Marie is a Recruiting Manager at Veterans Alliance. Marie has worked in the Aviation industry since 2004 when she enlisted and served honorably for nine years in the United States Air Force as a Heavy Aircraft Mechanic on C-5, C-17, and KC-10 airframes. After transitioning out of the military, Marie started her career in recruiting. Marie has 10+ years of experience recruiting. Marie currently resides in South Carolina with her husband and two kids. She is passionate about helping her fellow veterans find new career opportunities.
Andrew is the Senior Recruiting Manager at Veterans Alliance. Andrew has been in the Aviation industry since 2013. Andrew started his aviation career in the United States Air Force as an Avionics Technician working on F-15s. After transitioning out of the Air Force, Andrew worked for Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Program as a Flight Electrician and Instrumentation Mechanic. After his time at Lockheed Martin, Andrew worked for Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Technology Development Center as a Test and Integration Engineer. Andrew resides in Fresno, California with his wife and two sons, Landon and Ryker. Andrew enjoys working on classic cars, playing soccer, and spending time with his family.
Jett is a Recruiting Manager at Veterans Alliance. Jett was born into the aviation industry because his father has been in the aviation industry for 40 years. Jett grew up in a hangar, so he has always been fascinated by aircraft. Jett has recruited in the aviation industry for two years placing aircraft maintenance mechanics. He plans to use his recruiting experience to help our nation's veterans build their aviation careers and provide them a successful future. Jett currently resides in the sunshine state of Florida with his girlfriend and their two-year-old golden retriever.
Garrett is a National Aviation Recruiter with Veterans Alliance. Garrett has over two years of aviation recruiting experience, and he takes pride in assisting veterans transition from the service into the civilian aviation industry. He has had ties to aviation his entire life due to his grandfather being a retired KC-135 Air Force Pilot, and his father being a tenured FAA Air Traffic Controller. Garrett is a native of small-town Culpeper, Virginia and a student-athlete alumni of Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville, Virginia where he played four years of football and found lifelong friends. He now resides in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina where he enjoys the historical scenery, awesome beaches, and great food.
Blakelyn Gartman is a National Maritime Recruiter with Veterans Alliance. While Blakelyn is not a US Veteran herself, she is currently engaged to be married to a US Marine Corps Veteran and they have plans to “tie the knot” in the early months of 2025. Blakelyn grew up surrounded by staffing industry conversations as her father started his own staffing firm in 2000 in her hometown of Mobile, AL. She has spent the last six years working at her family’s staffing agency that specializes in meeting the labor needs of major clients in the US Naval Shipbuilding, maritime, industrial, and aerospace/aviation industries. Blakelyn decided to leave her family’s company in determination to “make a name for herself” independently from her family and is thrilled to be joining a company whose values and reputation are in line with her own. Blakelyn spends her spare time in her hometown of Mobile, AL enjoying nearby beaches, spending time with her fiancé and her two cats, and creating and selling her original artwork in large retail venues across the gulf coast.
Mandie is a Client Delivery Manager at Veterans Alliance. Mandie brings nearly 10 years of recruitment experience to her role. With a deep respect for military service, having a grandfather and cousin who both proudly served in the U.S. Army, Mandie is passionate about helping service members transition into civilian careers. She specializes in connecting veterans with meaningful opportunities in the aviation industry, assisting them in starting their next chapter after military service. Outside of work, Mandie enjoys quality time with her family, including her husband Dave, son Jake, and their three beloved dogs: Maya, Millie, and Bruin. On weekends, you’ll often find her at the horse farm, where she can unwind and indulge in her love of horses.
Amber is a National Aviation Recruiter with Veterans Alliance. Amber has been in aviation staffing for three years and she thrives in the fast-paced, highly competitive staffing industry. Amber received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she was also a collegiate softball player. Outside of work, Amber plays slow-pitch softball and pickleball competitively. Amber is based out of Woodbury, MN and enjoys time with her family, friends, and boyfriend.
Michael is a National Aviation Recruiter with Veterans Alliance. Michael is a results-driven National Aviation Recruiter and retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant with over 24 years of combined military and civilian experience in talent acquisition, aviation maintenance, and leadership. A decorated veteran, Michael served from 2001 to 2022, culminating in his roles as a Recruiter & Aviation Program Manager. He earned multiple medals, including two Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Achievement Medals, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and was recognized as Recruiter of the Year during his military tenure. Michael’s family has a deep-rooted background with the military as his dad was in the Navy, his brother was in the Marine Corps for 13 years, his uncle served 32 years between the Marine Corps, Navy, and Public Health Services, his other uncle was in the Navy during Vietnam as a Corpsman, and his grandfather served as a pilot during the Korean War.
Throughout his distinguished military career, Michael worked extensively on a wide range of aircraft, including the CH-46 Sea Knight—where he earned his aircrew wings—along with the KC-130T/J, AH-1 Cobra, and F/A-18 Hornet. His technical expertise in aviation maintenance and program management played a critical role in mission readiness and operational success across multiple duty stations. He also developed a nationally adopted tracking system that increased productivity and readiness across 3,000+ personnel. Michael holds a B.A. in Management with a concentration in Human Resources from American Military University (Cum Laude) and is currently completing his M.A. in Counseling & Human Development at Walsh University.
Michael lives in New York with his wife, DawnMarie, their daughter Gianna, who currently attends Pace University, and their two dogs: Simba, a Golden Retriever, and JoeJoe, a Teacup Pomeranian. When he's off the clock, Michael enjoys hiking, snowboarding, playing football, and playing softball in his community.
Vincent is a National Aviation Recruiter at Veterans Alliance. Formerly a classical musician, he graduated from Juilliard for French Horn Performance and went on to performing professionally with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. During his tenure with the orchestra, Vincent experienced a traumatic performance injury, which led him to a career change to recruiting. He has over two years of experience recruiting in the aviation, aerospace & defense industries. Vincent's grandfather served in the US Navy, and he has a profound respect for veterans. With his understanding of trauma and PTSD, he developed a passion for assisting veterans transitioning out of the military or seeking a new role in aviation. Vincent currently resides in the Charleston, South Carolina area with his husband Chris and two cats, Sunny and Lily.
Leya is a National Aviation Recruiter with Veterans Alliance. Leya brings over three years of aviation staffing experience to Veterans Alliance. While not a veteran herself, Leya has a deep appreciation for military service, a value deepened by her marriage to a Marine.
Born and raised in Fort Worth, TX, Leya brings a diverse background that includes recruiting, retail management, and prior law enforcement experience. Her passion for helping people shines through in her approach to recruitment. With a focus on clear communication and personalized support, Leya ensures every candidate feels valued and well-informed throughout a positive experience. Outside of work, Leya enjoys life’s simple pleasures like spending time with her husband and their three dogs, a Boxer, Bulldog, and Pit Bull. She loves discovering new wines, hosting dinner gatherings, quilting, and finding moments of creativity and connection to unwind.
Jaden is a National Aviation Recruiter at Veterans Alliance. Jaden has over two years of aviation recruiting experience and is very passionate about helping veterans make a smooth transition into civilian aviation careers. Jaden has several ties to aviation as her dad has been in the aviation industry for 30 years, her boyfriend and close friend are both currently flying KC-135s for the US Air Force, and her grandpa and uncle both served in the US Marine Corps. Originally from a small town near Wichita, Kansas, Jaden graduated from the University of Missouri–Kansas City with a degree in Business Administration. She’s proud to combine her aviation background and love for helping others to create a positive experience for each candidate. Jaden's recruiting experience and heartfelt commitment to service motivates her to deliver positive and personalized experiences with every candidate. When she’s not working, you’ll probably find her outdoors (hiking/biking/pickle balling), running with her goldendoodle Indi, checking out cute coffee shops, or spending time with her friends, family, and boyfriend.
Thomas is a SkillBridge National Aviation Recruiter Intern with Veterans Alliance. Thomas spent 16 years specializing in the maintenance of H-65 helicopters, building deep expertise in aviation systems, safety, and operational readiness. Thomas holds a degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology from Purdue University, and he maintains an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license. Thomas' background blends hands on technical execution with leadership, accountability, and a strong safety-first mindset. Outside of work, Thomas is a devoted husband to his wife, Jamie, and a proud father of three sons (ages 11, 13, and 15). Family is a central part of his life, so he enjoys staying active and involved through sports and shared activities with his boys. Thomas currently resides in New Jersey where he plans to continue building both his career and family.
Kaylyn is a National Aviation Recruiter with Veterans Alliance. Kaylyn is a dedicated aviation professional, military officer, and recruiting specialist with a strong background in both leadership and talent acquisition. Kaylyn has served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard for over eight years, beginning her career as a Combat Engineer before transitioning into aviation. Kaylyn currently serves as a CH-47 Chinook pilot and holds the rank of Lieutenant, where she directly oversees a maintenance company and leads soldiers in complex operational environments.
In addition to her military service, Kaylyn brings over three years of recruiting experience, specializing in connecting top talent with mission-critical roles. She has been actively involved in the aviation industry for more than two years, combining her operational expertise with her passion for workforce development. Kaylyn holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Kaylyn also serves as the Vice President of Awards for Oklahoma’s Thunderbird Chapter of the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) and is the Co-Director of Startup Grind Oklahoma City, where she helps support and grow the local community of founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
Kaylyn is originally from Texas, but she is now based in Oklahoma. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys hiking with her two dogs, traveling, and exploring new experiences.
Steve is a National Aviation Recruiter with Veterans Alliance. Steve grew up in the suburbs of Chicago alongside his family and his grandfather, a proud Korean War veteran who helped shape his values early on. He spent a decade in the real estate and mortgage industries, where he built a strong and diverse foundation in recruiting.
Driven by his passion for connecting people with opportunity, Steve transitioned into recruiting full-time, including over a year specializing in aviation recruiting. During that time, he deepened his industry knowledge and developed a genuine appreciation for aviation. He especially enjoys working with veterans and engaging in conversations around all things aviation.
Steve is dedicated to helping others achieve their career goals and is committed to continually growing within the industry. He takes pride in his work ethic and strives for excellence—not only for his own success, but to set a strong example for his son.
