Convos with Heroes

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.

Jeff is a 12 year Air Force veteran and author of "Hear These Truths: The Ultimate Guide To Building Your Leadership Algorithm". We had a great conversation with him, discussing his life, time in service and leadership philosophy. Go to https://jeffclarkofficial.com to learn more about him and to get his book.

This is the full interview with Tony Zamora, a service member with 20 years of service in the Air Force. He's a community leader that ran for City Council in Albuquerque, mentors young people and brings smiles to children experiencing bullying.  Website: www.AZ4NM.com  Instagram: Az_4_NM

Born and raised in New England, I joined the USAF after college and was overseas for four years. I was in the Security Forces and spent time in Security, Police, Armorer, and Desk Sergeant duties. I got a Masters in Human Relations while I was in and separated after one tour (4yrs). After the service I went to film school in Australia and lived and worked there for three years. After Australia, I moved to Los Angeles where I lived for 10 years and worked in the film industry. Three years ago my wife and I moved to Las Vegas where I opened my own coaching practice (I am both a LIfe and Mental Health Coach).

#ConvosWithHeroes #Veteran #ShaneBorza

Brenda Smith is a 3 year Army veteran who has built an amazing career, but her story is unlike any other. Listen to how she overcame life challenges to now be the Director/Head of Supply Chain Equity for Lyft.

#ArmyVeteran #ConvosWithHeroes

Carl Patterson is a seasoned Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Aseptic Processing, and Quality Assurance Professional who is based in San Diego, California. As soon as he discovered the importance of biotechnology in the area, he was inspired to enter the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. However, his avid interest in all things biology, microbiology, and biochemistry officially began when he served in the U.S. Army for 15 years as a Preventative Medicine Specialist and a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

To date, Carl has now garnered over two decades’ worth of extensive hands-on expertise. Currently, he is the Chief Consultant of his very own consultant business called aseptic-process.net, where he specializes in the aseptic processing of pharmaceutical products in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Recently, he is in the process of creating webinars so he can share pertinent information about pharmaceutical manufacturing from a microbiological perspective.

Furthermore, Carl holds various degrees and certifications, including an M.S. in Biomedical Quality Systems from San Diego State University, a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Texas, Specialized Certificates in QA/QC & Biotechnology, and Data Science from UCSD.

When he isn’t providing consultations for his quality and manufacturing clients, Carl enjoys fishing and practicing martial arts. As a family man, he loves nothing more than spending quality time with his beautiful wife and children, which is exactly why he strives to work remotely as an Independent Consultant to be there for his loved ones more often.

To find out more about Carl Patterson and his consultancy firm, please visit his official business website: www.aseptic-process.net

Remo Butler is currently the Project Manager for the Baghdad Embassy Security Force in Iraq. He has worked for many large companies both in and out of the US. He has worked as Deputy Program Manager for LOGCAP III a 5.8  billion dollar project in the Mid East, also was business development Manager for KBR. He worked for SOC as Director of International security, and as Project Manager. He joined KBR in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in May 2004 following an Army career of 29 years which culminated as a Brigadier General serving as the Director of the Center for Command Support, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Brigadier General (Ret) Butler spent the majority of his Military career in the US Army Special Forces.

Brigadier General (Ret) Butler was born November 16, 1951 in Egypt, Mississippi.  He was commissioned second lieutenant in 1974 with the U.S. Army upon graduation from Austin Peay State University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Master of Science degree from Troy State University in Personnel Management.