Service Academy Business Mastermind

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, gu

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 profession

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Daniel Bednar is an investor and advisor at Curbit, a technology company transforming the restaurant industry with real-time data and operational transparency. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Officer, Daniel led technical operations and intelligence programs on the USS Makin Island, in Afghanistan, and at the Office of Naval Intelligence. After transitioning into finance and strategy, he’s applied that same mission-driven focus to helping startups scale with structure and speed. His partnership with Curbit grew from a collaboration into an active leadership role, where he now drives fundraising, builds strategic partnerships, and helps shape the company’s long-term growth. At Curbit, Daniel is focused on streamlining restaurant operations, delivering accurate wait-time predictions for guests, and equipping

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Juan Dominguez is the founder of Dominguez Advisory Group, specializing in business mediation and access to capital for small to midsize companies facing financial obstacles. Drawing on three decades of business experience, he has built a practice focused on business advocacy for those who have hit a bump in the road. After a successful corporate career, including leading a $1 billion company and managing a team of 600, he launched this consulting venture to fill a vital but underserved niche. His firm helps small business owners resolve creditor disputes and obtain financing when traditional avenues are closed. His approachable and transparent style, combined with a personal mission to give back, inform every client engagement. As a licensed mediator, he is dedicated to negotiating workable solutions, reducing business

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Ajit Purandare is the Chief Revenue Officer at Croptell, a FinTech company revolutionizing agricultural finance through artificial intelligence. He brings a unique perspective to the agricultural space, having grown up in farming communities on the eastern shore of Delaware in the heart of "chicken country".  A West Point graduate, Ajit joined Croptell after consulting with founder Scott Sartor for two years. What started as a relationship built through duck hunting in the Mississippi Delta evolved into a powerful partnership aimed at disrupting the agricultural finance space. Coming from a family that immigrated from India, Ajit understands firsthand the critical importance of agriculture and the thin margins farmers operate on. Through data science and AI powered insights, Ajit is helping to transform how farmers acces

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Briar Bearss is the Founder and CEO of Bearss Residential, a real estate company that owns and operates subsidized housing for over 100 families and veterans across the Midwest. He is also an active duty armor officer and mission-driven entrepreneur focused on serving vulnerable communities.  A West Point graduate, he built his military career leading scout platoons, with his unit earning recognition as the number one Bradley Scout platoon in the brigade. His entrepreneurial journey began while balancing active duty service, co-founding Bearss Residential with his twin brother and two childhood friends from Michigan. What started as a local investment strategy evolved into a powerful mission to provide quality housing for vulnerable families and veterans through government rental assistance programs.  Through strategic r

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ This week on the SABM Podcast, we’re joined by Chase Millsap (USNA ’05), Brett Lea, and Alex Sabga-Brady, the producers behind D-Day to Today: The Band of Brothers Legacy, a forthcoming documentary exploring the lasting impact of the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers on modern-day service members and military culture. Chase Millsap is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, former Marine infantry officer, and Army National Guard Special Forces veteran. After over a decade of service, Chase transitioned into storytelling and documentary filmmaking. He helped launch We Are The Mighty and has spent more than 15 years producing authentic military content in Hollywood. This project brings together his dual passions: military service and meaningful storytelling. Brett Lea is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with 22 years of service. A f

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Brian Kelly is the President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), a nonprofit organization focused on advocating for military personnel, veterans, and their families. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a three-star general after more than 33 years of service, most recently serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services. A proud graduate of Notre Dame and the Air Command and Staff College (Class of ‘01), Brian now leads MOAA’s efforts to protect earned military benefits and support members through advocacy, education, and strategic initiatives like the Total Force Plus Conference. With decades of leadership experience, Brian is especially committed to improving the transition from military to civilian life, protecting quality-of-life benefits, and ensuring that mil

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 ____ Kevin Rainey is a certified breathwork coach, former Air Force officer, and seasoned project manager with over 20 years of experience leading programs around the world. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he built his career in Information Technology and Communications, known for bringing camaraderie, community, and grit to every team he led. His journey took a powerful turn during a breathwork and cold plunge session that sparked deep personal transformation. He lost weight, reversed sleep apnea, and found a natural way to manage depression. That experience inspired him to launch a coaching practice dedicated to helping others, especially men and veterans, reconnect with their bodies and strengthen their emotional resilience. Through one-on-one coaching and group cohorts, Kevin teaches breathwork routines that su

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 ____ Richard Kenny is the founder of Falcon Capital Real Estate and Valuation Pro, bringing together decades of valuation expertise with a focus on innovation in commercial real estate. At Falcon Capital, he helps partners access institutional-grade deals by providing co-GP capital, underwriting support, and strategic insight on complex transactions. Valuation Pro, his AI-powered platform, delivers fast, accurate property valuations for investors, brokers, and assessors, helping streamline decision-making and reduce turnaround time. A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and former Contracting Officer, Richard grew up in the appraisal world and has led valuation work across more than 35 states. His experience spans a wide range of asset types, from strip malls and solar farms to subsurface minerals and other complex properties. No

Dave Lam is a seasoned investor, veteran, and strategic operator focused on unlocking value in microcap and lower-middle market companies. A former U.S. Air Force contracting officer, he offers deep expertise on execution, strategy, and operational excellence. As a Principal at Phalanx Partners, he helps lead independent sponsorship and advisory efforts for growing companies across multiple sectors. He is also a Managing Principal at Oakwood Legacy Partners, a private holding company investing in alternative assets including real estate, cryptocurrency, and private debt. With a decade of experience managing complex vendor portfolios and leading operational strategy, Dave’s expertise spans procurement, underwriting, and portfolio management. His background includes work with the U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard, where he oversaw projects in medical services, construction, communications, and defense manufacturing. Dave holds an MS in Finance from Boston College and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth Sch

Joshua Emison is the founder of Tracer Franchising, where he helps individuals identify proven, scalable franchise opportunities tailored to their financial and lifestyle goals. With a background in business development and a sharp eye for operational models, he simplifies what’s often a crowded and confusing process in franchising. Josh works across industries to guide clients toward sustainable, long-term ownership—whether they’re exploring their first opportunity or expanding an existing portfolio.  A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Marine Corps Infantry Officer, Josh approaches business ownership with the same focus and structure that defined his military career. He’s also the co-founder of Sans Bank, a fintech company using blockchain to make alternative investments more accessible through asset tokenization. Across both ventures, Josh is focused on helping others take ownership of their future through smart, strategic decisions. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Joshua

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Zachary Guerra is a powerful force in storytelling, making the leap from Naval Aviator flying S-3B Vikings to directing multi-million-dollar productions for some of the world’s biggest brands. Over the past decade, Zachary has directed and produced more than 25 high-impact campaigns for global brands such as Apple and ESPN, managing more than $34 million in production budgets. As a Director, Writer, and Producer, Zachary has written 15+ screenplays and directed over 20 commercials, all while actively developing feature films with both major studios and independent teams. Beyond his commercial success, Zachary is deeply invested in the next generation of creatives. He mentors aspiring filmmakers and imparts his knowledge of Editing, Cinematography, and Producing at esteemed institutions. His dedication to education reflects

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Rob Pekarek is an Operations Research Analyst at Air Combat Command and a General Partner in multifamily real estate. On active duty, he serves on the staff of the four-star General commanding ACC, where he leads teams that solve operational challenges across the Air Force using tools like Python, Excel, and PowerPoint automation. His work has improved aircraft scheduling, streamlined data systems, and delivered practical solutions to commanders on base. Rob previously completed a fully funded research fellowship at Purdue University, where he modeled climate adaptation strategies and infrastructure investment. His work informed a $5 billion coastal protection plan for Louisiana and supported the Naval Academy’s Sea Level Rise action plan. Now active in real estate investing, Rob helped acquire a 24-unit apartment complex i

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jason is the founder of John Galt Services, a Bali-based outsourcing company that connects businesses with high-performing, multilingual talent across Indonesia. With a focus on quality, training, and long-term impact, his team works in person from Bali to deliver reliable, professional support at global standards.  A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Navy Surface Warfare Officer, Jason has spent over two decades leading product development and building enterprise software systems for startups and major financial institutions. He previously founded a data systems firm that served clients like Invesco and Bridgewater Associates.  Today, he also serves as a lead developer and technical leader at VeteranCrowd. Fluent in Bahasa Indonesia and deeply embedded in the local community, Jason is passionate about creating

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Mario Cortizo is the Founder and President of Maerco Consulting, helping companies expand into Panama and Latin America through strategic market entry, partnerships, and business development support. A West Point graduate and seasoned entrepreneur, Mario combines disciplined leadership with a deep understanding of regional growth opportunities. His career highlights include leading business development for companies with over 200 million users, managing $2 billion infrastructure initiatives, and representing Panama in the 2022 Young Leaders of the Americas Entrepreneurship Program. At Maerco Consulting, Mario specializes in diagnosing challenges, identifying new markets, and building partnerships that drive long-term success. With multicultural experience and fluency in four languages, he is uniquely positioned to help comp

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Chris Coughlan is the Founder and CEO of C Infinity Solutions, a digital consultancy helping companies turn big ideas into scalable, AI-powered products. A Naval Academy graduate and former intelligence officer, Chris blends military precision with business innovation to drive real results. After leadership roles at IBM, Wizeline, and Atrium, he launched C Infinity to rethink how businesses build technology — faster, smarter, and with fewer barriers. His team specializes in helping founders and enterprises bring new products to market, modernize operations, and scale with confidence. Known for his hands-on leadership and focus on execution, Chris is helping redefine what technology partnerships can achieve. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Chris about: The Start of C Infinity Solutions: Combining mili

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jeff Servello is a seasoned leader and trusted Principal Advisor specializing in executive coaching, leadership development, and crisis response. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, he also holds a Master of Professional Studies in Leadership, Education, and Development from the University of Maryland.  Over the past 20 years, Jeff has led award-winning teams, managed billion-dollar resources, and coached cross-functional units to high performance in complex environments. He piloted multi-functional operations supporting global missions, oversaw $5M budgets, and directed the professional development of over 700 emerging leaders. As chief architect of an enterprise-wide talent plan, he increased retention rates by 12% and streamlined candidate screening for 800+ individuals annually. Today, Jeff partners with new and emerging lea

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jeff Tegman is the Vice President of LCAB Holdings, a veteran-owned holding company redefining how the commercial construction industry attracts talent, maintains quality, and drives operational excellence. An Army veteran with an MBA in Engineering Management, Jeff leads LCAB’s strategy of acquiring specialized construction companies, building a resilient network that addresses industry fragmentation and labor shortages while raising the standard for subcontractor performance. With a disciplined, long-term approach to leadership and growth, Jeff is committed to shaping a more efficient and sustainable future for commercial construction. He also mentors veterans and military spouses through American Corporate Partners (ACP) and serves as a Parent Advisory Group Member for DC Public Schools. In this episode of the SABM podca

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jeff Martinovich is a seasoned business advisor, entrepreneur, and U.S. Air Force veteran with a background in finance, leadership, and strategic growth. A former Gulf War officer, he went on to build a billion-dollar investment firm, gaining firsthand experience in high-performance leadership and navigating complexity under pressure. After a highly public legal battle that reshaped his views on resilience and integrity, Jeff now channels his experience into helping leaders grow with purpose and clarity. As a partner at ASH Business Advisory, he works alongside fellow Air Force Academy grads to support early-stage and mid-market companies through capital, executive support, and operational strategy. He’s the author of When Not If, a Forbes Books bestseller on leading through adversity, and speaks nationally on business grow