James Colbert
Executive Director
James has nearly four decades of experience in the nonprofit sector with a focus on serving America’s veterans and their families. He holds a B.A. in political science and communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an M.A. in international relations from The George Washington University, and an executive certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. James serves in the California State Guard, serves on the California Cadet Corps staff, and is a member of Sons Squadron 283 of the American Legion.
Jodi Doane
Development Manager
Jodi is a successful grant writer and researcher in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors. She is dedicated to amplifying overlooked voices and has secured funding from city, county, state, and federal agencies, as well as foundations and corporations supporting social responsibility. Using a strengths-based, person-centered approach, Jodi has expanded workforce development, immigration, child welfare, and youth leadership services in historically excluded communities. She is dedicated to driving social change, creating impactful programs, exploring innovative strategies, and fostering collaboration to break down agency silos and promote transparency.
Jeffrey Lapid
Manager, Heroes Network
Jeff, the son of a retired veteran, is a proud 10-year veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the California Army National Guard. Deeply connected to the military community, he has always found a sense of purpose among his fellow service members. With 15 years of experience as a freelance filmmaker and a Bachelor of Science in Filmmaking from the Art Institute of California, Jeff is dedicated to capturing and sharing compelling narratives. His passion for storytelling extends beyond filmmaking—he continues his commitment to service as a Public Affairs videographer for the California State Guard and the California Cadet Corps, using his expertise to document and honor the experiences of those who serve.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert F. Jerome
Board Chair
Robert (Bob) is proud to support those who served and Gold Star Families through his contributions to Heroes Linked and by coordinating and hosting events featuring Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Bob brings a wealth of financial and managerial knowledge, having spent his career managing multi-million-dollar projects for major financial institutions. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Franklin & Marshall College.
For over two decades, initially serving on the Executive Council of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, Bob has hosted more than 700 presentations to public and private audiences alongside the Medal of Honor recipients to remind audiences that Freedom is not Free. In his own words, it is a message he never tires of delivering.
LTC Pete Seitz, USA (ret.)
Board Vice Chair
LTC Pete Seitz, USA (ret.) has been actively involved with soldier and veteran support in Orange County, California for the past decade. He was one of the founding members of the Orange County Veteran and Military Families Collaborative (OCVMFC) and is currently serving as the group’s chairperson. He also serves on the Board of the Veterans Legal Institute and is in his fourth term as the President of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of the United States Army. Before his civilian retirement, Seitz worked in the food industry specializing in sales management, marketing, and strategic planning.
Seitz served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971 to 1976, participating in numerous deployments and operations primarily as a CH-46 helicopter pilot. In 1979, he joined the California National Guard and was assigned to the 1-18th Cavalry Squadron as a UH-1H helicopter pilot and Reconnaissance Platoon Commander and later served as the Executive Officer and Troop Commander. In May 1988, he was assigned to the Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB) at Los Alamitos and was the Airfield Operations Officer and Airfield Commander. In 1998, then-Lieutenant Colonel Seitz became the California State Aviation Operations Officer and later returned to command the Joint Forces Training Base until his military retirement in 2001.
Chris Bugel, Esq.
Assistant General Counsel, North America, Transurban
Corinne Goodman
Founder & Owner, Down Under Endeavours
COL Jack H. Jacobs, USA (ret.)
Medal of Honor recipient
Military analyst,
NBC News & MSNBC
CSM Gary L. Littrell, USA (ret.)
Medal of Honor recipient
Beverly Marksbury
Legal professional, retired
Laura Pope
Managing Director-Investments, Everest Capital Wealth Management Group
Tom Rooney
Six year veteran of the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam War
Liam O’Neil
Managing Director, Head of Business Development & Private Wealth Services, Merrill Lynch
Larry Schnadig
Corporate executive, retired
BOARD OF ADVISORS
LTG David P. Fridovich, USA (ret.)
President, Fridovich Group
MG Jon A. Gallinetti, USMC (ret.)
President, J.A. Gallinetti & Associates, Inc.
MG Mark A. Graham, USA (ret.)
Senior Director, Rutger University Behavioral Health Care National Call Center. Director, Vets4Warriors
Antoinette Naddour, Esq. LLM
Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Veterans Legal Institute®
LTC William Swenson, USA (ret.)
Medal of Honor recipient.
SSG Clinton L. Romesha, USA (ret.)
Medal of Honor recipient. Author, Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor
HEROES NETWORK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
LTC Jim Cragg, USAR (ret.)
CEO, Special Operations Technologies Inc.
MG Rick Devereaux, USAF (ret.)
National security consultant
SGM John K. Gilstrap, USMC (ret.)
LTG Earl Hailston, USMC (ret.)
Chairman, Air Warrior Courage Foundation
CSM Christopher Kurinec, USA (ret.)
Public Affairs Officer, American Legion Post 91
CMS Michael Lamonica, USAF (ret.)
Vice President of Architecture & Engineering, Optiv Inc.
VADM Bernard McCullough, USN (ret.)
Retired
Steven L. Pomerantz, USAF (ret.)
National security and counter terrorism consultant
Former Assistant Director, FBI (ret.)
David P. Steinmann
Retired
LTG Guy C. Swan III, USA (ret.)
President, Swan & Associates, LLC
Jack White
Partner, McGuireWoods LLP
Michelle Winkley
Founder & HR consultant, Talent Distinctions, LLC
Don Schwarz
Founder, Board Chair 2009 – 2021, In memoriam
Don Schwarz, founded MVAT (now Heroes Linked) to provide for veterans’ needs not met by other funding sources. During his own time in the Army, Don trained as a veterinary specialist at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Afterwards, he continued to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves until he was honorably discharged. In addition to founding MVAT, Don was passionate about community service, serving on numerous nonprofit boards and advisory councils.
LCDR E. Belmont “Monte” Herring, USN (ret.)
Board Member 2015 – 2021, In memoriam
In 1954, Monte was commissioned in the U.S. Navy submarine force, serving on the USS Cusk, USS Wahoo, and USS Skate. He later served on the staff of commanders of Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet and Submarine Squadron Seven. Following his military service, Monte continued his educational pursuits at University of California Los Angeles, where he received his juris doctorate degree in law. Soon after, Monte started his own law practice in Santa Monica where he practiced law for the next six decades. In addition to his service to the MVAT Foundation (now known as Heroes Linked), Monte was an active member of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica, President of Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles, and President of Santa Monica Junior Chamber of Commerce.