Dan Fitzgerald is the Founder of the 40Forty Padel Club, a company bringing one of the world's fastest growing sports to South Carolina and beyond. A Citadel graduate and former Army Infantry Officer, Dan went on to serve as a TAC officer at West Point, teach leadership, and build executive teams as a recruiter before discovering padel during his travels to South America.

Hooked from the very first game, Dan saw an opportunity to introduce the sport to the U.S. market in a way that was both affordable and community-driven. Today, he leads 40Forty Padel Club with the mission to make padel accessible, grow the sport across universities and population centers, and create spaces where people connect through play, fitness, and community.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Dan about:

• The Rise of Padel: Why this international sport is exploding worldwide and how it differs from tennis, pickleball, and racquetball.
• Founding 40Forty Padel Club: Dan's journey from Citadel cadet to Army officer, to entrepreneur building the first designated paddle club in South Carolina.
• Building Community: How paddle brings together men and women of all ages, fostering friendships, fitness, and healthy competition.
• Scaling Strategy: Starting with two courts at the Pickle Yard in Malden this fall, then expanding to a flagship six-to-eight-court facility.
• Long-Term Vision: Positioning paddle as an NCAA and Olympic sport, while growing clubs regionally and nationally through partnerships and creative land use.

Timestamps:

00:31 The Correct Pronunciation: Paddle or Padel?

02:24 Founding 40 40 Paddle Club

04:02 Discovering Paddle: A Personal Journey

05:29 What is Paddle?

07:44 The Growth and Popularity of Paddle

10:19 Launching 40 40 Paddle Club

16:15 Future Plans and Expansion

29:03 Community Building and Health Benefits

32:08 Challenges and Opportunities

37:32 Conclusion and Contact InformationConnect with Dan:

• LinkedIn | Dan Fitzgerald

• www.40fortypadel.com

• [email protected] | [email protected]

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Dan for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Drew Miller is the CEO of Fortitude Ranch, a survival and recreational community for disaster preparedness and everyday use. A former Air Force intelligence officer and longtime prepper, Drew founded Fortitude Ranch over a decade ago, creating a network of secure rural compounds supported by professionally organized teams and sustainable resources.

With eight locations nationwide, Drew's mission is to offer members affordable access to well defended, well-supplied communities. These are places to vacation in good times and also survive during societal collapse. Featuring defensive walls, cleared lines of fire, and a blend of staff from military and law enforcement backgrounds, Fortitude Ranch stands out for its depth of planning and national media recognition.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Drew about:

• Fortitude Ranch's Mission: Delivering affordable professionally managed survival communities and recreational opportunities for the middle class.
• Survival Model and Member Experience: Combining secure compounds, armed and organized membership, farming and recreation for both collapse preparedness and yearly vacations.
• Growth and Expansion: Eight locations nationwide, including NY, WV, TN, WI, CO, NV, TX, with a focus on raising capital to build more sites and support franchise expansion.
• App Based Preparedness: The Collapse Survivor app provides threat alerts, training exercises, and offline access to Wikipedia and maps for emergencies.
• Industry Challenges: Operating in a sector unrecognized by traditional financing, countering misinformation, and advocating for civil defense reform.
• Long Term Vision: Publishing practical resources to change policy, increase government readiness, and protect ordinary Americans, not just elites, in the age of collapse.

Timestamps: 00:12 Understanding Fortitude Ranch

01:50 The Concept of Collapse Survival

03:33 Origins of Fortitude Ranch

05:10 Locations and Media Coverage

06:34 Membership and Benefits

10:05 Future Goals and Challenges

18:21 Government and Preparedness

Connect with Drew:

• LinkedIn | Drew Miller

• www.fortituderanch.com

• [email protected]

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Drew for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Curtis Cullen is the Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Convolo Capital, a real estate investment firm focused on small to mid-size multifamily syndications across the Southeast and Sunbelt markets. A West Point graduate, Curtis served as an Infantry and Aviation officer, including time as a Battalion Operations Officer, before exiting the Army in 2018 to pursue a career in commercial real estate.

After the Army, Curtis built his business and finance expertise in corporate roles that included managing multi-million-dollar strategic initiatives, automating enterprise systems, and conducting market research to support executive decision-making. He later earned his MBA from UCLA with a concentration in Real Estate and Finance before co-founding Convolo Capital in 2020.

Today, he leads acquisitions and asset management, guiding properties from purchase through stabilization with disciplined, value-add strategies. With operations growing across Georgia and Texas, Curtis remains focused on growth, vertical integration, and building investor partnerships that drive long-term value.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Curtis about:

• Convolo Capital's Mission: Bringing professional management and Institutional discipline to smaller multifamily portfolios
• The Deal Process: How his team finds opportunities, underwrites with rigor, and maintains a disciplined focus on returns.
• Market Expansion: Scaling beyond Georgia into Texas and considering other Southern states as next steps.
• Team Building: Adding analysts and partners, and strengthening operator relationships for sustained performance.
• Capital Raising: Strategies and advice for connecting with investors, plus plans for upcoming breakout sessions.
• Long Term Vision: Pursuing vertical integration and reaching 1,000 units under management.

Timestamps: 00:57 Curtis Cullen's Background and Career Journey

03:12 Current Deals and Market Strategy

11:40 Challenges and Lessons Learned in Real Estate

20:18 Future Goals and Expansion Plans

22:40 Networking and Collaboration Opportunities

Connect with Curtis:

• LinkedIn | Curtis Cullen

• www.convolocapital.com

• [email protected]

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Curtis for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Raj Kankaria is the President of Lone Star Attorney Service, a full-service litigation support firm and the largest process service company in Harris County, Texas. A West Point graduate and former Army engineer officer, Raj went on to hold leadership roles in investment banking and commercial strategy at Citi, Mexico Pacific, and WSI Enterprises.

After discovering an overlooked corner of the legal services industry, he rolled up his sleeves, learned the business from the ground up, and eventually acquired the very company he once contracted for. Now, he's focused on transforming Lone Star into a one-stop shop for litigation support services across Texas and beyond. With a sharp operational mindset and a hands-on approach, Raj is building a scalable platform that delivers speed, reliability, and trust to legal professionals nationwide.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Raj about:

• Entrepreneurial Journey: Turning a chance encounter into ownership by building trust and deep operational knowledge
• Business Growth: Scaling the company into a one-stop shop for litigation support services, including process serving, e-filing, videography, records retrieval, and judgement collection.
• Operational Challenges: Navigating the emotional and practical demands of employee management and implementing systematic processes.
• Industry Positioning: Seeking to become the leading provider for attorneys in Texas with nationwide service capabilities.
• Community Building: Actively connecting with other entrepreneurs and business owners for shared learning and growth.

Timestamps: 00:09 Raj's Journey to Business Ownership

01:27 Discovering the Opportunity

03:17 Building Relationships and Trust

04:10 Acquiring Lone Star Attorney Service

12:42 Challenges and Goals as a New Business Owner

18:02 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

18:37 Connecting and Growing the BusinessConnect with Raj:

• LinkedIn | Raj Kankaria

• www.lonestarattysvc.com

• [email protected]

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Raj for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Daniel Bednar is an investor and advisor at Curbit, a technology company transforming the restaurant industry with real-time data and operational transparency. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Officer, Daniel led technical operations and intelligence programs on the USS Makin Island, in Afghanistan, and at the Office of Naval Intelligence.

After transitioning into finance and strategy, he's applied that same mission-driven focus to helping startups scale with structure and speed. His partnership with Curbit grew from a collaboration into an active leadership role, where he now drives fundraising, builds strategic partnerships, and helps shape the company's long-term growth.

At Curbit, Daniel is focused on streamlining restaurant operations, delivering accurate wait-time predictions for guests, and equipping regional and mid-sized brands with scalable, data-driven tools for success.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Daniel about:

• Curbit's Mission: Solving restaurant capacity management with real time tech solutions.

• The Problem They're Solving: Addressing financial crises and credit barriers that threaten small business survival.

• Platform Functionality: Acting as an air traffic controller for restaurants by integrating kitchen display and point of sale systems.

• Target Market Strategy: Supporting medium sized and regional restaurant brands looking to sharpen their operations.

• Growth Goals: Scaling to thousands of locations and achieving profitability while attracting strategic partners like DoorDash.

• Partnerships: Building strong relationships with technology providers and relying on referrals for expanding reach.

Timestamps: 01:25 The Genesis of Curbit 02:27 Curbit's Evolution and Challenges 04:23 Curbit's Real-Time Capacity Management 07:45 Impact and Case Studies 10:08 Market Presence and Growth 15:34 Future Goals and Expansion 24:39 Call to Action and Contact Information Connect with Daniel:

• LinkedIn | Daniel Bednar

• www.curbit.com

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Daniel for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Juan Dominguez is the founder of Dominguez Advisory Group, specializing in business mediation and access to capital for small to midsize companies facing financial obstacles. Drawing on three decades of business experience, he has built a practice focused on business advocacy for those who have hit a bump in the road.

After a successful corporate career, including leading a $1 billion company and managing a team of 600, he launched this consulting venture to fill a vital but underserved niche. His firm helps small business owners resolve creditor disputes and obtain financing when traditional avenues are closed.

His approachable and transparent style, combined with a personal mission to give back, inform every client engagement. As a licensed mediator, he is dedicated to negotiating workable solutions, reducing business debt, and serving as a sounding board for owners at difficult crossroads.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Juan about:

• Dominguez Advisory Group's mission: Advocating for small and midsize businesses during financial distress.

• The problem they're solving: Resolving creditor disputes, often when business owners are facing lawsuits or collections, and helping the "forgotten middle" owners access capital with challenging credit.

• Service functionality: No upfront fees. Business mediation to negotiate down debt by 30 to 70 percent, restructure payments, and free up working capital.

• Target market strategy: Supporting small business owners, especially those with credit scores between 525 and 650, who have limited financial options, and providing value through trusted referral networks like SABM and 10X Vets.

• Growth goals: Transitioning to a predominantly referral-based business model and continuing to expand reach within the veteran and academy grad communities.

Timestamps: 00:55 The Challenge of Admitting Financial Struggles

01:37 Introduction to Dominguez Advisory Group

01:53 Business Mediation Services

03:20 Helping Businesses with Credit Issues

07:52 Success Stories and Case Studies

11:34 Future Goals and Vision

Connect with Juan:

• LinkedIn | Juan Dominguez

• www.dominguezadvisors.com

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Juan for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Ajit Purandare is the Chief Revenue Officer at Croptell, a FinTech company revolutionizing agricultural finance through artificial intelligence. He brings a unique perspective to the agricultural space, having grown up in farming communities on the eastern shore of Delaware in the heart of "chicken country".

A West Point graduate, Ajit joined Croptell after consulting with founder Scott Sartor for two years. What started as a relationship built through duck hunting in the Mississippi Delta evolved into a powerful partnership aimed at disrupting the agricultural finance space. Coming from a family that immigrated from India, Ajit understands firsthand the critical importance of agriculture and the thin margins farmers operate on.

Through data science and AI powered insights, Ajit is helping to transform how farmers access capital and manage their operations. His mission is to empower farmers to focus on what they do best while providing lenders with better tools to assess creditworthiness beyond traditional FICO scores.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Ajit about:

• Croptell's Mission: Revolutionizing crop finance through AI and disrupting the traditional agricultural finance space
• The Problem They're Solving: How only 18% of farmers actually do budgets and the challenges of relationship-based lending
• Platform Functionality: 5-8 minute onboarding process with AI-powered insights covering 3,000 major crop-producing counties
• Target Market Strategy: Focusing on 265,000 Gen Z and millennial farmers taking over family operations through succession planning
• Growth Goals: Raising capital for the next crop finance cycle and building partnerships with private equity and community banks

Timestamps: 00:53 Introduction to Croptell

02:21 The Agricultural Finance Landscape

05:09 How Croptell's Platform Works

08:30 Goals and Future Plans for Croptell

13:23 Challenges and Support Needed

16:39 Personal Connection to Agriculture

17:57 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationConnect with Ajit:

• (202) 361-7674
• LinkedIn | Ajit Purandare
• www.croptell.com

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Ajit for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Briar Bearss is the Founder and CEO of Bearss Residential, a real estate company that owns and operates subsidized housing for over 100 families and veterans across the Midwest. He is also an active duty armor officer and mission-driven entrepreneur focused on serving vulnerable communities.

A West Point graduate, he built his military career leading scout platoons, with his unit earning recognition as the number one Bradley Scout platoon in the brigade. His entrepreneurial journey began while balancing active duty service, co-founding Bearss Residential with his twin brother and two childhood friends from Michigan. What started as a local investment strategy evolved into a powerful mission to provide quality housing for vulnerable families and veterans through government rental assistance programs.

Through strategic real estate investing and strong public-private partnerships, Briar has successfully deployed Fund One, and is now launching Fund Two with goals of raising $3–4M to serve 300–400 families. His mission is to scale impact-driven real estate investing while maintaining the highest standards of military service and community commitment.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Briar about:

• Fund Two Launch: Scaling from Fund One's success to a $3-4M fund serving 300-400 families

• Military-Business Balance: How he manages active duty responsibilities while building a real estate empire, keeping military service as top priority

• Lessons Learned: Key insights on property evaluation, team communication, and building relationships with public housing agencies

• Team Culture: Working with his twin brother and childhood friends to create a fun, mission-driven work environment

• Future Vision: Long-term goals to influence housing policy while expanding veteran housing through VASH vouchers

Timestamps:

00:29 Dedication and Achievements

00:58 Launching Fund Two

01:37 Background and Business Model

03:30 Fund One Performance and Strategy

07:19 Lessons Learned and Improvements

10:42 Balancing Military and Entrepreneurship

14:49 Keys to Success and Team Dynamics

22:20 Future Goals and Challenges

Connect with Briar:

• LinkedIn | Briar Bearss
• Bearss Residential

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Briar for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

This week on the SABM Podcast, we're joined by Chase Millsap (USNA '05), Brett Lea, and Alex Sabga-Brady, the producers behind D-Day to Today: The Band of Brothers Legacy, a forthcoming documentary exploring the lasting impact of the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers on modern-day service members and military culture.

Chase Millsap is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, former Marine infantry officer, and Army National Guard Special Forces veteran. After over a decade of service, Chase transitioned into storytelling and documentary filmmaking. He helped launch We Are The Mighty and has spent more than 15 years producing authentic military content in Hollywood. This project brings together his dual passions: military service and meaningful storytelling.

Brett Lea is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with 22 years of service. A former West Point history instructor and military public affairs officer, Brett led multiple staff rides in Normandy and served as the Army's official liaison to Hollywood. His personal reverence for Dick Winters and Easy Company fuels his commitment to preserving the legacy of WWII heroes and inspiring today's soldiers.

Alex Sabga-Brady portrayed Corporal Frank Mellet in the original Band of Brothers series and has spent the last two decades as a creative director, production designer, and brand strategist. While originally cast as background support due to his prior cadet training, Alex's dedication and performance earned him a named role. Today, he remains closely connected with his fellow castmates and is deeply committed to honoring Easy Company's legacy.

Together, they're bringing this story full circle through reenactments, interviews, and original footage—connecting the heroes of WWII with today's soldiers of the 101st Airborne and reigniting conversations about courage, leadership, and service.

Show Notes:

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Chase, Brett, and Alex about:

• The Band of Brothers Legacy Project: How a group of veterans and cast members are preserving the legacy of Easy Company
• From Training to Jump: Reenacting WWII parachute jumps in Normandy with the original cast
• Impact on Today's Military: Why Band of Brothers still resonates with the 101st Airborne
• Military-Civilian Storytelling: Blending authenticity, history, and cinematic power
• Bringing It Home: The team's goal to premiere the documentary in Normandy in 2026

Timestamps:

• 01:10 Chase's background and transition into storytelling
• 04:10 The jump that inspired the documentary
• 07:22 Alex's perspective on portraying history and maintaining legacy
• 14:40 Brett's journey from West Point to the Army's Hollywood liaison
• 19:00 Why Band of Brothers still matters
• 24:16 Production progress and what's left to do
• 31:45 How the 101st Airborne is carrying the legacy forward
• 36:50 The unexpected power of rediscovered footage and interviews
• 43:00 The impact of Band of Brothers on leadership across generations
• 49:13 How to support and get involved

Connect with Chase:

• LinkedIn
• Website

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Chase, Alex, and Brett for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Brian Kelly is the President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), a nonprofit organization focused on advocating for military personnel, veterans, and their families. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a three-star general after more than 33 years of service, most recently serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services. A proud graduate of Notre Dame and the Air Command and Staff College (Class of '01), Brian now leads MOAA's efforts to protect earned military benefits and support members through advocacy, education, and strategic initiatives like the Total Force Plus Conference.

With decades of leadership experience, Brian is especially committed to improving the transition from military to civilian life, protecting quality-of-life benefits, and ensuring that military voices are represented in national conversations. As MOAA prepares to launch its inaugural Total Force Plus Conference, he's bringing together leaders from the Department of Defense, the VA, and the private sector to address the full lifecycle of military service and create better outcomes for those who serve.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Brian about:

• Total Force Plus Conference Launch: A first of its kind event designed to support the full military lifecycle from recruitment to retirement.
• MOAA's Mission & Legacy: Advocacy work that protects earned benefits for millions of military families and veterans.
• Navigating Career Transition: Brian shares insights from his personal transition from a 3 star general to civilian leadership.
• Supporting the Next Generation: How MOAA is connecting with younger service members to stay relevant and impactful.
• Charitable Impact: MOAA's scholarship and crisis support foundation are making a difference for thousands of military families.

Timestamps:

• 00:38 Brian's Air Force journey and transition to MOAA
• 04:51 The origin and mission of MOAA
• 07:45 Launching the Total Force Plus Conference
• 12:16 Key personas the conference is designed to serve
• 15:38 Conference agenda and featured speakers
• 18:34 Storytelling for military service with AJ Bleyer
• 21:01 Brian's personal career transition reflections
• 25:57 MOAA's charitable efforts: scholarships & crisis support
• 29:45 Challenges connecting with the next generation
• 32:30 MOAA's long-term vision and leadership goals

Connect with Brian:

• LinkedIn
• Total Force Plus: https://totalforceplus.moaa.org/
• MOAA.org: https://www.moaa.org/
• MOAA Charities: MOAA – MOAA Charities
• MOAA Foundation: MOAA – TMF Programs
• MOAA Scholarship Fund: MOAA – About MOAA Scholarship Fund

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Brian for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01