 15 of our nation’s top experts on how to navigate chaotic times. He has been featured in USA Today, CBS Radio, Entrepreneur Radio, the Lars Larson Show, the Boston Globe, Q13 FOX, Yahoo Finance, and others. Mike is known throughout the US as a subject matter expert on leadership development, government relations, and veteran transition issues. Mike is a guest writer for several national publications and the author of two books: “U.S. Veterans in the Workforce: Why the 7% are America’s Greatest Asset” and “Operation Military Family” - which is endorsed by retired General Tommy Franks and retired General Peter Chiarelli.

Dr. George Taylor arrived at Southwest Minnesota State University in August 2020.  He holds several degrees, including a Doctorate in Management (Organizational Leadership), a Master of Business Administration (Information Systems Technology Management), and is currently pursuing a PhD in Education Leadership. He is also certified as a Senior Professional Human Resources Professional (SPHR), Senior Certified Partner in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP) and is a lifetime Certified Professional Coach (CPC). Dr. Taylor's teaching interests include organizational development, leadership, and entrepreneurship.  He is an active researcher for the OK Center for Education Policy, a think-tank center that focuses on state and national education policies.    Dr. Taylor is a published author and frequent speaker in research conferences and symposiums. He is the author of a popular book entitled Blessed Strategy. Prior to teaching, Dr. Taylor served a distinguished enlisted-to-officer career in the U.S. Navy. While serving in the Navy, he was assigned as a task force team leader and member for several high-level strategic initiatives to include Sea Warrior, a human capital initiative that transformed the Navy's HR processes. Dr. Taylor has a strong record of entrepreneurship and business coaching and was a Leadership Fellow for Memphis in 2004 (Leadership Academy Memphis) where he served on various citywide initiatives. Dr. Taylor is married with three adult children. He loves to travel, workout, and spend time with his wife.

Many members of John Morgan’s family have served in the armed forces, which was influenced by his grandfather’s actions during WWII. The idea of service to others resonated strongly with John and served for 13 years in the US Marines. Even though he is no longer wearing a uniform, he still has a mission to continue to serve the country and wants to honor the legacy his grandfather had begun. During his 13 years in the Marine Corps and multiple trips to Afghanistan and Iraq, John invested well in the stock market. There were a few fundamentals that he stuck with and took a conservative approach to investing, which served him well. He didn’t come from money, but he was able to develop an investment portfolio nearing $600,000 by the time he exited the Marines. That portfolio was liquidated to create IzMaCo Investments. During his time in the Marines, John constantly heard horror stories about off-base properties that were not well maintained. Landlords would take advantage of a situation and there seemed to be little recourse for a service member to take. The worst would be is when a spouse was deployed or on an extended military maneuver and their family would go without essential services. IzMaCo’s top priority of having well-maintained homes is so someone that is serving the country has their head in the game. No one will be able to concentrate on what’s in front of them if they are worried about their family dealing with a broken HVAC system in the middle of July Real estate can be a lucrative investment, but we have the service member in mind. With a strong portfolio of 8 properties, valued at over one million dollars, IzMaCo will strive to teach service members how to invest while simultaneously providing them better quality rental properties. IzMaCo can do this with the assistance of shareholders that will invest not only in this current project but to build a legacy that will continue to help others into the future. The focus is to provide an investment opportunity that is recognizable and provide the returns that investors should expect with a solid exit strategy for the shareholders. IzMaCo wants to create the John “Red” Morgan Foundation, to honor John’s grandfather and Medal of Honor recipient John C. Morgan, a B-17 pilot during World War 2. The foundation will one-day support veteran startups to help fund the veteran entrepreneurial spirit. Through these investments, IzMaCo seeks to be the change it wanted to see in this world.

Proud 20 years veteran of the United States Navy, served as an Operations Specialist OS1(SW). Married to my Wife Macky for 22 years and grateful for all her support, and parents of 4 Blessed children (18,14,12 6). Live in Fredericksburg, VA. Work as a Defense contractor with +17 years of BMD/IAMD experience, and +8 years in advanced Systems Engineer and Analyst, development, fielding, and integration, with an extensive track record of successful optimizing operational performance and capabilities for multiple combats systems in the United States Navy. Able to coordinate and conduct moderately complex system analyses through data acquisition and modeling, identify, coordinate, document, and implement business requirements by determining solutions that enhance business systems, as well as provides support to business operations and processes under general supervision. Skilled in delivering key analytical insights and collaborating with members across all organizational levels to drive unified approaches to achieve objectives. Excel at developing, supporting, and leading high-level training programs for both internal and external stakeholders to achieve operational excellence and increase personnel competency. Demonstrated skill leading, training, and optimizing the performance of cross-functional teams that exceed expectations. Multilingual: fluent in English & Spanish. Been a professional photographer for 12 years and own, jointly with my wife, Jac&Mac Photography. Recently started a new financial coaching company, www.myfianacialcompass.org helping transiting military and college graduating individuals, and getting married couples on how to better manage their financial future. He is an intuitive leader, inspiring high productivity levels, guiding cross-functional teams, coaching, motivating with strong interpersonal communication skills and proactively conveying operational needs to executive-level management.

Clarice Mack was born/raised in Orlando, Florida where after graduating High School she joined the U.S. Air Force. This was the beginning of her career where she ultimately spent 16years serving within the Department of Defense working at the Pentagon within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, HQ Air Force and other Air Force organizations.  While she started off as an Airman, she served in various capacities to include Active Duty service, contractor and Federal civilian service. Clarice spent most of her career in roles supporting Information Technology, Security Management and Operations. While on Active Duty, Clarice served in Balad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) during the first Iraqi elections. (2005) Today she works in the Tech Industry and lives in Northern, Virginia with her husband and daughter. While Clarice no longer works for DoD she continues to selflessly serve by helping women and men transitioning from the service through coaching, resume assistance, and job search.

Scott Stevens is a veteran who's on a mission to make a difference in the world in multiple ways. One of the ways he makes a difference is through the Regiment and the Rowan Group. He's on a mission to help give veterans a community and connect with battle buddies. His story will truly inspire you!

Frank Bryant is a retired Navy Chief and the founder of FuCha (Future Challenges) Coaching. Frank has had a passion for helping people and views FuCha Coaching as a business that inspires and motivates YOU. Mr. Bryant has spent over 25 years working for the Department of Defense in various project management professional (PMP) and leadership roles, which has culminated into his present purpose and passion; that of an experienced leadership coach. Frank is also an Independent Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer and Speaker with The John Maxwell Team. Mr. Bryant is available for speaking engagements and serves as an independent contractor for private organizations, defense contractors, and the U.S. Government.

Omar is a servant leader, dad and a family-oriented man of faith.  He is an advocate for higher education and disadvantaged groups such as veterans, disabled veterans and their families.  He believes that we all have a purpose and a voice that can have a ripple effect in our community.  Most importantly, he believes that we have to serve a higher purpose than that of our own.    He has a make it happen mentality: He’s founded and operated 2 non-profits, one of them for veterans just like him. He served the federal government for 12 years in numerous positions leading up to Washington DC. And he has initiated 3 for-profit companies serving the community while providing jobs for those less fortunate. He has invested in our future by teaching college level courses at 2 Universities and volunteering at another; nonetheless a life-time learner himself reaching for his Doctoral degree. His Naval career was cut short due to an injury causing a medical retirement just shy of his 10-year mark, but that was only the beginning of his story. He is flawed, troubled at times and traumatized, however he overcame his demons by staying connected to positive support systems, his resiliency and can-do attitude.  Above all, the US Navy, along with values his family instilled as a child, prepared him for the world and the corporate sector.

David Jones, SMSgt, USAF Retired Participant Coordinator VFR Board Member David Jones is a 23 year US Air Force Retired Veteran (1976 – 2000) retired as a Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt). He served 16 years as a Flight Simulator Technician/Supervisor and seven years as a Data Analyst Supervisor/Superintendent. He earned his AS Electronic Technology degree through the Community College of the Air Force, an AS Production Management, BS Industrial Engineering Technology through Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, while in the military. Then after retirement and working full-time earned an MS of Business in Project Management with certifications in Business Management, Change Agent, and Project Management through Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, CO. After retirement from the USAF, David worked as an Operations Manager for a national company for two years before the company restructured. He then became a contract employee working to maintain Flight Simulators for Lockheed-Martin, LB&B Associates, Inc, and CAE at Dyess AFB (Abilene, TX) before retiring in 2015 after a contract change. While working at Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base (JRB), David and his wife joined Lighthouse Fellowship (LF) UMC and were on the core team which established the Lighthouse Leadership Program and training courses before moving to Abilene, Texas. He then moved back to the Fort Worth area in Dec 2015 and returned to LF UMC and attended the Veterans’ Initiative Program that kicked off the beginning of Veterans Freedom Retreat organization. He and his wife, Linda, became our Participant Coordinators for VFR after attending the National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center (NVWHC) in Angel Fire, New Mexico. Col Chuck Howe began the NVWHC in 2009 when he realized the VA was not treating the spouse of the veterans with PTSD, so he developed the program with professionals and veterans to build the program to helping veterans and their partners to find freedom from PTSD. In October 2016 VFR had our first Retreat and have conducted ten (10) retreats serving over 117 participants with an average of 60+ percent reduction of PTS stress levels. We do this through a week-long course, using Experiential Education, counseling with LPCs, along with various alternative modalities like massage, acupuncture, reiki, various types of art, crafts, Native American ceremonies and equine supported communication training. David is the VFR Program Director and Participant Coordinator and continues to seek out sources to gather our veterans diagnosed with PTSD to have the opportunity to attend one of our VFR retreats.