Service Academy Business Mastermind

Need financing for your next investment property?

Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

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Michael Quilty (USNA '88) is a Navy veteran and franchise development leader who's built his career around creating opportunities for others. After years leading growth and strategy across multiple industries, he's now focused on helping fellow veterans transition to entrepreneurship through franchising.

At Wild Bill's, he plays a key role in growing the company's franchise footprint, and expanding the presence of their nostalgic craft soda brand across the country. Michael's work focuses on identifying the right partners, particularly military veterans for opportunities that combine operational excellence with community engagement. His leadership is driven by purpose: helping others succeed while scaling a mission-led business.

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

• The Wild Bill's Franchise Model: A turnkey opportunity centered on events, nostalgia, and customer engagement.

• Veteran Empowerment: How franchising provides a path to ownership and autonomy after military service.

• Business Expansion: The challenges and rewards of scaling a product-driven brand through national events and local franchises.

• Leadership and Mindset: Why teamwork, resilience, and adaptability matter most in business.

• Looking Ahead: The future of Wild Bill's and how others can get involved.

Timestamps:

00:26 Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic

04:43 The Origin Story of Wild Bill's Soda

07:40 The Business Model and Franchise Expansion

12:23 A Day in the Life of a Franchisee

18:00 Future Goals and Opportunities

28:18 Conclusion and Contact Information

Connect with Michael:

• LinkedIn | Michael Quilty

• www.drinkwildbills.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 Michael 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 Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th?

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

____

Travis Wittick is the founder of Academy Endeavors, a coaching company that helps high school students navigate the competitive and complex admissions process for U.S. Service Academies and ROTC scholarships. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and former Air Force hospital administrator, Travis first discovered his passion for mentorship as an Academy Liaison Officer helping students prepare their applications while still on active duty.

After transitioning to the civilian sector and earning his MBA from Duke, Travis launched Academy Endeavors in 2020 leaving his corporate job and betting on his vision full-time. Since then, the company has grown steadily, with an 85% success rate and 40–50% year-over-year growth. Travis and his growing team of Academy graduate coaches now support families across the country with application strategy, essay development, interview prep, and ongoing guidance from freshman year to appointment day.

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

• The Mission Behind Academy Endeavors: Helping families gain clarity, confidence, and strategic support throughout the service academy admissions journey.

• From Side Hustle to Full-Time Impact: How Travis made the leap from corporate America to founder and gained traction during COVID.

• A Coach's Perspective: Why application success starts with storytelling, mentorship, and early preparation.

• Growing a Values-Driven Team: His vision for hiring Academy grads as assistant coaches and culture carriers.

• Academy vs. ROTC Options: Helping students and families make informed decisions that lead to service and scholarship opportunities even outside the academy path.

Timestamps:

00:36 Travis's Background and Academy Experience

08:06 Launching Academy Endeavors

11:17 Early Success and COVID-19 Impact

13:46 Ideal Start Time for Academy Preparation

23:45 Indirect Benefits for College Applications

34:25 Hiring and Team Expansion Connect with Travis:

• LinkedIn | Travis Wittick

• www.academyendeavors.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 Travis 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 Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th?

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

____

Speaker Bio:

Zach Farkas is the founder of Relos, a proptech company automating real estate workflows to streamline transaction coordination and reduce hours of manual work. Before launching Relos, Zach was the #4 ranked VA lender in the nation, a career he built by focusing not on volume, but on educating veterans about how to leverage their VA home loan benefits.

A former Army officer, Zach built his lending business by combining his personal mission with practical insight, and carried that same energy into Relos. Frustrated by the inefficiencies in real estate operations. He created a system that uses AI to extract contract data, assign stakeholder tasks, and help lenders save up to 12 hours per transaction. Now, Zach's focused on scaling Relos into a category-defining platform.

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

• From Lender to Founder: How Zach built a top lending career by educating veterans before shifting into proptech.

• The Problem with Real Estate Ops: Why outdated workflows are still the norm, and what Relos is doing about it.

• AI-Powered Contract Automation: How Relos reads real estate contracts and turns them into stakeholder action plans.

• User Experience is Everything: Why customer success is more important than sales for long-term adoption.

• Big Vision, Big Surface Area: Zach's plan to build the next proptech unicorn by owning the transaction workflow.

Timestamps:

00:41 Zach's Journey to Becoming a Top VA Lender

04:08 Transitioning from Lending to Real Estate Technology

08:32 How REOs Works: Streamlining Real Estate Transactions

11:51 Goals and Future Vision for REOs

14:01 Challenges and How You Can Help

15:21 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Zach:

• LinkedIn | Zach Farkas

• www.tryrelos.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 Zach 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 Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th?

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

____

Omar Ritter is a West Point graduate, fractional CFO, and the author of West Point to Wall Street: My Journey to Mental Wellness. Currently serving as an Area President at FocusCFO, he helps small and mid-sized businesses improve their financial visibility and achieve sustainable growth. With a career spanning financial leadership, entrepreneurship, and military service, Omar works to strengthen the backbone of small business communities through expert financial guidance and genuine care.

At FocusCFO, Omar provides business owners with fractional CFO support, helping them clarify their financials, structure operations, and prepare for strategic exits or growth opportunities. Beyond numbers, Omar is an advocate for mental wellness in high-performing communities, openly sharing his own journey through burnout, healing, and growth. His work bridges financial strategy and personal resilience, empowering others to succeed in business and life.

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

• FocusCFO's Model: How fractional CFO services help business owners regain clarity and control.

• Mental Health Advocacy: Why high performers need to prioritize emotional and psychological well-being.

• The Power of Structure: How Omar helps businesses build financial systems that drive growth.

• Lessons from Burnout: Personal insights from Omar's journey through mental health challenges and healing.

• From Book to Mission: The story behind West Point to Wall Street and the message it carries for fellow leaders.

Timestamps:

00:54 Omar's Background and Focus CFO

02:24 Services Offered by Focus CFO

05:54 When to Hire a Fractional CFO

08:57 Case Study: Transforming a Business

18:13 The Importance of Mental Wellness

30:14 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Omar:

• LinkedIn | Omar Ritter

• www.focuscfo.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 Omar for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

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

____

Anthony Pinto is the founder of Veteran Vectors, an AI consulting and automation company serving defense and government contractors. A former submarine officer with nine years of service, Anthony previously appeared on the SABM podcast in April 2020 while still on active duty, managing real estate deals from overseas.

After leaving the Navy and navigating the challenges of military spouse life, Anthony pivoted from real estate to launch Veteran Vectors in 2025. His company helps small and medium-sized defense tech companies compete with prime contractors by automating manual processes, streamlining compliance audits, and building custom AI solutions.

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

• Veteran Vectors Mission: Helping defense and government contractors use AI to automate manual processes in HR, compliance, and backend operations.
• The RAPID Framework: Identifying tasks for automation using criteria like repetitive, accuracy-driven, process-driven, input-heavy, and digitized workflows.
• Real-World Applications: Examples include payroll automation, job search tools, and CMMC compliance audits that save hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars.
• Military Spouse Entrepreneurship: Building a remote business that provides flexibility during frequent relocations and duty station changes.
• Family First Philosophy: Taking a six-month break from real estate to focus on family after his first daughter's NICU stay and finding clarity in the process.

Timestamps:

00:31 Catching Up: Life Changes and Career Shifts

01:32 Introducing Veteran Vectors

02:02 The Mission of Veteran Vectors

03:47 From Real Estate to AI: A Personal Journey

09:37 AI Solutions for Business Efficiency

17:05 Future Goals and Vision

23:01 Balancing Family and Career

Connect with Anthony:

• veteranvectors.io

• LinkedIn | Anthony Pinto

• [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 Anthony for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

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

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Travis Winfield is the founder of Military Operated Real Estate, and author of the upcoming book Military Money and More. A retired Navy Command Senior Chief with 24 years of service, Travis founded the Winfield Group in Southern California, successfully helping 100-150 military families per year before passing the business to his son in 2024.

Recognizing that less than 12% of the nearly 20 million active duty and veteran population has used their VA home loan benefit, Travis launched MORE to create the first national real estate brand exclusively serving the military community. With military-affiliated certified agents, SkillBridge integration, and VA-approved education benefits for real estate training, MORE aims to become the trusted resource for veterans coast to coast, the "USAA of real estate."

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

• Military Operated Real Estate (MORE): Creating a national brand connecting veterans with military-affiliated certified agents.

• Mission Before Commission: Training agents as resource managers who understand veteran benefits beyond transactions.

• SkillBridge and Ambassador Programs: Leveraging VA benefits to create opportunities for transitioning members and military spouses.

• Financial Literacy Crisis: Addressing the education gap affecting military families through his book Military Money and More.

• Long-Term Vision: Making MORE the trusted real estate brand synonymous with USAA and Navy Federal.

Timestamps:

00:37 Travis's Journey into Real Estate

01:43 Building the Winfield Group

02:10 Mission Before Commission

03:46 The Vision for Military Operated Real Estate

06:27 Financial Literacy and the New Book

07:39 Future Goals and Challenges

11:42 How the Platform Works

Connect with Travis:

• Traviswinfield.com

• militaryoperatedrealestate.com

• thewinfieldgroup.org

• LinkedIn | Travis Winfield

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 Travis for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

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