about us

Mike Andrews, Ted Brown, Link Wilfley, and Shane Dottenwhy

Ted Brown | Co-founder

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

 

Business:  Executive Vice President, Lockton Companies; Corporate and Commercial Insurance, risk finance and management for real estate, construction, private equity and manufacturing clients.

 

Why Valor Bridge: Because it’s our duty.

 

Likes: Family (wife and 3 kiddos), hunting, shooting, mixed martial arts, travel, mountain biking, good friends, cold beer and service to our community.

 

Dislikes: Inauthenticity.

 

What you think about walking around:  Be a warrior for who and what I believe in.  Build authentic relationships that inspire greatness in myself and others.  Persistence and Determination alone are omnipotent. Make good things happen.

 

 

 

Alex O'Brien | USMC Veteran

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

 

Business:  Cardinal Group Management, national real estate management.

 

Why Valor Bridge: My mentor in the Marine Corps made me the leader I am today and I want to be able to pay that back.

 

Likes:  Family, food, football and “Merica!

 

Dislikes: Injustice.  People who let the door slam without looking behind them to see if anyone else is there.  Loud chewing.

 

What you think about walking around: Never quit, never give up.  America has been and still can be a light for this world and loving this country means loving your fellow man.  Fight the fight. Run the Race until we hear “well done, good and faithful servant.”

 

 

 

Shane Dottenwhy | USMC Veteran

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

 

Business:  Lockton Companies, Insurance Brokerage.

 

Why Valor Bridge: I want to aid fellow veterans with their transition from military to business and do my part to help them succeed and prosper.

 

Likes: Family (wife and son), travel, fishing, shooting, enjoying the outdoors.

 

Dislikes: Dishonesty.

 

What you think about walking around: Be a man of principle. Fight for what you believe in. Keep your word. Live with integrity. Be brave. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Serve your country. Teach. Mentor. Give something back to society. Lead from the front. Conquer your fears. Be a good friend. Be humble and be self-confident. Appreciate your friends and family. Be a leader and not a follower. Be valorous on the field of battle. And take responsibility for your actions. Never forget those who were killed, and never let rest those who killed them. – Maj. Doug Zembiec (Lion of Fallujah).

 

 

 

Izzy Abbass | US Army Veteran

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

 

Business:  Strategic telecommunications consultant and veterans advocate.

 

Why Valor Bridge: Veterans are not looking for a handout – they are looking for an opportunity and Valor Bridge provides that opportunity.

 

Likes: Family, international travel, history and single-malts.

 

Dislikes: Hypocrisy and surface dwellers.

 

What you think about walking around: I fluctuate between wondering what my hounds got into and how best to react to an ambush in my current location – yes I know, strange habit.

Link Wilfley | Co-founder

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

 

Business: A.R. Wilfley & Sons, Inc., Heavy Duty Centrifugal Pump Manufacturer. Western Foundries, Hard Iron and Stainless Steel Foundry.

 

Why Valor Bridge: Because we owe it.

 

Likes: Wife, kids, hockey, rugby, hunting, shooting, skiing, travel, and an occasional drink.

 

Dislikes: Dishonesty.

 

What you think about walking around: Do it right. Never satisfied. Be authentic. Do what you say.

 

 

 

Mike Andrews | USMC Veteran

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

 

Business: Commercial Real Estate Broker, Column Commercial Partners. Student, University of Colorado Denver Business School.

 

Why Valor Bridge: Exiting the military and transitioning into the civilian business world can be incredibly overwhelming. For most veterans, from the day they arrive at recruit training, to the day they transition out, they always have leaders and mentors to look to, and a structured, progressive path to success. For many veterans, entering the civilian life is the first time they have stepped into a new arena, alone, with no training or rehearsed standard operating procedures to fall back on, and no trusted leader to turn to for guidance. Helping fellow veterans bridge that gap and have a trusted business leader to turn to is what Valor Bridge is all about.

 

Likes:  Hockey, the Green Bay Packers.

 

Dislikes: Brussels sprouts, waiting in lines, pessimism.

 

What you think about walking around: I’m a bit obsessive, and now a commercial real estate broker, so I’m usually thinking about office leases and how to drum up new opportunities.

 

 

 

Nick Schubert

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

 

Business: Attorney, Executive

 

Why Valor Bridge: There is a clear opportunity to support America's veterans and improve the business community.  Veterans bring a fantastic breadth of experience and deep capability as both leaders and team players.  They are looking for opportunities to contribute and succeed.  Many businesses have a strong need for contributors with maturity, personal integrity, self-awareness, confidence, and the initiative and follow through to get things done and help motivate others within their organizations.  They often struggle to find people with these attributes.  Valor Bridge supports veterans transitioning into the business community in a way that satisfies needs and creates opportunities for both.  I believe in this mission.

 

Likes:  Family, friends, trail running, skiing, competitive shooting, fast motorcycles, whiskey and time above tree line.

 

Dislikes: Lack of character, people who avoid personal responsibility.

 

What you think about walking around: What’s possible; Appreciating what’s good; Creating opportunities and strong relationships; Never forgetting to ask: “What can I learn from this?”; Being present and living with heart; My people (family, friends, colleagues, my dogs).