Igniting Purpose Through Collaboration

Mike Hutchings is a dedicated Army veteran with a passion for transforming support for veterans worldwide. Hutchings attended VMI and served in the military as a Ranger-qualified, Parachute Infantry Officer, where he displayed exceptional leadership skills during combat deployment in Afghanistan, recognized through the awarding of the Bronze Star Medal and Valorous Unit Award.

As the CEO of Combined Arms, Mike leverages his leadership and combat experience to revolutionize veteran support globally. He has been instrumental in envisioning Combined Arms' innovation, recognizing a technology gap in accessing veteran services. His leadership shapes the organization into a dynamic force, utilizing a proprietary technology platform. 

Mike has showcased the Combined Arms technology in congressional hearings. He was selected for the Bush Institute's Veteran Presidential Scholar Program, AMEX Leadership Academy, and GE Executive Leadership Program, Mike's track record underscores his aptitude for high-stakes leadership.

Mia Garcia is passionate about positively impacting the veteran community and actively participates in activities focused on ensuring no veteran falls through the cracks. Since she transitioned from the Marine Corps in 2012, Mia has dedicated herself to the veteran-serving ecosystem, contributing both in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. 

Before her role at Combined Arms, Mia served as the Programs Director for NextOp, leading a successful effort that placed over 2,200 middle-enlisted military leaders into fulfilling careers. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Texas Veterans Network, Mia is at the forefront of creating the first interconnected state for veterans and their families. 

Her commitment has earned her prestigious awards, including Impactful Veterans in Energy, Woman Veteran Trailblazer, and Women Who Mean Business.

Bryan Escobedo is a driving force behind Combined Arms' technological advancements as the Chief Growth Officer. Leading the Growth Department, he spearheads national expansion efforts, advising states on establishing data-driven collaborative models for social impact. After a distinguished five-year career as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, Bryan returned to Houston to pursue a B.A. in Communication Studies, demonstrating excellence, dynamic problem-solving, and resilience from three consecutive tours in the Middle East as an explosives expert.

During college, Bryan initiated nonprofit programs, establishing an employment initiative and a veteran-peer mentoring program. Inspired to apply his military leadership locally, he engaged in volunteer leadership, testified before the Texas State Congress, and volunteered as a civics teacher in high schools. Bryan's commitment to veteran transition led him to create a comprehensive 9-step workshop, shaping the post-military identity for veterans.

Joining Combined Arms in 2016, Bryan played a pivotal role in growing the organization from 7 to 250 agencies. He authored the handbook for systems approach collaboration, introducing "Collaboration Committees" addressing mental health, social services, diversity and inclusion, volunteerism, education, employment, and special immigrant visas. Completing leadership courses at Rice University, Bryan is an accomplished public speaker, delivering the Veterans Day keynote address to a global audience of 14,000 for P66 in November 2020. Recognized as a subject matter expert in veteran transition and a thought leader in the nonprofit industry, Bryan Escobedo continues to make a lasting impact.

Madelyn Hopper is the Executive Administrator for Mike Hutchings, CEO of Combined Arms, bringing over 5 years of professional assistant experience to the role. Known for her meticulous organization and unwavering focus, Madelyn has successfully supported top executives in the nonprofit sector with managing busy schedules, coordinating travel, planning events, and executing administrative tasks with precision and efficiency

With a background as a former business owner, Madelyn values operational excellence and thrives on her innate desire to help others. A skilled problem solver, she excels in multitasking and delivering high-quality results in fast-paced environments. Her strong communication and interpersonal skills allow her to effectively bridge the gap between executives, clients, stakeholders, and team members.

As a military spouse, Madelyn has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by service members and their families. She actively supports the military community through involvement with Family Readiness Groups (FRG), ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and support they require. In her free time, she volunteers as a future soldier family liaison at her local Army Recruiting office, where her husband serves as the  Station Commander.

Nainita Dalvi serves as the Technology Platform Manager at Combined Arms, spearheading the organization's operational and tactical execution of technology objectives. Her journey in technology commenced as a Software Engineer at Siemens Information Systems Limited following the completion of her Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology. With over a decade of experience in technology project management and consulting, Nainita has worked with clients across diverse industries such as packaged food, manufacturing, telecommunication, media, travel, and IT services. Prior to her role at Combined Arms, she made significant contributions at Tata Consultancy Services, leading and implementing IT service management projects for international clients in countries including Sweden, the UK, Germany, India, and the USA. Nainita's wealth of experience and expertise positions her as a key driver in enhancing the technological landscape for the military community.

Sally Lewis, an active-duty military spouse, joined Combined Arms through a fellowship awarded by Hiring Our Heroes. With nearly 12-years of management and customer service experience, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Originally from Texas and having lived across the country, she currently calls the coast of Oregon home. Sally's unwavering dedication and passion for assisting others led her to join Combined Arms, where she is thrilled to collaborate with a team devoted to tirelessly supporting and providing vital resources for the military community.

Kala Gulovsen, an active-duty military spouse, joined Combined Arms through a fellowship awarded by Hiring Our Heroes. With over 10-years of technical support experience spanning various organizations and platforms, her previous focus on K-12 education and technology has equipped her with valuable expertise. Born and raised in California, Kala has provided remote support and training to individuals worldwide. Her unwavering passion for helping others, coupled with her commitment to supporting veterans, family members, and supporters, underscores her dedication to ensuring they have the resources and knowledge needed to succeed.

Tommy Gell is a dynamic professional and Salesforce Developer with over two-years of experience at a leading consulting firm. His technical expertise encompasses Apex programming, Visualforce, and Lightning Components. With 17-years of experience in supply chain management and logistical operations in the United States Marine Corps, Tommy uniquely bridges business requirements with innovative technical solutions at Combined Arms.

Tommy's multifaceted background and unwavering commitment to supporting veterans make him an exceptional asset. His ability to bridge complex requirements with innovative solutions, coupled with his dedication to personal and professional growth, underpin his valuable contributions to the team and the broader veteran community.

Eric Infanti, a Marine Corps veteran, is driven by a passion for innovation and making a meaningful impact within the military community. Currently a PhD candidate in Human Factors, Eric's research focuses on the Role of Extreme Athletic Peak Flow States on Resilience and Professional Outcomes, reflecting his dedication to understanding and enhancing resilience among veterans. With a keen interest in UX/UI strategy and program management, Eric is a Certified Scrum Master, bringing a depth of experience to his role. As a fervent veterans advocate, he specializes in holistic and integrative mindfulness approaches for veterans' wellness, leveraging his Master's degrees in Buddhist Psychology and Ayurvedic Medicine. Eric's unwavering commitment to helping veterans achieve optimal wellness embodies his dedication to the well-being of the military community.

David Archuleta brings a wealth of experience to his role as the South Texas Regional Manager for the Texas Veterans Network Powered by Combined Arms. Following 25-years of distinguished service in the United States Army, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major from JBSA - Fort Sam Houston, he holds a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership and experience with multiple military deployments, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. His decorated military career includes being awarded two Bronze Stars and, upon retirement, the Legion of Merit. David's commitment to assisting transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses is evident in his deep passion for supporting the military community. He seamlessly blends his skill sets in collaboration, community outreach, and veteran engagement to add value and provide essential services to the military-connected communities of San Antonio, Laredo, Corpus Christi, and the Rio Grande Valley.

Megan Heil is the North Texas Regional Manager at Combined Arms, she brings with her a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership, 8 -years of nonprofit experience serving veterans, and a lifelong exposure to military culture as a military brat who moved across the country. With a family history deeply rooted in military service, including a grandfather who served as a pilot during Vietnam and a father who is a retired USMC Colonel, Megan's passion for serving stems from her personal connections. With Combined Arms Megan ensures that veterans and their families in North Texas have access to the finest resources, empowering them to thrive in their communities. Megan's dedication to supporting the military community is amplified by her intimate understanding of their needs and challenges.

Patty Morgan, an Army Military spouse with 25 years of dedicated service, is the Central Regional Manager at Combined Arms. With a focus on nonprofit veteran initiatives, she previously held the role of Southwest Regional Manager-Gold Star Families Programs at Tuesday's Children, where she excelled in building outreach, development, and volunteer engagement in Central Texas. Patty's extensive background includes serving on Corporate Boards, including Tuesday's Children Military Advisory Board, and four years as the Director of Family Programs at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) in Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, where she played a key role in establishing a memorial scholarship foundation. Her Defense sector experience involves working as a Senior Benefits Advisor for the Department of Veterans Affairs at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, for Serco and Calibre Systems.

Patty's active duty military spouse tenure involved serving as a Senior Advisor at the Army Family Readiness Program for various units at Fort Campbell, Fort Drum, the US Army War College, and Joint Base Lewis McChord. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Marymount University. She has earned leadership certification from the United States Army War College and a Certified Nonprofit Professional certificate from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Sheetara Johnson is a dedicated Social Services Specialist at Combined Arms, where she plays a pivotal role in directly assisting veterans to connect with resources to meet their daily needs. Sheetara holds a B.S. in Psychology and brings a wealth of experience from various social services avenues, including The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Her passion for assisting the active duty and veteran community is deeply rooted in her personal connections, as the daughter of a retired U.S. Army veteran, the spouse of a U.S. Navy veteran, and the sister of an active-duty U.S. Air Force service member. This profound personal connection fuels her commitment to providing invaluable support to those who have served and continue to serve our country.

Erika Solis, the proud wife of an Air Force veteran and the daughter of an Army veteran, brings a deep personal connection to the military community. After joining Combined Arms as an Intake Specialist Intern in 2020, she pursued her Master's degree in Social Work from Texas State University. Following her graduation, Erika served as the Intake Coordinator at Grace After Fire for two-years before returning to Combined Arms in 2023 as a Social Services Specialist. In her current role, Erika leverages her great attitude and compassion to work one-on-one with veterans and their families, providing invaluable support and care.

Sean Martin is a dedicated Army veteran with ten years of service as a Field Artillery officer. He most recently worked as a battalion operations officer at Ft. Jackson, SC, where he planned and executed field exercises for basic training soldiers.

Sean was born and raised in Massachusetts and graduated from Siena College in Loudonville, NY, with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He is an Army spouse and the father of two wonderful children. Sean and his family moved to South Carolina in 2020 after he completed his time at Ft. Carson, CO.

Alexus Outing is celebrating life with a smile! She recently tied the knot. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina Beaufort and calls Columbia, SC, her home. With a background in Foster Care, Alexus passionately facilitated the licensing process for individuals aspiring to become foster parents and kinship caregivers. She is ready to embark on new adventures and make a positive impact in the veteran and military community!

Meet Joel, a dedicated Houston native from Alief, who embarked on a journey of service with the US Marine Corps in 2014. With two impactful deployments overseas in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Joel exemplified unwavering commitment to his nation. Transitioning back to civilian life in 2018, he pursued a business marketing degree, but soon felt the profound absence of his sense of duty.

In 2021, Joel took a pivotal step by joining a veteran non-profit organization as their Houston and Veterans Affairs liaison, reigniting his passion for service. His relentless dedication and daily efforts were recognized when he was honored with the prestigious President's Volunteer Service Medal. Building on this momentum, Joel became an integral part of the Combined Arms team in 2022.

With a spirit of resilience and unwavering determination, Joel continues to make an indelible impact, "hooking and jabbing" to support his fellow veterans. Joel hopes His journey is not just a testament to his character, but a beacon of hope and inspiration for all.

Krystle Kaszuba, a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, embarked on her military journey at the age of 17, joining the Navy as an Avionics Tech before transitioning into the role of a Navy Counselor after six-years of service. Throughout her 20-year career, she served in various squadrons, a reserve center, and held positions as a formal instructor and part of a traveling inspection team. Following her retirement as a Senior Chief Petty Officer, Krystle dedicated two-years to providing training and employment services to veterans and their families within the DFW Metroplex as a Veteran Case Manager and School Certifying Official, all while fervently advocating for the Texas Veterans Network. Krystle holds an Associate's Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor's degree in Human Development. She currently resides in Cleburne, TX, and is deeply passionate about advocating for and supporting the military community, striving to change lives one individual at a time.

Gus Cabarcas is an Army Veteran and retired NYPD Sergeant. During his military service, he served as a medic with the 2nd Armored Division in Fort Hood, TX. His extensive 21-year tenure with the NYPD included being one of the first responders during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Following his retirement from the police department, Gus embarked on a new journey in veteran affairs, where he has dedicated nearly a decade of service. His wealth of experience and firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by veterans make him a valuable advocate for the military community. Gus, along with his wife of 29-years and their two children, resides in North Texas, continuing his commitment to serving those who have served their country.

Khalil Arab's journey is one of resilience and dedication. Born and raised in Herat, Afghanistan, Khalil faced adversity when the Taliban took control, disrupting his education. However, with the ousting of the Taliban, he seized the opportunity to return to school and began learning English. In 2005, Khalil embraced the role of an interpreter, working alongside U.S. and coalition forces across Afghanistan for the next five-years.

In 2010, due to a threat from the Taliban, Khalil sought asylum in Poland, where he pursued higher education, earning two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree from Jagiellonian University. His arrival in the United States in 2019 led to his immediate involvement in volunteering with Combined Arms' SIVs & Allies Group, utilizing his experiences to assist fellow SIVs in integrating into American society.

John Greene, a Business Systems Analyst at Combined Arms, focuses on developing analytics to support the performance of the veteran and services provider community. With a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Mathematics, he began his career as a programmer in the Pacific Northwest. Inspired by his work with data forecasting models, he pursued an MBA with a focus on Operations Research and Accounting. With over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, working across diverse vertical markets including insurance, manufacturing, retail, property management, and logistics, John brings a wealth of expertise. His prior roles as a project manager, architect, and independent contractor have honed his skills, making him a valuable contributor to fortifying the technological infrastructure supporting the military community at Combined Arms.

Ronaldo Azevedo, as a Salesforce Architect at Combined Arms, plays a crucial role in optimizing the Salesforce platform and implementing best market practices to enhance business, compliance, and development processes. With over 18-years of experience in the technology sector, Ronaldo has worked with clients spanning various industries including human resources, banking, tourism, and insurance.

Prior to joining Combined Arms, Ronaldo served as a Salesforce Architect for companies in Brazil and Europe, where he successfully implemented multiple Salesforce clouds such as Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Experience Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Scheduler, CPQ, and Field Service. His expertise and hands-on experience make him an invaluable asset in driving the technological advancement of services for the military community at Combined Arms.

Gagan Bajaj, a Senior Salesforce Developer at Combined Arms, finds fulfillment in contributing to positive societal impact, particularly in supporting veterans. With a Bachelor of Technology in Engineering and over 10-years of IT experience, including 5+ years in Data Engineering and Business Intelligence, and 4+ years as a Salesforce Administrator/Developer, Gagan possesses a diverse skill set. His expertise encompasses Salesforce CRM, Apex, JavaScript, SQL, and SOQL. Prior to his role at Combined Arms, he accumulated valuable experience during a 7-year tenure at Tata Consultancy Service Ltd. Gagan's passion for leveraging technology to support the military community makes him a valuable asset in driving the organization's technological initiatives.

Jesus Terrones is Chief Executive Officer of Tally Energy Services, an oilfield services company specializing in North American shale products and services. Before joining Tally Energy Services, Jesus held executive leadership roles at Weatherford, including Vice President of Special Projects and Vice President of Fulfillment Transformation. Prior to that, he served as Vice President at Innovex and spent over a decade at Cameron, a Schlumberger company, where he led global operations, product delivery, and sales across multiple regions. Jesus began his career as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army, serving for over seven years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. Jesus volunteers his time serving as a Board Member on the West Point Society of Greater Houston, and with Combined Arms, a national veteran nonprofit. 

Jerry Lasco began his restaurant career in 2003 opening The Tasting Room in Houston, Texas. Today, Jerry is the Founder and CEO of Lasco Enterprises, which owns and operates 7 restaurants in Texas under the brands The Tasting Room, Wine Cafe's Wine Dive, and Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden. Over the years Lasco Enterprises has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in Texas, The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, Houston's Top Workplaces, and Best Places to Work in San Antonio. In 2014, Jerry was named Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year for the Gulf Coast States. The company is committed to giving back to its community and strongly supports local charities and community organizations, including GenesysWorks, JDRF, and Combined Arms.

Jerry graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and spent 13-years as a pilot with the Air Force and then Continental Airlines.  Before moving to Houston in 2001, he lived in New York City where he attended Peter Kump's Cooking School and pursued a sommelier certification with The Court of Master Sommeliers.  Jerry lives in Houston with his wife, Laura, and their two boys, Max and Jack.

Bill Boyar is a founding Shareholder of BoyarMiller, a Houston, Texas-based law firm. Bill’s practice focuses on representing the various parties involved in acquiring, disposing, capitalizing, and financing assets and businesses nationally and internationally. He has served as lead counsel on numerous complex, multi-party acquisitions and project financings, with significant experience in corporate finance, healthcare, energy, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and hospitality. Bill assists clients in strategic planning and capital formation processes, maintaining a worldwide network of private and institutional clients and contacts. Additionally, Bill is a former columnist for the Houston Business Journal, having authored more than 20 articles in the “Building Business” series.

Bill is proud to have served as Chairman of BoyarMiller from 1990-2010. He continues his legal practice today, mentoring business leaders and lawyers and actively serving the Houston community. Bill serves or has served several organizations, including KIPP Texas Public Schools (Board of Directors, Founding Board Chair 2018-2021), KIPP Houston Public Schools (Executive Board of Directors, Chair 2015-2018), SEARCH Homeless Services (former Board Chair), the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation Board, Lochinvar Golf Club, the University of Houston Bauer College of Business Graduate Real Estate Program (former Board Chair), the Houston Food Bank and the End Hunger Network (former Board Chair).

Rear Admiral Sweredoski served over 30 years of military service with the U.S. Navy retiring in 2015 as the Admiral leading the HR Reserve community where she was responsible for the strategic growth, direction, and well-being of the HR Reserve community. As a Flag Officer, she also worked for the Chief of Naval Personnel in the Military Personnel Policy office including Diversity and Inclusion (D&I).

As the Navy’s Lead in the Congressionally-mandated Women in Service Review, Rear Admiral Sweredoski oversaw the development of all the Navy’s studies and reports to the Secretary of Defense and provided expert testimony to Congress on Navy's plan to integrate women into 27,000 additional positions in 2016. Efforts directly led to the opening of over 16,000 submarine positions 17 months ahead of the required deadline and the opening of all positions to females (including Navy SEALS).

She served a three-year assignment on the Secretary of the Navy’s National Navy Reserve Policy Board and as a member of the Human Resources Executive Board. She served in several Commanding Officer tours and a variety of staff tours including NATO, Navy Inspector General, and the Chief of Naval Operations Management Analysis unit. She proudly served with Navy Command Center shipmates who were awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during, and after, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center.

After retiring from the Navy, Rear Admiral Sweredoski used her extensive Human Resources background and experience in talent management, policy and strategy development, management consulting, and multi-organizational collaboration as a Principal Executive Advisor within CEB’s (now Gartner) Human Resources (HR) Practice. CEB-HR Practice enables HR executives and their teams to execute efficiently, benchmark performance against best-in-class metrics and achieve critical business objectives through successful talent and functional strategies. CEB insights and global networks help organizations work smarter and faster and deliver superior outcomes.

Rear Admiral Sweredoski received her Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from the University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y. after completing the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program. She has her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification and SHRM (CP) certification, has completed the Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) program, and is a graduate of Reserve Component programs at the National Defense University and Naval War College.

William H. Ahmanson (Bill) was born and raised in Los Angeles and attended Harvard-Westlake School and Occidental College where he studied Political Science, Theater Arts, and sculpture. During college he began a career in banking at Home Savings of America, where he worked for 17-years, beginning his career as a teller and ending his career there as the Chief Underwriter for Home's California Residential Lending Division, responsible for all high-risk loans funded in the state. After six years in Union Bank’s Wealth Management Division, Bill retired from banking and is now President of The Ahmanson Foundation which concentrates its funding on cultural projects supporting the arts, education at the collegiate and pre-collegiate levels, medicine, and delivery of healthcare services, programs related to homelessness and low-income populations, and a wide range of human services. In 1986 he began his service to the City of Los Angeles as a Los Angeles Police Reserve Line Officer. After 10-years of patrol, he retired to focus on other services. Today he is Trustee & President of the Ahmanson Foundation; Trustee and Board Chair, of The Center Theater Group; Trustee, Vice-Chair of the Board, Chairman of the Audit Committee, serves on the Executive Committee at LACMA (The Los Angeles County Museum of Art); Trustee and serves on the Audit Committee, Loyola Marymount University; Director and Secretary, Petersen Automotive Museum; Director and Secretary of the Los Angeles Mounted Police Foundation; among others.