 |
 |
 |
The Hire Heroes USA Team
Brian comes to HHUSA from the United States Marine Corps, having left active duty in May 2008 as a Captain. He received his commission through the United States Naval Academy, where he exceled in football as a linebacker and earned a degree in Economics. Brian's military career included two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom as an Infantry Officer in both the Al Qaim and Habbiniyah regions. In recognition of his valiant actions during an ambush by Iraqi insurgents, Brian was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest military honor. As he neared the conclusion of his military service, Brian became increasingly involved with mixed martial arts. He made his World Extreme Cagefighting debut in June 2006 and became the WEC Light Heavyweight champion in March 2008. Brian made his UFC debut in April 2009. Brian is excited about the opportunity to lead the Hire Heroes USA team and looks forward to the growth and continued success of the program.
Michelle Saunders, Director, Veteran Relations and Legistlative Affairs
Bayne Tippins, Director, Corporate Relations
Sara Trask, Director, Corporate Relations
Justin Callahan, Director, Veteran Relations Outreach & Recruiting
 Justin Callahan is a decorated veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following his retirement from the military in 2004, Justin worked in the corporate world for three years with MedAssets. In 2007, he joined the Hire Heroes USA team to help his fellow veterans with disabilities achieve their civilian career goals.
A Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Callahan was wounded in a land mine explosion while serving in Afghanistan. While undergoing treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Callahan and John Bardis, MedAssets’ chairman, president and CEO, met by chance in a hotel lobby. The two discussed Callahan’s experience and Bardis extended a job offer. Justin accepted the offer and started working at MedAssets when he officially retired from the Army. Justin’s experience created awareness and understanding of the challenges facing our returning veterans, especially those wounded and disabled, as they tranistion into the civilian workforce and inspired the creation of the Hire Heroes USA program.
Julia LaFavor-Powell, Employment Coordinator
Allison Herbst, Secretary & Treasurer
|
Michelle Saunders joined HHUSA with eleven years of experience in management, serving as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. Since retirement from the military, Michelle has worked as an employment consultant, benefits liaison and transitioning programs specialist for the Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training (VETS). She has a broad knowledge of federal laws, regulations and polices regarding private work incentives and other employment support programs. Michelle holds an undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and is currently an MBA candidate. A decorated OIF veteran, she earned the Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart. Michelle remains at the forefront of advocacy for returning veterans, making great contributions to the cause. 
Bayne Tippins graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Bayne has excelled in Operations and Human Resource Management for the past 35+ years. In February 2007, Bayne volunteered to help launch the Hire Heroes USA program. He continues to diligently work to help as many deserving service men and women as possible find meaningful careers as they re-enter the American workforce. Bayne and his wife of 38 years, Mary reside in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Sara graduated Magna Cum Laude from McKendree University in December of 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree - double major in Speech Communication Emphasis Public Relations and Organization Communications emphasis in Marketing and Sales. After interning with the organization in 2005, Sara was ecstatic to join the Hire Heroes USA team in April of 2007. Joining the team as the coordinator of the St. Louis Cardinals Legends Camp, Hire Heroes USA's largest fundraising event, she now serves as Director of Corporate Relations. Sara is proud to be part of a program that does so much for our deserving men and women. She hopes to continue her involvement with HHUSA, a program that provides much needed assistance to our country’s Heroes.
Julia LaFavor-Powell launched the HHUSA Call Center. She is a U.S. Air Force veteran with ten Air Medals and a member of the Purple Heart Service Foundation. Julia's graduate and undergraduate degrees are from Webster and Park Universities, respectively, in the fields of Counseling and Psychology. She has extensive qualifications as a Five9 Supervisor of Call Center Operations. Julia makes an enormous impact as the "first voice heard" at Hire Heroes USA by many of the veterans as they register for participation in the HHUSA program.
Allison is originally from Brooklyn, New York, having relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in 2002. Allison has a solid fifteen-year background in the advertising industry. She has sold advertisements and constructed marketing campaigns for various media outlets, including both print and online media. Allison earned a B.S. in Marketing from The Fashion Institute of Technology, S.U.N.Y., in New York City. Wanting to utilize her sales and marketing experience for a cause that was rewarding both professionally and personally, Allison joined the Hire Heroes USA team in July 2007.
