Michael A Focareto III (CEO/Founder/Director)

Michael A Focareto III is a Disabled Veteran (shoulder injury) of the US Navy(1988-1993) serving in the 1st Gulf War. Michael was a Naval Nuclear Engineer aboard the USS Virginia (CGN-38). He was born into a military family. Both of Michael's Grandfathers saw action during World War II. Michael (Tee) A Focareto saw action in Africa while his brother Anthony saw it at the Battle of the Bulge. His other Grandfather George (The Bull) Kali (Life Time Member of the VFW) was in the Merchant Marines during World War II and ships he was on were sunk 4 times. Also during WWII, his Grandmother helped make tanks at Cleveland Tank. She was a welder, test driver and made sure the turrets worked. Michael's father Michael (Mickey) Focareto Jr. is a Disabled Veteran who served in the US Air Force during the Viet Nam era. Michael has several uncles and cousins who have also served or are still serving in the US Military.

Michael received from Arizona State University his Bachelor of Science in Computers and Information Systems(1993-1998) and his Master of Science in Information Management(2008-2009). Besides being committed to this foundation he's also a Senior Engineer at Infor Global Solutions (1998-present). Needless to say he's very busy but is having the time of his life ;-) Head down move forward!

Butch Hogan (Chief Technical Officer/Founder/Director)

Chris Blindheim (Chief Financial Officer/Founder/Director)

Chris Blindheim is a proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps (1983-1986). He grew up in Seattle Washington and is the son of a Marine Veteran. Chris graduated boot camp with honors and was promoted to Private First Class. Completed Infantry Training School at Camp Pendleton where he received the 0311 MOS. Chris was sent to Fort Huachuca Arizona for cross training in early warning devises, ground sensors SCAMP. He then was sent off to Okinawa Japan for 3 years. While I was in Okinawa, he received 2 more meritorious promotions to the rank of Corporal. Chris attended RIP School and got his 3rd MOS as a Recon Marine. He was honorable discharged in 1986 as a Corporal up for Sgt.

Chris currently is a business owner (1998-present) in Arizona of a construction company that specializes in drilling, excavation and shoring

Edward Rausch (Chief Operating Officer/Founder/Director)

"Edward (Eddie) Rausch is the proud son of a U.S. Marine Corp veteran. His father, Chuck, did his basic training at Camp Pendleton and served 8 years in the Corps. He was stationed at Futima Air Base in Okinawa with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 16 during the Vietnam War and finished his service at Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) 31 in Beaufort, SC where he had the opportunity to work with the Blue Angels. Eddie's grandfather, Frank Miller, was drafted to serve in the US Army during WWII but was the foreman at a lumber mill contracted by the military to build PT boats. It was decided that Frank could best serve the United States of America by supervising the construction of the PT Boats used in  the Pacific theater...President John F. Kennedy served as Commander of PT-109 during WW II.
 
Upon graduating from High School Eddie tested for admittance into the US Air Force but decided to pursue college and a baseball scholarship. Eddie finished his college career at Arizona State University studying kinesiology. Eddie's work history includes key positions within management of companies like GUESS, Hilton Hotels and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He currently owns his own meeting planning company and splits time between that and working with Veteran Tickets Foundation. Eddie's goal to to make "Vet Tix" a household name and to someday fill every empty seat with a veteran, active duty soldier and their families!
 
Eddie considers it an honor and a privilege to be part of Veteran Tickets Foundation...he didn't take the opportunity to serve his country when he was younger but now is happily doing his part to give something to those who gave...the brave men & women who are now and have served our country!"
 

Dwayne Somers (Chief Marketing Officer/Founder/Director)

Dwayne D Somers survives his father who proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps in its Artillery Division.  He also has close ties with an Uncle who served 2 tours in Vietnam.  His Uncle served with the Unites States Army as well as with the United States Air Force.  Dwayne also has a cousin who served during the first gulf war with the United States Navy as a Seebee.   He has the utmost respect for all of those who have sacrificed themselves for the freedom's we all enjoy today and will enjoy tomorrow.

Dwayne graduated from Arizona State University (98) with a bachelor's degree in English.  As well as being one of the top salespersons in the 4th largest corporation in the world, he has earned several accolades and certificates in each position held.  Dwayne has been working in internet sales and marketing for the past 8 years with an additional 8 years of sales previous to moving to the virtual world.  Along with being the Sales Manager for an up and coming online credit card processing company, and owning his own consulting company, he is committed to the success of this companies current and future goals.

Heather N. Gray (Chief Communication Officer)

Heather Gray is a proud Veteran of the US Air Force (1995- 2003), serving in duty stations at Andrews AFB, Aviano Italy, and the 161st Air Refueling Wing located in Phoenix, AZ.  After the tragedy of Sept. 11, she was selected to serve a one year tour at the Air National Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C.  Her father served in the US Marine Corps, 3rd Marine Division, Combine Action Program, Vietnam.
 
Heather graduated from Arizona State University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism, and has also earned her Master’s in Management from the University of Phoenix.  Heather has worked in Public Relations for nearly 10 years, and currently owns a full service marketing and public relations company called GrayStock Marketing.

As the Chief Communication Officer, Heather is dedicated to improving awareness of the Foundation’s cause, and feels privileged to serve those who have served.

Cindy Creed (President Finance/Director)

Brandi Shannon (President Community Relations)

Brandi Shannon's role in a military family started the day she was born.  Her father Gary Kendrick was at basic training at Ft. Ord California, he served 23 years with the Arizona National Guard before retiring.  Brandi?s grandfather Weston Brook served in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific.  Her Great-Grandfather served in World War I.  More recently she is proud to be a spouse of an OIF Veteran. Her husband Patrick deployed to Iraq with the 2220th TC in 2003 to 2004 with the Arizona National Guard.

Brandi treats the Arizona National Guard along with other Military Branches of Service as her extended family and friends. She served 6 years as a Family Support Chair. During her husbands deployment she worked for the Guard Family Program's office and spent countless hours supporting the National Guard Families as they tried to keep their family life as normal as possible while their spouses and love ones were deployed.

General Schultz Director of Guard Bureau presented her with his coin for her work with military families in 2003 when visiting Camp Navajo. She has received the American Legion Achievement Award from Post #3, Flagstaff Arizona. She has received the "Award of Recognition" from the 2220th, Guard Family Programs Office, 158th Battalion for her volunteer work for military families. In 2007 she was asked to attend the NGB National Family Program Workshop in Chicago.

Brandi has spent many hours helping to ease the burden for Military & Veteran families and make their lives a little easier.  She knows first hand how important it is for us, our communities and our country to support these soldiers and their families.

Alan Dropkin  (Director Ticket Operations)

Alan Dropkin was born in Summit New Jersey on June 25th, 1970  and has been in Arizona since 1977.  After high school he became an entrepreneur and had a successful Sports Collectibles business for 10 years in the Phoenix area. Alan currently works at a private golf & country club in North Scottsdale.

Alan’s great grandfather Samuel Dropkin proudly served his country and received a purple heart in WWI and his grandfather Clifford Dropkin was a 1st Lt and was stationed in Belgium during WWII.

Alan is both honored and feels privileged to be able to help those that have served and sacrificed for our country.

Dr. Jason Conviser  (Director Hero's Wish)

Dr. Jason Conviser was born in Long Island New York. He moved to Arizona in 1973 and has lived in Arizona for almost 38 years.  His mothers uncle, Albert Karman, was a pilot who died in WWII.  Dr. Jason attended Scottsdale Community College, Oklahoma Christian College (where he played college baseball) and Arizona State University before graduating from Northern Arizona University in 1993 with a General Studies degree and a minor in Physical Sciences.  He then went on to the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and graduated with a doctorate degree in Chiropractic medicine. He has been in practice in Arizona for almost 14 years.  Currently, Dr. Jason is the owner of Total Body Dynamics Chiropractic Wellness Center in Old Town Scottsdale.
 
Dr. Jason was recently offered the opportunity to assist with the Hero's Wish program for Veteran Tickets Foundation and is dedicated to helping dreams come true. Dr. Jason is both honored and feels privileged to be able to help those that have served and sacrificed for our country.

Jeremy Staat (SVP Strategic Relations)

Iraqi War Veteran, United States Marine, NFL Alumni, ASU Alumni, Sun Bowl Defensive Lineman MVP and Rose Bowl Appearance

Born in Bakersfield, California, on October 10, 1976, to parents Janet and Harold Staat. As a youngster I was head strong, my philosophy growing up was “if you can do it, I can do it better,” even if it was something I didn’t want to do. This type of thinking made me a great competitor in football, track & field and in life.

At Bakersfield High School I was a four year letterman in football and three year letterman in Track in field as a thrower of the shot put & discus. Winning State titles and receiving multiple awards in both. Attending Bakersfield Junior College I played on two championship teams as well as two state titles in both shot put & discus, as well as a state title in the hammer throw. This was the first time in history that a thrower took all three events in the same year. In the spring of 1996 I was awarded a full ride scholarship to Arizona State University for football. It was here that I met Pat Tillman and we became friends.
 
9/11/2001, I woke to the sound of my cell phone ringing. My friend Doug was calling to tell me we were under attack. My reaction was, “Let’s get it on.” Turning on the Television I was just in time to witness the second plane smashing into the second tower. I thought to myself, “Who would be dumb enough to attack us?”. One of the biggest disappointments from the attacks on 9-11 was hearing that some of my fellow athletes were upset that the N.F.L. season was going to be a week longer because of the attacks. At this point I was ready to enlist! I spoke to Pat (Tillman) and he gave me some good advice. He told me I was too good to give up on my NFL career and that I needed to qualify for my retirement and pension....so I did. Shortly after Pat & Kevin Tillman told me they had enlisted with the Army.

In 2003, still looking for the three games I needed to qualify for my retirement I found myself signed with the St. Louis Rams. Mission accomplished! I had finally received the three games I was looking for. Soon after I retired from the NFL and began looking for the next step in life. I liked the idea that I had one retirement in the bag and I felt it necessary to work towards another. Since all I knew was football I figured the Arena Football League would be a great place to start. This took a sudden change when Pat was killed in Afghanistan. I found myself realizing once again there was more to life then a game. In 2005, with much soul searching I found a team that would never leave my side, The United States Marine Corps. A team of men and women that have joined a blood line that dates back over two hundred and thirty years. They do what they do, not for the love of money, but for the love of country!

Sheryl Black grew up in North East, PA and graduated from Penn State University with a Business Economics and Management degree (1994). Shortly thereafter, she moved to St. Louis, MO to accept an Account Management position with AT&T Global Markets where she remained for seven years. During her twelve years in St. Louis, Sheryl worked in the finance industry as a loan officer and later was the VP of Sales & Marketing for a material handling industrial company. In 2006, Sheryl moved to Arizona to open her own successful medical company. She also began her philanthropic path volunteering with various local charities leading to co-ownership of a charity event planning and promotions company. As a result of her charitable efforts in the community, Sheryl was recruited by Vet Tix in February 2009 to assist with marketing promotions. 

Sheryl considers it an honor to work with the Vet Tix team in support of our U.S military and veterans. Her grandfather served in WWII in the Army as a bazooka carrier in the North African and Italian  Campaigns . As VP of Marketing & Fundraising for Vet Tix, Sheryl’s focus is to raise awareness of the Vet Tix cause by planning fundraising events, utilizing networking and social media avenues and seeking sponsorship opportunities.  Great things are in the future for Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix)!

Katrina Garza (Director Volunteers)

Katrina Garza comes from a long family line of service members. Her Grandfather and Great Uncle are WWII Army veterans. Katrina’s father and Uncle served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Her Aunt served in the Navy for more than 20 years.
Katrina’s oldest son, Robert Bowman, has just begun his military career with the US Air Force. She is proudly married to Jose who is preparing to deploy with the 158th CSSB with the AZ Army National Guard, with 18 ½ years of service.

Katrina has been an active volunteer with the AZ National Guard since 2006. She served 2 years as a Family Readiness/Support Chair. During the past years she has assisted both behind the scenes and hands on in many Military appreciation events.
In 2009 she was awarded the Joint Family Programs ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award and was invited to attend the NGB National Family Program Workshop in Dearborn, MI.

Being a military family member Katrina knows first hand the issues faced, and the sacrifices made, by both service members and their families. She has spent countless hours searching the community for supports to assist military families.