The Honor Journal : Winter 2023/2024

Welcome Spring 2024 Fellows

GROUP 85 JBLM

GROUP 86 Camp Lejeune

GROUP 84 Tampa

GROUP 83 Eglin

GROUP 89 Virginia Beach

GROUP 90 TN | Fort Campbell

GROUP 91 Virtual (West)

GROUP 87 Fort Liberty

GROUP 82 Virtual (East)

GROUP 88 San Diego

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jon Skinner

Chairman

J.Scott Adams

Dave Alberga

Matt Bigge

Marc Brown

John Burnham

Justin Connolly

David Janke

Michael Kendall

Lyla Kohistany

Harry Leonhardt

Frank Muller

LTG Mike Nagata (Ret.)

Greg Smith

Larry Solomon

Matt Stevens

Brian Sweigart

Richard Wells

THF STAFF

Matt Stevens CEO

Michael Halterman VP of Operations

Janie Livesay VP of Programs & Curriculum

Kelly McGraw VP of Impact

Lindsay Cashin VP of People

Kathy Leming VP of Marketing & Communications

Mindy Hill Director of Business Operations

Bob Newman Director of Virtual Programs

Daniel Snyder Director of Programs Tampa

Dwayne DeSchon Director of Programs Virginia Beach

Eric Curran Director of Virtual Programs

Mark Tirres

Director of Programs

Eglin

Michael Higgs

Director of Programs San Diego

Phil Gant

Director of Programs

Fort Liberty

Sam Dement

Director of Programs JBLM

Sean Carano

Director of Programs

Camp Lejeune

Shane Minnick Director of Programs TN | Fort Campbell

Kelsey Segalini Program Manager

Eglin

Monika Fletcher Program Manager Camp Lejeune

Jacque Edwards Program Coordinator Virtual

Jillian Staats Program Coordinator JBLM

Megan Fitzpatrick Program Coordinator JBLM

Ryan Nixon Program Coordinator Virtual

Shannon Waters Program Coordinator Fort Liberty

Shelby Higgs Program Coordinator San Diego

Stephanie Snyder Program Coordinator Tampa

Taler Poillon Program Coordinator Virginia Beach

Ashley Brown Director of People Virginia Beach

Hillary Hays Director of People San Diego

Josh Burch Director of People TN | Fort Campbell

Kathleen Watson Director of People Tampa

Rachel Drew Director of People Fort Liberty

Rebekah Alvord Director of People JBLM

Alex Oates Head of National Events

Jessica Hunt Director of Impact West J.P. Tuthill Director of Impact Central

Skip Mckee Director of Impact Northeast | Rockies

Marleen Livingstone Director of Impact Mid-Atlantic

Stephanie Dillman Impact Coordinator

A Message from Matt Stevens, CEO

Friends and family of The Honor Foundation,

We’re beginning the year in a very special way, as 2024 marks the Ten Year Anniversary of THF! As we reflect on how far we’ve come, we can proudly say that the mission we set out to achieve on day one is being accomplished. We are serving our Special Operations service members and their families with honor, changing lives, and ensuring their next missions are clear and continue to impact the

world. We are operating on a scale we never have before. We’re set to ring in our first decade of service with ten different programs running at ten different campuses, we’ve brought on tons of talent that has made our team better than ever, and we’ve forged new partnerships that will help us realize our vision far into the future.

We continue to constantly test, evaluate, and evolve as the workforce evolves. I’m super proud that we’ve created a new spouses/significant

other workshop focused on strengths & communications. We’ve executed numerous overseas workshops and we’ve engaged with both state and federal lawmakers. We strive to be the catalyst that sparks an overhaul in the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Programs - but there is much more work to be done. You have helped us to create a powerful network of resources for transitioning service members and their families, and we need you by our side as we continue to serve more Special Operators and their families long into the future!

As we approach this milestone anniversary, I want to sincerely thank all of our supporters, especially The Navy SEAL Foundation, our founding partner; and all of our volunteers, partners, donors, faculty, coaches, mentors, the THF board, staff, and their families. Thank you for your dedication to The Honor Foundation and those whom we serve. We are grateful to have you on our team as we celebrate a decade of honor, and a lifetime of impact.

With honor and respect,

Matt Stevens THF CEO

Meet the newest additions to the THF family.

Michael Kendall is co-chair of Goodwin Law Firm’s Private Equity group. He represents leading private equity and venture capital firms in early and later stage investments, leveraged recapitalizations and buyouts. Michael also has substantial experience in initial and follow-on public offerings, public and private mergers and acquisitions, and advising public companies on SEC reporting and other general corporate matters. He advises companies in a variety of industries including software and other information technology, telecommunications, information services, biotechnology, healthcare, financial services and retail.

Michael lectures frequently on corporate finance and securities law, and teaches a course on private equity and venture capital transactions at Boston University School of Law. He is chairman of the board of KIPP:MA, a network of Massachusetts charter schools, and a member of the board of the Massachusetts High Technology Council.

Mark Tirres

Director of Programs, Eglin Marc hails from Oxnard, CA, and boasts a rich background in military service, culminating in a distinguished 21-year tenure as an Air Force Combat Controller falling under both AFSOC and JSOC. Following his military career, he dedicated almost five years to serving at the 23rd Special Tactics

Squadron, as the JTAC PM/Sim Instructor. Presently, Marc holds the position of Director of Programs at Eglin Campus within The Honor Foundation.

Happily married to his wife Sarah of 24 years, Marc takes pride in his four remarkable children: Makayla (23), Shylah (21), Cayden (12), and Gage (12). Beyond his professional commitments, he finds solace and enjoyment in pursuits such as hunting, fishing, camping, and shooting activities alongside his twin boys.

For over 15 years, Megan has volunteered and continues to volunteer with non-profit organizations. She has a passion for service. Her husband has served in the Army for over 27 years and for the past 14 years he has been a pilot in 160th SOAR. Megan works in the administrative and marketing fields and plans to use her expertise to empower and serve our Special Operations community. She is excited to join this amazing journey as we create a positive impact and serve transitioning SOF with a genuine commitment to honor and service.

Michael Kendall Board Member

Megan Fitzpatrick Program Coordinator, JBLM

Here We Grow Again cont’d

Eric Curran Director of Virtual Programs

Eric Curran retired after 30+ years in the US Army, starting as an infantryman before spending 25 years as a Green Beret culminating as the Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Special Forces Group. Eric joins The Honor Foundation team as the Director of Programs for our Virtual West campus.

Taler Poillon Program Coordinator, Virginia Beach

Taler grew up in the small town of Bishop, CA. She attended college in Santa Barbara and earned a Masters Degree in Education. Becoming a NSW spouse resulted in her residing in Virginia Beach.

After 10 years as a teacher and with many family members in the military, the drive to work towards the greater good fuels all of her endeavors. She enjoys spending time outdoors and being active with her husband and two kids.

Stephanie Dillman Impact Coordinator

Stephanie enjoyed a successful career as an Executive Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist for more than 13 years. After pausing her career to raise her children, Stephanie spent many years

volunteering and serving on executive boards for various non-profit organizations in Virginia Beach. She is excited to reignite her career with The Honor Foundation.

Dwayne DeSchon Director of Programs, Virginia Beach

Dwayne DeSchon is a retired Navy SEAL who served his country for 24 years. He was born and raised in a small town in Virginia and always had a passion for pushing himself to the limit and striving for excellence. During his career, Dwayne served in various elite units within the Naval Special Warfare community, including SEAL Team 10, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2, and Special Reconnaissance Team 2. He conducted numerous combat deployments to some of the world’s most challenging and hostile environments, participating in missions that required unwavering courage, tactical acumen, and adaptability. As a veteran of countless Special Operations missions, Dwayne saw firsthand the physical, mental, and emotional toll that the life of a special operator could take. Recognizing the need for comprehensive support during the transition from military to civilian life, Dwayne made it his mission to assist his fellow SOF veterans in finding meaningful and fulfilling careers in the private sector. With his unwavering commitment to service, leadership, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by SOF veterans, Dwayne continues to make a significant impact in assisting his fellow warriors in their transition to civilian life, ensuring that their skills and dedication continue to serve a greater purpose.

Congratulations to our Fall 2023 Graduates!

THF welcomed 701 graduates in 2023.

We enthusiastically celebrated the achievements of our Fellows who completed the follow program this spring and summer -- both virtually and in-person: Group 73 (Camp Lejeune), Group 74 (Eglin), Group 75 (Tampa), Group 76 (San Diego), Group 77 (JBLM), Group 78 (Fort Liberty), Group 79 (TN | Fort Campbell), Group 80 (Virginia Beach), and Group 81 (Virtual).

We can proudly say that we now have 2,558 Alumni who have graduated from the THF Program.

We’re so grateful to all who shared in the cohort and graduation experiences with us this Fall –- Fellows and their families, Alumni, THF board members, staff, coaches, mentors, donors, faculty, and all honored guests. A special thank you to our honored commencement speakers for their inspiring words!

Thank you to the Navy SEAL Foundation , Wounded Warrior Project , Carrington Charitable Foundation , and Surefox North America for your continued support. We wouldn’t be able to celebrate and honor these great men and women without you!

Pictured: Group 73, Camp Lejeune

Pictured: Group 74, Eglin

Pictured: Group 75, Tampa

Pictured: Group 76, San Diego

Pictured: Group 77, Joint Base Lewis McChord

Pictured: Group 78, Fort Liberty

Pictured: Group 79, TN | Fort Campbell

Pictured: Group 80, Virginia Beach

Pictured: Group 81, Virtual

2024 Application Deadlines:

THF is now accepting applications for 2024 Cohorts!

If you are or know a member of the Special Operations Forces community who is 12-18 months from leaving active duty service, please encourage them to apply to our program by visiting honor.org/apply.

COMPLETED APPLICATION PACKAGE DEADLINES

Summer 2024: April 15, 2024 (*virtual cohorts only)

Fall 2024: August 1, 2024

Completed Application Package Includes:

1. Submit online application

2. Submit two letters of recommendation from a peer/ superior/THF Alumni

3. Submit a basic resume

4. Schedule an Interview with campus Program Director

*Instructions for steps 2-4 will be sent upon completion of online application

Connections Outside of the Classroom

Fellows travel across the US for Treks

Each season, it feels like the THF Trek program evolves, creating connections and value for our Fellows in a way that few other experiences can. It’s critical for those who transition out of the military to gain perspective on the plethora of opportunities that await them–but that perspective can sometimes be out of reach. Through our Trek program, we not only make it accessible, we make it personal, giving our Fellows hands-on looks at different kinds of companies and organizations that are looking for people just like them to join their team. They get to expand their network and forge new connections, and also broaden their view of what is possible for them to achieve in their next career.

Last Fall, Fellows “visited” businesses, both physically and virtually, in new cities and their hometowns, including: Dallas, Chicago, Charlotte, San Diego, Virginia Beach, Tampa, Wilmington, Seattle, Nashville and Raleigh.

Thanks again for sharing

THF sincerely appreciates your valuable time, efforts and

companies who helped make these events a success for the fall cohorts:

your time with the Fellows!

continuous support of the organization and the military community.

THF in the Community

If there’s one thing we value throughout the year, it’s the dynamic, generous, and talented communities we have built all across the country! They are the fuel for our mission and what allows THF to be impactful for a lifetime. After a fastpaced season of events of all kinds, we’ve closed out 2023 with an inspired view of the many people and organizations that make THF so special–and more importantly, make our mission achievable!

The communities we’ve built are invaluable, and so it’s important for us to get out and stay connected to them, to build new connections, and to continue to grow our network of support. We’ve been all around the country in 2023 doing just that, and are so grateful for our friends–new and old–that we’ve met along the way!

Expanding Our Reach

THF + Wounded Warrior Project

The Honor Foundation is so proud to once again be named as community partner grant recipient of the Wounded Warrior Project to support the transitioning members of the Special Operations Forces community. This continues a legacy of support between our two organizations, furthering our common goal to build a network of support for our veterans.

Thank you Wounded Warrior Project for being an advocate of The Honor Foundation and our commitment to serve others with honor, for life, so their next mission is clear and continues to impact the world. We will go #furthertogether by combining our efforts to help military veterans succeed in their journey after active duty service.

Invest in Others

Written by Lindsay Cashin, THF VP of People

As a military spouse and a professional, I find the generosity of others both inspiring and encouraging—and none so much as the wonderful volunteers and donors we have at THF. The time, talent, and treasure that they share in and out of our classrooms truly impacts the lives of those we serve, their families, and the communities we all reside in. They invest in the personal and professional development of others and find great personal reward in doing so, while we all benefit from their gifts.

As I reflect on 2023, I can speak for the entire team and ecosystem of THF when I express my heartfelt thanks to The Security Traders Association of New York (STANY), a membership association for individuals employed as securities traders or in jobs that support the trading of securities in the Greater New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey area. THF was selected as the 2023 President’s Choice Charity, and many times throughout the year, the leaders of STANY and its members showed us how passionately they support our mission.

And what a way to kick off a year of activities! Earlier this year THF CEO, Matt Stevens, several THF Alumni, and I had the pleasure of attending the STANY Annual

Conference being held at the New York Stock Exchange. Being born and raised in New York and there during 9/11, I can personally attest to the great passion and support the NYC community has for our military. With almost 600 people in attendance, our day was spent sharing information about The Honor Foundation and brainstorming the many ways we can collaborate on both individual and corporate scales. We were able to address this large audience in the historic walls of the NYSE building various times throughout the day with our personal speeches and asks, spreading the message of our mission. And, as we ended the day watching the closing bell ring on the exchange floor, we came away with new volunteers eager to engage, new employer partners looking to hire the talent we serve, and a promise for continued generosity. For the remainder of the year, THF was the recipient of generosity from golf outings, raffles, and more. We closed out our year with a reminder of just how powerful that generosity is—how significant that time, talent, and treasure is to achieving our goals and truly changing lives. We are starting 2024 with renewed energy to

continue growing our community’s and partners’ powerful investment in our people.

Fuel for our Mission:

2023 was monumental for the THF’s Impact Team as they have continued their hard work to help keep our community of supporters involved and tied to our mission. They have no intention of slowing down as we start 2024. If anything, we’re starting the year with every intention to accomplish more than ever.”

THF Special Events are always a very fun time - no matter what city we happen to be visiting. Our cocktail parties, Swim, and Benefit Dinners offer an opportunity for our supporters to not only learn more about our mission but to personally get to know the incredible men and women of the Special Operations community, making personal bonds that last in the future.

We are humbled by the outreach, encouragement and participation of all who take part in our events, and thankful to those who have extended their personal networks to THF.

Fuel for our mission cont’d

We are also grateful for our partnerships with companies and grantors around the country such as the Navy SEAL Foundation, Carrington Charitable Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Surefox, Apollo and many others who continuously support our mission.

Thank you to everyone who has gave their time, talent and financial support in 2023.

Upcoming 2024 Fundraising Events & Campaigns

2024 | THF 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

National Giving Campaign

FEBRUARY 26 | FORT WALTON BEACH, FL

THF Swing for SOF Golf Tournament

MARCH 20 | WASHINGTON D.C.

A Toast to Veterans

MARCH 25 | ARGYLE, TX

ONIT + THF Golf Tournament

APRIL 11 | NASHVILLE, TN

Nashville Benefit Dinner

MAY-JULY | NATIONAL

Freedom Project Giving Campaign

SEPTEMBER 14 | SAN DIEGO, CA

Swim for SOF

SEPTEMBER 26 | AUSTIN, TX

Austin Benefit Dinner

OCTOBER 17 | NEW YORK, NY

New York Benefit Dinner

OCTOBER 24 | HOUSTON, TX

Houston Benefit Dinner

NOVEMBER | NATIONAL

Veterans Day 2024 | Giving Tuesday 2024

Help us celebrate The Honor Foundation’s 10th Anniversary!

2024 marks the 10th year of The Honor Foundation’s service to the men and women in our U.S. Special Operations Forces. We invite you to celebrate a decade of support by joining THF’s Infinite Mission with a monthly sustaining gift.

Special Operations Forces provide immeasurable service in defense of our country. Throughout their military careers, they have held steady on the front lines - now you can help repay their commitment by making a monthly commitment to THF.

Your monthly investment in THF’s Infinite Mission will show our elite service men and women that we value and honor their service to our country. Your gift will support assistance and guidance during their transition from military to civilian life. Your investment today will help to ensure that we can continue to support the Special Operations Forces who have served our country selflessly.

Use the QR code below to join the THF Infinite Mission and join us in celebrating 10 years of serving our dedicated SOF community.

You can also make a lasting impact when you name The Honor Foundation in your will. For more information on leaving a legacy through an estate gift, please contact Marleen Livingstone, Impact Director, at marleen@honor. org or 610-304-4977.

THF + Special Operations Salute® “Army SOF Edition

We are thrilled to announce that we have found a fantastic new way to raise funds in support of our mission and programs.

We are partnering with a veteran co-founded, craft distillery that has launched a very special project called Special Operations Salute®, a limited release of ultrapremium, collectable whiskeys created to honor and celebrate US SOF warriors and veterans.

The “Army SOF Edition” whiskey, the first of this series, was developed with authenticity and a profound respect for the ARSOF community. It comes in a beautiful matching display tube along with a frame-ready print of an original lithograph titled, “SEND ME” by veteran and artist Michael Solovey depicting Army SOF warriors from various eras.

The whiskey is a unique blend of 6-year and 7-year aged Bourbon and Rye whiskeys bottled at 105-proof; “Howitzer Strength”. Howitzer Strength;” produced “grain-to-glass” by Heritage Distilling Company, the most awarded distillery in North American for the past 10 years in a row by the American Distilling Institute.

$10 from each bottle purchased will go to SOF supporting non-profits, including THF. This project’s mission is to raise $1 million+ in total charitable donations through sales of this exceptional product.

Here’s the exciting part. $10 from every bottle sold online via this link will be donated entirely to our organization to help fund our mission.

If you are moved to use this link to pick up a bottle, consider purchasing two or more bottles as gifts for others. When you buy two or more, shipping is free (to any of the 34 states to where they can ship).

Thank you for supporting this project!

Purchase your bottle today!

Celebrate the women of the Special Operations Forces!

In recognition of women’s history month, The Honor Foundation will feature testimonies of women from the SOF community. Join us for cocktails, light fare, and networking with SOF Veterans and THF partners.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 | 6:00 PM

The Royal Sonesta | Capitol Hill

20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001

RSVP:

https://support.honor.org/washingtondc2024

Shop THF!

Another Way to Give!

The Honor Foundation is partnered with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) for our vehicle donation program. We are excited to move forward together to serve the Special Operations Forces community, especially with an experienced nonprofit who has been processing vehicle donations for more than 16 years.

If you’d like to donate your vehicle, call 844-55-HONOR or visit The Honor Foundation’s homepage to submit a secure online donation form. You may also email : donorsupport@careasy.org.

THF Black Hoodie

THF Signature T-Shirt

THF Tactical Shirt

THF Socks

VOLUNTEER AND CREATE IMPACT!

Volunteer with The Honor Foundation and help advance THF’s mission in a variety of ways.

As members of the business community, your participation with The Honor Foundation impacts this incredible talent pool by supporting THF’s mission. Together, we can provide a clear process for professional development by providing the knowledge, resources, and network necessary for the service member to find their purpose and value outside the military.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:

• Become a coach, mentor or join us in the classroom

• Share job opportunities that may be of interest to our Fellows and Alumni

• Introduce new people, businesses and foundations to THF

• Attend a THF event and invite friends, colleagues and family members to join you

• Present this volunteer opportunity to others who may be interested in supporting our Veterans

• Make a gift to THF at honor.org/donate

For more information, contact info@honor.org.

We look forward to hearing from you!

GUIDESTAR

TO JOIN THE THF MISSION visit honor.org or email info@honor.org for more information.