THE TEAM
JAMIE LAVALLEY
President
COL Jamie LaValley began his military career in 2001, commissioning as a 2LT inAviation at Norwich University in Vermont. His first assignment was to FortRucker, AL where he earned his Army Aviator wings and qualified as an AH-64DApache Pilot.His first assignment was as a Company XO and Platoon Leader at Camp Page, Republic of Korea with the 1-2 Attack Battalion “TheGunfighters”, 2nd Infantry Division. In 2005 he was assigned to 82nd AirborneDivision at Fort Bragg, NC with the 1-82 Attack Recon Battalion, “Wolfpack”where he served as Company Commander for A/1-82 “Redwolves'' during thesurge of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08. In 2009 he was assigned as anExchange Officer with the British Army, serving as a Flight Commander of a British Army Apache AH1Squadron with 3 and 4 Regiment, Army Air Corps, 16th Air Assault Brigade, Wattisham, United Kingdom.He attended the Apache AH1 Qualification Course and served in Operation Herrick (Enduring Freedom),Helmand Province, Afghanistan, with 653 Squadron and 654 Squadron. In 2011, he was assigned to FortRucker, AL, as the Directorate of Evaluations and Standardization (DES) Attack/Recon/UAS Branch Chief,where he attended the AH-64D Instructor Pilot Course. He was later assigned as Battalion S-3 for 1-223Aviation Regiment at Fort Rucker, then attended the Naval War College, Newport, RI in 2012. After ILE,he was assigned as the Battalion S-3 for 1-229th ARB, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, JBLM, WA, wherehe would deploy to Operation Enduring Freedom, Kandahar, Afghanistan with the first unit equippedwith the AH-64E Apache. In 2015, he was assigned to Camp Smith, HI, as the Aide-de-Camp to theDeputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, and in 2017 he was assigned as the Executive Assistant tothe J3 (Operations Directorate), U.S. Pacific Command. He commanded 6th Squadron, 17th CavalryRegiment, 4th Infantry Division from 2017-19 at Fort Carson, Colorado, deploying to Germany, Poland,and Greece for ATLANTIC RESOLVE. He then served as the Director of Evaluation and Standardization(DES) for Army Aviation at Fort Rucker AL from 2019-2021, and he was selected for the Advanced Strategic LeadershipStudies Program, which he attended from 2021-2. Since 2022, he has served as an instructor at the Army's premierSchool of Advanced Military Studies Program, teaching advanced operational art, strategy and tactics to Joint Force and international officers.He holds a Bachelor’s Degrees from Norwich University and Master’s Degrees from the Naval War College and the School of Advanced Military Studies.His awards and decorations are commensurate with his time in service and include campaign awards for service to Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan.He is a recipient of the Honorable Order of Saint Michael Silver Award (Aviation), the Order of Saint George Bronze Award (Cavalry),and the British Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (Afghanistan Campaign/OP Herrick).He is married to Kari Lewis of Burnt Hills New York, and they reside in Kansas with their two children.
LEONARD PIJPAERT
Vice President
Leon "PJ" Pijpaert is a serial entrepreneur. Prior to going into business for himself he worked around the world for General Electric and graduated from their Junior Officer Leadership Program. In the Army Leonard was an Infantry Officer and platoon leader with 1-12 CAV, 1st Cavalry Division during the Battle of Baqubah. In that capacity he supported the Commander’s vision by conducting COIN operations and establishing outposts within the city during The Surge. Upon redeployment he was selected to be the Speechwriter for the III Corps Commander. Leonard graduated from Loyola Marymount University where he played Division 1 soccer. He was selected to the Alpha Sigma Nu honor society and also received the Carl G. Kadner award upon graduation. Additionally, he received an MBA from Claremont Graduate University, an MS in Finance from the University of Rochester, and a certificate in government contracting from UCLA. His military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Valorous Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster. Leonard is the son of refugees and concentration camp survivors. He is proud to be a 7th generation soldier whose family has fought in major conflicts for the past 200 years. Notably, his great uncle led a guerrilla company in the jungles of New Guinea for over a year before being captured and beheaded by the Japanese. Leonard is married with four children and lives in California.
WOODROW HAWTHORNE
Secretary
Woodrow "Doug" Hawthorne dedicated 20 years of exemplary service in the United States Army, advancing through increasingly significant leadership roles as a Combat Engineer. His military career was marked by multiple deployments in Baghdad and Baqubah, Iraq, as both a Fire Team Leader and Squad Leader, and then to Ghazni, Afghanistan, as a Platoon Sergeant. Upon returning from Afghanistan, Doug assumed the pivotal role of Company First Sergeant. In this capacity, he led the successful deactivation, relocation, and reactivation of the unit to Fort Knox, Kentucky. After retiring from active duty, Doug continued to apply his leadership skills in the civilian sector, working in public education and project management. Doug holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology, along with both a Bachelor and Master of Arts in History, reflecting a commitment to personal growth and education. Doug is now continuing his service to the nation as a Program Manager for the Department of Defense, where he leverages his military experience to manage complex defense projects. His career reflects his ongoing commitment to serving his country and community.
JIM DOBIS
Director at Large
Jim Dobis is a federal employee who has served in law enforcement positions of increasing responsibility in both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice. Prior to his federal civilian service, Jim served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Rutgers University Army ROTC, and as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army where he led Soldiers during fifteen months of combat in Iraq. Jim possesses a Master of Science in Justice Studies and Public Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University, and an Associate of Arts from Valley Forge Military College. Jim’s work has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Association. His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Bronze Star, The Valorous Unit Award, the Combat Infantrymen Badge, and the State of New Jersey Disnguished Service Medal
MICHAEL MARTIN
Director of Development
Michael "Mike" Martin proudly served 21.5 years in the U.S. Army, advancing from a senior noncommissioned officer to an officer. Over the course of his distinguished career, he completed multiple combat deployments and held pivotal leadership roles, including S2 NCOIC for the 1-12 CAV, Commander of the 125th Forward Support Company, and S4 for the 4th Cavalry Brigade. Mike retired from active duty in 2021, bringing a wealth of leadership, logistical, and operational expertise to his post-military endeavors. Following his retirement, Mike transitioned into the nonprofit sector, serving as the Director of Development and Community Relations for the General Patton Museum Foundation. His leadership was instrumental in revitalizing the organization and enhancing its community impact. Inspired to pursue his passion for helping others on a deeper level, Mike returned to academia and earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. During his clinical training, Mike completed a year-long internship at Warrior's Heart, where he gained hands-on experience providing therapeutic support to veterans and first responders. He has since joined a private practice as a Professional Counselor and Life Coach, specializing in assisting active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. His work focuses on facilitating successful transitions from military service to civilian life, promoting reintegration, and addressing the unique challenges military families face. Mike's dedication to his clients is matched by his commitment to his family. He is married to the remarkable Star Martin, with whom he shares three children, including four-month-old twin boys. Their household is lively and joyful, rounded out by their beloved dogs. Mike remains deeply invested in making a positive impact within both his professional and personal spheres.
DANIEL YORK
Director at Large
Chief Warrant Officer Five Daniel York is a veteran Army Aviation leader whose career spans nearly three decades of transformative service. A native of Los Angeles, California, he began his military journey in 1993 as a Military Police and K9 Officer in Germany and at Fort Bragg, before transitioning to aviation. An Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduate, CW5 York is proficient in both the OH-58 Kiowa and the AH-64 Apache helicopters and has earned extensive qualifications—including completion of the SERE course, Instructor Pilot and Aviation Master Gunner Courses, and the Marine Corps Weapons Tactics Course, which designated him a Weapons and Tactics Instructor. Throughout his career, York has been at the forefront of operational innovation and tactical development. He served as a Pilot-in-Command and Air Mission Commander with the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying to critical theaters in Iraq and Afghanistan. His leadership as a Standardization Pilot in Europe and during Non-combatant Evacuation Operations in Baghdad underlines his commitment to mission readiness and excellence. More recently, as Chief of Standardization for the 110th Aviation Brigade, he spearheaded the development of the Aviation Tactics Instructor Course, and now, as the Government Flight Representative & Contract Manager for NETT, he advises on cutting-edge Apache equipment training for U.S. and international partners. Recognized with numerous awards—including two Bronze Stars and multiple commendations—CW5 York continues to redefine Army aviation with his strategic vision and unwavering dedication. CW5 York and his wife, Manuela, have four children as well as two grandchildren.
ANDREW KENNEDY
Treasurer
A 2004 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Andrew Kennedy began his career at Fort Lewis, WA as a Stryker Scout Platoon Leader in the U.S. Army, deploying to Iraq and leading combat missions in Tal Afar, Mosul, Baghdad, and Baqubah. His military tenure reflects a record of leading teams in complex, high‑stakes environments and executing missions requiring strategic judgment, resilience, and operational precision.Following his service, he earned two graduate degrees from the University of Illinois, strengthening his analytical and organizational leadership capabilities. He transitioned into the private sector with PepsiCo, where he gained hands‑on experience in large‑scale operations, corporate strategy, and cross‑functional team leadership within a global Fortune 50 company.He currently serves as a government employee with the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, contributing to the stewardship and oversight of one of the world’s largest retirement investment programs. His combined background—military leadership, advanced academic training, corporate management, and federal service—positions him as a strategic, mission‑driven leader with a deep understanding of governance, risk, and organizational performance.
