Staff
Eric Greitens, Chairman & CEO
Paul Eisenstein, Director of Operations
Chris Martinez, Director of Volunteer Outreach
Tony Bryan, Associate Director of Advancement
Rachel Wald, Executive Manager
Mike Pereira, Fellowship Program Coordinator
Lyndsey Hodges , Community Outreach Manager
Volunteer Leadership
Veteran Outreach Coordinators
Katie Wells , National Coordinator, (Nashville)
Dan Connell, Senior Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic Region (Washington DC)
Lindsay Williams, New York
Marc Wolf, New York
Trudy Manion, Philadelphia
Alex Borisov, Washington DC
Andrew Traver , Chicago, Il
Jon Wiens, (on hiatus), Washington DC
Jeff Gibson, Virginia
Brianna Bake, North Carolina
Tim Smith, St. Louis
Jon Deng, St. Louis
Fernando Lujan, Senior Coordinator, San Antonio
Tony Zavala, Director of Advancement, San Antonio
Jon Arnold-Garcia, Austin/San Antonio
Juan Candelario Davila, Director of Non-Profit/Community Outreach, San Antonio
Kristie Meave, Director of Communications, San Antonio
Anne Bacher, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rich Witt, San Diego
Dionisios Nicholas, Hawai'i
Community Service Coordinators
Empowering all citizens to serve their communities and speading awareness throughout the country.
Lance Bach, Special Operations Command, Tampa
Ellen Picklesimer, St. Louis
Carmen Gagnon , St. Louis
John Roy, Regional Outreach Coordinator, Central-Florida
Maire Murphy, Youth Outreach Coordinator, St. Louis
View a map of The Mission Continues' geographic reach
Paul Eisenstein
Director of Operations
peisenstein@missioncontinues.org
Since graduating from Saint Louis University, Paul Eisenstein has focused his efforts on bringing people of diverse backgrounds together in community service. As a youth program coordinator in San Francisco, Paul developed an after-school program for over 50 children in a low-income housing development where he utilized volunteers to successfully run programs ranging from teen empowerment groups to tutoring programs. At Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Paul equipped over 200 volunteers with the training and skills to be safe and effective mentors. He also led various communications and fund development projects as a project manager at BBBS.
Paul currently serves as the Director of Operations at the The Mission Continues (TMC) where he oversees the development and execution of its program, development, communications, and administration efforts. His experience in bringing together diverse groups of volunteers through community service is enabling the TMC to expand its reach and impact across the nation.
Outside of his professional life, Paul is working to improve the St. Louis region through various projects. He is a steering committee member of the United Way’s GenNext young professionals group and serves as secretary for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of St. Louis. He is also a co-facilitator in the Bridges Across Racial Polarization project and member of several local and national organizations including Metropolis St. Louis, FOCUS St. Louis, the Community Service Public Relations Council, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
In 2009, Paul was named as one of the top 30 outstanding young professionals in the St. Louis region by the St. Louis Business Journal in their “30 under 30” rankings.
Chris Martinez
Director of Volunteer Outreach
cmartinez@missioncontinues.org
A native of St. Louis, Chris joined The Mission Continues in October of 2008. Chris has been involved in both sides of volunteerism through organizations such as America SCORES and Disabled Athletes Sports Association, where he has been a fundraiser, a player, and a coach-clinician. Chris also sits on the steering committee for Show Me a Cure, a St. Louis based cancer research non-profit organization. Chris brings years of event planning and management experience to The Mission Continues, by organizing and facilitating over 1000 public, private, and non-profit events as the Assistant General Manager with the Golf Club at Pevely Farms.
Chris has most recently been the Club Director for TG Lions Soccer Club in St. Louis, where he coordinated a yearly volunteer staff of over 200 coaches, managers, and event workers. He also mobilizes his club players to be involved in annual service projects. Holding a USSF National "C" License, Chris has also coached for the Missouri Olympic Development Program and The St. Louis Lions PDL since 2006. He has also worked as a corporate trainer.
As Director of Volunteer Outreach, Chris brings strengths in organizational techniques, volunteer coordination, and leadership stemming from experience in both facility operations and years of coaching and training expertise.
Chris is married with three children and lives in Florissant, Mo.
Tony Bryan
Associate Director of Advancement
A St. Charles, MO native, Tony joined The Mission Continues August 2009. Tony brings a wide variety of expertise as a veteran and business owner. He served full time in the United States Army as a Military Police soldier for 9 years. During that time he held various leadership positions to include Squad Leader, and most notably as the youngest Drill Sergeant in his organization. In that capacity he helped prepare over 2000 young men and women to best serve their country. During that time he served in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Honduras in support of peace keeping missions. His personal military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
Tony most recently has continued to serve as a financial advisor for First Command Financial Planning. A company that focuses most of its effort helping military families develop long term goals and financial plans. During that time he acted as a steward for his community being involved in the local Chamber of Commerce and sitting on several committees to include chairperson of the Military and Governmental Affairs Committee and acted as a local Ambassador. As chair of the Military and Governmental Affairs Committee he led a group of volunteers to raise over $50,000 for a memorial in the new Veteran's Cemetery located next to Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
As the Associate Director of Advancement, Tony brings a great story to share with others, and a big desire to help veterans. He recently completed his Masters of Business Administration from Webster University. Tony has been married for almost nine years and is the proud father of four wonderful children.
Rachel Wald
Executive Manager
Rachel is a graduate of Duke University, where she earned Bachelors Degrees in International Relations and Spanish. During her time at Duke, Rachel was an active member of the Duke University Chorale, an Ambassador for the Duke University Undergraduate Admissions Office, and a Triangle Institute of Security Studies Wickersham Fellow.
Rachel worked at the Embassy of Mexico as an assistant to the Secretary of Human Rights and Special Affairs. For the Embassy, Rachel attended congressional hearings and reported necessary information to the Secretary, in addition to tracking legislation important to the US-Mexican relations. Most recently, Rachel conducted extensive research for Dr. Bruce Jentleson's upcoming publication, Profiles in Statesmanship. Her work profiling Nelson Mandela and Yitzhak Rabin earned her campus-wide recognition.
In addition to her Duke career, Rachel has also studied abroad with institutions in Costa Rica and Spain. She is a fluent Spanish speaker. In the future, Rachel hopes to pursue an advanced degree in International Affairs.
Rachel leads The Mission Continues team in conjunction with the office of the Chairman.
Mike Pereira
Fellowship Program Coordinator
Having served in Iraq with The Mission Continues' CEO and co-founder, Eric Greitens, Mike was exposed to the concepts that define the mission of The Mission Continues long before he came to work for the organization. Mike is from Bellingham, WA where, in 2000 at the age of 18, he enlisted into the Army as an Analyst. He served for six years active duty and one year as a contractor. Mike has been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Coming home after his service, Mike began to feel the weight of his transition from soldier to civilian. He was diagnosed with a complex anxiety disorder and PTSD from his time in the desert.
Determined to achieve success as a civilian, Mike reached out to Eric and came to learn about The Mission Continues' Fellowship Program. Mike applied for and was awarded a fulltime Fellowship in July of 2009. He used his Fellowship to bring together over 50 veterans and veteran supporters to address the needs of the elderly and disabled in his community through volunteer service. Inspired by this new opportunity to serve beyond the uniform, he now serves as the Fellowship Program Coordinator for The Mission Continues in St. Louis, MO.
Mike is currently working towards a degree in International Studies as he continues to grow in the field of service. Mike's priorities are defined by his desire to reach out and provide opportunities for veterans as they return home from their service. He believes that the ability and strengths of our veterans are key to establishing strong communities.
Lyndsey Hodges
Community Outreach Manager
Lyndsey was born and raised in Clinton, Missouri and received a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) in 2005. During her time at SMSU, she was involved in many organizations, including the International Association of Business Communicators, Lambda Pi Eta, and Sigma Kappa. She also served in several leadership roles for the University Ambassadors program through the Office of Admissions.
She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in public affairs with a specialization in organizational and community change from the University of Missouri - Columbia. Lyndsey comes to our organization after four years of experience as Community Manager of Development for the American Cancer Society. At the American Cancer Society, Lyndsey developed relationships and worked with several hundred volunteers in three counties to raise more than $2 million in their local communities. At ACS, her work was recognized with the Heart of Income and Heart of Communication awards, as well as the 5-Star Award for making goal on all events.
Lyndsey is a member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals and the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. As Community Outreach Manager for The Mission Continues, Lyndsey brings experience in non-profit fundraising and developing and cultivating volunteer relationships.
Katie Wells
National Veterans Outreach Coordinator
Katie Wells graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Sewanee (The University of the South) with a BA in Russian language and a concentration in Russian literature in 2005. Katie is also a graduate of the Middlebury Language School where she completed the nine-week Russian language summer immersion program.
Katie has worked as a White House intern in the Public Liaison Office and Office of Presidential Correspondence in Washington, DC. At the end of her internship, she became the Acting Associate Director of the White House Comment Line while the Associate Director was called to active duty in the Navy.
Katie was invited in April 2005 to become a military peer visitor at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The Military Peer Visitor Program at Walter Reed enables amputees like Katie to visit wounded veterans on a weekly basis. Following the Military Peer Visitor training and certification, Katie's main role at Walter Reed was helping the amputees with their adjustment process from the intensive care unit until they were discharged. Katie is thrilled to join The Mission Continues team as a Regional Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the Southeast.
As Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Katie recruits and manages The Mission Continues fellows in the Southeastern region of the United States.
Andrew Traver
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Chicago
atraver@missioncontinues.org Andrew Traver graduated summa cum laude from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. Following graduation he joined the United States Navy and completed Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating third in his class. He then attended and graduated with honors from Surface Warfare Officer School in Coronado, California and reported for duty as the Gunnery Officer aboard the USS Benjamin Stoddert, DDG-22, home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Following his Honorable Discharge in 1987, Andy swore in as a Special Agent in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as a criminal investigator and an original member of the Entry Control Team, forerunner of the Special Response Teams. In 1993 he was promoted to become a Group Supervisor in ATF's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Field Division, where he served until 1998. Following a brief tour in ATF Headquarters in Washington, DC, he was promoted to serve as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge, first in New Orleans, Louisiana (2000) and then in San Francisco, California (2002).
He is currently assigned as the Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of ATF and has been in that position since June of 2004. In September 2006 he was appointed to the Senior Executive Service. He resides there with his wife Becky and their three sons Anthony, Dominic and Vincent.
In March of 2008, Andy was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 44 and underwent major, life-saving surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in May of that year, followed by many months of recovery. Pursuant to his cancer experience, Andy felt a burning desire to engage in meaningful service to others and found his passion fulfilled in The Mission Continues. Andy can think of no more noble or deserving endeavor than supporting our wounded OIF and OEF veterans in any way possible and considers his work with The Mission Continues to be his true vocation. Andy joined The Mission Continues in September of 2009 as the Veterans Outreach Coordinator in the Chicago area.
Jon Arnold-Garcia
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Austin
jgarcia@missioncontinues.org
Jon enlisted in the Army in January of 1998 as a Spanish Linguist and served numerous tours in South America as part of the War on Drugs and Plan Colombia. Following 9/11, he re-classed as an All Source Intelligence Analyst and was stationed with the 101st ABN Division out of Fort Campbell. While stationed with the 101st he served two tours to Iraq. On his first tour in Iraq, he was part of a team that assessed and provided funding for developmental projects in Iraq.
On his second tour, he was on a MiTT Team training the Iraqi staff officers in intelligence operations and served as a liaison between the Iraqi government and multinational forces. He suffered an amputation to his right leg below the knee following a grenade attack on his convoy in the city of Hawija, Iraq in April of 2006. Since being medically retired from the military as a Staff Sergeant, he has gone back to school in preparation for a life in public service. I graduated Summa cum Laude from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Political Science and is currently a graduate student at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas. He hopes to lead a career in National Security and Defense Policy upon completing his degree, as well as continued veteran's advocacy.
His current volunteer work includes the Amputee peer visitor program at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio where he visits and mentors service members from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on an individual basis, explains life as an amputee, medical treatment, veterans benefits, family assistance and general support available to ease injured service members and their families through the recovery process. He is also a patient advocate at the Frank Tejeda Outpatient Clinic in San Antonio. He advocates the advantages of a form of PTSD treatment known as "Cognitive Behavioral Restructuring" to groups of combat veterans from the Vietnam War to the present ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, he is the Mission Continues Veterans Outreach Coordinator for Austin, TX as well as the Chair of the LBJ School of Public Affairs Military Association. He lives in San Antonio with his wife and two children.
Anne Bacher
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
abacher@missioncontinues.org 
Anne Bacher holds a BA in Romance Languages and Literatures from the University of Chicago, a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University (NYSSILR), and an Executive MBA from Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA. She has extensive experience in business and community organizational development and change management and is currently serving as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager in the Pittsburgh area.
Anne's husband, John, served three tours in Vietnam (USAF) and is a 100% disabled veteran. Anne's service with The Mission Continues honors his service and that of all veterans of wars and conflicts in which the U.S. military has been involved.
In September, 2002, Anne and John moved from the Boston area to Fresno, CA. Through continuing active involvement in John's care, Anne became acquainted with the Fresno VA Medical Center, the Fresno Vets Center, and a number of VA medical facilities in the Bay area. She completed the genealogical research necessary to join the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2008 and was active in the many veteran-related DAR programs carried on by the Fresno-Yosemite chapter. In January, 2009, she learned about the Mission Continues from co-workers who had heard Eric Greitens speak on leadership at a national Human Resources conference. Her employer agreed to contribute seed money to start a presence for The Mission Continues in the Central Valley of California. As Regional Outreach Coordinator for the startup year of the Central CA team, Anne was responsible for coordinating all aspects of local organization and implementation of The Mission Continues programs in Central California. Immediate and significant growth of interest in The Mission Continues in that region continues unabated.
Anne's March 2010 move to the Pittsburgh area allows The Mission Continues message - citizen leadership and continuing service to communities by our returning combat veterans - to reach a new region.
John Roy
Community Service Coordinator, Central-Florida
John has over 20 years of combined active and reserve military service in the Navy. His enlisted active assignments include duty as a nuclear trained mechanical operator onboard the fast attack submarine USS DACE (SSN 607), and as a staff instructor at the naval nuclear reactor facilities in upstate NY. Upon commissioning, John attended Surface Warfare Officer and Gas Turbine Engineering schools in Newport, RI, and was subsequently assigned as the Main Propulsion Assistant onboard the USS HAYLER (DD 997). His final two tours on active duty included Navigator of the USS VICKSBURG (CG 69) and NROTC instructor at the University of Florida, where he taught management, leadership, ethics and navigation.
Following active duty, John was assigned to several reserve commands. In November of 2001, in the wake of the September 11th attacks, John was recalled to active duty where he served with a Naval Coastal Warfare Unit as the Antiterrorism and Force Protection Officer. His unit was forward deployed providing force protection for US ships in foreign ports, as well as working with foreign navies on force protection initiatives.
Since departing active duty John has worked in the field of Human Resources with several Fortune 500 companies. He is currently a human resources executive with Harris Corporation, where he is responsible for implementing human resources strategy for more than 5,000 employees.
In addition to his degree from UF, John completed executive development programs at the Naval War College, Babson College, and the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.
John currently resides in central Florida with his wife Teresa and their three children.
Dionisios Nicholas
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Hawai'i
Dionisios H. Nicholas, was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He graduated from Cleveland High School in Reseda, CA in 1980. In 1983, he received a degree from Los Angeles Valley College before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps, Dionisios earned an undergraduate degree from Campbell University (NC) in 1991 and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Troy State University in 1996. Dionisios' Marine Corps career began at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, and after training he was assigned as the legal services specialist military occupational school. Over his career, he volunteered for many overseas assignments, including time in Okinawa, Japan, and Korea. He spent 23 years in the Marine Corps serving as a leader of Marines and prominent Senior Noncommisioned Officer in the legal field. Dionisios became a US citizen in 1987 in Agana, Guam. He is fluent in English, Greek, Japanese, and Spanish, and has a working knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.
While deployed overseas with the 3rd Marine Division & III Marine Expeditionary Force, Dionisios sustained a fracture of his lower back. Returning from overseas and injured, in 1997, he was admitted to Balboa hospital where he underwent an emergency operation on his spine. After traditional therapy, and with determination, he continued his duties until he sustained a second injury to his lower spine. After recovery from his second surgery, he volunteered to again serve overseas from 2000-2003. Back from overseas in 2005, Dionisios suffered a third major spinal injury, and as a result, he received a titanium disc cage fusion and sustained permanent nerve damage to the L5-S1 area of his spine. Additionally, he has been diagnosed with collapsing discs. In 2006, due to continued nerve damage, chronic pain, and right side semi-paralysis he was honorably discharged and found permanently disabled.
After 23 years in the Marine Corps and a successful career, Msgt Nicholas' time as an active duty Marine had come to an end. The next two years were fraught with frustration, depression, guilt, anger and pain. It has taken two years for Dionisios to emerge from his ailments and feel strong enough to volunteer and, ‘‘Go forth and do good," as he likes to say. Although he suffers daily from permanent nerve damage, numbness, and chronic pain, Dionisios is making an effort to give back to his community. He has been awarded a Mission Continues Fellowship with the National Park Service, volunteering as an assistant Park Ranger at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawai‘i. Here, Dionisios will further his desire to become something bigger than himself and prove his ability to help others, despite his disabilities.
Msgt Nicholas' awards include the Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal 2nd award; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 4th award; Marine Corps Good Conduct medal 7th award; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, amongst others.
Dan Connell
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic Region
Dan Connell grew up in a Coast Guard family, moving around the United States before settling in Southern New Jersey. While attending Seton Hall University, Dan was involved in the Academic Teaming Assistant Program, which provided in-residence tutors to students free of charge within their dormitories. In 2002, he completed the University Honors Program and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He was engaged in a variety of internships during and after college, including stints with the Ocean County New Jersey Major Crimes Investigation Unit and the Ocean County Historical Society, as well as an opportunity to work for a United States Congressman in Washington, DC.
In September 2004, Dan was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy upon completing Officer Candidate School. During the spring of 2006, he was assigned to an EA-6B squadron at Whidbey Island, where he served as a Division Officer and completed a deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The following spring Dan deployed again, this time to al Anbar Province in Iraq. After his tour in Iraq, Dan was stationed in Seoul, South Korea.
Dan remains on active duty in the Washington, DC area and was recently promoted to Lieutenant. He resides in Northern Virginia, joining The Mission Continues in September 2008 as a Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the Washington, DC area.
Marc Wolf
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, New York
Upon graduation, Marc attended Naval Officers Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida before attending the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia as a Naval Intelligence Officer. His military experiences span the Western Pacific to Southwest Asia as an Anti-Submarine Warfare Intelligence Officer attached to CTF 57/72, responsible for all Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Intelligence requirements in both the 5th and 7th Fleets. He was also Senior Operational Intelligence Officer attached to SEAL Team TWO, making deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq.
In 2006, after 4 years on active duty, Marc joined the Naval Reserves as well as the audit team of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in New York where he performed Sarbanes-Oxley 404 audits for financial service firms and recommended operational and technology enhancements. In 2007, he left PwC to pursue an MBA at Washington University's Olin Business School in St. Louis, Missouri. Through the MBA program, Marc interned in New York at Deutsche Bank in their Global Markets Associate Program and participated in a semester-long MBA exchange program at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Marc first became involved with The Mission Continues as a student host in 2009 when Eric Greitens guest lectured at the Olin Business School thru a course taught by former CEO and Chairman Emeritus of Emerson, Charles F. Knight, "Creating Exception Value: Performance Without Compromise." Marc has since helped with various fundraising and awareness events for The Mission Continues. After graduating with his MBA in May 2009, Marc is happy to have returned New York City where he serves as the Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the state of New York.
Jeff Gibson
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Norfolk
Jeff Gibson was born and raised in St. Louis and received a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy via the Navy ROTC program.
Jeff has over 20 years of combined active and reserve military service in the Navy. His active duty assignments included duty as the Diving and Salvage Officer onboard the USS SUNBIRD (ASR-15), where he was responsible for the diving, submarine rescue, and SEAL support operations. After successful completion of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California, Jeff was assigned to SEAL Team ONE as a Platoon Commander, where he deployed to Southeast Asia. He transferred from the West Coast to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO in Norfolk, Virginia and deployed to the Mediterranean. Subsequently, Jeff fulfilled duties as the Operations Officer responsible for various SDV Task Units. In addition, he was stationed in London, England as an unconventional warfare planner and special operations advisor to theater commanders.
Jeff left active service in the summer of 2000 and went back to school to get his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis while remaining in the Navy Reserves. Upon graduation, he was hired by a large multi-national, diversified technology company in St. Paul, MN as business development manager and strategic planner for international business divisions. Most recently, Jeff was the Vice President of International Operations for a high profile, defense-services company that provides training, aviation, and security support to the US Government around the globe. He has traveled extensively to remote and precarious places that include Afghanistan, Iraq, as well as various locations in Africa, South America, and Southwest Asia.
Jeff currently resides in Chesapeake, Virginia with his wife, Karen, and two children, Mia and Katerina. He joined The Mission Continues in June of 2009 as a Veterans Outreach Coordinator in the Norfolk area.
Brianna Bake
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, North Carolina
bbake@missioncontinues.org
Brianna Bake attends the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she is a dual major in International Studies, concentrating on the Middle East and in Religious Studies of Islam. She will be studying abroad at the University of Jordan at Amman for the 2010 -2011 academic year. Brianna was a member of the History and International Studies Learning Community for 2008-2009, as well as a campus Tour Guide, and member of the International Studies Students Association. She is conversational in Arabic and Spanish.
Born and raised at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Brianna has always been closely connected to the military. Her father retired from the Army with twenty-five years of service. Her two older brothers are in the Army, one serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The other is in the Warrior Transition Battalion and sustained injuries during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Brianna's prior volunteer service projects consisted of local food drives, soup kitchens, Cookies for Troops, Adopt-a-Highway and personally orchestrating the development and establishment of a recycling center in her hometown.
Brianna joined The Mission Continues in June of 2009 as a Veterans Outreach Coordinator for North Carolina.
Trudy Manion
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Philadelphia
Trudy Manion, a native of Philadelphia, grew up in a military family. Her father served as a B-17 Navigator in WWII, her brother Jim served in the Army in Vietnam, and her brother, Col Tom Manion, just completed a 30-year career in the Marine Corps.
Trudy's background is in the arts. In 1977, she founded and operated Philadelphia's largest modeling agency, Reinhard Models and Talent Agency. She sold the agency in 1988 to focus on raising her three children. In 1999, she resumed her career and worked as a senior producer for Nancy Glass Productions, producing shows for HGTV, Discovery Channel, and Women's Entertainment. Trudy currently produces independent videos for local non-profits.
As a mother of a child with a disability, Trudy serves on the Board of Directors for Acting Without Boundaries (AWB), a non-profit theater program for young adults and children with disabilities. Her training and additional volunteer work includes working as a facilitator for Peter's Place, a Children's Grieving Center. Trudy is a full-time volunteer for the Sundance Film Festival and the Nantucket Comedy Festival.
In April 2007, her nephew, 1stLt Travis Manion , gave his life for this country during combat operations in Iraq. His life of service and ultimate sacrifice inspired Trudy to dedicate the past two years to serving on the Board of Directors for the Travis Manion Foundation , a non-profit organization that supports our wounded veterans and the families of the fallen. She ran with Team Travis in the Marine Corps Marathon in 2007 and 2008. Trudy joined The Mission Continues in December, 2008 as a Veterans Outreach Coordinator for Philadelphia and the Tri-State area.
Brandon Garrison
"Groundbreaking Fellow," San Antonio
bgarrison@missioncontinues.org
After joining the US Army in 2003, Brandon Garrison was stationed at Fort Drum, New York with the 10th Mountain Division. Throughout his deployments to Afghanistan, Brandon served as a gunner, first responder and logistician for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1-32 Infantry Regiment. While conducting routine operations in the Pesch Valley and The Korengal Outpost, Brandon sustained multiple injuries in his back, shoulders, and skull. He was hospitalized upon his return and was later medically retired in March of 2009. Brandon believes his mission may be over in Afghanistan but the overall mission has just begun. For his fellowship, Brandon will serve as a "groundbreaking fellow" in San Antonio, Texas as well as working with fellow wounded veterans at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital and VFW in Kerrville, Texas.
Fernando Lujan
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, San Antonio
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Fernando Lujan graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1998 and was commissioned as an infantry officer. After completing airborne and ranger training, his first assignment was with the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served as a rifle platoon leader, company XO, and assistant operations officer. Shortly after the September 11th, 2001 attacks, Fernando successfully completed the Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned as a detachment commander in the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he had the opportunity to conduct counterinsurgency and counterterrorism missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout Latin America.
After returning from his last combat tour in 2006, Fernando attended Harvard's Kennedy School of Government as a Presidential Scholar and Public Service Fellow. Since then, he has had the opportunity to support several non-profit organizations including Mountains for Miracles, Service Nation, and the Wounded Warrior Project. He is also a member of Alamo Silver Wings, a San Antonio-based veterans association of current and former paratroopers. While in graduate school, Fernando served as a part-time advisor for the House Foreign Affairs Committee on issues related to human rights and irregular armed groups in Latin America. He graduated with a Master in Public Policy (International Security) in June 2008 and began his current assignment as an Assistant Professor of Politics at West Point.
Fernando joined The Mission Continues in February, 2009 as the Veteran's Outreach Coordinator for San Antonio, Texas, where his family continues to live. He is extremely excited to be working in one of the most active military veterans and retiree communities in the country and the future home of the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMS), which will be the largest military medical center in the world. Fernando enjoys riding motorcycles, traveling, mentoring cadets, Crossfit, and writing. His professional research includes terrorism, insurgency, political advocacy, and Latin American Studies. Fernando is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and speaks fluent Spanish and some Arabic.
Juan Candelario Davila
Director of Non-Profit/Community Outreach, San Antonio
Juan Candelario Davila grew up an Air Force brat and watched as his father dedicated 20 years of loyal service to his country. This has been the basis of his participation and involvement in The Mission Continues. He is an aspiring Political Scientist and will be receiving his first degree this December. He hope to take his education and put it to good use whereever it is he finds himself in the future. Juan is extremely excited about TMC and the many people he know it will soon help.
Kristie Meave
Director of Communications, San Antonio
Kristie Meave is Sr. Vice President for Marketing and Communications at the Fayettevile-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. Because of the close working relationship between Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, she is well versed with the military community and the media contacts that report on it. Prior to moving to Fayetteville, Kristie was a Presidential Schedule C appointee with the Bush Administration. In that capacity she managed Public Affairs for one of the agencies of the United States Department of Commerce. Kristie has also worked as a PR proffessional in the DC area and for former Congressman Henry Bonilla. In her personal time, Kristie volunteers for various community groups such as Community Concerts, Partnership for Children and Fayetteville Cares, a community based military support group.
Tony Zavala
Director of Advancement, San Antonio
Tony Zavala is a successful businessman and entrepreneur in San Antonio, Texas. After attending the U.S. Naval Academy and St. Mary's University, Tony worked in corporate America for over 10 years. He started investing in real estate at the age of 28 and as a professional investor has completed scores of both residential and commercial projects. He owns a private Real Estate Investment company, and is a frequent contributor to San Antonio Business Journal. He is active in public service, serving on the advisory council of the Salvation Army Women and Children's Shelter and participating in numerous community-based service programs. Tony is married, and the proud father of 3 beautiful girls. He is excited about the opportunity to work with TMC's newest office in San Antonio. Rich Witt
Volunteer Outreach Coordinator, San Diego
Richard Witt graduated in 1998 from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he earned a Bachelors degree from the College of Engineering in Atmospheric, Oceanographic and Space Sciences. In 1999 he joined the United States Navy and completed Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, where he was commissioned in the fall as an Ensign.
In June of 2000 he completed Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL training where he was selected as the top graduate in his class (honorman) and he was assigned to SEAL Team ONE in San Diego, Ca. from 2000-2004. During that time he deployed twice as an assistant platoon commander, once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Horn of Africa and once to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
From 2004-2006 he served at Naval Special Warfare Unit ONE in Guam as an action officer where he spent time supporting Joint Combined Training Exercises in South Korea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Australia. He also provided Humanitarian Assistance during the May 2006 earthquake in Yoyakarta, Java, Indonesia which left an estimated 1.5 million people homeless. From 2006-2008 he served at SEAL Team THREE as a Platoon Commander where he deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq from March - Sept 2008.
He currently is assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, Ca. where he resides with his wife Maggie and their newborn daughter Nora. Rich joined The Mission Continues in October of 2008 as a Veterans Outreach Coordinator in the San Diego area.
Marie Murphy
Youth Outreach Coordinator, St. Louis
Máire Murphy joined The Mission Continues in 2009 and hopes to mobilize young people for service and leadership. Máire has volunteered for many organizations but only recently has her professional life centered on citizen leadership. After attending St. Louis University (BA: Economics; German), the University of Virginia (Ph.D., American History), teaching university, and living abroad, Máire combines her interest in social justice, national service, and youth leadership by teaching at Nerinx Hall High School (St. Louis). There she actively supports the school's mission of service and is excited to link this work to The Mission Continues. Never an active service member, Máire has close family and friends who proudly serve our nation in the Armed Forces. Through the TMC she hopes to help and honor those who have given the greatest gift of all.
Jon Deng
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, St. Louis
Jonathan Deng currently attends the Washington University in St. Louis, where he is a dual major in Finance and Anthropology. At Washington University, Jon is a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi business honorary, an executive board member for the community service organization Campus Kitchens-WashU, and an orientation counselor for the Office of Orientation.
Growing up in Ft. Lauderdale, Jonathan was first introduced to the military from one of his teachers, a retired Army First Sergeant. Jonathan is currently enrolled in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Washington University, training to become an Army officer.
Jonathan originally heard about The Mission Continues from a conversation with Eric Greitens at a campus event, leading him to an internship at The Mission Continues office in St. Louis. In August of 2009, after working closely with the Fellowship program, Jon took up the position of Veterans Outreach Coordinator for St. Louis
Ellen Picklesimer
Community Service Coordinator, St. Louis
empickles@missioncontinues.org
After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Ellen began work on her Master's Degree at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. She will receive her degree in May 2010 with a concentration on children, youth, and families with a focus on working with military families.
Ellen also organized the annual Toys for Tots drive at the Brown School for the St. Louis Toys for Toys campaign, ran by the Marine Corps Reserve. This past year, along with area communities, Ellen helped triple the donations from last year. She was also given the opportunity to contribute more this year as the St. Louis County Toys for Tots Family Representative.
As a Regional Outreach Coordinator for St. Louis, Ellen has worked closely with two families. In the past year, she has organized letter-writing campaigns and tributes and built a strong relationship with the families of CPL Riley Baker who was killed in action on June 22, 2006 in Ar Ramadi, Al Anbar Providence Iraq and LCPL Matthew Pathenos who was killed in action in Iraq on February 7, 2007.
In July 2009, Ellen and Baker's grandparents, Channing and Margaret Baker, hosted "Christmas in July" at a church in Illinois and several churches in Eureka, Missouri, in honor of the fallen Marine. All the items collected will be sent overseas in care packages to the troops.
Ellen joined The Mission Continues in January 2009 and has enjoyed every minute of this experience and will continue working with The Mission Continues, serving families that have been so courageous and open with the stories of their fallen heroes, by helping continue their mission.
Carmen Gagnon
Community Service Coordinator, St. Louis
Carmen Gagnon grew up an Air Force brat where her travels have taken her around the globe. Japan, Germany and all over the US. She has taken from her experiences the appreciation of different cultures, while understanding we all bleed red and have basic same values and needs to love & provide for our families and to be valued as a person. This respect for others was fostered with the decision by her parents to live off the base and be fully ingrained in the local culture. She learned the languages and the friendships that taught more similarity than differences. It was difficult as a child to make friends find acceptance and have to move and start all over again. It has taught her how to be flexible, fearless and friendly. All those skills have helped to overcome the challenges faced and provide a foundation and skills needed to succeed.
The most profound value instilled was love and respect of country. When the flag is raised at any event, tears well up and her heart still swells with pride. Pride for our country and the service men and women that serve with their lives and the lives of their families. All have given and sacrificed on some level for the sake of service.
The 10 years of counseling to troubled teens has given her the ability to see things from the heart and eyes of others. Service has always been the guiding light in her life. Compassion and commitment to make a difference in the lives of the families serving is a path she has chosen. If the service person knows that their families are taken care of, they can perform their duties with no distractions and come home safely. That may be where the real work begins. To find their place in the community. The comradary felt in the field and when out of country is the most profound experience. You never stop seeking the acceptance, safety and feeling of belonging found within the family of US military service.
She has been married 23 years to a former Air Forcer (meet in Germany). They have three children. Daughter married to a Navy nuclear tech and lives in Hawaii and recently, a grand daughter. Two sons one 21 working as a security officer and the other 17 still in HS with plans to study psychology.
Currently she has a practice with MetLife where she is a specialist advisor in estate planning for families where someone has disabilities and need to be aware of financial matters as they pertain to benefits and future provision. She also works with typical families and addresses their concerns for a stable future, college funding and retirement.
Alex Borisov
Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Washington DC
Alexander Borisov was raised in Saint Louis, Missouri and attended Saint Louis University (SLU) while studying biomedical engineering. His time at SLU led him to intern as an Apple Higher Education Marketing Representative while also taking on the role as the music director for the all-youth Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps of Saint Charles, Missouri.
In December of 2006, Alex auditioned with The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, one of the Army's four premier musical organizations, and was accepted as an instrumentalist. After receiving his acceptance, Alex enlisted in the Army in August of 2007 and attended Army Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina as part of the 1-61 Infantry Regiment. Upon completion of training, he reported to Fort Myer, Virginia where he currently holds the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 3rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion, "The Old Guard," Fife and Drum Corps on active duty. Alex also serves as a public affairs NCO for The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, responsible for marketing and public relations for the unit. Alex is currently attending American University in Washington D.C. studying marketing and economics in the pursuit of a joint MS/MA.
Alex resides in Northern Virginia and joined The Mission Continues in 2009 as a Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the Greater Washington, D.C. area.
