Mission Oriented

Todd Connor, is a Navy Veteran, small business owner and cofounder of Veterans for Political Innovation. Todd has a passion for entrepreneurs, especially veterans. He founded Bunker Labs in 2014. Bunker Labs helps veteran entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Todd owns his own business, the Emerson House and recently set his sights on political office. Veterans for Political Innovation Todd has a passion to help change the political playing field. He found most people are dissatisfied with the current political system but are unsure of the solution. His experience as a business owner and veteran has given him a unique perspective on the two party system. A solution he found, states should go to a "final five" voting system and much of the current frustrations would be eliminated. He is looking to his fellow veterans to help spark this political innovation. With over half of veterans registered as Independents, most miss out on voting in a primary. The "final five" voting system would remedy this problem. Veterans for Political Innovation's mission is to "make our political system less toxic and more competitive by mobilizing military veterans to fight to preserve democracy through election innovations." Learn More Website: www.veteransforpoliticalinnovation.org Todd's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddconnor/ VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Sports have been a major part of Will Huff's life. Growing up playing football and lacrosse, he was recruited to play for West Point Military Academy. After graduation Will served for over 23 years as an Army Officer. He learned life long lessons from serving in the military but also from his coaches. After his Army career, Will returned to athletics working in the Towson University Athletic Department and then also for the Chesapeake Bayhawks, a Major League lacrosse team. With his background and experience he decided to join Soldiers to Sidelines in June 2020. He felt it was the perfect combination helping veterans and military spouses find a passion and opportunity in the athletic coaching world. Soldiers to Sidelines Soldiers to Sidelines was founded in 2014 by Harrison Bernstein, who had been coaching high school, NCAA, and NFL football for over 14 years. He was coaching high school football at the time and decided to invite a few veterans to practice. This was the small seed that has grown into Soldiers to Sidelines. They offer service members and military spouses a pathway to coaching athletics, from the community level all the way up to the professional level. This past year it has seen exponential grown when they leveraged the aspect of virtual courses. This has allowed them to reach service members and spouses around the globe, some still active duty. Learn More Website: https://soldierstosidelines.org/ Will Huff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-huff-3a699593/ VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Mike Morgan launched Flags of the Fallen on Veterans Day this past year. After the tragic losses of 13 military members in the Afghan withdrawal of August 2021, Mike had an idea. Mike made a connection with 13 service members lost and the 13 stripes on the American flag that these brave men and women were defending. He thought, "How can I show my gratitude?" Not being a veteran himself, Mike consulted several veteran friends to make sure he created these 13 flags with proper protocols and insignia. During those conversations it was impressed on Mike to create these for others too. He found that every veteran he spoke with knew someone that gave that ultimate sacrifice. This was a way to honor and remember them and show gratitude to their families. Flags of the Fallen Flags of the Fallen was founded to "remember those we lost by caring for those they left behind by building wooden flags for their families and loved ones." They build wooden flags for the families of both fallen military members or first responders. You can visit Flags of the Fallen website to donate to the cause or nominate a family. Learn More Website: https://www.flagsofthefallen.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flagsofthefallen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flagsofthefallen/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Flagsof_Fallen VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Drew Everett and Nick Wyatt have known each other since grade school. As they got older they knew they wanted to go into business as a team. Nick headed to the Marine Corps and Drew went to the Army. After both serving in their respective branches it was time to take the next step toward entrepreneurship. Nick's dad was about to retire and had a shoe insole business. It seemed like a natural handoff. That is where Apex Gear Co. started. As they learned about e-commerce and web development there came a time when someone approached them about adding a product to their website. Long story short they essentially wanted to create and "Amazon experience" but featuring all Veteran made products. They have worked hard on getting this process automated and have since added over 80 veteran brands. They are continuing to grow and are looking for new vendors to be added. It's a marketplace featuring all veteran companies and goods, most made right here in the United States. Learn More Website: www.apexgearcompany.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apexgearcompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apexgearcompany/ VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Jay Jackson spent 15 year serving in the Air Force. He started out in security forces and ended up in air traffic control. His transition out was not what he planned, but took the challenge head on harnessing his entrepreneurial spirit. He first started, Serve, Impact and Prosper, a consulting agency and later was introduced to buying businesses. This led to the launch of Galaxy Group. He would tell you he's always had entrepreneurship in his bones. Even while on active duty he had a food truck and a lawn care business. Once hanging up the uniform it was a natural path to continue to follow. Serve, Impact and Prosper helps coaches and consultants scale their business without the complicated ads and sales funnels. Jay's experience of 15 years starting, buying and growing businesses will help you in your own business. He is looking to grow his community in the Tampa, FL area. Galaxy Group has acquired three different companies over the last two years and they're not stopping there. Their goal is to have over 20 million dollars in revenue. In addition Jay is on a mission to transform 1 billion lives. Learn More Website: tableofceos.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/li/jay-jackson-coaching VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Marjorie K. Eastman, Army Veteran, Running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina Marjorie, compelled by the events of 9-11 enlisted in the Army Reserves. After just two years she received a direct commission and continued her service as an intelligence officer and commander. She had two combat tours. Her 10 years of military service laid the ground work for her desire to serve this country. It was recent events this past August, the fall and withdrawal out of Afghanistan that made her decide to run for North Carolina's U.S. Senate seat. Marjorie shares, "We're not going to get different results if we don't send different people." She feels the career politicians are no longer serving the American people. She is looking to the people of North Carolina to send her to Washington to make a difference. From veteran, to military spouse, to mom, to author, her titles are many and her list of accomplishments are even more, but ultimately Marjorie just wants to continue serving the constituents of North Carolina and make a positive impact in their lives. Learn More Website: https://marjoriekeastman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjoriekeastman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marjoriekeastman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marjoriekeastman/ VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

T.C. Beckett, a retired Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, met a homeless veteran. It was this encounter that wouldn't let T.C. rest knowing there were others like this gentleman out there. Estimates of anywhere from 40-80 thousand veterans are homeless not knowing where their next meal is coming from. T.C. had to do something. He didn't just want to feed homeless veterans, he wanted to empower them. Veterans Produce was founded in 2018. Since they have built a team to help them fulfill their mission. Kenny Smith joined the team as the, Marketing Executive. He is a Navy veteran with a passion for marketing and helping others see and understand what Veterans Produce does. Veterans Produces is a veteran-owned 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to feed homeless veterans. They help break the cycle of food insecurity by empowering Veterans to provide for themselves. Veterans Produce builds local community gardens, that provides access to healthy food year round. Veterans learn how to farm, growing their own food. They build skills that will allow them future work and contribute to producing Building local community gardens enables 365-day access to healthy organic food. They do this using aquaponic gardens, as they are highly efficient and produce up to 8-10 more food per square foot. This process can be replicated in other communities across the United States. Learn More Website: http://www.veteransproduce.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tangocharlie/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/veteransproduce VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to pros

Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson are a coauthor team of multiple action-adventure thriller series. They met up the year they both debuted as authors and found the common ground of being veterans in an organization called International Thriller Writers. Both Navy veterans, but coming from very different career paths. Brian was a submarine officer with a psychology degree. Jeffrey on the other hand was a combat surgeon in the US Navy. Each of them continued to add to their resume with a variety of careers before making author a full-time gig. They love to share their passion for writing books as a business and a career. That has been a mission and career of writing books that are entertaining but also share stories to honor those men and women that have served and are still serving in the military. They have multiple series that are bound to keep you reading. Their most recent release, Rogue Asset, a W.E.B Griffin, Presidential Agent novel, just hit the shelves December 7th. There are so many other books on the horizon. Book two of the the Shepherd Series, Dark Angel comes out in April. Sons of Valor, book two comes out in June. The third book of the Shepherd Series, comes out in October of next year. And for those following the Tier One series. It is not over, book seven is coming next winter. Check out more at their links below. Learn More Website: http://www.andrews-wilson.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/andrewsandwilson Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/andrewsandwilson VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

When Aaron decided to enlist in the Navy he knew he wanted to become a chef. After just a few years he had found success and enjoyed a four year stint in Italy, cooking for many senior leaders. It was during this time he wanted to do more to fight the war that was waging in the Middle East. He soon realized the EOD techs had the coolest gear and were often the first to the fight. He transferred to the Army to become an expert Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) technician. During his second deployment his life changed as an IED exploded in his face in Afghanistan. It took years to rehabilitate, but Aaron was motivated. He began running marathons, kayaking, and climbing mountains despite being left blind from his injuries. It was in 2015 he came down with bacterial meningitis, after another brush with death, he was now left deaf. During this entire time Aaron was getting reacquainted with a family friend, McKayla. She soon became his life line, helping him communicate before finally having success with cochlear implants. As Aaron rehabbed, his favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, was coming up. He began preparing a menu and inviting friends. McKayla saw a new spark in Aaron that she knew she had to keep going. It was dessert that Aaron created that launched their successful business. Aaron had made fudge for that Thanksgiving meal and soon people started requesting it. E.O.D. Fudge was born, but this time E.O.D was for Extra Ordinary Delights. Aaron and McKayla have enjoyed the success that E.O.D Fudge has brought as they raise their family of boys and endeavor into another passion, real estate. Check out their famous fudge at the links below, get it before it's gone. Learn More Website: http://www.eodfudge.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EODconfections Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/EODconfections VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Zach and Tricia were high school sweethearts. Little did they know when they started dating where life would take them. Zach joined the Air Force and that dictated their lives for 20 years before retiring, just this past year. The military not only let them experience the world, but taught them perseverance. About 5 years before retirement they decided they wanted to start a business. Already handy, Zach had started dabbling in woodworking, matched with Tricia's accounting and business background TFTWood was born. TFTWood TFTWood, which stands for "The Family Tree Woodworking" is an online retailer that specializes in kitchen gifts, gadgets and accessories made of wood. This two-fold business also offers unique customized, luxury furniture and cabinets. The "Herbie", an herb stripper is currently their most popular product. This little kitchen helper makes using herbs a breeze. Find this and more wood products like cutting boards and ornaments at the link below. Listen to the podcast as they share their journey, what's next for TFTWood and some marketing tips for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Learn More Website: http://www.tftwood.com Facebook & Instagram: @tftwoodworking Book Recommendation: Get Different by Mike Michalowicz VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.