Veteran On The Move

In this episode, Joe is joined by Garr Russell, a lifelong entrepreneur and founder of Fireside RV Rental, to discuss the innovative world of "Wheel-Estate." After launching his first business in the 5th grade, Garr has built the nation’s only RV rental management franchise, scaling to 70 locations since 2022 by providing a turn-key system for owners and entrepreneurs. Garr dives into how his "mission-first" model differs from traditional property rentals, highlighting the benefits of their in-house financing, specialized insurance coverage, and a unique refusal to use outside franchise brokers. Whether you’re an RV owner or a veteran looking for a new business opportunity, Garr shares how to identify market gaps and lead with a purpose-driven mindset. Episode Resources: Fireside RV Rental   About Our Guest Garr Russell is a faith driven entrepreneur, author, speaker, and founder of Fireside RV Rental, where he helps people build purpose-driven businesses through RV rental management and franchising. He is

In this episode, we sit down with Kaedy Molley, a 10-year Navy Veteran and former Arabic cryptologic linguist, to discuss her powerful transition from the Navy to higher education. After a decade of service, Kaedy utilized the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) to bridge the gap between military life and elite academia—a journey that eventually led her from the world of private equity back to a mission-driven career in social impact. Kaedy shares why enlisted veterans must be proactive in seeking transition resources early, how the WSP “college readiness boot camp” dismantles imposter syndrome at top-tier host institutions, and her current work as the Manager of Individual Philanthropy for WSP, where she helps empower the next generation of veterans to find their community and confidence in higher education. Episode Resources: Warrior-Scholar Project   About Our Guest Kaedy Molley served 10 years in the U.S. Navy as an Arabic cryptologic linguist and Aircrewman, deploying to Afghanistan and the Mediterranean be

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe Crane sits down with Army Veteran  and CEO of American Binary, Kevin Kane.  Episode Resources: American Binary     About Our Guest Kevin Kane is a deep-tech entrepreneur and CEO of American Binary, a post-quantum cybersecurity company protecting governments, enterprise organizations, and critical infrastructure from next-generation threats. A U.S. Army veteran, he previously served as a hedge fund manager and founded AI and quantitative trading technology companies. He holds a masters degree from Seoul National University and focuses on the intersection of emerging technology, economic resilience, and global security. About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Navy Federal Credit Union is here to help you dominate your debt with the Platinum Card. Transfer your credit card balance to the Platinum card within your first 60 days and get a zero percent intro APR for 12 months. Visit here to start dominating debt. Join now at Navy Federal Credit Union. At N

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe Crane sits down with Laurie Barkman, the "Business Transition Sherpa," to discuss the critical intersection of business growth and exit strategy. Drawing from her experience as a $100M CEO who led a Fortune 50 acquisition and her time as an outside hire for a third-generation firm, Laurie shares invaluable lessons on Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition and the "Founder’s Paradox." She highlights why veterans should consider buying existing businesses and offers a perspective on the emotional toll of losing one's identity after a major transition—a challenge many veterans face twice. Whether you’re just starting small with a passion-led idea or scaling a massive firm, Laurie’s insights provide the map to ensure your business can eventually thrive without you, allowing you to exit on your own terms with confidence. Episode Resources: Business Transition Sherpa   About Our Guest Laurie Barkman is a nationally recognized growth strategist, speaker, and CEO who helps

In this episode, Joe Crane sits down with Chip Webster, a seasoned entrepreneur and former President of Vistage Florida, to discuss how his business experience shaped his new mission: rebuilding American civic trust. Chip shares how leadership principles like accountability and gaining a "different set of eyes" on a problem can be applied to healing our national divide through his nonprofit, Unity in Service Inc. By advocating for a year of universal national service as a rite of passage, Chip explores how veterans and citizens alike can break down political barriers, foster relationships through hands-on community projects, and redefine what it means to be an invested, service-oriented leader in today’s world. Episode Resources: Unity In Service   About Our Guest Chip Webster is a seasoned leader, entrepreneur, and civic advocate who has spent decades working alongside veterans, CEOs, and community leaders and is deeply committed to the idea that service doesn't end with the uniform. As the former Preside

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, retired Marine Corps infantry officer Eddie Conger shares how he turned a 20-year military career into a new mission in education. After starting out as a math teacher and moving into school leadership, Eddie founded International Leadership of Texas (ILTexas) in 2012 to prepare students for a global world. He explains how his schools use Marine Corps leadership principles and trilingual instruction to serve over 25,000 students, including hosting the largest Marine Corps JROTC program in the country. It’s a great look at how veterans can find a second career they are passionate about by applying their leadership skills to help the next generation. Episode Resources: International Leadership of Texas   About Our Guest Eddie Conger is the founder and superintendent of International Leadership of Texas (ILTexas). After retiring from a 20-year career as a Marine Corps Major, Eddie created the charter school network with the vision to bolster national security through la

In this episode, Joe Crane sits down with Dr. Sharon R. Elefant, Founder and CEO of The Nonprofit Plug, to discuss the critical intersection of military service and nonprofit entrepreneurship. Drawing from her deep roots in the veteran community—including her work with the VA health system and AMVETS—Dr. Sharon addresses the common "red tape" and business gaps that often hinder mission-driven leaders. She highlights the necessity of viewing a nonprofit as a "business with a cause," emphasizing that sustainability requires a clear revenue model and a narrowly defined problem to solve. From exploring the benefits of fiscal sponsorship to implementing efficient infrastructure, Dr. Sharon provides a professional roadmap for veterans looking to transition from a passion for service to a high-impact, scalable organization. Episode Resources: https://thenonprofitplug.com/   About Our Guest Dr. Sharon R. Elefant is a nationally recognized nonprofit strategist, educator, and community advocate, serving as the Found

In this episode, Joe Crane sits down with Vance Morris, an entrepreneur who has navigated a diverse career from a childhood paper route to a decade-long leadership role at Walt Disney World. Vance shares his journey of transitioning from a high-level corporate executive to building three successful home service businesses from the ground up. Vance discusses the "money leaks" that most entrepreneurs ignore and explains why chasing new leads is often the most expensive way to grow. By blending direct-response marketing with engineered customer loyalty, Vance shows veterans and entrepreneurs how to stop "silent churn" and build a business based on emotional connection and world-class service standards. Episode Resources: Deliver Service Now institute     About Our Guest Vance Morris  is a former Birth Control Factory Security Guard and turned that into a wild journey from Disney leader to bankrupt out-of-work executive to carpet cleaner to successful entrepreneur. Today, he's the guy businesses call when th

Building a $2.1 billion real estate portfolio doesn't happen by accident—it happens by design. In this episode, Joe Crane sits down with Lane Kawaoka, founder of The Wealth Elevator, to discuss how he transitioned from a corporate engineering career to managing over 10,000 rental units. We explore the shift from the "linear path" of traditional employment to the high-leverage world of workforce housing and private placements. Lane shares his systematic approach to using professional property management to scale and his best advice for vetting investment opportunities. Episode Resources: The Wealth Elevator The Wealth Elevator on Amazon   About Our Guest Lane Kawaoka is the founder of The Wealth Elevator and a seasoned real estate investor who has amassed a portfolio of over 10,000 rental units valued at more than $2.1 billion. With a background in engineering and over $250 million in project management experience, Lane transitioned from a successful corporate career to become a leading voice in passive r

Transitioning from 33 years of military service is never simple, regardless of the rank on your shoulders. In this episode, Joe welcomes Major General Robert W. Mixon, Jr. (USA, Ret.), who candidly shares his journey from commanding the 7th Infantry Division to navigating the civilian workforce during the 2008 economic crisis. Robert discusses the "shock and awe" of entering a family-owned manufacturing business, the shift into mission-driven nonprofit work with Warrior Salute, and his eventual leap into entrepreneurship. Today, as the co-founder of Level Five Associates, Robert teaches the six enduring principles of value-based leadership. This conversation explores staying adaptive, finding your next mission, and the importance of having a "trusted advisor" in the civilian world. Episode Resources: Adaptive Leadership Insights - Robert’s Substack     About Our Guest Major General Robert W. Mixon, Jr. (U.S. Army, Ret.) served 33 years in the Army, commanding the 7th Infantry Division and Division West o

Nathan Tierney joins the podcast to discuss his journey as a retired Army Warrant Officer and former Navy rescue swimmer. After transitioning from a career as a helicopter pilot to the civilian sector, Nathan ascended to senior executive roles at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, serving as Deputy CIO and Chief People Officer. Throughout his career, he has relied on the discipline and drive learned in the military, paired with the guidance of key mentors, to navigate large-scale organizational transformations. The conversation also covers Nathan’s book, Rebel Leaders GSD, which he wrote to provide leaders with the practical education needed to handle high-pressure environments. He outlines the three core sections of the book and emphasizes the fundamental importance of mastering the basics to ensure success. Today, Nathan focuses on helping leaders make clear, decisive calls in the face of uncertainty and high-stakes consequences. Episode Resources: Nathan Tierney - Gartner | LinkedIn Rebel Leaders

In this episode, filmmaker Jake Isham shares how he went from making short films to creating content with over one billion views for brands like Grant Cardone and Callaway. Jake discusses the challenge of balancing creative passion with the business side of marketing and explains why every entrepreneur must be willing to put themselves out there to grow. He breaks down the straightforward "Three Ps" process—Produce, Promote, and Persist—to help you stop blending in and start building a reputation that people notice. Listen in to learn how to use simple storytelling to turn your professional experience into a clear, visible advantage Episode Resources: Jake Isham - Creative Minds | LinkedIn   About Our Guest Jake Isham is a filmmaker-turned-brand strategist and creative director who helps founders and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into authority through powerful storytelling.Over the past decade, Jake has worked with more than 150 entrepreneurs and companies including Grant Cardone, Callaway, 5.11 Tac

Navy Veteran Kevin Schramm joins the show to discuss his path from military service to business ownership. After serving four years as a jet mechanic, Kevin navigated several career changes—including car sales and insurance—before finding his niche in the franchise world. Kevin shares the setbacks he faced early on, including a failed venture where the franchisor went out of business. He explains how he used those lessons to partner with a franchise broker and eventually become the first out-of-state owner for LIME Painting. This episode covers the practicalities of running a home-based business, managing subcontractors, and why the franchise model provides the necessary support for Veterans transitioning to civilian life. Episode Resources: LIME Painting of Boise   About Our Guest Kevin Schramm served in the Navy from 2000–2004 as a jet mechanic and completed two deployments to the Persian Gulf. In 2019, he launched the first out-of-state location for LIME Painting, a restoration company focused on high

In this episode, Joe Crane sits down with Ryan Hogan, a Navy veteran who transitioned from enlisted aircrewman to Surface Warfare Officer while building a career as an entrepreneur. With 15 years of active duty experience and a tenure in the Reserves, Ryan discusses the "trial-by-fire" lessons learned from early ventures like WarWear and Run For Your Lives, emphasizing the unique challenges of managing a business while serving on active duty. The conversation centers on Ryan’s success as the co-founder of Hunt A Killer, the high-growth mystery game he eventually sold. He credits much of his scaling success to the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and peer-to-peer learning through Vistage, which helped him transition from a founder-led startup to a systems-driven organization. Following the sale, Ryan launched Talent Harbor to fix the inefficiencies he encountered in the hiring industry. He introduces the "Recruiting as a Service" (RaaS) model, which replaces traditional high-commission headhunting with

Ray Zinn, the longest-serving CEO in Silicon Valley history, joins the show to share the discipline required to lead a company for 37 years. From his roots as the oldest of 11 on a cattle ranch to inventing the Wafer Stepper and co-founding Micrel, Ray’s journey is a masterclass in grit. We discuss the "boot camp" phase of starting a business, the benefits of self-financing, and his "Tough Things First" philosophy—learning to love the tasks you hate to overcome adversity. Whether you’re a veteran entrepreneur or a corporate leader, Ray’s insights on risk, profitability, and leadership will challenge you to sharpen your focus and tackle your biggest challenges head-on. Episode Resources: Tough Things First Zinn Starter   About Our Guest Raymond D. Zinn is an inventor, entrepreneur, and the longest serving CEO of a publicly traded company in Silicon Valley. Zinn is known best for conceptualizing and in effect inventing the Wafer Stepper, and for co-founding semiconductor company Micrel (acquired by Microch

In this episode, Joe talks with Christian LeFer, the Founder and CEO of Instant Nonprofit. Christian’s journey began as the son of a Navy veteran and through early involvement with the Special Olympics, giving him a front-row seat to the power of service. After experiencing the frustrations of the nonprofit application process firsthand, he dedicated his career to removing the 'red tape' for other changemakers. Christian breaks down the 'whole life cycle' of a nonprofit and the importance of long-term fundraising and operations. We also explore the innovative world of 'hybrid' models, where for-profit businesses and nonprofit foundations work side-by-side to create sustainable impact Episode Resources: The Nonprofit Startup Kit     About Our Guest Christian LeFer is the Founder and CEO of Instant Nonprofit, a company that makes it fast, easy, and affordable to start and grow a 501(c)(3) organization. With decades of experience in nonprofit strategy, entrepreneurship, and systems design, Christian has hel

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Navy veteran Valentin Contreras and program lead Elly Dickerman discuss the challenges of transitioning from military service to the private sector. Despite his experience as a Hospital Corpsman, Valentin faced significant difficulty finding his footing, eventually applying to 46 jobs with little success before connecting with Spectrum’s Military Recruiting Program. Elly explains how her team, comprised of veterans and military spouses, focuses on proactively coaching candidates to translate their specialized military skills into civilian career paths. By providing personalized resume assistance and interview preparation, the program helped Valentin move from a period of professional uncertainty into a role as a Lead Customer Service Account Agent. Their conversation highlights the importance of dedicated recruitment initiatives in bridging the gap for the veteran community, by matching them with careers that offer both community and purpose. Episode Resources: Milita

In this episode, Sam Alaimo, a former Navy SEAL and Co-founder of ZeroEyes, discusses his transition from elite military service to the forefront of AI-driven public safety. After completing his degree on active duty and navigating the shift from a final deployment to Columbia University, Sam found his true calling by co-founding ZeroEyes to combat gun violence through innovative gun-detection technology. He details the company’s "human-in-the-loop" AI approach, its rapid expansion across 46 states, and a steadfast commitment to the veteran community, with veterans making up 70% of their workforce. Episode Resources: ZeroEyes   About Our Guest Sam Alaimo is a former US Navy SEAL and Cofounder of ZeroEyes, an AI gun detection company dedicated to ending gun violence in America.   About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Navy Federal Credit Union offers exclusive benefits to all of their members. All Veterans, Active Duty and their families can become members. Have you been saving up for the season of

Air Force veteran and serial entrepreneur Michael "Buzz" Buzinski details his decade of military service and his post-transition path, which began with a recording studio before evolving into a 100% remote, strategy-first marketing firm. Buzz argues that businesses need to move past "random acts of marketing" and adopt a structured approach, focused on a clear strategy for predictable growth. His company's mission is to help owners build a scalable business that can operate beyond the founder, a goal directly tied to his broader mission of creating 17 million jobs in America by empowering entrepreneurs to scale past the point of being a self-employed business owner. Episode Resources: Buzzworthy Marketing The Rule of 26 Warrior Rising Owners In Honor   About Our Guest Michael is a decorated US Air Force veteran, serial entrepreneur, host of a US top 12 marketing podcast, best-selling author and dubbed a visionary marketer by the American Marketing Association. Buzz, as most call him, is on a mission to

Veteran Ron Beckner, who served 24 years across the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Naval Reserves, shares his unique story from a career as a pipe fitter to the founder of Peaks Integrity Wealth Management. Driven by his working-class background and military integrity, Ron emphasizes the critical need for financial education among working-class Americans, viewing money as a tool and stressing smarter tax strategies. He introduces his Financial STAR process as a blueprint for financial planning, and discusses his book, "A Blueprint and Financial Guide for the Working-Class American." Ron utilizes a hands-on approach to ensure client investments meet their lifestyle and goals, ultimately advising aspiring financial professionals to enter the industry with genuine passion. Episode Resources: Peaks Integrity - Westcliffe, CO  Phone: 719-581-7325     About Our Guest A military veteran of 24 years that included the US Navy, US Coast Guard and the US Naval reserves, Ron blends integrity, hard work and willingness