Will Hubbard is on the professional staff of Student Veterans of America, currently serving as their Vice President of Government Affairs. His focus is on legislative action and executive branch policy across all issues that impact student veterans in higher education.
Mr. Hubbard is frequently called before congress as a subject matter expert to testify on a variety of issues, and often advises executive officials in the administration on higher education and veterans policy issues.
Previously, he was a National Executive Committee Member of Deloitte’s Armed Forces Business Resource Group, and led the successful proposal of several veteran-focused projects while serving in the federal practice as part of Deloitte’s Strategy and Operations business line.
Mr. Hubbard entered the Marine Corps in 2006, and initially served with 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines. He later went on to lead Marines with 4th Supply Company at Boling Air Force Base in Washington, DC. Today, he continues to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves based out of MCB Quantico, VA.
He has been a leader with Student Veterans of America at both the chapter and national levels, and has been passionate about veterans health issues since entering the armed services. Mr. Hubbard is a graduate of American University, where he studied International Relations. He currently resides in Arlington, VA with his wife and long-haired dachshund.
Catch A Lift Fund (CAL) is a 501c3 non profit dedicated to helping post 9/11 wounded veterans recover, rehabilitate and reintegrate through physical fitness. CAL believes each of the over 2,200 veterans in the program has the ability to actively contribute to their health on a DAILY basis. By providing these veterans with the financial assistance and motivation to be in the fitness programs that fit their needs, CAL vets are losing weight, dropping medications, and re-establishing their lives with family and friends.
I recently joined the Operation Second Chance team as the Sales Development & Marketing Manager; after growing up surrounded by the military lifestyle it was hard to picture myself doing anything other than joining our armed forces. It wasn't until college that I began to find my individuality and passions, and began studying communication and marketing. I graduated from The University of Maryland, College Park with my Bachelor's in Communication in 2012 and began a career in sales. But something was missing.
Not a day went by that I wondered what my life would have been like if I joined the military, but at the same time I never regretted my choice to not join. Coming from a long line of Marines, my admiration for these men and women, and the sacrifices that they make, only grew over the years.
It wasn't until a conversation with my brother in-law, a LtCol in the Marines, that I saw a chance to use my passion and skills for marketing and communication to give back to our soldiers. He told me of a non-profit, Operation Second Chance, and what they did to help the wounded, injured, ill heroes coming home from war. I fell in love; I knew right away that I had to work for this organization. And, as if the stars aligned, not one week after this conversation, I found a job posting for OSC online, and the rest is history. I couldn't be prouder to be part of such a wonderful organization, helping those who gave so much in defense of our freedoms and liberties.
Check out the show notes at http://veteranpodcast.com/034
In this episode I talk about creating the VAP Family of Podcasts under the Veteran Artist Program non-profit. I also talk about the new VAP Community that we just rolled out this week to allow veteran artists to interact with and help other veteran artists. A rising tide lifts all boats. This community will strengthen veteran artists as a whole. To get your invite into the community, https://veteranartistprogram.leadpages.co/communityinvite/
Born to Holocaust refugees at the close of WWII when Truman was President, Denny began a lifetime of activism at the age of 13 when he joined a NAACP picket line. Since then he has battled for Gay rights, Women’s rights, Transgender rights, and LGBT veterans rights. During the Vietnam Era he left college and volunteered to serve his country, joining the Navy (either for love of the sea or for the dress blue bell bottom 13 button uniform). In less than 4 years he was a Petty Officer Second Class. Later he worked for the Army Reserves as a civilian administrator and, after joining his reserve unit, rose to Sergeant First Class. After AIDS took the life of his love of 20 years, Denny became inspired to found the New York Chapter of AVER – AVERNY, he served as Region 1 VP for a number of years, and currently serves as both the AVER national Public Affairs Officer and Vice President of Veterans Affairs.
The National Yoga for Veteran's Day is a nationwide event and aims to raise awareness about the benefits yoga has for veterans living with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. This will be a fundraising event for Veteran's Yoga Project.
At the event, they will offer 3 yoga classes; two 45-min sessions for the adults, and a 30-min session for children (ages 5 and up). All levels of ability are able to attend - complete beginners and yoga gurus will feel welcomed! They will also have food, a raffle, information booths featuring charities that help wounded warriors (such as Catch a Lift, (www.catchaliftfund.com) and Music 4 Vets (music4vets.org), and lots of fun!
Jessica Rodgers will be teaching the children's class. See her page here: https://www.facebook.com/inhale0exhale?fref=ts
Sara Jaye will be teaching one of the 45-minute classes. See her page here: https://www.facebook.com/namastesarajaye?fref=ts
Samantha Eddy will be teaching the other 45-minute class. See her page here: www.blisseverydayyoga.com
Lexi Lipari is a fitness enthusiast, entrepreneur and motorcyclist that is passionate about helping veterans. An EMT for almost a decade, she has been dedicated to service and surrounded by military personnel for most of her life. A civilian but always on the look for a way to give back, just after graduating Rider University in 2012 she was the Volunteer Chairman of the Philadelphia Veterans Comfort Home. Now, she looks for new and unique ways to give back to the veteran community and one of them has been working as a Director of Marketing for We Stand Comedy to help create and promote We Stand for Female Veterans.
The Guardian House is one of the only homeless shelters specifically founded to house homeless female veterans—there are only two in New York State outside of NYC. Located in Ballston Spa, NY since 2011, the House has helped scores of women veterans get back on their own two feet again after their time in the military by providing a safe place to call home. So many of the residents of Guardian House credit it with their first step back on the road to success because the House was there with a helping hand when they needed it most. Now the Guardian House needs our help—it is in dire need of repairs and the goal of the We Stand for Female Veterans event is to raise money to offset their costs.
http://veteranpodcast.com/030
Richard Harrell, Director of Heroes’ Voices, spent over 25 years teaching, creating musical events and providing performance opportunities for singers on three continents at many institutions, including the Juilliard Opera Center, San Francisco Opera Center, the New National Theatre Tokyo, Bangkok Opera, Yale University, Operafestival di Roma, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
While his primary focus is on veteran’s issues with Heroes’ Voices he continues his work as an internationally renowned guest Master Class instructor, and serves as Associate Director of the Orfeo Foundation, an international non-profit organization supporting young opera performers.
He performed with such companies as the Baltimore Opera, La Scala, and Lincoln Center Theatre Company. He recorded the role of Bernardo on the Deutsche Grammophon album of West Side Story.
His education includes a Master of Fine Arts from the State University of New York, at Purchase. He also studied in the graduate program of the Manhattan School of Music, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in vocal performance from the Catholic University of America.
Aaron Ojard served 20 years in the US Navy. He served 12 years as a Machinist Mate and the last 8 years as a critical care RN. Aaron deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and was injured. He was featured in the June 2014 issue of Sports Illustrated Golf+.
Last year Josh Peyton dreamed up and started the Veteran Golfers Association as a platform to get affordable, competitive golf available to all veterans. The Veteran Golfers Association is committed to promoting the game of golf to veterans and their family members. The VGA develops programs that allow our members to compete, socialize, and remain physically active through the game of golf.
Jim “Coop” Cooper is from North Carolina and retired from the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer in 2000 after 21 years of service. Coop currently works for the Army as a Civilian. Two years ago, Keith Umberger and Coop took over the Maryland Chapter of Heroes on the Water. Heroes on the Water helps our Nation’s warriors and veterans from all branches of the United States military unwind using the therapeutic qualities of fishing from kayaks. What looks like a day trip of paddling and fishing is in fact something much deeper and long-lasting.
Kevin C. Miller served in the United States Marine Corps infantry from 2002-2006 with multiple deployments to Iraq. He graduated from Humboldt State University with a BA in Recreation Administration and a minor in Business Administration in 2011.
In 2014, Kevin was selected as a National Service Leader by AmeriCorps Alums, based on his term of service with Swords to Plowshares as an AmeriCorps VISTA (2013), where he worked on employment research, outreach, and helped administer a statewide employment collaborative in California.
He has continued and expanded on his work at Swords to Plowshares, now as the Strategic Development and Communications Coordinator, where his primary focus of work includes building partnerships between employment and training providers, relevant state and national entities, not-for-profit associations and private employers.
http://veteranpodcast.com/026
Jon Jackson founded STAG VETS INC. in 2014 to assist homeless veterans, veterans in need and veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury. Jon earned his stripes by serving his country with the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. While serving, Jon endured six deployments with a combine total of 40 months of combat time in his first 8 years of service.
While overseas Jon provided direct support to multidisciplinary Special Operations Teams spread across austere environments. His Can-Do anything attitude was essential for him to thrive in an environment where critical decisions needed to be made that had a positive impact on every mission.
For his actions, Jon was awarded numerous awards and decorations to include the Bronze star for exceptional Cross Continental Management skills that resulted in the kill and capture of High Value Enemy Targets. Although Jon achieved so much as an US Army Airborne Ranger, the extensive combat deployments paid its price. In January 2013 Jon was diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury due to multiple blasts from IEDs’ and chronic Post Traumatic Stress.
Due to his health and family being more important to him, Jon made the hard decision and sacrifice to medically retire from the 75th Ranger Regiment. Saddened by his ordeal, Jon decided that he was not going to let PTSD and TBI determine his future, nor will he let these injuries define the thousands of vets who are suffering with no assistance.
With his knowledge, exceptional leadership skills, and drive to take care of others. Jon created STAG VETS Inc to reintegrate homeless vets, vets suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury receive the care they deserve and use sustainable farming as a tool to build communities and instill a sense of pride into the team of vets that are working through the program.
http://veteranpodcast.com/025
Jim Perry joined the American Red Cross as Service to Armed Forces Regional Manager in June 2015. He was a teacher in Baltimore City for 7 years prior and held summer employment managing sections of a Youth Work Program on the Eastern Shore of MD, and outside Baltimore MD. His role with the American Red Cross is to oversee volunteer activities in 7 Military Treatment Facilities in the Greater Chesapeake Region, as well as Manage Outreach briefings for Military Members and their families. He also supports efforts that provide outreach and support to Veterans, and Emergency Services to Military Members and their families. Jim was in the Marine Corps Reserve from 2002-2008, and served one deployment to Iraq. He was also a participant in the " Telling Project" a play where veterans share their stories along side Jeremy Paris. He holds a Bachelors Degree is Sociology from McDaniel College( Formerly Western Maryland College) and Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University. He is originally from Falls Church, Va. But now resides in Baltimore MD.
Check out the show notes: http://veteranpodcast.com/024
Dedira is excited to be living her dream of owning her own non-profit organization. The idea came out of her love for music and her mission to make a difference here in the US with our youth. Music was a very important part of Deidra's school experience where she played in her high school marching and concert bands. She started by playing the flute and ended up playing the sousaphone and tuba. She didn't realize at the time how lucky and blessed she was to have that opportunity as part of her school experience. Deidra's goal now is to work with musicians, community leaders, businesses and schools to help provide as many instruments and supplies as possible to the classrooms and our nations veterans.
In Deidra's former career she worked in baseball (Orioles, Mets and the Bowie Baysox) and then spent a few years working doing marketing in corporate America. She is also on the Board of Directors for another fun organization called Mammojam and volunteers every summer as a camp councilor for the Mid-Atlantic Burn Camp.
Currently Deidra works at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine and just finished her Masters in Non-Profit Management at UMUC.
Show Notes: veteranpodcast.com/023
The organization was created in order to match successful veterans in the civilian community with soldiers. This partnership will provide a resource to those soldiers currently exiting the military. A soldier, re-entering the civilian community comes with some challenges. These challenges are mostly in understanding what technical and non-technical career opportunities exist and just where to begin. With the advice of successfully transitioned veterans they will gain a resource which should increase their odds of a successful transition.
Show Notes: VeteranPodcast.com/022
Eric Kazmierczak began his new mission as Director of Operations for the Resurrecting Lives Foundation in August 2014. Eric was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. In October of 1993 he joined the Marine Corps and started his career as an Infantry Rifleman with his first tour of duty at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From this beginning he would progress through the Marine Corps ranks and retire as a Staff Sergeant (SSgt). During his time in the Marine Corps he held numerous leadership positions at all levels of command.
During his Marine Corps career, Eric would participate in operations in; Bosnia, Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, Riverine operations with UNITAS in South America. Volunteer for Recruiting Duty in Cleveland Ohio, where he was meritoriously promoted to SSgt in 2001. In 2005 and 2006, Eric would complete two combat tours as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant to eastern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Finally, he would serve as Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of the Command and Operation Center, Marine Pacific Command and Operations Chief for the 3rd Marine Regiment in Hawaii. In 2009 he retired from active duty Marine Corps. Eric’s personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.
After being retired from the Marine Corps, Eric went to work as a local Warrior Care Coordinator assisting Veterans with TBI and PTSD. He provided non-medical care to combat and non combatant wounded by assisting and facilitating their transition to civilian life.
While still on vacation I thought it would be great to give you a special treat. This week I am introducing you to some of the other great veteran-focused podcasts out there. I like to share the podcast love. :-)
Links to the podcasts are in the show notes: http://veteranpodcast.com/020
Jeremy is on vacation, but don't worry...we still have a great episode. This is a compilation of all of the previous guests answering the "brain stretcher" question: If you woke up tomorrow and found out that somebody made an anonymous donation of $10 million dollars to your organization, what would you do with it?
Madison Rising, America’s most patriotic rock band, is on a mission to reignite authentic American culture through great rock music.
Since the release of their first album in 2011, the band has worked tirelessly to create an entirely new genre of music – patriotic rock. Combining a brilliant classic rock sound with inspirational tributes to our men and women in uniform, it is clear that this band is on a mission to not only make great music, but to also send a message that American culture is alive and well.
Most recently the band released their completely remastered album-
"American Hero - R.E.D." the album is proudly dedicated to the men and women of our armed forces and first responders for their sacrifice and selfless dedication to the land of the free and home of the brave. Madison Rising strives to create music with meaning; songs that are about something: our military, sacrifice, freedom, liberty, gratitude, and living the American dream.
Lead Singer Dave Bray was a Recruit Chief Petty Officer in basic training, a Master at Arms in A-school, and was awarded the honor of Top Dog in Field Medical Service School. He served in the U.S. Navy as an 8404 FMF Corpsman for the 2nd Battalion / 2nd Marines stationed out of Camp Lejeune NC.
For Show Notes: http://veteranpodcast.com/018
Lee Ann Doerflinger grew up in Washington state. Following her graduation from the University of Chicago, she and her husband Richard moved to the Washington DC area where they raised their four children. The second of those children, Thomas, joined the Army infantry in 2002 and was deployed to Iraq in October of 2004. In November of that year, he was killed during combat operations in Mosul. In the nearly eleven years since then, Lee Ann has worked on veterans issues in Montgomery County, and has been an active member of the Maryland Chapter of American Gold Star Mothers, and is the immediate past chapter president.
Show Notes at http://veteranpodcast.com/017
ForgottenNotGone is dedicated to helping save veterans and their families from the destruction of suicide. Feeling alone,forgotten and abandoned, causes 22 veterans a day to take their own lives in the United States. ForgottenNotGone is committed to taking responsibility for helping our service members who were not lost at war but forgotten at home make a decision to live, through emotional, physical and spiritual activities.
Check out the Show Notes at http://veteranpodcast.com/016
Wyly Gray is a Veteran Writer, Public Speaker, and Entrepreneur originally from Kansas City, Missouri, serving as the Founder and Director of Soldier On Corps, a veteran service organization dedicated to preserving and sharing veterans’ stories of service, sacrifice and transition.
Jenny Carr joined Courage Beyond soon after its inception in 2007. In her first role with the organization she personally interviewed hundreds of veterans, service members, family members and experts ranging from the Korean War to the present day conflicts. Currently, she oversees Courage Beyond’s online psychoeducational and support groups, in-person support groups, adaptive retreats and counseling services. Jenny has worked and published with Dr. Edward Taub and Dr. Gitendra Uswatte at their Constraint-Induced Therapy (CIT) Clinic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to develop real-world measures of physical rehabilitation techniques for both adults and children. She holds a BA in philosophy from Birmingham-Southern College and a BS in psychology from UAB. Jenny lives in Nashville, TN with her husband Kevin and her large, lovable dog Bert.
Show Notes at http://veteranpodcast.com/014
Emily Rich is Director of National Development for Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that annually sends 150,000+ care packages to new recruits, veterans, first responders, wounded warriors, care givers and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 1.2 million care packages. Emily is responsible for Operation Gratitude’s nationwide campaigns, including corporate partnerships, cause marketing, large scale employee volunteerism, sports marketing and annual support.
Emily has devoted her professional life to non-profit organizations. In addition to Operation Gratitude, she has served in leadership positions with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Foundation Fighting Blindness and Fund for the Public Interest Research Group.
In the first six years of her career in nonprofit development, Emily has raised over $6 million for nonprofit organizations.
Emily graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) and the National Association of Professional Women.
Music:
Wartime by Javier & The Innocent Sons
Website: http://www.javiermatosmusic.com/
Purchase CD: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/javiertheinnocentsons
Show Notes: http://VeteranPodcast.com/013
Eryn comes from a military family. Her father served 28 years in the Army and retired as a Colonel, her brother is a graduate of West Point, and her husband is a Captain in the Army. Growing up, Eryn learned every day what it meant to serve one’s country, and after graduating from Florida State University, headed to Jacksonville as a Teach For America high school English teacher. Given Jacksonville’s proximity to two naval bases and the strong NJROTC culture, Eryn got the chance to bring the military into her classroom every day and expose her students to the opportunities the military could provide them. Today, Eryn is the director of Teach For America’s Military Veterans Initiative, helping to ensure that military veterans and spouses are aware of teaching as a second career, and that students across the country benefit from their talent and commitment. Prior to this role, Eryn began TFA’s Military Spouse Affinity Group to provide support for military spouses on staff who might feel particularly isolated, and gives them an outlet to communicate regularly about the issues facing military spouses – having spouses deployed, transferring to another bases, and leaving community and friends. In 2015 she was named Fort Benning’s Military Spouse of the Year by Military Spouse Magazine.
Show Notes: http://VeteranPodcast.com/012