Testimonial

Rich is a former Army Ranger who served honorably in 1/75 and 10th Mountain as a squad leader. Now, Rich serves as Executive Vice President, General Tax Counsel and Chief Veteran Officer for CBS Corporation. As the Company’s General Tax Counsel, he oversees worldwide tax planning, strategy, operations, risk management, litigation, government relations and legislative initiatives. Rich was a key part of the senior leadership team that separated Viacom from CBS in 2005. As the Company’s Chief Veteran Officer, Rich founded the CBS Veterans Network. He oversees and coordinates all veteran/military-related initiatives and programming for CBS. Rich received his law and business degrees from Syracuse University, where he graduated with honors and was admitted to the Order of the Barristers. He is also a graduate of Boston University, where he earned a Master of Laws in both corporate and tax law. Rich also received a Bachelor of Science degree (summa cum laude) from Syracuse University. 

An Afghanistan Combat Veteran and Notre Dame Graduate, Brett served for almost 5 years as an Army infantry officer in the 101st Airborne Division. Following his service, Brett worked on Wall Street for two years before Co-Founding  a micro-mobility company in California. Brett's mission is to advocate for and take action on behalf of all patriots and military men and women who were willing to put their life on the line for their country. 

Tom served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps for more than 22 years as both an enlisted Marine and Commissioned Officer before retiring in July of 2017. He was fortunate enough to have a diverse career that included assignments as an infantry squad leader, scout sniper team leader, communications officer, recruiting operations officer, embassy security operations officer, and tours as a commanding officer. Tom is a combat Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom whom service has taken him to more than 30 different countries around the world. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice from State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport and a MBA with a minor concentration in Nanoscale Science and Engineering from SUNY Albany. Tom currently works as the Outreach Specialist at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for Veterans Upward Bound, a program that recruits, prepares, and gets Veterans admitted to colleges and universities. He also serves on the board of the Veterans Business Council, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, in Rochester, NY.

Thomas has over 27 years of experience in overseas security, crisis management, personnel and physical security, and counter-terrorism.  He is a seasoned protective operations veteran who retired after serving 24 years at the CIA as a senior security officer, where he managed large complex security programs in war zones. While at the CIA, Pecora received the Intelligence Star. Tom Pecora holds a Masters of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Marquette University. 

Joe served as a Team Leader in the 75th Ranger Regiment deploying five times in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Based on his leadership potential, Joe was selected for increased responsibility and commissioned as an infantry officer in 2011. Joe served in the 101st Airborne Division from 2012 to 2016 deploying twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Mr Gideon has been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his bravery and leadership during combat operations.  

Upon exiting the military, Joe has led the merger of multiple acquisitions into a national property management company,  directed partnerships with teams and leagues ranging from the NFL to the UFC, and founded and sold a construction company specializing in capital improvement projects.

Joe currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Capital Works.

Jennifer is from California but lived abroad growing up in Switzerland and in Japan. After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy with a BS in Economics in 2014, Jennifer commissioned in the Air Force as an Officer and worked on defense contracts and price negotiation for both the 56th Fighter Wing and Special Operations Command South. Currently, she is a full-time student at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and recruiting for investment banking opportunities in Chicago.

Eric served as a Combat Medic at 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. After conducting two deployments and proving his dedication to his profession and competence in his work, his curiosity led him from military to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Columbia University in 2017.  The urge to learn more is key motivation for Eric. He is eager to fuel other transitioning veteran’s curiosity as well as help with any questions they may have for a successful path into the civilian world.

Upon graduating from high school, Ned enlisted into the Army and served in 3rd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment. After leaving the Army, Ned was recruited to work as part of a mobile security team that escorted the US Ambassador of Afghanistan throughout the Afghan theater for two years. From there, he returned to South Carolina to support a family-based textile business. In May 2019, Ned completed a Bachelor or Arts degree from Columbia University with Honors. 

Rob served with 1st Ranger Battalion from 2011-2015 where he served as a Saw gunner and Reconnaissance scout.  Rob served 4 combat deployments to Afghanistan and was honorably discharged in June of 2015.  

After his enlistment he worked Private Security for Gavin de Becker and Associates.  Unhappy with the work, he decided to go back to school to provide better opportunities for his future and family.  He has since graduated with a BA in Political Science from Columbia University.  He’s passionate about assisting Rangers and their families, and wants to help veterans by ensuring they maximize the opportunities available to them. 

Daniel is a former Team Leader with proven skills in leadership and management at 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Having had the experience of three combat deployments, he departed the military in early 2018 and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Columbia University. With a background in critical thinking and problem solving, Daniel wishes to explore opportunities in the field of technology while also serving as a board member of an animal welfare Non-Profit Organization. He is eager to provide help to transitioning service members interested in pursuing higher education and success outside of their career in the military.

Dr. Sean Normand is a research scientist and program manager specializing in Army training and education. He holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of West Florida, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Florida State University, and a certificate in Advanced Project Management from Stanford University. Research projects in his portfolio center on improving education and training outcomes in Soldiers and small teams. Sean is an Army combat veteran and former sniper in the 75thRanger Regiment. https://seannormand.com/

Nathan is a former 3/75 Team Leader with proven skills in leadership and management across multiple deployments. He departed the military in November of 2017 and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Biology at Columbia University. Nathan has independently furthered his education with a number of certification courses through FEMA and IBM. He has over 5 years experience in implementing agricultural and horticultural practices for both small and intermediate scale operations. In addition, he has conducted and presented environmental impact assessment studies for New York City Emergency Management, performed data collection and assessment for the Department of Environmental Conservation, and is currently responsible for the Data Management of 70+ organizations. He is eager to provide assistance to transitioning service members interested in pursuing higher education and with environmentally focused career paths.

Nicholas Ige is from Hilo, Hawaii and grew up in the Los Angeles area of Southern California. He grew up surfing, skating, snowboarding, and competed on his high school wrestling and swim team. Nicholas Ige joined the army at 18 years old in 2011, He served 4 years in the 82nd Airborne division as a Mortarman and Scout team leader. After competing in the Best Ranger Competition in 2014 Nicholas attended RASP and was stationed at JBLM with 2nd Ranger Battalion. While in 2nd Ranger Battalion Nicholas Served as a Fire Team Leader, TSE Section leader, and Developed the first Unmanned Systems section (UMS). Nicholas Ige has completed 6 combat deployments to Afghanistan, awarded the purple heart, and the Bronze Star with Valor. Nicholas Ige is currently attending Harvard University.

Steve was born and raised in the San Francisco bay area, and earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2015. 

After graduating from college, he enlisted in the Army, graduated from RASP, and was assigned to C CO 3/75 as a forward observer. 

He traveled to ten states, deployed three times to Afghanistan, and ultimately became the C CO FSNCO.

After separating from the Army in June of 2021, he decided to act on his interests in finance by pursuing an MBA from Vanderbilt where he will focus on asset management.