American Valor Podcast

Mr. Jim Folk is the Vice President (VP) of Ballpark Operations for the Cleveland Indians and Chairman of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, with a vision of supporting positive civil-military relations by creating and maintaining a strong, meaningful, and direct bond between citizens of northeast Ohio and the crew of USS Cleveland (LCS 31) and a mission of sending USS Cleveland to the Fleet with the greatest start possible, to support the ship and crew throughout her service life, and to welcome her home to Cleveland at the completion of her Naval service. Folk expresses his sincere perspective that he has never worked a day in his life because of the joy baseball and his work bring him. Hear Mr. Folk share stories and memories of Mr. Bob Feller, the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, and Folk’s career in baseball. 

“Jim Folk spent his 38th season in Major League Baseball and his 28th with the Cleveland Indians in 2019. Folk joined the organization in June of 1992 as Director of Ballpark Operations and was elevated to Vice President of Ballpark Operations in November of 2001.

As Vice President of Ballpark Operations Jim is responsible for all activities at Progressive Field, which includes ushering, security and police, guest services, maintenance, custodial, playing field, and parking activities. He works with Gateway Economic Development Corporation on lease, management, maintenance, and capital repairs issues and with the city of Cleveland on the staffing of the public safety crews at and around Progressive Field. Jim was heavily involved in the design and construction activities of the ballpark and oversaw the 1993 final series at Cleveland Stadium and the 1994 opening at the then Jacobs Field. He acted as the Cleveland Indians Project Manager for the Goodyear Spring Training/Player Development Complex and Ballpark, overseeing design and construction activities from 2007-2009.

Since joining the Indians Jim has overseen Major League Baseball’s All-Star game (1997), three World Series (1995, 1997, and 2016), and a total of 45 postseason home games at Progressive Field, along with the then Major League record of 455 consecutive sell-out games, with more than forty million fans walking through the gates. In addition, he has assisted Major League Baseball and/or the home club in the execution and supervision of All-Star Games in Baltimore (1993), Philadelphia (1996), and Chicago (2003), and World Series in New York (2001 & 2009), Chicago (2005), and Detroit (2006).

Jim, who earned a degree from Loyola University of Chicago in 1984, is a member of the American Society of Industrial Security, International Association of Venue Managers, National Fire Protection Association, Stadium Managers Association, and serves on advisory committees to Major League Baseball’s Security & Facility Management Department. He currently serves as Chairman of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation and on the Boards of Directors of the Congregation of St. Joseph Ministries, Downtown Cleveland Alliance, and Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation. He is Past President of the Stadium Managers Association and has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saint Joseph Academy in Cleveland" (USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation).
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Colin Kirk
USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation
Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation

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Enrique Acosta Gonzalez speaks about his background as a meteorologist and enlisted leader in the United States Navy. Mr. Gonzalez refers to selfless leadership with the mindset of helping making people’s lives better and incorporating the personal component of leading others.

“Enrique has served as an Executive, Businessman, Veteran & Advocate, Board Member, Non-Profit Administrator, Speaker, Mentor, Coach, and Avid Volunteer. Over the past 20 years, Enrique has held numerous executive advisor and senior positions while serving in the United States Navy and civilian sector. Through education and training, he helped strengthen the chain of command, providing sound decision support and creating open communication at all levels. Enrique also helped formulate and implement policies concerning morale, welfare, job satisfaction, discipline, and training of Navy and civilian personnel.

His performance won him the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He was named 2013, 2014, and 2017 Mentor of the Year, and recipient of the inaugural 2014 Chief John Dungan Jr. Oceanographer of the Navy Award. He was also awarded The Arnold Fletcher Award and inducted into the SALUTE National honors society for his academic achievements.

Enrique remains involved in the Armed Services as an active volunteer for various projects and non-profits, earning him the esteemed Bronze, Silver and Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award.

He graduated from the Command Leadership Course, Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, holds an A.S. from Excelsior College, a B.A. in Natural Sciences and Mathematics from Thomas Edison State University, and is currently completing his M.B.A with Herzing University.

Enrique is involved in several national and local organizations; namely Veterati, CFDC Veterans Business Initiative (VBI), Camaraderie Foundation Mentor Leadership Program, and Navy League of Central Florida” (Triad Leadership Solutions).
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Nathaniel Cameron
Triad Leadership Solutions
Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation

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Recently retired Navy Commanding Officer John Laney shares the story of his learning the importance of reading when he was surprised to be asked what he was reading during his command board, finding he did not have a superb answer to the simple question. Laney also speaks to the importance of recognizing how complex systems are in the world. For Laney, valor is tied to meaning and he defines leadership as helping others to be the very best version of themselves, whatever that may be for the individual.
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Nathaniel Cameron
DODReads
DODReads Story – How one simple question nearly failed my EOD Board & led to a website
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman
Understanding the Growth Mindset
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation

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Matt Eisner became the youngest professional blogger on mlb.com at the age of nine years. Mr. Eisner shares his memorable stories of covering baseball at a young age and attending Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation ceremonies honoring those who support our service men and women each November.
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Colin Kirk
Matt’s Bats
Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation

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Mr. Brian Clark shares his recollection of working in the World Trade Center for Euro Brokers and his story from above the impact zone of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. Clark shares the lessons he has taken towards his own life: living in the present, not dwelling on unanswerable questions, enjoying life to the fullest, making every day count, and using one’s gifts in service to others.
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz, Nathaniel Cameron, and Colin Kirk
Brian Clark’s full 9/11 story at Mesquite ISD
Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation

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Minor League Baseball player and retired Surface Warfare Officer Luke Gillingham shares his memories of playing baseball at the United States Naval Academy for Coach Paul Kostacopoulos, his recollection of being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, and the options the Navy presented to him as he fulfilled his commitment to serving his country through the Navy Reserve while having the opportunity to play professional baseball. Gillingham also shares his thoughts on playing professional baseball and baseball during COVID-19.

Luke Gillingham Naval Academy baseball biography

Luke Gillingham baseball stats

Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation

Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Colin Kirk

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Judge Michael Allen speaks about his path to serving as one of nine judges on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the youngest federal court, created in 1988. Appeals of all benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs are heard by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Judge Allen speaks about the family members and teachers who mentored him and made a difference in his life. Hear his special stories of visiting the White House to interview for the seat on the bench before being confirmed by the Senate in August of 2017, when Chief Justice John Roberts swore him in and the unique impact a lawyer had in his parents’ lives. Judge Allen explains that the goal of a judge is much like that of a baseball umpire: to get it right. 

“Judge Michael Allen was nominated by the President of the United States in June 2017. He was confirmed by the United States Senate, and appointed a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in August 2017. United States District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich of the Middle District of Florida administered the judicial oath to Judge Allen on August 11, 2017.

For 16 years before his judicial appointment, Judge Allen was a tenured full professor of law at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida. He was also the director of Stetson's Veterans Law Institute, and he spent four years as the College of Law's associate dean. Judge Allen also served as a visiting professor of law at the University of Illinois College of Law. Before entering teaching, Judge Allen practiced law for nine years in the litigation department of the Boston-based international law firm Ropes & Gray.

Judge Allen graduated summa cum laude from the University of Rochester earning bachelor's degrees in American history and political science. He received his juris doctor from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar during his final two years.

As a professor, Judge Allen taught courses in constitutional law, civil procedure, federal courts, remedies, and veterans benefits law. He has been a prolific author, cowriting two books and more than 25 articles and essays. Judge Allen also received numerous awards for his scholarship and teaching including the Stetson University Award for Excellence in Scholarship, the Brown-Dickerson Award for Excellence in Scholarship, the Stetson University Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Stetson University Award for Excellence in Professionalism and Career Development. He also received the Stetson's Golden Apple Award for teaching and was twice named the best all-around professor.

Judge Allen was also a frequent speaker at community and professional groups while in legal education. Among his speaking engagements were featured roles at the judicial conferences of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In addition, Judge Allen testified before the Veterans' Affairs Committees of both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

Before taking the bench, Judge Allen was active in professional associations. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Southeastern Association of Law Schools and was the Chair of the American Association of Law Schools' sections on Remedies and New Law Teachers. He is also active in his synagogue where, along with his wife, he received the Shofar Award for community service.” (US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims).

United States Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims

Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation

Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Colin Kirk

Editor: Jack Metcalfe

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Retired Fleet Master Chief Scott Benning speaks about the opportunities presented by the military for individuals to improve themselves while serving one’s country and receiving an education. It is vital to our country that the military is on the leading edge of technology and human capital development. Chief Benning speaks about the sacrifices people make in life and the meaning of a purpose driven life, including setting goals and overcoming setbacks. The more one puts into something, the more one receives from their efforts. You get in life what you give in life. Scott speaks about learning from our mistakes and passing that information on to the future generation. His book Power of Positive Leadership “challenges you to focus on your personal attitude, focus, and the importance of growing yourself so you can grow others to strengthen your team and grow a positive attitude” (pop-leadership.com). ICE leadership includes three steps: inspire, challenge, and empower. 

Scott Benning entered the Naval Service June 22, 1983. He served as a Logistic Specialist for 15 years at the following commands: Naval Ocean Processing Facility Dam Neck, VA, USS COMTE DE GRASSE (DD 974) Norfolk, VA, Underwater Construction Team One, Virginia Beach, VA, USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44) Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA, and USS DETROIT (AOE 4) Earle, NJ.

In 1999 he was selected as a Command Master Chief and served at the following commands: Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO THREE and Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN at NAS Oceana, VA, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) at Norfolk, VA, and Navy Region Mid-Atlantic at Norfolk, VA.

In 2009 he was selected as the Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Fleet Master Chief and served as the Senior Enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC. During his time as the Fleet Master Chief he was best known for his development of Power Of Positive (POP) Leadership and the founder of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) as well as advising the Chief of Naval Personnel and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on policy development and execution. Scott completed his 30 years of service as the Fleet Master Chief in March 2013 and resides in Stafford, Virginia with his wife of 36 years, Cheryl Benning. Both sons serve in the U.S. Navy. The oldest, Anthony, serves as a navy civilian Director of Sports, Fitness, and Aquatics for Naval Station Norfolk married to his wife Darcie and two son’s Cole and Hunter. The younger son, Jason, serves as a Navy Surface Warfare Officer stationed in COMOPTEVFOR in Norfolk, Va and is married to his wife Brianna and two daughters Evelyn and Gracelyn.

Scott was sworn into service as a government service employee on July 29, 2013 and served five years in the Department of the Navy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, a year as the Director of Management for Director, Navy Staff and now serves as the Director of Operations for Director, Navy Staff in Washington DC.

Scott is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, the Navy Corporate Business Course at the University of North Carolina, graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Workforce Education and Development. He has also served as a plank-owner member of the Board of Directors for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation and is a published author of his book Power Of Positive Leadership.


Learn more about Scott and purchase his book

Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation 

Hosts: Tyler Buchholz, Nathaniel Cameron, and Colin Kirk

Editor: Leo Menchetti

Special thank you to Jack Metcalfe

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Ms. Charlynda Scales speaks of her time as an acquisitions officer in the United States Air Force, the bond she shared with her grandfather Charlie “Mutt” Ferrell, Jr., who encouraged Charlynda to pursue a career in the military and left her with his recipe. Today, Charlynda leads Mutt’s Sauce, with “every bottle of Mutt’s Sauce made with love and determination to continue his legacy.” Hear about the difficulty and excitement of being the first active-duty service member to appear on Shark Tank and how Charlynda has managed business success as someone from modest beginnings. 

“In 1956, Mutt got the idea to make a sauce he could use for every meal. Mutt’s sauce was a multi-purpose specialty sauce, infusing sweet, tangy and a little bit of heat into each spoonful. When Mutt deployed with the U.S. Air Force in support of Vietnam and the Korean War, he packed up his wife, kids and of course the sauce, and headed over to Japan. While in Japan, Mutt would host parties and his sauce was always the highlight. The laughter, food, and friendship was always successful at breaking down any cultural or language barriers. What started as one man’s quest to make a multi-purpose sauce quickly became a symbol of unity and brotherhood wherever he went.” (Muttssauce.com/pages/about).

Story of Mutt's Sauce

Learn about and purchase Mutt’s Sauce

Learn about and book Charlynda

Powershift: Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal, and Achieve Any Outcome by Daniel Paisner and Daymond John 

Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation 

Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Colin Kirk

Editor: Tyler Buchholz

Special thank you to Jack Metcalfe

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Leo Menchetti and Colin Kirk discuss current events and details surrounding the start of the 2020 MLB season.

Walk4Valor Challenge

Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation

Hosts: Michael Blankers and Galen Odell

Editor: Galen Odell

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