Leadership
Healing Their Hidden Wounds
OPERATIONS
FOUNDER: Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Ed Schloeman, USMC, NYANG |
Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Edward “Ed” Schloeman was a Marine Corps Vietnam disabled veteran (Sergeant, 1960–1966) and retired from the New York Air National Guard as a Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), where he served from 1973 to 1995.
Following his military service, Ed built a successful civilian career in telecommunications, working with companies including NYNEX (Verizon), Telco Systems, and other industry leaders before founding his own business in 2008. He earned numerous business and civic honors for his leadership and service, including being named “King of Kings County – Brooklyn” (CY2013) and receiving a Lifetime of Service Award from the Brooklyn Rotary Club. He was also honored with two Proclamations from the Brooklyn Borough President and two Congressional Recognition Awards for his longstanding contributions to the veteran community.
CMS (Ret.) Schloeman held life memberships in the Enlisted Association of the New York National Guard, the Enlisted Association of the United States, the Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Iwo Jima Association and the National Veteran Small Business Coalition. He was widely respected as a strong advocate for veterans’ initiatives, with particular emphasis on addressing veteran homelessness, and was well known among veteran organizations and government leaders alike.
His military decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal, Air Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Ribbon, and the New York State Military Commendation Medal.
Ed was married for 63 years to his wife, Judith Ann, and was the proud father of Catherine, Edward, and Robert.
He was the proud grandfather to 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Ed Schloeman’s dedication to service, leadership, and the well-being of veterans continues to inspire the mission of Operation Warrior Shield.
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER: Bethann Carbone
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TREASURER: Catherine Syslo
Catherine Syslo, CPA, is a Partner in CohnReznick’s National Assurance Practice, specializing in audits of not-for-profit organizations, including Uniform Guidance. She provides technical accounting and auditing expertise to engagement teams and clients. A licensed CPA in both New York and New Jersey, she has over 30 years of experience in both public accounting and the private sector.
Catherine is a frequent lecturer on not-for-profit accounting standards, the Uniform Guidance, Single Audits, and other topics affecting the not-for-profit industry.
Catherine is a member of the AICPA, the NJCPA and the NJCPA Nonprofit Interest Group. She is currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the NJCPA and as a resource member to the American Cancer Society’s Audit Committee. She is the prior Chair of both the NJCPA Nonprofit Interest Group and the Nonprofit Conference Committee.
Catherine was awarded the 2021 NJCPA Woman to Watch Award which applauds the success of women NJCPA members for their leadership and commitment to fostering the success of their colleagues. She is a prior recipient of the NJCPA Volunteer Award, based on her significant contributions to the NJCPA, her local community and accounting students.
SECRETARY: LtCol. (Ret) Patrick Kernan
Patrick B. Kernan
8309 Holly Haven Lane, Fairfax Station, VA
Phone: (703) 867-2973; Email: pbk1965@gmail.com
Professional Summary:
Top Secret Clearance (not active, adjudicated by OPM for DHS in Sep 2011)
Current DHS T2 Clearance
Served 12 years on active duty in the Army as an attorney (Jan 92 to Aug 04)
Worked 8 years as an attorney in DHS, USCIS (Aug 04 to May 12)
Recalled to Army active duty and deployed to Iraq twice (2006 & 2011)
Retired from the Army as a LieutCol with 20 years of service in Nov 2012
Education:
U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School (VA) – Master of Laws, 2001
Wake Forest University School of Law (NC) – Juris Doctor, 1991
Hamilton College (NY) – Bachelor of Arts, 1987
Bar Admissions:
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
District of Columbia
Massachusetts
Security Clearance:
Top Secret (Not Active, Adjudicated by OPM for DHS in September 2011)
Kernan & Associates, PLLC May 2012 – Present
Owner
- Advise small business clients through the procurement process, including bids, RFPs, bid protests, Small Business Eligibility/Criteria Research, System for Award Management (SAM) issues, contract terminations, and new regulations.
- Represent clients in complex litigation in federal court and before administrative tribunals in a broad range of cases including government contracts, bid protests, private commercial disputes, contract advice, and procurement. Includes cases before the government accountability office, court of federal claims and federal district courts.
- Retained by a large Washington, DC university to provide representation on specialized matters. Work focuses on legal advice on government contract matters.
- Successfully represented several clients before federal suspension and debarment authority.
- In addition to other protest work, successfully protested a multimillion dollar ID/IQ contract award before the GAO resulting in a client being added to the contract.
- Wrote dispositive motions and assisted in discovery on a multi-million dollar teaming agreement dispute between two private security companies in Iraq.
- Litigated a Fair Labor Standards Act Collective Action action against a multi-national company for failing to properly pay FLSA overtime to IT help desk employees.
- Provide Foreign Corrupt Practices Act guidance to businesses.
- Assisted several clients with preparation of government contract claims.
- Provide businesses employment law advice, including wage and hour issues.
- Provide corporate legal counsel to several small business clients
Vius, LLC July 2012 — Present
Managing Member
- Managing member of a service-disabled veteran-owned small business providing professional technical and management support service to federal and private sector clients. Areas of focus are information technology (IT) program management, legal services, acquisition management, financial management, capital planning and investment control including governance, privacy support, business process reengineering, and data management.
- Under contract with the Department of Transportation, Volpe Center to provide government acquisition legal support.
- Under contract with the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General to provide cloud computing legal services and support for government acquisitions.
- Serve as off-site program manager for an investigative services contract with the Department of Homeland Security, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
- Drafted and promulgated foundational corporate documents including corporate code of conduct, corporate operating agreement, human resources manual and policies.
- Prepared and executed all documents supporting business transactions such as prime contracts, sub-contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and teaming agreements.
- Prepared and managed a claim for an equitable adjustment for costs incurred during the government shut-down which reached a successful outcome.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services September 2011 – May 2012
Special Counsel, Commercial and Administrative Law
- Served as Senior Counsel in the Commercial and Administrative Law Division in the Office of Chief Counsel.
- Mentored and managed workload within the commercial law section.
- Advised management concerning acquisition and procurement, appropriations, and fiscal law.
- Provided guidance on Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, employment law, Equal Employment Opportunity cases, worker’s compensation claims, Federal Tort Claims Act, procurement integrity, and general agency administrative law.
- Represented the Agency in litigation before administrative bodies and in federal court.
Department of Defense May 2011 – August 2011
Staff Judge Advocate (Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Balad, Iraq)
- Led a team of ten (10) legal personnel spread across the Iraqi Joint Operations Area to ensure timely and effective legal support for counterterrorism operations of two Army Special Operations Task Forces and one Navy Special Warfare Task Force.
- Provided acquisition advice on large transition contracts as the U.S. presence in Iraq drew down.
- Directly reviewed and provided legal guidance on lethal Special Operation missions, targeting, detainee operations, and military deception operations against insurgents and terrorists throughout Iraq, and supported legal team review of numerous other missions.
- Oversaw detainee operations for CJSOTF-AP. CJSOTF-AP operated a joint interrogation and detention facility with the Iraqi government and any allegations of abuse by Iraqis or Americans in this facility were investigated.
- Supervised personnel conducting investigations into allegations of detainee abuse and mistreatment, including excessive use of force.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services October 2006 – May 2011
Chief Counsel, Office of Transformation Coordination
- As Chief, Transformation Counsel, identified and resolved legal risks and concerns in the program, provided acquisition, budget, spend plan, and fiscal law guidance to move the program forward.
- Ensured the program complied with statutory and regulatory requirements, and advised on operational matters from a legal perspective.
- Supported all operations of the Office of Transformation Coordination by providing legal and programmatic advice on reengineering the USCIS business and IT processes.
- Played a significant role in developing and obtaining approval for the budgeting plan for USCIS Transformation in the early development of the program. Part of a transformation team that was given an acquisition award by DHS for expanding competition in developing the Request for Proposals to support the solution architect contract.
- Led teams with diverse operational backgrounds in developing legal, regulation, policy, and privacy decisions and documentation. Through the work of my team, we have established working groups to implement legal, regulatory, policy, and privacy changes across USCIS. Program manager responsible for regulatory, policy, and privacy changes.
- Met bi-weekly with the DHS Privacy Office to discuss Transformation privacy issues and to obtain DHS input on how to resolve privacy concerns.
- Reviewed and provided legal approval of all documentation provided to outside oversight organizations.
U.S. Army January 2006 – October 2006
Chief, Procurement and Fiscal Law (Multi-National Corps, Baghdad, Iraq)
- Supervised a section of attorneys responsible for providing acquisition and fiscal law advice in the Iraqi theater of operations. The section supported the Multi-National Corps – Iraq’s operational readiness by developing and implementing complex procurements involving $10 billion in acquisitions. The procurements involved systems, programs, and services critical to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Multi-National Corps – Iraq’s counter-insurgency effort in Iraq.
- Provided fiscal law advice and oversight of critical operational procurements and Iraq reconstruction procurements involving millions of dollars in congressionally monitored Commander’s Emergency Response Program funds. Congress received a list and reviewed each of the projects developed under this program.
- Developed Iraq theater-wide policy and procedures to build a process for handling issues involving contractors on the battlefield, including rules for the use of force, arming, escalation of force investigations, and private security company training.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services July 2004 – January 2006
Associate Counsel, Commercial and Administrative Law
- Served as Associate Counsel in the Commercial and Administrative Law Division in the Office of Chief Counsel, Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Advised management on acquisition and procurement, appropriations, and fiscal law.
- Provided guidance on Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, employment law, Equal Employment Opportunity, worker’s compensation claims, Federal Tort Claims Act, and general agency administrative law.
- Represented the Agency in litigation before administrative bodies and in federal court.
- Volunteered for Hurricane Katrina community relations work in support of DHS efforts in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
U.S. Department of Justice 2003 – 2004
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Eastern District of Virginia)
- Special appointment to the Department of Justice to represent the U.S. government in federal court litigation in the Eastern District of Virginia and the Fourth Circuit.
- Lead attorney representing many different federal agencies in a wide variety of subject areas including employment law and discrimination, immigration, Federal Tort Claims Act, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, Bivens matters, and military personnel litigation.
- Led teams of attorneys and expert witnesses to resolve litigation. Successfully represented the Army in a federal district court jury trial involving a medical malpractice claim for wrongful death.
- Responsible for cases from initial complaint through appeal including filing motions, motion arguments, depositions, trials and appeals.
U.S. Army 2001 – 2003
Litigation Attorney (Arlington, VA)
- Represented the U.S. Army in federal court litigation. Principal area of practice was employment discrimination, including class actions and individual discrimination claims based on disability, race, gender, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
- Successfully represented the Army in two federal district court jury trials.
- Participated in numerous appellate arguments, motions hearings, and depositions. Filed over sixty motions for summary judgment.
U.S. Army 1998 – 2000
Chief, Criminal Law Division (Fort Bragg, NC)
- Chief criminal prosecutor in an Infantry Division (20,000 troops). Supervised five attorneys and seven support personnel.
- Staff prosecuted over 100 felony level criminal cases including sexual assault, child abuse, and drug distribution.
U.S. Army 1995 – 1998
Trial Attorney, Contract Appeals Division (Arlington, VA)
- Litigated U.S. Army contract cases before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, General Services Board of Contract Appeals and the Government Accountability Office.
- Litigated a full range of contract disputes involving multi-million dollar claims. Also, litigated bid protests involving the award of a variety of government contracts.
- Led litigation teams involving other attorneys, accountants, engineers, cost estimators, program managers and analysts.
U.S. Army 1992 – 1995
Defense Counsel (Korea) & Prosecutor and Administrative Law Attorney (Fort Hood, TX)
Military Awards:
Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Service Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal (3d Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2d Award), Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge.
John Walsh, President/CEO Sightspan Inc.
Treasurer
Mr. John Walsh is President and CEO of Sightspan Inc. which specializes in Risk Management, Corporate Governance, Security and Overall Business Process Improvement.
John has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, with direct responsibility for Management, Security and Anti-Laundering, Combat Terrorist Financing and Corporate Security matters for the majority of his professional career. He has established and trained members of the Financial Investigations Units and Federal Crime Specialists for global and personal work in high risk areas designing methods to detect and reduce global criminal activities for both private and public organizations.
John is a Certified Compliance Officer, an active member of the Association of Anti-Money Laundering Professionals, a member of the Arab American Bankers Association and Certified Examiners Association, Global Association of Risk Professionals and several Security Groups. John is active with many military and veteran groups and is a Committee Member of the North Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Dennis Herrera, Founder of Nuday Capital
Dennis Herrera is a venture capitalist with over 15 years of experience in the financial industry. His primary focus is providing instrumental financing for late stage biotech and life-science companies. Mr. Herrera has an established reputation for building specialized sales teams of financial experts who work diligently to meet the needs of their investors and maintain successful track records. Mr. Herrera currently holds his Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.
Dennis Herrera has built a career by forging strong relationships and unlocking value for his clients in several pre-ipo big tech companies. Mr. Herrera has been instrumental in financing and investing in bio-tech, life science and med tech companies.
Mr. Herrera is the Founder of Nuday Capital and is an active member of various nonprofit organizations. He has been featured on Bravo’s hit show “Million Dollar Listing New York” and recognized by the NY Post and Toro magazine.
Anthony Rodriguez, AFEX CRO
Anthony Luis Rodriguez is the son of a Vietnam Veteran, a Meditator, a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and currently the Chief Global Compliance and Data Protection Officer for AFEX, a global payment and risk management solution provider.
Anthony is a senior executive leader with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, leading complex global compliance initiatives, audits/validations, and the implementation of technologies throughout North America, Asia Pacific and EMEA. Over the years, he has developed comprehensive skills in global economic sanctions, anti-money laundering, privacy, regulatory corporate compliance and enterprise risk management.
Currently Anthony is a member of the Advisory Board of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven, as well as, the ACAMS Advisory Board representing the MSB industry.
Mychal Watts, Watts Photography
Mychal Watts a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps that worked to become a Professional Entertainment Photographer after serving our great nation. I developed a keen talent for my photography working at a professional photo lab in New York City Box One as a professional photo technician and earning the distinction of a Master Black and White and Color Technician.
During a 9-year tenure at Box One I was introduced to Entertainment Photographer John Bellisimo (R.I.P.) who then introduced me to Entertainment Photographer Kevin Mazur who I eventually became his technical advisor helping to build his brand, assistant and second shooter for Kevin Mazur Photography. One day Kevin decided to throw me in the water with the sharks and sent me to shoot a concert George Clinton and the Funkadelics at Central Park. The images published in RollingStone Magazine, and I was now hooked! I was hooked on Entertainment photography! This exposure eventually landed me to gigs covering Sundance Film Festivals, Grammys, Oscars, Oscars after parties, A list actors, Music Concerts and Red-Carpet events, as well as presser assignments for WireImage/Getty Images for media placement. To see the work that is done by not just a Photographer, But an excellent multi genres photographer with quality unsurpassed quality in every genre as show on this website.
Second accomplishment was becoming the Director of Photography Services for the Coalition to Salute Americas Heroes a charity organization that provides financial and emotional family support for wounded troops returning home from injuries received during combat tours in the middle east.
That allowed me the opportunity to produce an awe-inspiring photographic compilation of those who have paid the ultimate price.
Based in New York City, my current focus is Creative Portraiture, Fashion Editorials & Beauty, Actor Headshots. I remain a contributor and stringer photographer at WireImage/Getty. (See my Getty work Link below)
www.mychalwattsphotographer.
IG MychalWatts
Steven N. Gordon, Principal, Gordon Law
Steven is the principal of Gordon Law which handles affairs for a broad spectrum of individual and corporate clients, complex civil and criminal litigation across the United States, and high-stakes settlements and negotiations. Steven is an investor in, and developer of, promising innovations and drug discovery in biotechnology and other areas of healthcare. Steven co-founded a biotech company which was listed on the NYSE, received FDA approval for an internally developed drug and was sold in 2020 for ~$2B. Steven managed an investment fund that used litigation experience and social science methods to predict the outcome of critical litigation events. Before launching his fund, Steven enjoyed time as a litigator for two well-known New York City law firms, served as an Assistant District Attorney for the City of New York (under the Honorable Robert T. Johnson), worked at the New York County District Attorney’s Office and at the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. Steven earned his B.A. in economics and business administration from Bar Ilan University and his Juris Doctorate from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. He is admitted as an attorney before the New York and New Jersey state bars, the District of Columbia, the United States Supreme Court and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Steven is an ardent believer in the benefits of Transcendental Mediation and of Dr. John Hagelin’s work towards a lasting world peace. He is a staunch supporter, through The Monroe Institute, of the global awakening of human consciousness and Bob Monroe’s mission of helping people create more meaningful and joyful lives through expanded meditation. Steven and his wife Elaine live in New York City. They enjoy life with their twin daughters who are in college and their high school son.
Andrea Corbine, Executive VP, Sightspan, Inc.
Cynthia Fox Everett
Bio to come…
ADVISORS
Bethann Carbone, Chief Strategy Officer, Operation Warrior Shield | Principal, Branding Ovation
Rita Cosby, TV/Radio Host Emmy Winner, best-selling author
Board Advisor
Rita Cosby is a renowned TV host, radio host, bestselling author and veteran correspondent, who anchored highly-rated primetime shows on Fox News Channel and MSNBC. She is currently a Special Correspondent for the CBS syndicated program Inside Edition specializing in interviewing newsmakers and political figures. Honors for the three-time Emmy winner include the Matrix Award and the Jack Anderson Award.
She was also selected by Cosmopolitan Magazine as a “Fun and Fearless Female.” A recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Lech Walesa Freedom Award, she hosts the National Memorial Day Parade broadcast to all US military installations around the world. October 11, 2010, was declared “Rita Cosby Day” in the State of New York for her “extraordinary journalism and exemplary service on behalf of her community.”
Wilem Wong, Ret. Sergeant Special Assignment, NYPD; Ret. Lieutenant Colonel, USAR
Wilem Wong was born and raised in NYC Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side. In his civilian career, in 2021, Wilem retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) at the rank of Police Sergeant Special Assignment with over 21 years of combined creditable service to New York City and New York State. Prior to the NYPD, he served as a Police Officer in the San Francisco Police Department. He has worked in NYPD assignments in the Police Commissioner’s Project Management Office, Office of Chief of Strategic Initiatives, Police Academy’s leadership & training development unit, Health and Wellness Section’s foundational initiatives, as well as in investigations, and patrol operations. His NYPD awards include three unit citations (Police Academy, Police Commissioner’s PMO, Medical Division).
In his military career, in 2023, Wilem retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after serving over 34 years (Enlisted and Commissioned Service) in the United States Army Reserve. He served as a Combat Medic, Licensed Practical Nurse, as well as a Health Services Planning, Operations and Training Officer. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom having served with United States Army Civil Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, as well as Operation Enduring Freedom, having served with United States Marines in Regimental Combat Teams 1 and 5, in Helmand, Afghanistan. Prior to his military retirement, Wilem was selected to be Commanding Officer of an Army Combat Stress Control Team outside of Los Angeles, CA. His military decorations include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.
Wilem earned a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University (Walker) and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from New York University (Stern). He considered himself an accidental long distance runner, a la Forrest Gump, finishing the following marathons after his military deployments: Honolulu, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
Currently, Wilem is the appointed State Director for New York City for the Selective Service System. Also, he is the elected Vice Commander, American Legion Post 1291 – Lieutenant Benjamin Ralph Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post.
LinkedIn – http://linkedin.com/in/wilem-s-wong-102776
(The Late) Jerry Yellin WW II P-51 Pilot
Captain (ret) Jerry Yellin is an Army Air Corps veteran who served in WWII between 1941 and 1945.
Jerry enlisted two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on his 18th Birthday. After graduating from Luke Air Field as a fighter pilot in August of 1943, he spent the remainder of the war flying P-40, P- 47 and P-51 combat missions in the Pacific with the 78th Fighter Squadron.
He participated in the first land based fighter mission over Japan on April 7, 1945, and served on Iwo Jima during that horrific battle. He also has the unique distinction of having flown the final combat mission of World War II on August 14, 1945 – the day the war ended. On that mission, his wing-man (Phillip Schlamberg) was the last man killed in a combat mission in WWII.
After the war ended, Jerry struggled with severe undiagnosed PTSD. He always wondered why he survived, while so many of his comrades died during the war. Because of these experiences, Jerry has dedicated his life speaking on the horrors of “the hidden wounds of war-PTSD”.
Jerry is the award-winning author of four books, including Of War and Weddings, The Blackened Canteen, The Resilient Warrior, and The Letter. He is the official spokesperson for The Spirit of “45. .
Jerry is traveling the world sharing his story and helping to bring healing and hope to a new generation of veterans who are battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).He aims to help heal the wounds of war while dissolve the barriers and misunderstandings that bring us to the point of destroying ourselves. He delivers an insightful glimpse into the life of a warrior from the perspective of a humble humanitarian.
Jerry’s military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross. He married Helene Shulman in October 1949, is the father of 4 sons and grandfather to 6 grandchildren. Helene passed away in June 2015 after 65 years of marriage.
GOODWILL AMBASSADORS
Bethann Carbone, Goodwill Ambassador
Wil Wong, Goodwill Ambassador
Daniela Zahradnikova, Goodwill Ambassador