The MILCOM Founders Podcast

MILCOM Founders Podcast, Episode 41: From F-15 Fighter Pilot to Founder of Eagle Law Group with Michael Segal

Join host Rod Loges and guest Michael Segal as he shares his path from flying F-15s in the United States Air Force to founding Eagle Law Group, P.C., a law firm in Los Angeles that serves the aerospace and defense industry. Michael also discusses building BizVets LA, a nonprofit connecting veteran professionals across the city.

In this episode:

• Michael's journey from the Air Force Academy to F-15 pilot training, Big Law at Loeb & Loeb, and eventually starting his own firm
• How his 22-year Air Force career, including combat operations and managing billions in DoD resources, prepared him to lead a legal practice
• The leadership lessons he took from his first fighter squadron commander at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa
• Why he founded BizVets LA, a nonprofit that has grown to 92 paid members in its first year and a half
• The legal mistakes startup founders make most often, from loose contracts to unclear equity structures
• How AI is changing the legal profession and why the billable hour model may be on borrowed time

Key takeaways:

• Contracts exist for a reason, and shortcuts with legal documents work until they don't
• Founders should figure out their organizational structure, equity splits, and decision-making processes before going to an attorney
• Litigation is expensive in every way: financially, emotionally, and operationally
• Veterans naturally trust and want to do business with each other, and that instinct is worth building on
• AI is making legal work faster, but interpersonal skills and client trust are becoming more important as a result

Guest: Michael Segal, Founder, Eagle Law Group, P.C., USAF F-15 Fighter Pilot (retired Major, 22 years of service)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-segal-f15/
• Business Website: https://eagle.law/

Michael Segal is a former USAF F-15 fighter pilot who served 22 years in the Air Force, including time at the Air Force Academy, active duty flying F-15Cs and Es, and Reserve service. He earned his MBA during his military career and later attended UCLA School of Law. After working at Loeb & Loeb and several smaller firms, he founded Eagle Law Group in November 2023, focusing on complex commercial litigation and transactional work for aerospace, defense, and technology companies. He also founded BizVets LA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects veteran professionals in Los Angeles through monthly meetings, business education, and networking. Michael retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Major in August 2024.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

For each podcast guest, One Degree Financial donates $100 to the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund.

MILCOM Founders Podcast, Episode 40: Dr. Lori A. Smith, Founder of Acu-Elligent LLC and Sowing Our Seeds Empowerment

Join host Rod Loges as he sits down with Dr. Lori A. Smith, a retired federal contracting officer, US Air Force veteran, and one of the most authoritative voices in government contracting today. Over a career spanning decades across military and federal service, Dr. Smith exercised direct oversight of more than $143 billion in federal contracts, including the $128 billion Community Care Network at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the single largest healthcare contract portfolio in the federal government.

In this episode:

• How a high school job at Robins Air Force Base planted the seed for a career in military service and contracting
• The buddy program that took Dr. Smith from the Air Force Reserves to 22 years of active duty across six bases on four continents
• A leadership lesson from Master Sergeant Karen Armstrong that shaped Dr. Smith's entire career
• Building a dual-engine ecosystem with Acu-Elligent (government contracting strategy) and Sowing Our Seeds Empowerment (nonprofit focused on closing gaps for underresourced entrepreneurs)
• Why readiness, not hustle, is what separates sustainable businesses from struggling ones
• The role of AI in government contracting and why the human element still matters more than the tool

Key takeaways:

• The seat you sit in was never designed for you alone; your job as a leader is to prepare the person who comes after you
• Hustle is not a business model; it may be a short-term emergency posture, but it should never be the standard
• When proposals lack a real human story, evaluators notice; your response needs authenticity and feeling, not a recycled prompt
• Coachability is the only way to get value from any investment in coaching or consulting
• AI can make you more efficient, but you still need to teach it your story and hold it accountable for accuracy
• Soft skills training belongs inside every business development program, not alongside it

Guest: Dr. Lori A. Smith, Founder, Acu-Elligent LLC and Sowing Our Seeds Empowerment

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acuelligent/
• Website: https://acuelligent.com/
• Podcast: GovCon Clarity

Dr. Lori A. Smith is a retired federal Contracting Officer, U.S. Air Force veteran, and one of the most authoritative voices in government contracting today. Over a career spanning decades across military and federal service, she exercised direct oversight of more than $143 billion in federal contracts — including the $128 billion Community Care Network at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the single largest healthcare contract portfolio in the federal government, delivering care across 49 states.

Dr. Smith's career began at age 16, working as a clerk at Robins Air Force Base near her hometown of Macon, Georgia. She went on to serve 22 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force across six bases on four continents — from Italy and Japan to Turkey and Honduras. She managed disaster recovery contracting for nine hurricanes at FEMA, directed contracting operations at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, and was hand-selected by name for the most critical acquisition assignments at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her contracting officer response to a vendor protest on a $27.5 billion contract was so thorough that the vendor withdrew entirely.

Today, Dr. Smith leads a dual-engine ecosystem built to serve women-, veteran-, and minority-owned businesses. Acu-Elligent LLC is the economic engine — providing government contracting strategy, the VETR Framework for AI-powered proposal management, The Readiness Room membership community, and certification training including the Narrative Blueprint Workshop. Sowing Our Seeds Empowerment is the empowerment engine — a nonprofit that runs the SOS Convergence, a structured 4-day business intervention addressing funding access, network gaps, and the systemic barriers that keep capable entrepreneurs underresourced and overextended.

Dr. Smith is a published author of Winning Business Proposal Strategies for Success and is currently writing a memoir tracing her journey from a single-parent home in Macon, Georgia to the table where $128 billion in decisions were made. She hosts GovCon Clarity, a podcast and video series focused on the readiness gap in federal contracting.

Her recognitions include Black Impact Magazine's 100 Entrepreneurs to Know in 2025, the 2024 IMPACT Award, the FORUM Women in Leadership 2024 Award, Georgia Woman Veteran of the Year nominee, the Department of Veterans Affairs Outstanding Career Award, the Army Commander's Award for Civilian Service, and multiple Meritorious Service Medals. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from National University, serves as a Women in Leadership Program Advisor at the University of North Georgia, and is certified in NLP, Time Line Therapy, and Hypnotherapy.

"I've sat on every side of the table — and I've read every line of the contract."

Looking ahead: Dr. Smith is launching The Readiness Room membership, the VETR Framework platform, and the GovCon Master Library book series. She also hosts GovCon Clarity, a podcast and video series focused on closing the readiness gap in federal contracting.

The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business founders. Each episode brings practical insights from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at milcomfounders.com

MilCom Founders Podcast — Episode 39: From Special Forces to Independent Sponsor with Jary Jackson

Join host Rod Loges and guest Jary Jackson as he shares his journey from Army infantry to firefighter to 22-year Special Forces career to entrepreneur acquiring and scaling lower-middle-market businesses through entrepreneurship through acquisition.

In this episode:

• How Jary left the Army after four years, became a firefighter, and then re-enlisted post-9/11 and made it through Special Forces selection
• The rejection he faced after retirement, including being told he was "too old at 42" and "unproven" by a veteran recruiter
• How he discovered the search fund and ETA model, and acquired an $8M company with $35K out of pocket
• Why he founded Intrepid Prosperity the day after realizing his own company was bad at recruiting
• How he's building Thurion Capital as an independent sponsor focused on dual-use services and defense technology

Key takeaways:

• Talent is what drives outcomes, and resumes are mostly noise. Hire for the attributes that make someone successful and train the rest
• The military runs the most developed leadership development program in the world, and that translates directly into running a business
• News doesn't get better with time. The first time you think someone needs to go is usually the right time
• You have to remove the self-limiting factors. The only person telling you to wait five years is usually you
• After the military, you have to find a new tribe. Other veteran business owners get it in a way nobody else can

Guest: Jary Jackson, Founder of Thurion Capital, CEO of TCS, Founder of Intrepid Prosperity, retired US Army Special Forces veteran (22 years)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarytjackson78/
• Thurion Capital: https://www.thurioncapital.com/
• Intrepid Prosperity: https://www.intrepidprosperity.com/
• TCS: https://www.tcsgovcon.com/

Jary Jackson is a retired Special Forces veteran, entrepreneur, and independent sponsor focused on building mission-critical businesses that create lasting value. He leads Thurion Capital (founded Aug 2025), where he acquires and scales lower-middle-market companies across logistics, sustainment, technical services, and other dual-use sectors serving both commercial and government markets. 

Through TCS (CEO since Mar 2024), his defense platform, he delivers integrated logistics and sustainment solutions for public sector clients requiring world-class engineering, logistics, and management solutions. He also founded Intrepid Prosperity (Apr 2015), a talent management and human capital platform dedicated to placing high-performing veterans and elite operators into roles where they can make a meaningful impact. The firm provides affordable, scalable talent solutions for small businesses, M&A, and defense contractors.

The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MilCom Founders Podcast – Episode 38: Ryan Patrick Hunt, Founder of Tenth Mountain Recruiting and the Veteran Social Summit

Join host Rod Loges as he sits down with Ryan Patrick Hunt, founder of Tenth Mountain Recruiting and the Veteran Social Summit. Ryan is a retired U.S. Army officer who went from accidental e-commerce entrepreneur to boutique recruiting firm founder, and he's spent the last decade building platforms and community infrastructure for veteran entrepreneurs.

In this episode:

• How growing up as a son of an entrepreneur and visiting 30+ countries before age 11 shaped who Ryan became
• Why Ryan left the Army as Sergeant Hunt in 2001, only to return to ROTC after 9/11 with a calling to lead soldiers into combat
• The Army pilot program that made Ryan one of the only active duty recruiters coordinating across 274 ROTC battalions nationwide
• How a $5 joke about stickers turned into 5,000 orders and launched his first business
• The difference between top line and bottom line, and why his first million-dollar year still taught him hard lessons
• Why his ideal client starts with value alignment, and what happens when it's missing
• The IVMF story: why Ryan turned down the program for years, and what finally changed his mind
• What "planning is everything, the plan is nothing" really means for entrepreneurs

Key takeaways:

• Soft skills like leadership and communication are not secondary, they are the foundation that carries everything else
• Mission command works in business: give your team the vision and intent, then trust them to execute
• You have to be receptive before you can receive the network, mentorship, and collaboration that will change your trajectory
• Veterans who treat their business like Gollum treats the ring will limit what they can build
• 98% of everything is mindset, and consistent action beats a perfect plan every time
• Niching down does not mean turning away opportunity; it means knowing where to aim first

Guest: Ryan Patrick Hunt, Founder, Tenth Mountain Recruiting and the Veteran Social Summit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanpatrickhunt/
Tenth Mountain Recruiting: www.tenthmountainrecruiting.com
Veteran Social Summit: www.veteransocialsummit.com

Ryan Patrick Hunt is a retired U.S. Army officer and seasoned talent acquisition leader with over two decades of experience building high-performing teams across multiple industries. As the founder of Tenth Mountain Recruiting and Rally Point HR, he specializes in sourcing top talent and creating scalable recruiting solutions for growing organizations. Ryan is deeply embedded in the veteran entrepreneurship ecosystem, serving as an IVMF Ambassador and the driving force behind the Veteran Social Summit and the evolving "Forged by Service" platform.

In 2025, he was named Military Friendly's Illinois Vetrepreneur of the Year, awarded the IVMF Ambassador Ecosystem Synergy Award, and recognized as one of Military Entrepreneur Magazine's Top 25 Military Changemakers. Known for his leadership, execution, and ability to connect people, Ryan continues to build platforms that drive opportunity, collaboration, and long-term success.

Looking ahead: Ryan's Veteran Social Summit returns September 9-10 with a free virtual conference bringing together voices from across the military entrepreneurship community. The Forged by Service platform continues to evolve as a resource for veteran founders.

The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business founders. Each episode brings practical insights from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at milcomfounders.com

MilCom Founders Podcast — Episode 37: From Army Intel to AI-Powered Marketing Strategist with Moniek James

Join host Rod Loges and guest Moniek James as she shares her journey from US Army Intelligence veteran to founder of Renegade Creative Media Group, where she helps growing brands cut through marketing confusion and build trust at scale.

In this episode:

• How a pay inequity conversation at a corporate job pushed Moniek to start her first business
• Her path from event planning to social media education to AI-powered marketing consulting
• How her Army Intelligence training shaped the way she thinks about AI governance and data strategy
• Why she shifted from social media management to marketing strategy and consulting
• How she helps small businesses, nonprofits, and government-adjacent organizations build AI workflows and use policies

Key takeaways:

• The military teaches you how to see the pieces and plan backwards from a goal, and that skill transfers directly to business strategy
• Clarity is the foundation of confidence, whether you're building a brand, managing social media, or implementing AI
• You have to lead the tool. Technology follows the human, not the other way around
• Think of AI like a multitool: get curious, explore what's available, and match the right tool to the right problem
• Leadership and soft skills matter more than ever in an AI-powered world, because the tool doesn't challenge you or collaborate with you

Guest: Moniek James, Founder of Renegade Creative Media Group, US Army veteran (8 years, Intelligence)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniekj/
• Website: www.moniekjames.com

Moniek James is an Army veteran and entrepreneur with 14 years in business. She founded Renegade Creative Media Group after recognizing a recurring gap in the market: businesses were creating content without a clear strategy behind it. That insight led her to build a consulting practice focused on marketing strategy, and when AI tools arrived on the scene, she jumped in immediately. Drawing on her Army Intelligence background, she developed frameworks for AI governance and workflow integration that she now deploys with small to medium businesses, nonprofits, and government-associated organizations. She also publishes a weekly newsletter, Creative Marketing Strategist, on LinkedIn.

The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast - Episode 36: Josh Himan, Marine Veteran Helping Business Owners Know What Their Companies Are Worth

Show Notes

Join host Rod Loges and guest Joshua Himan as he shares his journey from Northern Virginia athlete to Marine Corps machine gunner to founding two businesses that help people regain independence and understand the true value of what they've built.

In this episode:

• Josh's path from growing up in an athletic family near Quantico to enlisting in the Marine Corps at the height of the Iraq War after a chance encounter with a Marine Corps General
• His decision to go infantry and become a 0331 Machine Gunner because he wanted to be "all in"
• Deploying to Afghanistan as part of Operation Strike of the Sword, the largest Marine offensive since the Battle of Fallujah, and being one of the first units on the ground for the surge
• The IED strike on September 29, 2009 that left him paralyzed from the chest down during the last month of deployment
• How a Marine Colonel's hospital visit changed his entire outlook: "You can still do business. These are not going to be taken away from you."
• Co-founding the Driving Rehabilitation Center of Excellence (DRCE) with Tammy Phipps, who had helped 400 combat-injured service members get back to driving at Walter Reed
• Why he became obsessed with business valuation after trying to acquire small businesses and realizing nobody could properly explain the numbers
• Building Business Valuation Advisors into a firm that values 100+ private companies per year

Key takeaways:

• Get an independent, unbiased valuation of your business. Brokers and others who are incentivized differently may not give you the full picture.
• Formatting your financial statements properly is about as close to a free lunch as you'll get. It's low-hanging fruit that can add enormous value to your company.
• Each business is unique. Two owners in the same industry with the same revenue can have very different valuations based on owner involvement, operations, and risk.
• The most precious thing is time. When evaluating any business opportunity, weigh the economics against how much of your time it will take.
• Good trees produce good fruit. The businesses rooted in the right purpose, where the client comes first, are the ones that succeed long-term.
• Integrity is the pillar. In small business, trust and integrity are everything.

Guest: Joshua Himan, MSF, MSAE, CVA, CBA, CMEA, FMVA, CTA, ASBC, PGE - Founder and Principal of Business Valuation Advisors, Inc., U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

• Business Website: valuationadvisor.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuahiman/

Joshua Himan is a Business Valuation Expert, Transaction Advisor, and Chief Financial Officer with over 15 years of experience advising private lower-middle market business owners, private equity firms, and acquisition entrepreneurs. He specializes in business valuation, transaction advisory, financial modeling, and value creation strategy.

Josh earned his B.B.A. in Finance from Radford University (Dean's List), followed by a Master of Science in Finance from George Washington University and a Master of Science in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University. He also holds advanced certificates in Real Estate Finance & Investments (NYU) and Forecasting in Organizations (Johns Hopkins).

After beginning his career in business, Josh felt called to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 2008. He trained at Parris Island and completed Infantry School as a 0331 Machine Gunner. In May 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Strike of the Sword — the largest Marine offensive since the Battle of Fallujah and the largest airlift of Marines since the Vietnam War. His unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation during Operation Enduring Freedom.

On September 29, 2009, the Humvee Josh was riding in struck an improvised explosive device (IED), resulting in multiple spinal cord injuries that left him paralyzed from the chest down. For his service and sacrifice, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation.

Prior to founding Business Valuation Advisors Inc., Josh was the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Driving Rehabilitation Center of Excellence (DRCE), a specialized healthcare organization focused on restoring mobility and independence for individuals with medical and neurological challenges. Today, DRCE has helped thousands of people with disabilities return to driving and get their independence back.

Today, Josh is the Founder and Principal of Business Valuation Advisors, Inc., a boutique valuation and transaction advisory firm serving lower middle-market business owners, private equity groups, attorneys, and institutional clients nationwide. Through BVA, he provides certified business valuations, quality of earnings analysis, transaction advisory, and strategic value enhancement consulting across a broad range of industries.

Looking ahead: Josh is building software tools powered by AI to bring his valuation expertise to a broader market, training analysts around the world, and continuing to grow BVA as a firm that helps business owners understand what their companies are truly worth.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 35: Hillary Boyce, Army Veteran and Military Spouse Building a Government Contracting Powerhouse

Join host Rod Loges and guest Hillary Boyce as she shares her journey from small-town North Carolina to leading BAFO Services, a firm helping over 150 clients win government contracts.

In this episode:

• Hillary's path from Taylorsville, North Carolina (population: tiny) to joining Navy ROTC in high school and enlisting in the Army National Guard before her senior year
• How she went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood before 12th grade and bought her first car with her military paycheck
• Her transition from National Guard engineer to active duty with the 3rd Infantry Division, where she worked directly with senior officers as an E-4
• The story of starting her first company after a few glasses of wine, with no business plan and no investors
• How she grew to 85 employees in two years while Ubering on nights and weekends because she couldn't pay herself
• Selling her first company and launching BAFO Services, which now employs 50+ staff serving 150+ clients
• Why she takes her Army gear to every Army-Navy game (where her Navy husband has to sit on the Army side)

Key takeaways:

• Write your plan in pencil, not permanent marker. You never know who you'll meet in an elevator tomorrow.
• The cost of money is real. Before you're two years into business with tax returns to show, SBA won't talk to you. Plan for that.
• Take care of your staff first. A leader isn't a leader if they're not mentoring and giving back.
• No hero behavior. Nobody should be a single point of failure on your team.
• Stay flexible. Don't pigeonhole yourself or your company when you don't know what revenue stream might walk through the door.

Guest: Hillary Boyce, Founder and CEO of BAFO Services, U.S. Army Veteran, Military Spouse

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-boyce-14537814/
• Business Website: https://bafoservices.com/

Mrs. Hillary Boyce is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BAFO Services, LLC, bringing more than 20 years of proven expertise in the procurement, execution, and management of U.S. government contracts. Her career includes owning and acquiring her own successful small government contracting business, through which she earned numerous federal service-related awards. She also holds a Master in Business Development certification from MBDi.

A proud U.S. Army veteran, Mrs. Boyce served as an Engineer in the Army National Guard before transitioning to active duty with the 3rd Infantry Division. She is also a dedicated military spouse, supporting her husband, an active-duty Naval Officer. Her academic background includes Business Administration studies at the University of Maryland (Europe and Asia Divisions), a Certification in Acquisition and Procurement from Tidewater Community College (TCC), and legal studies at Regent University.

Mrs. Boyce spent many years providing essential services and support to wounded soldiers, survivors, and military families through her roles within the U.S. Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations and the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency. Her work focused on operational management and oversight of mission-critical tasks directly impacting service members and their families.

In addition to her work supporting the military community, Mrs. Boyce is deeply committed to global humanitarian service. She engages in yearly mission work in Kenya, contributing her time and leadership to support underserved communities, expand educational and economic opportunities, and help strengthen local support networks. Her experiences abroad continue to inspire her passion for service and community empowerment.

Deeply committed to community and professional service, she volunteers locally and serves on several boards, including the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Hampton Roads chapter and Women in Defense (WID). She is also a business coach for The Honor Foundation (THF), supporting transitioning Navy SEALs and U.S. Special Operations personnel, and serves on the AFCEA International Small Business Committee.

Mrs. Boyce has been widely recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and service. Her awards include:

• Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year, Virginia SBDC (2025)
• 100 Successful Women in Business Award, Global Trade Chamber (2025)
• Veteran & Military Spouse Owned Small Business of the Year, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce (2025)
• AFCEA International Leadership Award (2025)
• Military Spouse Awards – Heroes at Home Finalist, militarynews.com (2025)
• AFCEA International Medal of Merit (2023)
• AFCEA International Small Business Person of the Year (2021)
• AFCEA Women's Appreciation Award (2021)
• Distinguished Service Awards Finalist, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (2019)
• AFCEA Top 40 Under 40 – National (2019)
• Top 40 Under 40 of Hampton Roads, Inside Business (2017)

Additionally, she received the Emerging Star Award (2016) and Stellar Award (2017) from the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, recognizing her as an exceptional federal supplier demonstrating outstanding growth and leadership in the contracting community.

Mrs. Boyce is deeply passionate about empowering small businesses and is committed to helping them achieve sustainable growth and success within the U.S. government contracting industry.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast - Episode 34: Kamar Perkins, Army Veteran Building Businesses That Create Jobs and Serve Veterans

Join host Rod Loges and guest Kamar Perkins as he shares his journey from being a ward of state to Army veteran to founding multiple businesses focused on creating jobs and making community impact.

In this episode:

• Kamar's path from ward of state in Prince George's County, Maryland to Army paratrooper with the 3rd Special Forces Group
• How his mother's tragic death when he was five shaped his mission to help others overcome addiction
• The story of getting recruited by the Army after the Air Force told him he was "too fat"
• Building ProTech Consulting Group, a service-disabled veteran-owned IT firm delivering AI and software solutions to federal agencies
• Opening Divine Medical, a treatment center that will provide free addiction services to North Carolina veterans
• Why he spent a year responding to 20 RFPs per month without winning anything, and what changed

Key takeaways:

• Your network is your net worth. Client acquisition is about cultivating relationships, not just responding to RFPs.
• If you're still in uniform, use that access to meet the people you'll need to know as a business owner. It's much harder to get those meetings once you're out.
• Two brains are better than one. There's nothing wrong with saying "I don't know" and figuring it out together.
• Work should support your life. Your work should not be your life.
• The NCO corps is the backbone of the military. That operational efficiency translates directly to running a successful business.

Guest: Kamar D. Perkins, Founder and President of ProTech Consulting Group, Army Veteran, Author

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamardperkins/
• Business Website: https://protechconsultinggroup.com/

Kamar D. Perkins is a retired U.S. Army veteran, entrepreneur, and author who brings military-grade discipline and strategy into modern business and technology. He is the Founder and President of Protech Consulting Group, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and HUBZone-certified firm delivering secure IT, cloud, and technology solutions to government and industry partners.

A former paratrooper with the 3rd Special Forces Group and later a Logistics Officer in the North Carolina Army National Guard, Kamar earned multiple competitive distinctions during his service, including recognition as the U.S. Army’s Best Warrior. His military background continues to shape his leadership style, decision-making, and mission-driven approach.

In addition to technology consulting, Kamar has held leadership roles in healthcare management and is a strong advocate for mental health, mentorship, and veteran transition. His work centers on helping veterans and founders translate discipline, resilience, and lived experience into sustainable success.

Looking ahead: Kamar is opening Divine Medical in Durham, North Carolina, which will provide free addiction treatment to military veterans. His five-year goal: create 1,000 jobs per year through impactful work that boosts local economies and provides sustainable wages.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast - Episode 33: Building a One-Stop Resource Hub for Military Families with Kristen Ferullo

Join host Rod Loges and guest Kristen Ferullo as she shares her journey from special educator to military school liaison to founding Partners In Purpose, an organization dedicated to curating accurate, timely resources for military and veteran families.

In this episode:

• Kristen's nearly 12 years as a military school liaison helping families navigate K-12 education across moves
• The origin story of Partners In Purpose and its scholarship database with over 1,000 opportunities
• Why military families move 6-9 times during their children's educational careers and how that creates unique challenges
• The growing importance of trade schools and CTE programs as alternatives to traditional college
• How early leadership training shaped Kristen's purpose-driven approach to serving others

Key takeaways:

• Old, outdated information at the top of Google searches creates real problems for military families trying to plan moves and education
• Purpose-driven work requires partners who share that purpose. You don't get there alone.
• Every day you have a positive impact on one family is a success. Figure out the business part later.
• Listening to respond versus listening to understand is a critical difference in communication
• Knowing your "why" is the foundation of everything you do

Guest: Kristen Ferullo, Co-Founder of Partners In Purpose, Military School Liaison (nearly 12 years)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-ferullo/
• Business Website: https://partners-in-purpose.com/

Kristen Ferullo is the Co-Founder of Partners In Purpose, an organization focused on curating accurate and timely resources for military and veteran families. As a Military School Liaison in a geographically dispersed area for nearly 12 years Kristen has become acutely aware and deeply passionate in serving the needs of the military community. 

Kristen brings years of valuable diversified experience to her organizational leadership style. As a former Special Educator, a Navy Fleet & Family virtual Leadership Professional, 2025 Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Leadership Community Team Lead, and Technical High School Advisory Committee Chair, and student mentor, Kristen has shown her ability to work with any audience. In her personal time, Kristen is an educational programming and opportunity advisor, mentor and event volunteer for multiple non-profit organizations. Kristen most enjoys hiking, yoga, travel and spending time with her dog and three amazing, grown(ish) children.

Looking ahead: Kristen aims to build Partners In Purpose into a one-stop shop for military and veteran families, simplifying access to trusted resources for education, spouse employment, and family support. She also hopes to offer leadership coaching and communication training, drawing on her 20+ years working with student leadership programs.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 32: From Campaign Trail to Headshot Excellence with Jon Meadows

Join host Rod Loges and guest Jon Meadows as he shares his journey from political communications to founding High-End Headshots, a premium photography business specializing in professional headshots. Jon discusses how getting fired became the catalyst for building a thriving business that serves executives, professionals, and veterans across the DC area.

In this episode:

• Jon's transition from political campaigns to full-time photography entrepreneur
• How a $20/month online mentorship transformed his career trajectory
• Getting fired with a 9-month-old at home and launching a business the same day
• Building a premium pricing strategy that values quality over volume
• The importance of hyper-focus and single-mentor learning systems
• Giving back through annual $50,000 headshot giveaways for veterans

Key takeaways:

• Specialization creates competitive advantage – Jon focused exclusively on headshots rather than general photography
• Pricing psychology matters – aspiring to be "the best and most expensive" creates client respect and work-life balance
• Faith and stewardship drive business decisions, not just profit
• Following one proven system beats collecting advice from multiple sources
• Professional headshots create human connection and trust before you ever meet someone
• Being a "net exporter" means using your gifts to produce more than you need so you can give to others

Guest: Jon Meadows, Founder of High-End Headshots, Former Political Communications Professional

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/highend/  
• Business Website: https://highendheadshots.com/ 

Jon Meadows runs High-End Headshots, a premium photography business in the Washington DC area with over eight years of experience. Known for his facial expression coaching approach, he's earned the reputation as "the last hope for the non-photogenic" and helps clients "wow themselves" with professional imagery that creates trust and human connection.

Jon's path to entrepreneurship began on political campaigns, where he worked long hours in communications roles. After his mom noticed his compositional eye from study abroad photos, he picked up photography as a side pursuit. When he was unexpectedly fired from a nonprofit job in 2018 with a 9-month-old daughter at home, Jon went full-time with his photography business that same day. He found mentorship through the world's best headshot photographer for just $20/month and built a thriving business based on premium pricing, hyper-focus, and exceptional client experience.

Beyond his business success, Jon is a husband to Katie for 10 years, father to four kids under nine (two boys and two girls, "which was the master plan"), and an avid racket sports player who's recently gotten into pickleball tournaments. He's also a man of deep faith who views his business as stewardship – using his gifts to be a "net exporter" who can give generously to his church, school, family, and community.

Looking ahead: Jon continues to refine High-End Headshots while maintaining the work-life balance that allows him to be present for his young family. Each year, he gives away approximately $50,000 worth of headshots to veterans and those transitioning out of military service, turning his craft into a way to serve those who served.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs and those who serve the military community.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/