Service Academy Business Mastermind

Trevor Benitone (USAFA '95) and Joe Ruzicka (USNA '96) are leaders at Adams Keegan, a national and privately held HR services firm based in Memphis, TN.   Their services include payroll, HR management, benefits administration, compliance support, and recruiting.  James Keegan (USMA graduate) was an early investor in Adams Keegan and currently serves on the Board of Directors. In this episode, we discuss: How their company has grown over the last 33 years and the new geographic markets they have their sites on How they help small and mid-size businesses avoid HR land mines The personalized support they offer to help entrepreneurs at every stage of their business Connect with Trevor and Joe: Trevor on LinkedIn Joe on LinkedIn Adams Keegan If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Trevor and Joe for joining me th

Jason Schwab (USMA '05) is the co-founder of Glove Box, an e-commerce company that curates and distributes premium car care products to automotive enthusiasts across the United States and Canada. They launched in 2018 and have shipped over 20,000 products to date. In this episode, we discuss: Their path from 0 to 20,000+ products sold How they source products and their value proposition to their members The most important skills he learned in the Army that have helped him as an entrepreneur Connect with Jason Schwab: Glove Box Jason on LinkedIn If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Jason for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

Dean Wegner (USMA '93) is the founder of Authentically American, an iconic American brand that sells products that are truly American Made. His expertise in the apparel industry, coupled with his passion for America, provided all the incentive he needed to create a brand that aims to set the universally accepted standard for premium American made merchandise while delivering a significant impact on US job creation. In this episode, Dean and I discuss: His flagship Sweat Tee that celebrates the Army/Navy rivalry The Authentically American podcast that has featured world-class athletes and business leaders His goal to create a $1 Billion brand Connect with Dean Wegner: Dean on LinkedIn Authentically American If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also availabl

Jason Van Camp (USMA '01) is the Founder of Mission 6 Zero, a leadership assessment and development company created by United States Special Forces Operators (Green Berets, Delta Force, Navy SEALs, CIA, FBI), refined through scientifically proven methods developed by their human performance and sports psychologist PhDs, and reinforced through their cadre of wounded warriors. In this episode, Jason and I discuss: How he scored the New York Jets as his first client His new book Deliberate Discomfort and why he wrote it Best practices for overcoming fear and unlocking your potential Connect with Jason Van Camp: Jason on LinkedIn Mission 6 Zero Warrior Rising Foundation Buy the Deliberate Discomfort book If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on G

Larry Gast (USAFA '85) is the founder of LEG Ventures, a company that supplies capital and services to business and commercial real estate firms.  His firm recently created a private group purchasing organization (GPO) with select strategic partner firms for qualifying businesses. His GPO can save businesses $1,000 to $100,000+ annually plus they’ll receive better service through their negotiated volume pricing. In this episode, Larry and I discuss: How he got started down the entrepreneurial path after his service in the Air Force How he can help veteran business owners save money through his GPO His short- and long-term goals for LEG Ventures Connect with Larry Gast: Larry on LinkedIn LEG Ventures If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Go

Sean Cleveland (USMA '92) is a founding partner at nxtU, a company that offers concierge and workshop-level training, support, mentorship, and coaching to help high students and transitioning military members achieve their professional goals and aspirations. Sean's work with nxtU draws upon 28 years of leadership experience and 16 years in different capacities in higher education. He has served as an academic success coach in a PAC-12 intercollegiate athletics department, as an instructor and advisor in an alternative admissions program at a Big-12 university, and as a junior and senior rotating faculty member at West Point, where he also served as the Associate Director of the Mounger Writing Center and Writing Fellows Program. In this episode, Sean and I discuss: His coaching process that helps individuals get accepted to a top-tier university How he helps student-athletes achieve peak academic performance His best advice for parents to help their kids prepare for college Connect with Sean Cleveland: Sea

Joshua Emison (USNA '14) is the owner of Tracer Consulting, a company that specializes in helping military veterans find the right franchise opportunity.  As a Franchise Consultant, Josh assists those in a career transition to decide if franchising is right for them.   His free services will teach you what franchising is, help you discover your funding options, and ultimately help you find the right franchise that is the perfect fit for you. In this episode, Josh and I discuss: How he got started as a Franchise Consultant The best ways to finance a franchise and discounts available to military veterans Franchise concepts that are thriving in the new economy Connect with Josh Emison: Josh on LinkedIn Tracer Consulting If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Al

John Graham (USMA '87) is the CEO at Campfire Capital, an investment banking team that has nearly a century of collective strategic advisory and financial services experience.  In today’s episode, we discuss their efforts to build out ThayerGate.Ai, a Business Accelerator program located outside the gates of West Point.  ThayerGate.Ai provides below-market occupancy costs, workforce training, mentoring programs, easy access to experienced professionals, and a host of other resources for business owners.  I am also joined on this episode by John Vermeesch (USMA '90) and Peter Goudet (USMA '91), President of Campfire Capital. In this episode, we discuss: The special support they are offering business owners who are located at their facility Their mission to support the revitalization and improvement of the Greater West Point-Highland Falls Community The most important skills they learned at West Point that have helped them as entrepreneurs Connect with the team: John Graham on LinkedIn John Vermeesch on Link

Stuart Grazier (USNA '02) is an active-duty Navy pilot who has served 17 years in the military. Over the last 11 years, he has purchased approximately $600,000 in performing mortgage notes, 4 single-family rental properties, an RV park, is a part-owner in an apartment complex and mobile home park syndication, and has recently started a turnkey real estate company with his best friend and USNA roommate where they are providing rehabbed, cash flowing rental properties to their network of military/veteran and patriot investors. Starting in June of 2018, his company Storehouse 3:10 Ventures has acquired and sold approximately 35 turnkey rental properties, averaging 2-3 properties per month. Stuart is also the President of the Military Investor Network, which aims to network, educate, and connect other military/veteran service members that are interested in real estate investing. In this episode, Stu and I discuss: How to purchase and analyze a turnkey rental property and the returns they offer investors Their fa

Paul Huszar (USMA '90) is the President and CEO of VetCor, a restoration company that solves water and mold damage problems and provides other related services to commercial and residential property owners. VetCor is staffed by military veterans and is currently seeking new franchisees as they expand across the U.S. In this episode, Paul and I discuss: His goal to become the #1 private employer of military veterans The steps to take if you want to become a franchisee The markets they are expanding into across the U.S. Connect with Paul Huszar: Paul on LinkedIn VetCor Franchising If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Paul for joining me this week.  Until next t

Peter Joukov (USNA '05) is the co-founder of Inq Tattoos, a company that is disrupting the tattoo industry with high-end boutiques that focus on clean design, transparency, and a customer-first philosophy.  Their sole focus is to ensure that customers feel welcome, safe, and walk away with an amazing tattoo that they absolutely love. In this episode, Peter and I discuss: Why he decided to open tattoo boutiques and revolutionize the customer experience Franchising opportunities they have available across the country The most important skills he learned at the Naval Academy that have helped him as an entrepreneur Connect with Peter Joukov: Peter on LinkedIn Inq Tattoos If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher

Todd Waldemar (USNA ’89) is the founder of ChowCall, a Marine Veteran owned, 3rd party food delivery business, unlike anything you have ever seen. With a tap on your phone, ChowCall delivers food from your favorite restaurants right to your barracks, home, or office. Armed with the latest technology, experienced local delivery professionals, and a commitment for service, ChowCall brings food delivery to a new level. In this episode, Todd and I discuss: His explosive sales growth since launching the company in 2019 His unique competitive advantage (military bases!) that allows him to capture market share from the big guys His goal to expand to 9 locations in the next 18 months "Chowcall's unique ability to serve base customers gives us a competitive advantage larger delivery companies can't provide."  -Tim Sollars, Director of Ops. Dixon Foods dba McDonalds Connect with Todd Waldemar: Todd on LinkedIn ChowCall If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Serv

Anthony Pinto (USNA '14) is an active duty submarine officer and owner of Pinto Capital Investments, a Commercial Real Estate Investment company based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Anthony is building his real estate portfolio and plans to achieve financial freedom before he completes his military obligation. In this episode, Anthony and I discuss: His goal to reach financial freedom before he completes his military service obligation Lessons learned from his first real estate investments and how he has scaled up to larger properties His favorite real estate books and courses Connect with Anthony Pinto: Anthony on LinkedIn Pinto Capital Investments If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star

Tim Parlatore (USNA '02) is the Founder of Parlatore Law Group, a cloud-based law firm that eliminates all the unnecessary overhead expenses associated with traditional law firms while providing the highest quality legal services.  By trimming all the excess expenses and passing those savings on to clients, Parlatore Law Group’s attorneys can devote their full efforts to solving problems and working together as a cohesive team without the necessity of working in a physical office. In this episode, Tim and I discuss: The #1 reason why his teammates and clients love the cloud-based business model His firm’s current job openings The most important skills he learned at the Naval Academy that have helped him as an entrepreneur Connect with Tim Parlatore: Tim on LinkedIn Parlatore Law Group Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Tim for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes,

Grant Demaree (USMA '13)  is the Co-Founder of Onebrief, a collaborative platform that facilitates rapid executive decision-making for businesses and military planning.  Onebrief supports large-scale collaboration on the Joint Planning Process and automates the outputs, such as OPLANs, OPORDs, sync matrices, and maps.  Onebrief is being used in exercises in the Army and Air Force, including the Army War College and is backed by AFWERX and by Alchemist Accelerator. In this episode, Grant and I discuss: His company’s goals to become the interoperability standard for all joint planning across the US military and our allies How he connected with his co-founder and the story of how they brought their product to market His best lessons learned from the Alchemist Accelerator and the AFWERX application process Connect with Grant Demaree: Grant on LinkedIn Onebrief Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special

Stephen Semmelroth (USMA '11) is a veteran-focused cybersecurity recruiter where he develops Cyber Vets and finds them jobs.  As a cybersecurity recruiter, he matches the nation's best Cyber Veterans (any Federal alumni, clearance holder, or military spouse) with tech jobs across the country. In this episode, Stephen and I discuss: The explosive growth of the cybersecurity industry Current job openings he has available The ups and downs of starting a business and how he has persevered Connect with Stephen Semmelroth: Stephen on LinkedIn StrataCore Website If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Stephen for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes, U

On today’s podcast I’m joined by Bill Militello (USNA ’92) who shares how an “abundance mindset” and a simple shift in thinking can help us navigate successfully through uncertain times. Bill is the CEO of Militello Capital and LocalVest.com.  Militello Capital is a team of veteran entrepreneurs who invest capital in joint ventures with a select group of highly successful private equity and real estate operators.  LocalVest is an exclusive community for accredited investors to discover, research, and discuss private investments with knowledgeable investment professionals. In this episode, Bill and I discuss: How he uses vision boards and mind movies to create a life of abundance How your feelings attract abundance (or scarcity) into your life Why Academy grads will persevere through this crisis and create more value than ever before Connect with Bill Militello: Bill on LinkedIn Militello Capital LocalVest *Special thanks to Ginni Guiton (USMA) from GGHypnosis.com for providing the intention to start the p

Mike Foster (USNA ’13) is a real estate investor and entrepreneur who serves as the Director of Education and Podcast Host for Active Duty Passive Income. While active duty, Mike was fortunate enough to have several remarkable mentors that taught him the importance of credit-building, creative financing techniques, and wealth-building strategies.  Mike has acquired multiple real estate investments, he owns several businesses, and has the passion and drive to mentor thousands of veterans around the world. In this episode, Mike and I discuss: The ADPI podcast, course, and Facebook group that helps veterans with real estate investing Their new lead generation program for real estate agents A new service they created to connect investors with real estate agents and lenders across the country Connect with Mike Foster: Mike on LinkedIn Active Duty Passive Income If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to

Fred Stuvek Jr. graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1974 after lettering three years as quarterback for the Midshipmen. After serving as a Naval Officer, he transitioned to the business world where he has held senior leadership positions in private and public companies, both domestically and internationally. Key successes include an international medical imaging start-up that led to a successful IPO and forming a private medical services company, which he subsequently sold.  He’s the author of the book, It Starts With You which is a complete training manual to develop the operative mindset, habits, and skills for succeeding at any endeavor. In this episode, Fred and I discuss: Why he chose to attend USNA and his favorite experiences from playing on the football team His experiences from building businesses and the best lessons he learned along the way His best tips for writing a book Connect with Fred Stuvek: Fred on LinkedIn It Starts With You If you found this episode valuable, please shar

Carly DaCosta (USMA '04) and her husband Jered own DaCosta Real Estate Investments, an investment company focused on buying high-quality short-term rentals leveraging Airbnb and apartment complexes through syndication.  In 2018, Carly left her full-time job to purchase a $2MM multifamily apartment building in San Francisco.  In March 2019, Jered joined Carly on her real estate adventure, and they relocated their family to Jacksonville, FL to build out their real estate portfolio. I am also joined in this episode by Buddy Rushing (USNA '04), Founder of White Feather Investments and the fearless leader of our Real Estate Investing Accelerator. In this episode, we discuss: Carly’s decision to relocate her family and start a real estate business in Jacksonville, FL How the Real Estate Accelerator has impacted both her life and business Her goal to achieve financial freedom this year through real estate investing Connect with Carly DaCosta: Carly on LinkedIn Join our upcoming Zoom call on March 7th to learn mo