James Colbert
Executive Director
James brings more than three decades of experience in the nonprofit sector to Heroes Linked. Previously, he was Policy Director at JINSA—an organization dedicated to a strong American military and robust security cooperation between the U.S. and its allies. James holds a B.A. in political science and communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an M.A. in international relations from The George Washington University, and an executive certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. James serves in the California State Guard, is a California Cadet Corps staff member, and is a member of the Sons of the American Legion.
David Tenenbaum, USAF (ret.)
Director, Heroes Network
A U.S. Air Force veteran, David is dedicated to helping veterans, particularly as they transition from military to civilian life. He is the founder of Honor Media, a nonprofit focused on the veteran community, and recently served as a Secretary of the VA appointee to a Federal Advisory Committee. In addition to his work as the Director of Heroes Network, he remains active in veteran advocacy and the veteran community through volunteering and being a member of the American Legion, Team Rubicon, Veterans in Media & Entertainment, Bunker Labs, and UCLA’s Operation Mend buddy program. He holds a master’s in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an undergraduate degree from UC San Diego.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert F. Jerome
Board Chair
Robert (Bob) is proud to support those who served and Gold Star Families through his contributions to Heroes Linked and by coordinating and hosting events featuring Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Bob brings a wealth of financial and managerial knowledge, having spent his career managing multi-million-dollar projects for major financial institutions. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Franklin & Marshall College.
LTC Pete Seitz, USA (ret.)
Board Vice Chair
LTC Pete Seitz, USA (ret.) has been actively involved with soldier and veteran support in Orange County, California for the past decade. He was one of the founding members of the Orange County Veteran and Military Families Collaborative (OCVMFC) and is currently serving as the group’s chairperson. He also serves on the Board of the Veterans Legal Institute and is in his fourth term as the President of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of the United States Army. Before his civilian retirement, Seitz worked in the food industry specializing in sales management, marketing, and strategic planning.
Seitz served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971 to 1976, participating in numerous deployments and operations primarily as a CH-46 helicopter pilot. In 1979, he joined the California National Guard and was assigned to the 1-18th Cavalry Squadron as a UH-1H helicopter pilot and Reconnaissance Platoon Commander and later served as the Executive Officer and Troop Commander. In May 1988, he was assigned to the Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB) at Los Alamitos and was the Airfield Operations Officer and Airfield Commander. In 1998, then-Lieutenant Colonel Seitz became the California State Aviation Operations Officer and later returned to command the Joint Forces Training Base until his military retirement in 2001.
John Ventimiglia
Board Secretary and Treasurer
John Ventimiglia retired from Boeing in 2021 after 32 years of service. In his last role, he led a group of program managers for the Global Information Technology Infrastructure Services Program Office. During his career with Boeing, John held numerous positions related to Strategic Development, Cyber Security, and Energy, as well as positions in the Guidance, Navigation & Controls Group for the Space Shuttle Program.
From 2007 to 2022, John served as Treasurer (an Executive Board position) for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of United States Army. John also held a number of roles for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) organization (2017-2022). John obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University in Pomona, California and his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle University.
Bill Adler
Retired Corporate Executive and Consultant
Chris Bugel
Assistant General Counsel, North America, Transurban
Corinne Goodman
Founder & Owner, Down Under Endeavours
COL Jack H. Jacobs, USA (ret.)
Medal of Honor recipient
Military analyst,
NBC News & MSNBC
Yola Habif Johnston
Director, International Business Development, Lockheed Martin
CSM Gary L. Littrell, USA (ret.)
Medal of Honor recipient
Chairman, Tribute to Valor Foundation
Beverly Marksbury
Legal professional, retired
Liam O’Neil
Managing Director, Head of Business Development & Private Wealth Services, Merrill Lynch
Laura Pope
Managing Director-Investments, Everest Capital Private Wealth Management Group
Tom Rooney
Six year veteran of the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam War
Larry Schnadig
Corporate executive, retired
BOARD OF ADVISORS
LTG David P. Fridovich, USA (ret.)
President, Fridovich Group
MG Jon A. Gallinetti, USMC (ret.)
President, J.A. Gallinetti & Associates, Inc.
MG Mark A. Graham, USA (ret.)
Senior Director, Rutger University Behavioral Health Care National Call Center
Director, Vets4Warriors
LTC William Swenson, USA
Medal of Honor recipient, Active Duty
SSG Clinton L. Romesha, USA (ret.)
Medal of Honor, Author, Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor
HEROES NETWORK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Jim Cragg, USAR (ret.)
CEO, Special Operations Technologies Inc.
MG Rick Devereaux, USAF (ret.)
National security consultant
SGM John K. Gilstrap, USMC (ret.)
LTG Earl Hailston, USMC (ret.)
Chairman, Air Warrior Courage Foundation
CSM Christopher Kurinec, USA (ret.)
Public Affairs Officer, American Legion Post 91
CMS Michael Lamonica, USAF (ret.)
Vice President of Architecture & Engineering, Optiv Inc.
VADM Bernard McCullough, USN (ret.)
Retired
Steven L. Pomerantz, USAF (ret.)
National security and counter terrorism consultant
Former Assistant Director, FBI (ret.)
David P. Steinmann
Retired
LTG Guy C. Swan III, USA (ret.)
President, Swan & Associates, LLC
Jack White
Partner, McGuireWoods LLP
Michelle Winkley
Founder & HR consultant, Talent Distinctions, LLC
Don Schwarz
Founder, Board Chair 2009 – 2021, In memoriam
Don Schwarz, founded MVAT (now Heroes Linked) to provide for veterans’ needs not met by other funding sources. During his own time in the Army, Don trained as a veterinary specialist at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Afterwards, he continued to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves until he was honorably discharged. In addition to founding MVAT, Don was passionate about community service, serving on numerous nonprofit boards and advisory councils.
LCDR E. Belmont “Monte” Herring, USN (ret.)
Board Member 2015 – 2021, In memoriam
In 1954, Monte was commissioned in the U.S. Navy submarine force, serving on the USS Cusk, USS Wahoo, and USS Skate. He later served on the staff of commanders of Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet and Submarine Squadron Seven. Following his military service, Monte continued his educational pursuits at University of California Los Angeles, where he received his juris doctorate degree in law. Soon after, Monte started his own law practice in Santa Monica where he practiced law for the next six decades. In addition to his service to the MVAT Foundation (now known as Heroes Linked), Monte was an active member of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica, President of Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles, and President of Santa Monica Junior Chamber of Commerce.