ABOUT US

CHERYL A. LAU, ESQ. – Director & Board Chair

Cheryl Lau has served the country and her state in several impactful roles, including as General Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives, Nevada’s Secretary of State, and Deputy Attorney General for Nevada. She also was a Republican candidate for the U.S. Congress in Nevada’s second district. Among her many affiliations, Ms. Lau served as Vice Chair of the Republican National Platform Committee, Secretary of the Republican National Convention, and Chair for the National Commission for the Renewal of American Democracy. Prior to her notable political and legal career, Ms. Lau spent 12 years as an educator before she became Nevada’s first Asian American woman to hold an elected office at the executive level.

Ms. Lau previously served on the Nevada Commission on Professional Standards in Education (2009-2013) and currently serves as the Chairman for the Nevada Commission on Ethics, a Judge Pro Tempore in the Carson City Municipal Court system. In her spare time, she manages a small business in Carson City, NV with her husband, Garth.

Ms. Lau received a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Smith College, a Doctor of Music Arts from The University of Oregon, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from The University of San Francisco.

SHANE CORMIER, CPA, MACC – Director & Vice Chair

Shane Cormier has extensive experience with non-profit entities, most recently having served as a contract executive for Step Up for Students, the largest non-profit provider of education assistance programs to children K-12.

Mr. Cormier has over 20 years’ experience in leadership roles involving planning and directing companies and business segments as controller, COO and CFO with revenues ranging from $500 thousand to $3.9 billion. He has served as COO for Team JAS, V.P. of finance and controller for Compass Consulting Group and CFO for All Weather Contractors. He specializes in profitability improvement and organizational, accounting, and finance leadership across a diverse platform of industries.

Mr. Cormier is a current member of the Florida Institute of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and previously served as the Treasurer for the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) and the Aviation Alliance Insurance Risk Retention Group (AAIRRG). There he served as one of the 17 founding members and helped establish the first Captive Insurance company for Aviation Repair Stations in the United States. Mr. Cormier received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from McNeese State University, a Master of Accountancy (President’s List) from Grand Canyon University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of Florida.

MAJ. GENERAL JAMES L. DOZIER, USA (RET) – Director

James Dozier is a retired Major General (USA) who currently serves as an anti-terrorism consultant to various government and private agencies, as well as a board member on various civic, political, and charitable organizations. General Dozier served in the United States Army for 35 years where he spent two tours with the Pentagon specializing in Current Operations and Resource Management, NATO in the American, European, and Asian theaters, and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Vietnam War, before retiring in 1985. General Dozier was kidnapped by the Italian Red Brigades terrorists in Italy in 1981 and held captive for more than 40 days, the only American flag officer to have ever been captured by a violent non-state organization.

Due to his outstanding military leadership, General Dozier was awarded the Silver Star for heroism, the Purple Heart for sustained wounds in Vietnam, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and was a 3-time recipient of the Bronze Star. In addition to his impressive military career, General Dozier was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Commission on Veterans Affairs, served as one of Florida’s 27 Electors during the 2004 Presidential Elections, and was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame by Governor Rick Scott for service both while on active duty and in retirement. General Dozier graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and later earned a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona. He also attended the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, and the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

CHRISTOPHER A. WALKER, ESQ. – Director & Secretary

Attorney Christopher A. Walker is the partner-in-charge of the Jacksonville office of Lippes, Mathias, Wexler, Friedman, LLP. His practices focus primarily on Real Estate and Corporate Law. He assists organizations across the United States with complex real estate transactions and corporate matters, including formations, contracts, governance, and sophisticated mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Walker received a Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) from The Washington and Jefferson College and a Juris Doctor degree (cum laude) from The Dickinson School of Law at Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of the New York, Florida, Jacksonville, and St. Johns County Bar Associations.

Christopher resides with his wife, Becky, and their two children in St. Augustine, Florida. In 2019, he was listed as one of the St. Augustine Record’s “40 Under Forty”.

CAPT. CHRISTOPHER J. DENNIS, USN (RET) – Director

Christopher Dennis retired from the U.S. Navy at the rank of Captain in June 2018. Highlighting nearly three decades of afloat and ashore service, were Chris’s tours as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, Italy; Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR SIX; and the University of Michigan Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. Partnering with Sailors in their growth and our nation’s defense, and successfully leading his Sigonella team in key roles in the 2014 evacuation of U.S. Embassy-Libya personnel and in overcoming the anti-US “NoMUOS” protest movement are his most cherished memories.

Chris is from New Smyrna Beach, Fla, is a graduate of Auburn University, has Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and an Executive Business Leadership certificate from the Naval Post Graduate School. In 2017, Chris was inducted into his high school Hall of Fame.

Chris is now an Operations Manager for Amazon and lives and works in the New York metropolitan area. Chris joined Amazon as part of their Military Pathways program which seeks innovators and leaders to make history as influencers in Amazon’s business lines the world over.

Chris is devoted to human dignity, social justice, and working for a better world for everyone.

MAT MERRITT, CPA, CSM – Director

Mr. Merritt provides executive leadership and direction for the Lynd Company. In addition, he is a Principal in the Lynd Opportunity Fund which entails regular interaction with lenders, equity partners, and other related parties. A Texas CPA and Certified Agile Scrum Master, Matt brings finance, technology, and operations together to solve complex problems, drive growth, and operational efficiency.

PAUL T. ANDERSON – Director

Mr. Paul Anderson is the newest member of the Board and he brings a unique set of skills to the organization. He enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard and served several tours with the 106th Calvary Regiment in Afghanistan where he earned numerous awards and honors.

He has nearly two decades in management with several banks and lending institutions where he managed over ninety branches and maintained over 200 high net worth clients. With more than a decade as a real estate investor, he has amassed a personal portfolio exceeding 120 units of residential and multi-use commercial property.

Paul’s present role is that of Senior Case Manager at TLS Veterans, a Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF) organization located in McHenry, Illinois, where he counsels “At-Risk” Veterans on a daily basis. He recently earned a Masters of Social Work degree which greatly enhances his capability in that position.

Rick Wheat – Director Housing & Veteran Placement

Rick Wheat is the V.P. of Housing Operations and Veteran Placement. In that role he directs all operations for the group’s multi-family housing portfolio and for underwriting and recommendations for all proposed property acquisitions and their long-term preservation. Rick is also the primary contact for coordinating the placement of Veterans into their communities nationwide.

Jeremy Smith – Director Supportive Services

Rick A dynamic leader with 10+ years of experience in Human Resources & Operations, Jeremy Smith serves as the Director of Supportive Services for Patriot Services where he leads the development of PSG’s supportive services initiatives; namely the Patriot Transportation Initiative. A positive, driven people person, Jeremy is devoted to elevating others around him and serving those who have served.