Service Academy Business Mastermind

Hosted by Scott Mackes, USNA '01

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358

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Service Academy Business Mastermind (SABM) is a transformational program for Service Academy graduates who are building businesses. Our podcast features entrepreneurial success stories from the Service Academy community (West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy). To learn more, please visit: www.sabmgroup.com.

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60 recent

June 14, 202630 min

#358: Building the Veteran Startup Ecosystem with Ryan Micheletti

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on Sept 28th & 29th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Ryan Micheletti is the co-founder of The Veteran Fund, a venture capital firm focused on investing in veteran-led critical technology companies. As a California National Guard veteran, Ryan has played a leading role in building the veteran startup ecosystem. Before launching The Veteran Fund, he founded VetTech, the first veteran-led startup accelerator, and later served as Head of Global Operations at Founder Institute, helping scale more than 8,000 startups across 200 cities worldwide. Today, Ryan leads The Veteran Fund's strategy and ecosystem building efforts, backing exceptional veteran leadership teams in dual-use and mission-critical technologies. His work connects founders with early capital, strategic partners, and a growing network of investors committed to strengthening American innovation. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Ryan about: Building the Veteran Startup Ecosystem: Launching the first veteran-led accelerator and creating infrastructure to support founders after 9/11 Investing in Leadership at the Seed Stage: Why The Veteran Fund prioritizes exceptional teams with deep domain expertise and long-term resilience. Critical Technology and Dual-Use Strategy: Backing companies that serve both commercial markets and national security priorities. From Fund One to Fund Two: Refining ownership strategy, increasing first-check size, and strengthening capital allocation discipline. Patriotic Capital and Long-Term Vision: Mobilizing family offices and aligned investors to support veteran-led innovation that reinforces American competitiveness. Timestamps: 00:52 Origin of Veteran Fund 02:10 Building VetTech and FI 04:05 Fund Launch and Thesis 06:27 Ideal Deal Criteria 09:37 Havok AI Success Story 12:26 Fund Two Evolution 17:34 Ecosystem and Events 21:30 Goals and Bigger Mission Connect with Ryan: LinkedIn | Ryan Micheletti ryan@veteran.fund www.veteran.fund If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Ryan for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

May 27, 202635 min

#357: Building a Modern VA Mortgage Platform with Travis Peace, USNA '03

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on September 29th & 28th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Travis Peace is the Co-Founder and President of Novum Home Loans, a digital mortgage company built specifically for the military community. After serving as a nuclear surface warfare officer and later holding senior mortgage leadership roles at USAA, he launched Novum to modernize VA lending through technology, efficiency, and mission-driven execution. At Novum, Travis is focused on building a scalable, AI-powered mortgage platform designed to deliver better rates, faster closings, and a trusted experience for veterans and active-duty families. His long-term vision is to become a dominant player in the VA lending space while staying rooted in service and community alignment. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Travis about: From Nuclear Officer to Mortgage Founder: Travis's transition from Navy leadership to building a veteran-focused digital lending platform. Modernizing VA Lending: The inefficiencies in traditional mortgage processes and how Novum is leveraging technology to streamline approvals and closings. AI in the Mortgage Industry: Using automation and data-driven systems to reduce friction, improve pricing, and enhance borrower experience. Serving the Military Community at Scale: Designing a lending platform built specifically for active-duty service members and veterans. Building a Scalable Digital Platform: Travis's long-term vision to grow Novum into a dominant force in VA home loans while maintaining trust and operational discipline. Timestamps: 00:49 From Navy to USAA 04:40 Why Novum Exists 06:17 Cutting Mortgage Costs 09:15 Loan Types Beyond VA 10:43 Customer Journey Walkthrough 15:27 Finding Focus and Stride 18:29 Scaling Vision and Market Share 21:59 Next Goals Capital Tech Talent 26:08 Lead Sources and Referrals Connect with Travis: LinkedIn | Travis Peace travis@novumhomeloans.com www.novumhomeloans.com If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Travis for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

May 7, 202633 min

#356: Strategic Wealth, Disruptive Tech, and Building the Right Financial Team with John Lynch, USMA '86

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ John Lynch is the Founder of Imprimis Financial, where he advises business owners, professionals, and Service Academy graduates on asset management, estate design, and tax-efficient wealth strategies. After serving as a field artillery officer and company commander during the Gulf War era, he earned his MBA in finance from NYU and began his career at Barclays and First Union before launching his own practice in Charlotte. Over the years, John has been working alongside private banking teams supporting large estates while building a discretionary investment model focused on disruptive technologies. With a foundation in institutional finance and technical trading, he leverages AI tools to help clients refine their goals and implement coordinated wealth strategies. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with John about: A Career Built on Reinvention: John shares his transition from Army leadership to institutional finance and ultimately building his own advisory practice. Managing Disruptive Technology Investments: How he evaluates companies like Nvidia and Tesla using both fundamentals and technical entry points to manage volatility. Using AI to Enhance Decision-Making: Leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze portfolios, compare insurance structures, and accelerate strategic planning. The Team-Based Wealth Model: Why high-net individuals need integrated advisors working together rather than operating in silos. Tax Strategy as Alpha: Creating value through liquidity management, estate design, and tax-efficient structures, not just investment returns. Timestamps: 01:10 West Point to Army Career 02:56 MBA and Trading Roots 04:14 Building the Advisory Practice 05:36 Disruptive Tech Portfolio Model 07:49 How He Picks Entries 10:35 Ideal Clients and Service Grads 13:23 Ultra Wealth Team Planning 16:59 Using AI in Practice 22:04 Growth Goals and Legacy Shifts Connect with John: LinkedIn | John Lynch jlynch@imprimis-financial.com www.imprimis-financial.com If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to John for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

April 24, 202647 min

#355: Rethinking Non-Profit Funding with Evan Parnell, USNA '08, and Martiel Beatty

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Evan Parnell is the COO of GivMoo, a technology platform that integrates charitable giving into everyday purchasing and business transactions. With experience scaling startups through early growth phases, Evan leads execution and commercial strategy, translating big ideas into structured systems that support sustainable growth and measurable impact. That mission is carried forward alongside Martiel Beatty, Founder and visionary leader behind GivMoo's ecosystem design. Martiel focuses on building strategic partnerships and shaping the platform's long-term impact model, ensuring that merchants, nonprofits, and consumers are connected in ways that create shared value. Together, they're building a scalable platform that embeds giving into everyday business. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Evan & Martiel about: Commerce as a Giving Engine: How GivMoo embeds charitable contributions directly into everyday purchasing behavior. Rethinking Nonprofit Funding: Why traditional donation models struggle with retention and scale, and where opportunity exists. A Shared-Value Marketplace: Aligning merchants, nonprofits, and consumers so that every transaction creates measurable impact. A Simpler Giving Strategy: Encouraging consumers to shift just one purchasing category to drive consistent support for causes they care about. Scaling with Infrastructure: Their roadmap for raising outside investment and building the systems required to grow sustainably. Timestamps: 00:42 Evan's Career Shift and New Venture 01:40 Martiel's Entrepreneurial Background 03:50 WorldPride Merchandise Lessons 06:59 The Nonprofit Funding Problem 11:12 The Math Behind GivMoo 16:30 Solving the Marketplace Gap 22:19 Turnkey Product Model Explained 25:49 Marketing and Consumer Strategy 37:55 Martiel's Personal Mission Connect with Evan & Martiel: LinkedIn | Evan Parnell LinkedIn | Martiel Beatty www.GivMoo.com If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Evan and Martiel for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

April 17, 202641 min

#354: Advancing Precision Brain Health for Veterans with Bret Petkus, USMA '91 & Russell Toll, USMA '05

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Bret Petkus and Russell Toll are Army veterans and co-founders of Compassion Neurohealth, a neuroscience-driven brain health practice focused on changing how mental health is measured and treated. As an accomplished healthcare executive, Bret brings significant P&L leadership across medical and life science companies, while Russ, a Stanford-trained neuroscientist and combat veteran, leads the scientific development behind their technology. Their paths into this work were shaped by distinct but deeply personal experiences. Bret's own traumatic brain injury exposed gaps in how neurological damage is identified and addressed, while Russ witnessed the long-term impact of blast exposure during his service in Iraq. Their shared commitment to improving brain health led to a partnership grounded in both mission and medicine. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Bret & Russell about: Battlefield to Brain Science: Russell's experience with blast exposure and Army medicine, and how it shaped his commitment to advancing neurological care. The Injury You Can't See: Bret's unexpected discovery of his own TBI decades later and the mission it sparked. Precision Starts with Data: How EEG data and the Halo platform map dysregulated brain networks before prescribing precision TMS. Engineering Long-Term Recovery: Tracking outcomes through ongoing assessments and follow-up scans to maintain remission and intervene early. Mission Beyond Medicine: Their nonprofit initiative supports Gold Star families and expands access to care for those who cannot afford treatment. Timestamps: 00:38 Brett's Background and TBI Discovery 02:01 Russ's Combat Experience and Shift into Brain Health 04:26 Connecting on LinkedIn and Building the Clinic Partnership 05:59 Personalized TMS and the Halo Mapping Platform 08:03 Suicide Loss and the Cockpit Metaphor 13:26 How Halo Identifies the Right Brain Networks 17:51 Patient Stories and the "Veterans Aren't Broken" Perspective 19:35 Durability, Follow-Ups, and Long-Term Monitoring 32:56 Scaling Clinics, SaaS Expansion, and Heroes in Mind Connect with Bret & Russell: LinkedIn | Bret Petkus LinkedIn | Russell Toll Compassion Neuroscience bpetkus@gmail.com If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Bret and Russell for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

March 26, 202639 min

#353: Modernizing Capital Raising with Jesse Prince, USMA '04

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jesse Prince is an Army veteran who served nearly six years on active duty, including two combat tours to Iraq. After transitioning from the military, he built a career in commercial real estate brokerage while earning his Master's in Real Estate Finance from NYU, graduating near the top of his class and deepening his expertise in institutional-level real estate. Today, Jesse is the founder of IncrediVer, an AI-powered accredited investor verification and qualification platform for private fund managers and capital raisers. An engineer by training with years of experience in securities offerings and real estate technology, he helps issuers streamline compliance, reduce onboarding friction, and move serious investors from interest to investment more efficiently. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Jesse about: From Platoon Leader to Principal: How Jesse bridged a decade of military service with institutional real estate knowledge to compete with seasoned professionals. Building IncrediVer from Scratch: How Jesse identified a broken accreditation process and built an AI-powered tool that reduces 5–7 day verifications to under two minutes. Turning Your Website into a Conversion Engine: How IncrediVer transforms a static marketing page into an active lead scoring and qualification system for issuers. 506(b) vs. 506(c), Breaking It Down: The key differences between private and publicly solicited offerings and how IncrediVer removes the biggest barrier to going 506(c). The Billion-Dollar One-Man Company: Jesse's long-term vision of building a technology-driven, AI-powered capital markets company through warm introductions and strategic growth. Timestamps: 00:52 Jesse's Military Background 02:04 Real Estate Pivot and NYU 03:52 Low Minimum Investing Idea 05:43 Problem with Accreditation Verification 07:52 Building IncrediVer Fast 14:08 How the Funnel Works 21:47 Beyond Compliance Differentiation 23:11 Goals and Moonshot Vision 25:58 506B vs 506C Deep Dive Connect with Jesse: LinkedIn | Jesse Prince www.incrediver.com jesse@incrediver.com If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Jesse for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

March 19, 202622 min

#352: Building Workforce Housing to Close Supply Gaps in Growing Markets with Tom O'Hare, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Tom O'Hare is a U.S. Navy veteran and the founder of Keel Capital and Keel Home Development, where he leads multifamily and infill residential projects across the Midwest and Northern Virginia. Before starting his own companies, Tom spent 17 years in real estate investment banking and later served as CIO and COO of a national single-family rental platform. During that time, he worked on large institutional portfolios and gained firsthand experience in how deals are evaluated, financed, and executed at scale. He now brings that perspective into his own development work. Today, Tom focuses on workforce housing and ground-up projects that help close supply gaps in growing markets. He partners with investors, local governments, and community stakeholders to move projects from concept to completion and deliver housing that meets real community needs. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Tom about: Stepping Into Entrepreneurship: What it took for Tom to leave a corporate executive role and "turn pro" as a full-time developer Midwest Multifamily Strategy: Why markets like Michigan and Ohio offer strong demand, supply gaps, and favorable development incentives Urban Infill Development: How shorter-cycle projects in Northern Virginia complement long-term multifamily developments The Brixton Project: A 148-unit workforce housing development backed by tax increment financing and strong rent fundamentals Deal Sourcing Through Relationships: Why Tom finds the best opportunities through networks, direct outreach, and boots-on-the-ground insights. Timestamps: 00:28 Tom's Real Estate Journey 01:20 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 04:46 Types of Real Estate Projects 07:57 Current Projects and Market Focus 10:12 Future Goals and Plans 14:31 Sourcing Deals and Partnerships Connect with Tom: LinkedIn | Thomas O'Hare www.keelcap.com tom@keelcap.com If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Tom for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

March 16, 202645 min

#351: Building a Multi-Billion-Dollar Real Estate Platform Through Disciplined Investing with Tim Siemer, USAFA '06 & Mike Siemer

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Tim Siemer is an Air Force veteran, aviator, and partner at SMB Equity, a real estate private equity firm investing in stabilized and development projects nationwide. At SMB, Tim focuses on evaluating new opportunities and managing investor relationships, applying a disciplined risk management approach shaped by years in military and commercial aviation. He works alongside his father, Mike Siemer, who transitioned into real estate investing after a career as a CPA and corporate CFO for both public and private companies. Over the past 24 years, Mike has helped lead SMB Equity through more than $3 billion in transactions, scaling the firm through long-term partnerships, disciplined underwriting, and a focus on tangible, value-driven assets. Together, they combine generational experience, financial expertise, and risk discipline to offer individual investors access to institutional real estate opportunities. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Mike and Tim about: Scaling a Multi-Billion-Dollar Real Estate Platform: Mike's transition from CPA and corporate CFO to leading more than $3 billion in real estate transactions over the past two decades. Choosing Ownership Early: Tim investing his Academy loan into real estate instead of spending it, reinforcing a long-term asset-based wealth strategy. Risk Management in Real Estate: Applying aviation discipline to deal evaluation, downside protection, and structured decision making. The Power of Relationships: SMB's emphasis on trusted operators, repeat partnerships, and character as the first filter in any investment. Alternative Investments with Discipline: Positioning private real estate as a complementary asset class within a diversified portfolio. Timestamps: 01:02 SMB Equity Overview 01:45 Origins And Early Deals 05:35 Selling Before The 2008 Crash 06:54 Post Recession Pivot 09:24 Investor Base And Tax Edge 11:36 Tim Joins The Business 17:53 Deal Sniff Test Framework 24:27 Deal Types And Structure 30:45 2026 Goals And Investor Mindset Connect with Mike and Tim: LinkedIn | Tim Siemer LinkedIn | Mike Siemer If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Tim for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

March 8, 202632 min

#350: The One-Stop Platform Helping Financial Advisors Work Smarter with Ryan Dau, USAFA '17

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Ryan Dau is a former Air Force officer, and founder of ReframeRIA, a consultancy that helps financial advisors streamline their operations, refine their client experience, and optimize their technology stack. Through ReframeRIA, Ryan partners with advisory firms to improve their workflows, refine their client experience, and implement technology that truly supports their businesses. His mission is simple: remove the operational chaos that slows advisors down so they can spend more time serving clients and growing their firms with confidence. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Ryan about: The Nonlinear Career Path: Ryan's Military, software, and advisory experience shaped his transition into consulting. Serving the Advisor, Not the Tech: Work begins with clarifying an advisor's ideal client and core processes before any tech is added. Fixing Operational Chaos: Streamlined onboarding, workflows, and service calendars help advisors reclaim time. The Rise of AI Note-Taking Tools: AI tools like Jump AI simplify communication and sync data across essential systems. Building Partnerships & Scaling Smart: Ryan's 2026 goals center on advisor partnerships and exploring a future fractional C-Suite Model. Mindset Shifts After Military Service: Adjusting from mission-first service to revenue driven entrepreneurship remains an ongoing mission. Timestamps: 00:41 Ryan's Path to Reframe 03:41 Advisor Pain Points 05:51 Workflow Before Tools 09:01 2026 Goals and Growth 11:42 Fractional C Suite Vision 17:12 Partnerships to Build 19:02 Challenges and Mindset Shift 24:44 Moonshot Be Better Brand 28:37 Connect and Wrap Up Connect with Ryan: LinkedIn | Ryan Dau www.reframeia.com If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Ryan for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

February 26, 202632 min

#349: Helping Veterans Break Into Tech Sales with Andrew Garcia, USNA '10

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Andrew Garcia is a U.S. Navy veteran and founder of The Arena and Pursuit, two businesses focused on helping veterans and transitioning professionals break into the tech industry. After a successful career in tech sales at Salesforce, Andrew launched The Arena to provide veteran-friendly recruiting services for defense tech startups. He later expanded his mission through Pursuit, a career training platform designed to help aspiring tech sales professionals land their first role. Today, The Arena partners with growing companies to place high-performing sales talent, while Pursuit offers coaching, community, and an online platform that helps job seekers prepare for interviews, build professional habits, and stay accountable. With a long-term vision to build a full career pipeline, Andrew combines mentorship, training, and recruiting to help veterans succeed in high-growth industries. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Andrew about: Building a Dual Business Model: How The Arena and Pursuit work together to serve job seekers and hiring managers across the full tech sales career journey. From Salesforce to Startup Founder: Why Andrew left a stable career to test his skills and pursue entrepreneurship full time. The Pursuit Platform: What makes Pursuit training cohorts different, and how the platform helps veterans land roles faster with more confidence. Lifetime Value: Why Andrew created a lifetime membership program that helps graduates land jobs not just once, but throughout their careers. Data-Driven Recruiting: How The Arena is building a defense-tech talent insights platform to help startups hire smarter and faster. Timestamps: 00:08 Joining the Chess Team and Soccer at the Academy 02:04 Founding The Arena and Pursuit 05:01 Challenges and Successes in Entrepreneurship 11:40 Goals and Future Plans 22:17 Marketing and Business DevelopmentTimestamps: Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn | Andrew Garcia www.arena.vet | www.pursuit.vet If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Andrew for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01