MENTOR

Joe Wade retired from the United States Marine Corps in October 2017 with twenty years of active-duty service as Special Operations & Infantry. During his time in the military, he deployed multiple times to support combat operations and special missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Arabian Peninsula, and Southeast Asia. Joe was born in Philadelphia, Pa. He received a Bachelor of Science from Norwich University in 2018. Joe is now the Director of Operations for Asymmetric Solutions based in Farmington, Mo (90 min south of St. Louis) where he instructs weapons & tactics to civilians, LEO (SWAT), and Special Operations Forces. He enjoys physical challenges such as endurance events and martial arts training. Joe is the Missouri State Director for Lethwei America (Myanmar’s Traditional Bareknuckle Boxing)

MENTOR

Nate was born and raised on the beaches of Southern California. After high school, Nate joined the Marine Corps where he served as an infantryman for seven years before trying out for and being accepted into the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) program, leading teams of Marines and defusing bombs in combat zones overseas. Nate retired from the Marine Corps in 2017 as a Master Sergeant and worked in government contracting for a while before deciding to follow a dream to work in the mental health realm, teaching post-traumatic growth to combat veterans and first responders. Nate decided to continue to pursue this passion by attending graduate school at the University of Southern California where Nate earned a master’s degree in social work. Nate works in addiction recovery as a clinical social worker and EMDR therapist, sharing his knowledge of post-traumatic growth with clients striving to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. Nate and his family live in Saint Augustine, Florida where Nate enjoys surfing, fishing and training for and racing marathons and triathlons.

MENTOR

"Z" (Miguel Zeran) spent 21 years in the U.S. Marine Corps; 4 as a Parachute Rigger and 17 as a Recon Marine. Z retired in 2021 and was afforded some amazing opportunities on his way out, opportunities that he had to pursue diligently to ensure his transition was successful, as the USMC transition process leaves much to be desired. With an amazing amount of support from his wife, he was fortunate enough to earn two degrees before he retired; a BS in Health & Wellness and an MS in Kinesiology. Today, with no less support from his family, he is pursuing his PhD in Human and Sport Performance while working as the Director of Tactical Athlete Science and Research for Momentous and as the CEO of Fit Beyond The Mission. Now he is looking to share what he's learned about the outside world, open his network, coach, and guide individuals who need some support as they transition from a life in uniform to one surrounded by folks who have never served.

MENTOR

Ian Perry is a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Michigan Chapter and a member of the National Public Policy Council. Ian grew up in Milford, Michigan and served nearly 14 years in the Marine Corps with almost 5 years of active duty with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company as a team radio operator and nearly 9 years with 1st Battalion 24th Marines with multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf, Somalia, and Iraq serving as Sniper Team Leader, Scout Sniper Platoon Sergeant, and H&S Company Gunnery Sergeant. Upon activation, Ian was placed back in charge of the sniper platoon as the Chief Scout Sniper and Platoon Sergeant for the invasion of Iraq 2003.

As a civilian, Ian is a father of 5, a new grandfather, a construction manager (AKA chaos coordinator), a licensed builder, a lifetime member of the VFW, and a passionate volunteer working with various veteran groups, coalitions, local units, first responders, and military organizations throughout Michigan to help stop suicide by educating, supporting, advocating, and training those who have been affected by mental health conditions and suicidal ideation. Ian enjoys downtime with family, rucking, shooting, camping, fly fishing, and playing guitar.

MENTOR

CEO | Thinkbox Technology Group

Meet Carlos, an accomplished operations and technology consultant with a proven track record of success spanning over 25 years. With a focus on consulting and program/project management, Carlos has built a reputation for excellence in delivering enterprise-wide initiatives that drive growth and increase operational efficiency.

During his 14-year tenure at Thinkbox Technology Group (a Thinkbox International Company), Carlos oversaw the company's growth throughout the United States and internationally, supporting clients globally with teams located in California, Washington, Florida, Texas, and Europe. His expertise in Foreign Direct Investment, Business Development, Operations, and Corporate Social Responsibility has made him a sought-after leader in C-level support (CEO/COO/CIO) and a trusted advisor to top executives. He is also overseeing Thinkbox International’s expansion of companies that include Ecocend, Thinkbox Construction Group, and Thinkbox Capital.

Carlos has led and managed global teams in support of a wide range of initiatives, including HQ expansions, Data Center buildouts/migrations, VOIP upgrades, Next Gen infrastructure implementations, and Business/IT project recovery. His extensive experience in these areas, combined with his ability to manage complex projects with precision and attention to detail, sets him apart as a top consultant in the industry.

Before joining Thinkbox Technology Group, Carlos was a senior member of the engineering team at WET Design, where he oversaw the project management and coordination of technology, production, and coordination for iconic water features, including the world's largest water feature at the Burj, Dubai development in UAE. Prior to that, he served 16 years in the U.S. Air Force supporting Global Operations for various commands, further demonstrating his ability to work in high-pressure and complex environments.

MENTOR

Description goes hereDerek Herrera is the Founder and CEO of Bright Uro, a venture-backed medical device company developing the most advanced Diagnostic Sensors and Data Science for Urology. Prior to this, Derek served as the Founder and CTO of UroDev Medical, a venture-backed medical device company that designed the first fully-internal, wirelessly controlled bladder management system for men with chronic Urinary Retention.

Before entering the Medical Device Industry, Derek served as a Marine Raider in the Special Operations community. He led Marines and Sailors across the globe until he was shot and paralyzed from the chest down in 2012 while leading his team in Afghanistan.

Derek is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, where he majored in Systems Engineering and played JV Lacrosse, Boxing, and started the (unofficial) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club.

Prior to becoming an entrepreneur in the Medical Device Industry, Derek graduated from the Executive MBA program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Derek has served on the boards of multiple non-profit organizations including the Marine Raider Foundation, American Technion Society, and MedTechVets. Derek lives in San Clemente, CA with his wife, Maura, his twin boys, Hudson and Hunter, and his dog Donut.

MENTOR

Ajay James led a multifaceted and successful career as a Special Operator within the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) enterprise for 20+ years. Within the scope of his experience, he acted as a military advisor for partner nation force engagements, as a lead assaulter on kinetic operations, as the NSW Combatives Department Head, where he taught and oversaw the instruction of armed and unarmed combative skills to thousands of NSW candidates and operators, and also as a Team Leader of a deployed SEAL platoon, a necessary milestone role in the path of special operations advancement.

He ultimately retired as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of NSW Advanced Training Command in May 2021. He, along with a staff of nearly 200, enabled the professional development of the special warfare community by offering a menu of 19 high-risk courses of instruction, producing 3,500 classes a year, and yielding an average student throughput of 10,000 students per year, significantly aiding in the professionalism and effectiveness of the entire force.

Ajay came to America from Trinidad and Tobago at 12 years old to attend school in New Jersey before moving to New York City. Prior to his naval career, he was a bike messenger, model, actor, doorman for popular clubs, and a professional Muay Thai fighter and instructor. Ajay is a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and has enjoyed many opportunities to work in film and television productions. He also enjoys martial arts, fitness, foreign films and languages, high-speed driving with cars and motorcycles, paddle board racing and surfing, and is a lifelong global traveler. Ajay’s life has always been about the adventure of it all. He loves collaboration and being able to lend his vast life experience to enfranchise others, and he is excited about the prospects that await him.

In Memory of

Dan Smith departed the United States Marine Corps after fourteen years of service in July 2019. During his time in the military, he served as an infantry scout section leader, a Marine Raider element leader, an advanced sniper instructor, and as a technical capability developer while conducting multiple combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as diplomatic engagement missions across Southeast Asia. Dan grew up in Sacramento, CA, received a Bachelor of Science from Norwich University in 2017, a Masters in Business Administration from Columbia University in 2020, and is currently an independent consultant specializing in technology and M&A operations for private equity clients. Dan lives in Austin, TX where he enjoys the city’s live music and art scenes as well as outdoor adventures with his dog and running partner, “Nietzsche.”