About (2021)
About The Warrior Alliance
Our mission is to help Warriors and their families achieve a fulfilling civilian
life by promoting collaboration between the organizations that can support them
during the transition from military service.
Our Partner-Driven Model
We believe that collaboration drives successful outcomes, and not just for individual Warriors but for the entire veteran services community. That's why we partner with companies, non-profits and key influencers who share our vision. Together, we can help Warriors navigate their newest mission – civilian life – with confidence and competence.
Our day-to-day team of leaders who keeps us marching toward our mission.
President & Executive Director
Stewart Williams
Jarrad Turner
Director of Warrior Engagement
Joey Tripp
Jason Amerson
Director of Information Technology
Olivia Garrison
Warrior Outreach Lead
Warrior Navigator
Charlotte Gardner-Oliver
Intake Coordinator
Jeremy Tindell
Operation Double Eagle Coordinator
Community leaders, business executives and other key influencers who steer us in the right direction.
Hunter Hill
Board Chairman; Retired Georgia Senator, Executive SignatureFD
Kelly McCutchen
Executive Director, HINRI
Russ Branzell
CEO, College of Healthcare Information Management Executives
Clint Bryant
Director of Athletics, Augusta University
Angela Blank
Overwatch Fund, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
John Tien
Managing Director, Citigroup
Managing Member of Mason Capital Partners
Juanita Markwalter
Non Profit Director
Max Hilsman
Executive Director, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
Linda Klein
Senior managing shareholder at Baker Donelson. Past president of the American Bar Association.
Scott is the Founder and President of The Warrior Alliance and has over 30 years of experience as a corporate software and consulting services executive. He began his non-profit career by establishing two non-profit organizations in support of people with disabilities and transitioning military veterans. Scott's business career spans numerous leadership roles in executive management, sales, operations and services to include Vice President-Global Services, PTC, Inc. and Area Vice President, Keane, Inc. In these positions, Scott's responsibilities included business strategy, merger and acquisitions, organizational change management, sales organization leadership, market development, outsourcing and operational profit and loss. His business experience spans federal and state government as well as business development across the Americas, Europe, Far East and Asia. Mr. Johnson graduated with high honors from Michigan State University where he received a number of academic awards and is a founding associate of the University of Alabama's Executive MBA MIS program.
Jarrad Turner served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army for eight years as a 68W Health Care Specialist, 3rd Infantry Division. Mr. Turner deployed twice to Iraq twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was wounded during an attack. In 2010, he was medically separated from the military and was later admitted to the Shepherd Center Share Military Initiative for treatment for medical issues related to his injuries. Mr. Turner has dedicated his post-military service to improving the quality and access to resources for his fellow veterans. Since 2012, he has worked in various veteran service roles for the Atlanta VA Medical Center (VAMC), the Atlanta VA Regional Office (VARO), and as Senior National Service Officer (SNSO) for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). In 2017, he secured more than $2.2 million dollars in service connected benefits for WWP alumni in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Mr. Turner graduated from Alabama State University with a Business Management degree in 1997. During this time, he played football and participated in the gospel choir, and worked at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Mr. Turner resides in the Atlanta area with his three children. He enjoys coaching lacrosse, athletic endurance competitions, and participating in volunteer roles with numerous Atlanta area Veteran Services Organizations.
Joey has served over 15 years in the nonprofit sector, starting as an award-winning national volunteer to becoming a nonprofit development professional. Joey started his career serving the community through the Tripp Family Christmas Lights, an annual holiday attraction in Yonkers, Georgia, managing the public relations and community engagement. He has worked for organizations in various capacities serving disabled children, animal rescue, low-income housing, rape crisis management, disaster responses, and veterans. Joey has consulted and worked for several organizations such as Jackson County Habitat for Humanity, Sisu Integrated Early Learning, Tripp Family Christmas Lights, Piedmont Rape Crisis Center, Camp Twin Lakes, American Red Cross, Furkids, and Vox Artium Foundation. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Master's in Nonprofit Management and Georgia Southern University with a Bachelors's in Biology. Joey serves on the board of directors for the Rotary Club of Gainesville.
Jason has over 20 years of experience in the field of Information Technology. Serving as Systems Engineer and Systems Administrator for state/city governments, police and private entities. His responsibilities have included data center build-outs/maintenance, records management, security, and client services. Mr. Amerson has served as a member of the Board of Directors for Systems Engineering with the Technology Association of Georgia.
Olivia Garrison, Warrior Outreach Lead, brings many years of experience facilitating collaboration of Atlanta-based Veteran serving organizations. She began her service to others as an AmeriCorps alumni in 2012 and is especially passionate about assisting Veterans and their families. As the local American Red Cross representative for the Community Blueprint in Atlanta, Olivia provided hands-on support of local Reservists, National Guard and Veteran populations in the face of emergencies. She also facilitated the group's 39-member agencies to address Veterans' issues and find actionable solutions, which then led to her accepting a volunteer role as Director of the Community Pillar for Vetlanta. Olivia has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Master's degree in Public Administration from Troy University.
SEN Hill graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Management and Civil Engineering, before joining the United States Army. He went on to graduate from the Airborne, the Air Assault, and the US Army Ranger Schools. In June 2001, Hunter took command of a rifle platoon with the 101st Airborne Division, which he led into battle in Afghanistan in 2002 and in Iraq in 2003. In addition to his combat roles, he also served as a General's Aide in Iraq, and earned two Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Service Medal and two Army Commendation Medals.
Kelly is the Executive Director of the nonprofit High Impact Network of Responsible Innovators (HINRI) and former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation. He is a native of Ellijay, Georgia, and a graduate of Georgia Tech. He was Assistant Vice President in the Trust Department of Trust Company Bank in Atlanta before joining the Foundation in 1993. At the Foundation, he has helped create the Civic Renewal Project that highlights the work of outstanding community-based organizations, the "No Excuses" program to recognize and study high achieving, high poverty public schools, and award-winning statewide report cards on education, crime and taxes. He has served on the boards of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, Leadership Georgia and the Conservative Policy Leadership Institute and was a founder and Governing Board Chair of Tech High, a math, science and technology-focused public charter school in Atlanta. He currently serves on the board of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Before joining CHIME, Branzell served as CEO for the Colorado Health Medical Group. He previously was the vice president of information services and CIO for Poudre Valley Health System and the president/CEO of Innovation Enterprises and was the regional deputy CIO and executive director of information services for Sisters of Mercy Health System in St. Louis, MO. Branzell served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and retired from the Air Force Reserves in 2008. While on active duty, he served in health care administration positions, including CIO for the Air Mobility Command Surgeon General's Office. In 1996, he was selected for the Air Force Medical Service Fellowship program and completed a CIO internship at the Unity Health System in St. Louis.
Providing commitment and care for Augusta University as the Director of Athletics, Clint Bryant has firmly established himself as one of the most reputable administrators and leaders for equality in the state of Georgia, the Southeast and in the nation. The 2017-18 academic year marks Bryant's 30th in Augusta, overseeing a 13-sport athletics department that has steadily fought for conference and regional honors. On Friday Oct. 28, 2016, Bryant was inducted into the Augusta City Classic Hall of Fame for his contributions in the community over his tenure. Bryant's career with the Jaguars also includes nine seasons as the Jaguars' men's basketball head coach from 1988-1997. He was named the Big South Coach-of-the-Year following the 1990-91 campaign. Prior to his arrival in Augusta, Bryant served as an assistant coach under Bill Foster at Clemson from 1977-84 and as an assistant coach and associate head coach under Foster at Miami (Fla.) from 1984-1988. Bryant earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Belmont Abbey in 1977 and received a master's degree in Personnel Services in 1980 from Clemson University. At Belmont, he received the Marty Thomas Scholar-Athlete Award, given annually to a student-athlete who demonstrated both academic and athletic excellence.
As a seasoned sales, marketing and branding professional, Angela Blank now dedicates her talents to building and growing causes that she is passionate about. Beginning her career at Graphic Solutions Group, Blank was a fundamental part of growing key brands. From there, Blank became a Premium Sales Executive with Boundless Network. As a leader in building customer relationships and account management, Blank steered influential campaigns that widely increased brand response rates and overall marketing value. Angela Blank commits her diverse skills to enriching the community she resides in. In February 2017, Blank joined the University of Georgia Board of Visitors. As an ambassador for the university, Blank advocates for teaching, research and continued community service. Angela also devotes her time to increasing exposure, funding, education and teen involvement in Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Georgia. Since 2013, she has served as the co-chair of Walk Like MADD 5k, the organizations largest annual fundraiser. With her leadership and strategic planning, MADD, the Atlanta Falcons and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation established a year-round partnership to expand MADD's presence across the state of Georgia.
John Tien currently serves as a Citigroup managing director and is the head of Operations, Technology, and Business Solutions Management for Citi's largest American Express co-brand portfolio. John's prior roles include head of operations for Citi Retail Services largest co-brand MasterCard portfolio and chief administrative officer for the head of Global Consumer Operations and Technology. As a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Citi's senior military veteran employee, John also serves as the Consumer Bank leader on the firm-wide steering committee that oversees the Citi Salutes program (www.CitiSalutes.com). In this role, John provides senior-level guidance for Citi's support of military veterans, military family members, and active duty, National Guard and Reserve members both internal and external to the firm. Nationally, John is the Chairman of the Board for the veterans non-profit, The Mission Continues (www.MissionContinues.org), an organization which focuses on helping transition military veterans from military service to community service in their local neighborhoods. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and a Masters of Art degree from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He is also a Harvard Kennedy School National Security Fellow and a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Mason has invested in commercial real estate projects throughout the Southeastern US on behalf of the Mason family and their investment partners for over 25 years. Robert has also worked for some of the most respected firms in commercial real estate including CB Richard Ellis, Tishman Speyer, Hines, and Lincoln Property Company. In total, Robert has been involved in over $4BN worth of transactions and has experience as a principal and an investor in office, hotel, multi-family, retail, and healthcare properties. Robert is a Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude graduate of Vanderbilt University and has earned an MBA from The Wharton School with concentrations in Real Estate and Finance.
Juanita Markwalter is a community volunteer, a philanthropist, and the mother of 5 sons. She has been a long–standing member of the Red Cross' Tiffany Circle, which is a community of woman leaders who advance the American Red Cross mission. Juanita's love of the arts inspired her to serve on the Alliance Theatre's Advisory Board, which supports the leading producing theatre in the Southeast. As a breast-cancer survivor, Juanita has sought to help find a cure through her involvement in the Susan G Komen Advisory Board of Greater Atlanta. To relax and spend time with her sons, her husband, Jack, and her friends, Juanita loves to play golf. She is an active member of Cherokee Women's Golf Association and the Atlanta Women's Golf Association. Juanita is a graduate of Auburn University of Montgomery. In addition to being an avid golfer, Juanita enjoys travel and spending time with her family.
An Atlanta native, Max attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon Graduation, Max and his wife Ingrid moved to Germany where they lived for three years. While there, he was twice deployed to the former Yugoslavia in Bosnia and Kosovo where he served as both a Tank and Mortar platoon leader. Max finished his tour with the US Army at Ft Benning GA where he served as a Company Executive Officer for the Officer Candidate School. Max is currently responsible for the Southeast Private Wealth Management business for Morgan Stanley – Helping our Ultra High Net Worth Clients address the complex financial issues which require highly specialized resources and a deep understanding of the concerns associated with significant wealth. Over the past 18 years, Max has held a series of leadership roles throughout the Southeast for the firm. Outside of work, Max is a passionate supporter of numerous Veteran Support organizations and enjoys the adventures of being a dad to his two teenagers, Anna and Stuart.
Linda Klein regularly counsels on business dispute prevention and resolution, contract law, risk and crisis management, media relations, ethics and governance. She is particularly experienced in advising the construction, pharmaceutical and higher education industries. She also advises lawyers, architects, accountants and other professionals at risk for large claims or their licenses. Ms. Klein is a past president (CEO) of the American Bar Association, the largest voluntary professional association in the world. Ms. Klein is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, Who's Who in America and Chambers USA. She is regularly named to the Super Lawyers top 100 lawyers in Georgia. In 1998, following her term as the first woman to serve as president of the State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Trend Magazine named her one of the 100 most powerful and influential Georgians. In the American Bar Association she previously served as chair of the House of Delegates, the association's policy making body. She has also served as chair of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, and chair of ABA Day, the Association's Congressional outreach effort. She is a recent member of the Council of the ABA Section of International Law and also serves as a columnist Law Practice Management Magazine. In 2013 Ms. Klein had the honor of being a McGlothlin fellow on the campuses of William and Mary's Business and Law Schools. She delivered the commencement addresses at Georgia State University College of Law (2017), Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2017), Pepperdine University School of Law (2016), and Washington and Lee University School of Law (2012), John Marshall Law School (2018). In 2009 Ms. Klein was honored with the Randolph Thrower Award for Lifetime Achievement and was named to the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers. In 2004 the American Bar Association honored Ms. Klein with the prestigious Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. She currently serves on the executive committee of the Buckhead Coalition, on the advisory boards of Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers. She is a past president of Southface Energy Institute, the Board of Directors' Network, (now On Board), the Caucus of State Bars, and past chair of both the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Georgia and the Lawyers Foundation of Georgia. She also served a six-year term on Baker Donelson's Board of Directors. Ms. Klein has authored numerous published works. Her lecture schedule has included presentations in France, Sweden, Spain, Russia, Great Britain, Japan, Croatia, Poland and Canada, but most extensively in the southeast United States. She is a member of the American Law Institute, and a mediator and arbitrator, frequently serving as a neutral as well as a client advocate. WWW.BAKERDONELSON.COM Atlanta, GA
Trusted advisors who offer an outside perspective on how we're doing and what we can do better.
Larry Ellis
Retired Board of Regents, Retired 4 Star Army General; CEO Freedom Jobs; Chairman, HINRI
Marsh Benson
Retired Director Golf Operations, Augusta National Golf Club
Glen Jackson
Co-founder, Jackson Spalding
President Emeritus, Donald Ross Society
Mark Peevy
Executive Director for Secondary Education Initiatives, TCSG
Michael Edmeades
SVP, Advanced Collaboration Solutions
These companies and foundations fund the work we do, allowing us to focus on serving the men and women who have so faithfully served us.