OUR DIRECTORS
The World T.E.A.M. Board of Directors provides strategic vision and management for the organization’s efforts. The Board meets regularly to ensure the organization remains on mission and is performing efficiently.
James M. Benson
Founder, World T.E.A.M., Retired
Boston, Massachusetts
James M. Benson serves as CEO of Benson Botsford, LLC, a financial services investment company. Mr. Benson is former president and chief executive officer of John Hancock Life Insurance Company, a division of Manulife Financial.
Additionally, Mr. Benson served on the Manulife Executive and Management Committees. Prior to joining Hancock in 2002, Mr. Benson was president of MetLife’s Individual Business enterprise, which manufactures and distributes insurance and investment products. He also was chairman, president and chief executive officer of Boston-based New England Financial, as well as chairman, president and chief executive officer of GenAmerica Financial Corporation, both MetLife affiliates. Before joining New England Financial and MetLife in 1997, Mr. Benson held the dual position of president and chief operating officer of Equitable Companies, Inc., and was chief executive officer of its flagship life insurance operation, Equitable Life Assurance Society.
As a foundation for these executive positions, Mr. Benson built upon a 25-year track record in development and leadership of insurance distribution organizations. In 2006, Mr. Benson received the John Newton Russell Memorial Award, the life insurance industry’s highest honor.
Mr. Benson is a graduate of the University of Illinois and holds a B.A. in Economics. He earned an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California. He serves on several boards, including Hospital for Special Surgery, Achilles International, and the University of Illinois Foundation. He is a past board member for Sapient Corporation, and Fidelity and Guaranty Life. From 2010 until 2018, Mr. Benson served on the Board of Directors of the United States Olympic Committee.
Mr. Benson is the founder of World T.E.A.M., an organization dedicated to providing opportunities through sports activities for people with disabilities. Mr. Benson has participated in numerous events with the organization during the last two decades and remains active, both as an athlete and as a volunteer.
Lon Dolber
Chairman, World T.E.A.M.
Holbrook, New York
Lon has over 34 years experience as a financial service professional combining financial product and services knowledge with a strong technological and operational background.
Mr. Dolber began his career in the financial services industry in New York City in 1978. Excelling as a financial services representative, he established a base of over 700 clients with 40 million dollars in assets under management. By the early 1990’s, Mr. Dolber was the Registered Principal of one of the largest offices of an independent broker dealer based in Bryan, Ohio. During this time period, Lon was responsible for branch development, recruiting and compliance for over 125 registered representatives.
Lon served on the FINRA District Committee # 10 (New York) from January 2004 through December 2006 and currently serves on the FINRA Technology Committee.
Mr. Dolber has participated in numerous events with World T.E.A.M., including the annual Face of America Gettysburg ride, the Return to Kilimanjaro Expedition, the Adventure Team Challenge in Colorado, the Coastal Team Challenge in the Pacific Northwest, segments of the cross-country Sea to Shining Sea ride, and is co-director of the annual Adventure Team Challenge New York.
Greg Cohen
Vice President, Head of Enterprise Risk Management, Sallie Mae
Sterling, Virginia
Greg is currently serving as the Vice President and Head of Sallie Mae's Enterprise Risk Management program.
Prior to Sallie Mae, Greg spent 20+ years at Capital One and Navy Federal Credit Union. In his nearly 20 years at Capital One, he’s held several risk management roles across Capital One, including leading efforts in response to Capital One's cybersecurity breach, in the US Credit Card business, Retail and Direct Bank, and central Enterprise Risk Management teams.
Prior to Capital One, Greg was a Submarine Officer in the US Navy and then worked at the Office of Naval Intelligence. Greg has actively served on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Northern VA and led the McLean Chapter of Capital One’s Military Network for several years. He has also served on the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors for Fairfax County Public Schools, the nation’s 10th largest school district. He was chosen as Capital One’s Volunteer of the Year in 2010.
Greg is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a graduate of University of Maryland, with a Master of Science in Technology Management. He lives in Northern Virginia with his two college-age kids and enjoys spending time outdoors, including on his bike.
Mr. Cohen has participated in the World T.E.A.M.'s Face of America Ride since 2015, serving as Capital One’s co-captain with fellow Board member John
Villar (while John was at Capital One), then taking over as team captain after John moved to NFCU. Team Capital One participates in Face of America each year with teams of 25+ riders, raising tens of thousands of dollars to support the mission of World T.E.A.M.
Dave Farling
Forescout Enterprise Account Manager
Fairfax, Virginia
Dave Farling is a professional in the field of cyber security technology, specializing in fostering relationships and expanding technological solutions within the Department of Defense.
Currently serving as the Regional Director for USAF and COCOM business at Forescout Technologies, Dave has carved a niche for himself through his profound expertise and leadership in navigating the intricate landscape of defense technology. Before his tenure at Forescout Technologies, Dave's career was marked by a series of influential roles across several technology firms, all of which shared the common goal of supporting the Department of Defense. His journey through the tech industry is notable for its diversity, having spanned from business development to principal ownership. This variety of experiences has not only enriched Dave's professional life but also instilled in him a versatile understanding of the technological needs and challenges faced by military organizations.
Dave's introduction to World TEAM Sports, a pivotal moment in his life, came in 2013 while he was with Three Wire Systems. An invitation to join the Capital One team came from his friend, John Villar, marking the beginning of an enduring commitment to the organization. Alongside his good friend and co-captain, David Stickley, Dave embarked on an adventure that would leave a lasting impact on him. The experience, described by Dave as both fulfilling and emotionally enriching, underscored the power of teamwork and the deep connections forged through shared challenges and triumphs. His annual participation since then underscores his dedication to the values and mission of World TEAM Sports, reflecting his belief in the transformative power of collective effort and inclusive sporting events.
Dave is a resident of Fairfax, Virginia, living with his wife and two daughters. Dave's journey from the rugby pitch to the world of endurance athletics encapsulates a story of unexpected transition and achievement. Despite never considering himself a cyclist, Dave's athletic journey took a significant turn following a dare to complete an Olympic Triathlon. This challenge ignited a passion for endurance sports, leading him through numerous sprints, Olympic and half distances, and even the grueling challenge of a full Ironman. Today, Dave embraces his identity as a cyclist with both pride and a touch of humor.
Looking forward, Dave anticipates many more years of involvement in athletics and charitable work with World TEAM Sports.
Reyner E. Fouch
Director of Assurance and Integrity Services, KPMG LLP
McLean, Virginia
Reyner E. Fouch is a Director of Assurance and Integrity Services at KPMG LLP, where he leads a practice providing risk management, forensic accounting, program integrity, and financial transformation services for agencies across the federal government.
With over a decade of public accounting experience, Mr. Fouch specializes in corporate governance, AI, data analytics, and modernizing finance, accounting, and internal audit departments. He holds a CPA license and top-secret clearance, with multiple degrees from the University of Maryland and an executive education in AI Business Strategy from MIT. He frequently speaks at national industry events on topics such as AI strategy in government, data and analytics in finance, transformation of internal audit, governance and internal controls, risk management, and broader trends in the accounting profession. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), Association for Federal Enterprise Risk Management (AFERM), Association of Government Accountants (AGA), and Society for Defense Financial Management (SDFM).
Reyner is dedicated to serving the community and helping veterans, serving on the boards of the Prince William Lassie League and World T.E.A.M. Sports, and as Corporate Treasurer for a non-profit institution and nationally recognized K-12 school.
As a United States Marine, Reyner led security operations at Camp David, including special capabilities attached to the United States Secret Service (USSS). He has supported the Face of America ride each year since 2007.
Gregory Gadson
Colonel, USA (retired)
Founder & Managing Director, Patriot Strategies LLC
Alexandria, Virginia
Greg is the Founder and Managing Director of Patriot Strategies LLC. He is a Combat Veteran of all major conflicts over the last two decades. Master Degree, Policy Management Georgetown University, D.C. and Bachelor of Science- USMA West Point
Gregory Gadson lettered four years as co-captain for his Army Black Knights football team at West Point. In 2007, the former defensive tackle was serving as Commander of the 2-32 Field Artillery Battalion in Baghdad, Iraq. Returning to base following a memorial service, a roadside bomb destroyed his vehicle, taking both legs and injuring his right arm. Evacuated to Walter Reed in Washington, Col. Gadson took up hand cycling to maintain his physical fitness.
His first Face of America was only two years later, and since then, the Virginia athlete has inspired other veterans and the able-bodied through regular participation in Face of America and Adventure TEAM Challenge Colorado as a volunteer photographer. Of course, his acting career, starting when he battled aliens in the 2012 Universal Pictures’ science fiction movie, “Battleship” also provides inspiration to many. Watch a Face of America Minute with Col. Gregory Gadson.
Brian Mitchell
Former NFL Return Specialist and Running Back, Co-host of BMITCH & FINLAY on 106.7 The Fan
Centreville, Virginia
After a successful 14-year NFL career, Brian Mitchell has embarked on a successful radio and TV career and is currently the co-host of the BMITCH & FINLAY show on 106.7 The Fan, which airs weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm.
On television, Mitchell serves as an analyst of many of the Washington Football Team focused sports shows, where Brian delivers extensive analysis and commentary covering the top regional and national sports stories.
As a player, Mitchell spent 14 years in the NFL as a return specialist and running back from 1990 to 2003. In 223 games, he gained more than 23,000 all-purpose yards, which is second on the all-time NFL list. He recorded 13 career special-teams touchdowns, which also ranks second in NFL history.
A Super Bowl Champion with the Redskins in 1992, Mitchell was named an NFL All-Pro three times and was a Pro Bowler in 1995. He was inducted into the Redskins “Ring of Fame” in 2009 and was named to the team’s 70th Anniversary Team. Mitchell played collegiately at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, which is now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Additionally, Brian is a keynote and motivational speaker across the United States, author of “A Champion’s Heart,” founder of Ridin’30 Cycling Club, and is involved in several philanthropic endeavors.
Shane Moerdyk
Food Manufacturing Leader & Community Advocate, Request Foods
Hudsonville, Michigan
Shane Moerdyk is a seasoned professional in the food manufacturing industry, specializing in logistics, operations,
and technology. With 25 years of leadership experience at Request Foods, Shane has played a pivotal role in
supply chain management and recently helped lead an ERP implementation project.
Shane’s commitment to service extends beyond the workplace. Since 2009, Shane has been deeply involved with World TEAM Sports, inspired by the transformative experience of participating in the Face of America ride. Shane has completed the ride annually, serving as a Safety Marshal and helping to lead that team.
Outside of World TEAM Sports, Shane is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. As a founding member of Hunt For A Cure, a non-profit organization, Shane has contributed to raising millions of dollars for medical research toward a cure.
Shane resides in Hudsonville, Michigan with his wife Amanda, they have two adult sons. Shane enjoys cycling, Jeeping with friends, boating and spending time on the beach at their home, hunting, and spending time outdoors whenever possible; especially at their cabin in mid-Michigan.
Brian K. Parker
Vice President, Member Segments
Vienna, Virginia
Brian began his career in the United States Army as a Public Affairs Specialist, primarily responsible for media relations in Arlington National Cemetery and The Tomb of the Unknowns.
Following his departure from the Army, Brian completed his bachelor’s degree in Communications at George Mason University and earned his master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University. While at Georgetown, Brian began work with Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, serving as the civilian public affairs specialist for the base. In 2014, Brian transitioned his career to Navy Federal on the Corporate Communications team. In 2023, Brian joined the Member Strategy Office as Vice President of Member Segments. Brian is a Distinguished Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army Warrior Leader’s Course, and a President’s Award for Service Excellence at Navy Federal. Brian currently serves as an executive sponsor for Navy Federal’s military Employee Resource Group.
Brian has been involved philanthropically with World Team Sports since 2018 and biked Face of America for the first time in 2022.
Brian and his wife have three kids, and enjoy going to the beach and listening to vinyl records.
David W. Stickley
USAF Colonel & Senior Executive Service (Retired)
Strategic Programs Business Development , Dell Technologies
Eatonton, Georgia
David Stickley directs Strategic Programs and manages Business Development for the Department of Defense at Dell Federal Technologies.
In his current role, Mr. Stickley leverages over thirty years of federal government experience matching Dell Technologies intellectual property with federal government customer requirements to solve operational mission challenges with the department. He represents the full range of technology, solutions and services Dell offers to include client solutions, enterprise systems, software and services to meet government Information Technology & cyber requirements. Dell Federal has cultivated close customer relationships in the U.S. government and military across the globe to help them better accomplish their mission through the use and proper application of efficient and effective IT solutions.
Prior to coming to Dell in 2015, Mr. Stickley served as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) leading architectural engineering and design within the Defense Information Systems Agency in support of the Department of Defense’s Joint Information Environment (JIE). He also served as the SES leading DISA’s Services portfolio, where he managed Core Data Centers and delivered IT Enterprise Services for the Department of Defense.
Mr. Stickley served in the United States Air Force for 29 years, culminating his career as the Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Defense Information Systems Agency. He
served in numerous other positions at the squadron, wing, NAF, HAF and MAJCOM levels. He commanded both fixed Communications and Combat Communications Squadrons. Mr. Stickley was the Assistant Adjutant General (Air) for the Virgin Islands Air National Guard and also served the HQ ACC staff as the ANG assistant to the Director of Communications. Mr. Stickley was then the Director, Communications, North American Aerospace Defense Command 1AF (AFNORTH)/A6, Tyndall AFB, FL. He served as the Director of Communications and Chief Information Officer for the Air National Guard. He also served as the National Guard Advisor to the Commander, United States Cyber Command, Ft. Meade, Md.
John C. Villar
Finance Committee Chair, World T.E.A.M.
Sr. Director, Visa Commercial Solutions - US Small Business
Head of Regional and Community Issuers, Visa
McLean, Virginia
John Villar serves as the Senior Director of Commercial Solutions, US Small Business and the Head of Regional and Community Issuers at Visa.
Previously, Mr. Villar served as Navy Federal Credit Union’s National Sales Manager. In this role, he is responsible for managing the Business Services Development teams in NFCU’s primary business regions (D.C. Metro, Southern California, Pensacola, Virginia Beach) and national market. He also served as Vice President and Senior Business Banker at Capital One Bank, where he worked with small to mid-sized companies and non-profit organizations to help increase their profitability and grow their business. Prior to joining Capital One, Mr. Villar spent ten years working at an international bank, supporting global companies based in the Washington DC area. Mr. Villar also worked in technology sales for several Global 100 companies, including Xerox, Canon, and Siemens. Mr. Villar lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife, Jen, and enjoys spending time outdoors, especially on his bike. He holds a BS in Criminal Justice from Eastern Tennessee State University.
As an avid cyclist, Mr. Villar first became involved in World T.E.A.M. in 2012, when he organized the first Capital One Team to participate in the Face of America ride. In 2013 Mr. Villar grew the Capital One Team from 10 to 47 participants, who collectively raised $50,000 to support World T.E.A.M.'s mission. Mr. Villar has served on the Boards of the Alexandria Sportsman Club and DC Greenworks, and has actively raised funds for the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society and the Livestrong Foundation.
SPECIAL ADVISORS
L. Paul Bremer III
U.S. Department of State Ambassador (Retired)
Ambassador L. Paul Bremer’s diplomatic service spanned eight Presidents with service in Afghanistan, Malawi, and Norway. Ambassador Bremer served as Ambassador to the Netherlands and Ambassador at Large for Counter-Terrorism.
In the 1990s he was a businessman. In 1999, Ambassador Bremer was Chairman of the Bipartisan National Commission on Terrorism. He served on the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Committee.
Ambassador Bremer served as Presidential Envoy to Iraq. His book, “My Year in Iraq,” was a best-seller. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his service.
Ambassador Bremer received his B.A. from Yale University, a CEP from the Institut D’Etudes Politiques and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He speaks French, Norwegian and Dutch.
In 2010, Ambassador Bremer rode across the United States with the Sea to Shining Sea ride from World T.E.A.M.. The Ambassador has also participated in the Face of America ride from Washington to Gettysburg and the Adventure Team Challenge in Colorado. The Ambassador served as the organization’s CEO and President from November 2010 until March 2012.
Van Brinson
First Officer, Trans State Airlines
Creedmore, North Carolina
Van first became associated with World T.E.A.M. during the inaugural Face of America ride in 2000. Having seen the difference that athletics made in the lives of wounded service members, he became more actively involved with the organization, participating in Face of America rides beginning in 2008, and directing the rides beginning in 2011.
He rode his bicycle across North America in World T.E.A.M.'s 2010 Sea to Shining Sea Bike Ride and rode segments with the 2012 Sea to Shining Sea ride. He served as the organization’s Chief Operations Officer from November 2010 to October 2013 and as CEO and President from October 2013 through April 2018.
Van enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1986 and was selected for a commissioning program in 1988. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 after graduation from North Carolina State University. During his service in the Marine Corps, Major Brinson served as a Communications Officer for three years prior to being selected for training as a Naval Aviator. He received his wings in 1997 and was stationed in El Toro and Miramar, California and Quantico, Virginia.
Major Brinson participated in humanitarian assistance operations in East Timor, the evacuation of the crew of the USS Cole, and flew in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return from Iraq, Major Brinson was selected for duty with the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, HMX-1 where he served for four years. He was assigned to the Operations Department at the Marine Corps Air Facility in Quantico, Virginia. In September, 2010, Major Brinson retired from the Marine Corps.
A pilot with Trans States Airlines, the Major and his wife Allyson live in North Carolina and have two children.
Michael Cavanaugh
Owner, East Moriches Hardware, Inc.
East Moriches, New York
Michael is an entrepreneurial, retail hardware store owner on New York’s Long Island who has participated in World T.E.A.M. programs since 2009. An annual participant in Face of America Gettysburg since 2009, he rode eastern stages of the organization’s cross-country 2012 Sea to Shining Sea and the full route of the 2014 CanAm Veteran’s Challenge.
An avid cyclist from an early age, Mike has always enjoyed the experience of riding with others who enjoy exploring the countryside in this unique way. His hardware stores serves a small community on the East End of Long Island and is seen by many in that community as a gathering spot for news and updates. Mike can always be counted on by local school leaders, service organizations, and community members for his generous contributions which aid the local community.
Kevin S. Cochie
Vice President & General Manager, Defense & National Security, Erickson, Inc.
Washington, D.C.
Kevin S. Cochie serves as Vice President and General Manager, Defense and National Security for Erickson Incorporated, a global aerospace manufacturer and aerial services company. Previously, he served as Vice President of Washington Operations and Special Programs for Nammo, a global leader of advanced ammunition and energetics products.
Prior to joining NAMMO, Mr. Cochie spent 20 years as a Special Operations helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army. He served the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in multiple capacities from Company Command to various roles in acquisition, logistics, and technology. Mr. Cochie lives in the District of Columbia with his wife, Sara and has a daughter Madison who is a nursing student at Auburn University.
An avid golfer, when not spending time on the links, Mr. Cochie divides his spare time between Crossfit and Cycling. He first became involved in World T.E.A.M. in 2013 after participating in his first Face of America Gettysburg ride. He holds a B.S. in Design Engineering and M.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida.
Frank Lombardi
Assistant to the CEO, Independent Group Home Living
East Quogue, New York
Frank Lombardi was born on August 29, 1966 and moved to Miller Place, Long Island at the age of five. He graduated from Miller Place High School in 1984 and attended SUNY Cortland where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Military History. After successfully completing extensive R.O.T.C. training, Frank graduated as the Distinguished Military Graduate and was rewarded with a commission in the Regular Army as a Second Lieutenant.
Frank entered active duty just two weeks after graduation and was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He participated in many deployments to include Desert Storm, Hurricane Andrew Relief, and Operation Restore Hope to name a few. Frank ended his military career as a Captain with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii after seven years on active duty. Frank was a highly recognized Army Officer whose leadership abilities would serve him well when he entered the business community.
In 1995, Frank was hand-picked by Jack Welch, CEO of General Electric as part of a group of 20 military officers to provide their leadership expertise to GE in helping GE’s now famous Six Sigma Program. Frank became the Operations Manager for GE for the Long Island and New York City region until 1998.
In 1998, Frank decided to change careers in an effort to better serve his community. He began work as an executive for a not-for-profit organization called Independent Group Home Living (IGHL) that provides services for children and adults who are developmentally disabled. With Frank’s help, IGHL grew into an industry leader that now provides services to well over 5,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and employs more than 2,300 people. Frank serves IGHL in many capacities and oversees many of their operations including facilities maintenance, information systems, fleet maintenance, purchasing and warehouse operations, fund-raising and marketing, public relations and government affairs. Frank is also IGHL’s Corporate Compliance Officer and the Director of the TWA Flight 800 International Memorial.
Additionally, Frank, who received his MBA from Alliant International University, is also an Adjunct Professor at Dowling College specializing in Executive Leadership and Development, Board Development, Ethics, and Organizational Leadership. Frank currently resides in East Quogue with his wife Lisa and has three daughters and two grandchildren.
Robert Magnus
USMC General (Retired)
General Robert Magnus was born in Brooklyn, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1964 and retired in 2008 after 39 years in the Marine Corps. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia (BA History) and Strayer College (MS Business Administration). His assignments included duties as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation from 1995-1997; Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area 1997-1999; Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Pacific 1999-2000; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations 2000-2001; Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources 2001-2005; and as the 30th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps 2005-2008.
General Magnus currently is Chairman of the Board, Elbit Systems of America; and a Director on the Boards of Agusta Westland NA; EnerSys; and Fairway Group Holdings. He is Chairman of the Editorial Board for the Common Defense Quarterly journal. He is a consultant to Huntington Ingalls, Inc., and Northrop Grumman, as well as an advisor to Judlau Contracting. He advises the non-profit organizations World T.E.A.M., the International Center for the Migration of Birds, the Jewish War Veterans, and the U.S. Global Leadership Council. He is the past Chairman of the Board of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (2009-2011) and former Grand Paramount of the Military Order of the Carabao (2012-2013).
General Magnus is married to the former Meredith Oveta Edge of Macon, Georgia. They reside in Brunswick, Georgia.
Mary Mazzio
Founder, 50 Eggs Productions and former Olympic Athlete
Boston, Massachusetts
Mary Mazzio, an award-winning documentary film director, Olympian, and former law firm partner, is Founder and CEO of 50 Eggs, Inc., an independent film production company. Mary wrote, directed and produced the highly-acclaimed award-winning films, TEN9EIGHT, The Apple Pushers, A Hero for Daisy, Contrarian, Apple Pie, and Lemonade Stories.
She just wrapped up Underwater Dreams, narrated by Michael Peña and funded by the Bezos Family Foundation and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, which was released in partnership with AMC Theatres and NBCUniversal in the Summer of 2014.
Ms. Mazzio, an Olympic athlete (1992-Rowing), is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and Georgetown Law School. She is a recipient of several awards including an honorary degree from Mount Holyoke College; the Women’s Sports Foundation Journalism Award, a Gracie Award, a Myra Sadker Gender Equity Curriculum Award, a Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship (to Korea), the Mary Lyon Award (from Mount Holyoke College), and a Rotary Foundation Graduate Fellowship (to France). Ms. Mazzio, formerly a partner with the law firm of Brown Rudnick in Boston, Massachusetts, has served on a number of Boards of Directors including Shackleton Schools (which serve high school students in danger of dropping out of high school), Sojourner House (a homeless shelter), The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, The Head of the Charles Regatta, The National Rowing Foundation, and World T.E.A.M.. She has also served as a judge for the Sports Emmys. The Schlesinger Library at Harvard University has requested all of Ms. Mazzio’s papers for its collection.
Ms. Mazzio has also been the keynote speaker at numerous events and ceremonies (both corporate and educational) across the nation, including: the State of Nebraska Convention on Economic Development; the NCAA Title IX Convention; The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools Convention, the Women’s Sports Foundation Convention, the National Association of Collegiate Women’s Athletic Administrators’ Convention, and USA Hockey’s Patty Kazmaier Awards (celebrating the best collegiate hockey player in the country) as well as hundreds of events at universities and high schools across the country.
Ms. Mazzio and her work have been featured in numerous media and her story has been chronicled in two books. She resides in Massachusetts with her husband, Jay Manson, and two children.
Kelly Nagel
Vice President, Development, Aimco
Bethesda, Maryland
Kelly Nagel serves as a regional development executive for Aimco Apartment Homes in Bethesda, Maryland, where she is responsible for the development and redevelopment of apartment homes primarily in the Washington D.C. and Philadelphia markets. Ms. Nagel joined Aimco in 2016 after helping Skanska USA Commercial Development launch the company’s multifamily platform in Washington D.C. (2014-2016).
Prior to Skanska, she developed luxury apartments at both AvalonBay Communities and Archstone in Washington DC. She is actively involved in the sourcing, underwriting, design, construction, and stabilization of Aimco’s development projects in the Mid-Atlantic region, and has overseen new high-end apartment developments with a total investment of over $500M.
Prior to joining Archstone, Ms. Nagel worked at Regency Centers, a leading retail REIT, and led the creation of pro forma and financial analyses for 150 operating shopping centers in the east coast portfolio, as well as underwriting acquisitions, the development pipeline, and in-process construction projects. She also has extensive strategic planning and project management experience from her time at several organizations including multifamily developer Wood Partners, the Defense Intelligence Agency, IBM, and Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting).
Ms. Nagel serves on the global Executive Committee of the Urban Land Institute’s Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), where she is vice chair and former treasurer, and she is the immediate past chair of the ULI Washington WLI steering committee. Within ULI, she is the co-chair of programming for both WLI and NEXT Global, and a member of the UDMUC Bronze Product Council.
Ms. Nagel was a participant in the 2015 World T.E.A.M. Adventure Team Challenge Colorado, where her team earned the distinction of getting the most lost and off course. They still finished as a team in great spirits, and she’s excited to stay involved with the organization and maybe even race again. She also serves on the board of Good Shepherd Housing, a Fairfax County-based nonprofit focused on affordable housing. She is a sustaining member and former board member of the Junior League of Northern Virginia, where she led fund development efforts for the philanthropic organization.
Ms. Nagel holds a Master of Business Administration from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting from Washington and Lee University.
Peter D. Noris
President and Chief Investment Officer, Safe Harbor
New York, New York
Peter Noris is a founder of Safe Harbor and is responsible for all investments, including the selection of investment subadvisors. Mr. Noris has over 32 years of experience in investment management, most recently as Chief Investment Officer of Ivy Asset Management, a US-based hedge fund-of-funds owned by Bank of New York Mellon. Previously, he served as a Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Bermuda-based insurance company Northstar Financial Services Ltd.
For the previous nine years he was Chief Investment Officer of AXA Equitable Life Insurance, a leading life and annuity company in the US. Prior to AXA Equitable, he was an insurance asset/liability strategist at Salomon Brothers and Morgan Stanley, where he also structured equity derivatives.
Mr. Noris began his career with General Reinsurance, and holds a BS in finance and accounting from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, an MBA in finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
George R. Puskar
Chairman and CEO, Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc. (Retired)
Chairman, Solutions Manufacturing, Inc.
Rockledge, Florida
George Puskar has been a leader in the U.S. institutional real estate industry for more than 40 years, heading the nation’s largest investment management company, Equitable Real Estate. He has also served on the boards of four NYSE listed real estate investment trusts, many trade associations and two universities. He has also been a leader in the disabled sports movement as a board member or advisory board member of World T.E.A.M. since 1995 and a member of the Paralympic Advisory Committee.
Mr. Puskar has been an active participant, designer and fundraiser for many World T.E.A.M. Sports events including AXA World Ride, The Vietnam Challenge, Face of America Gettysburg, the 1996 Paralympic Torch Parade from the White House to Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, and the two Sea To Shining Sea cross-country rides.
Alex Rohman
Partner, TimeCapital Investor Advisory Services (Retired)
Port Jefferson, New York
Alex Rohman is a Partner of TimeCapital Investor Advisory Services; Mr. Rohman has been with the firm since 2002. Prior to joining TimeCapital, he spent eight years as an associate with Morgan Stanley. He has a BA in Math/Economics from Ithaca College, and an MBA in Information/Communication Systems and Finance/Business Economics from Fordham University.
After spending several years mountain biking, Mr. Rohman participated in World T.E.A.M.'s Face of America Gettysburg ride in 2010 and has participated every year since. In 2014, Mr. Rohman, and his friend George Taborsky successfully reinvigorated World T.E.A.M.'s Coastal Team Challenge along the coast of Long Island, held annually in the years since.
Stephen Whisnant
Managing Director, Stephen Whisnant Strategies, LLC
Washington, DC
Stephen H. Whisnant is the founder and managing director of Stephen Whisnant Strategies, LLC. He previously served as director of philanthropy at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and a managing director for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), where he assisted with a number of special projects, including work with the U.S. Paralympics and the U.S. Olympic Foundation Trustee group. Prior to joining the USOC, Mr. Whisnant served as the campaign director for the “Building for Peace Campaign” of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
The headquarters project, a $186,000,000 campaign, provided a permanent home for USIP that includes an expansive Global Peacebuilding Center on the northwest corner of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Whisnant has an extensive background in fund development and general management and senior leadership positions in nonprofit work. Prior to joining USIP he served as Vice President of Development and Investor Relations at Venture Philanthropy Partners. He also has consulted with a number of national and international organizations, advising them on their development plans, strategic planning, board development and general operations. He served full-time as Senior Director of Development and Non-Profit Initiatives, and then as a consultant to Paul Allen, Jody Patton and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in Seattle, Washington. He developed long-term fundraising and operations strategies for the Experience Music Project, the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, the Documentary Film division of Vulcan Productions, and the Microcomputer Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Mr. Whisnant spent fourteen years in higher education as a senior development officer and adviser, including ten years at Harvard University and three years at Davidson College; his tenure included work in alumni relations, major gifts and two capital campaigns. He gained political fundraising experience during his tenure as the first-ever Executive Director of the Presidential and Democratic Party Victory Fund in support of the 1988 presidential race.
During his tenure at Harvard, he became actively involved in the community service movement, especially among athletes, and in 1993 he opened the doors of World T.E.A.M., an international sports nonprofit committed to offering rich and dynamic programs to all levels of athletes, especially persons with disabilities. He served as the organization’s first Executive Director/CEO for eleven years. The organization received international recognition for its work in advancing educational and medical initiatives through sports events and programming. Mr. Whisnant oversaw the production of four documentary films and numerous award-winning educational curricula. He is a recipient of an Emmy Award, serving as an Executive Producer of “Vietnam, Long Time Coming.”
In addition to serving the National Democratic Institute, he currently provides consulting services to Layalina Productions, Levitt Pavilions, the American Cancer Society, the Asia Society, the US Institute of Peace and Venture Philanthropy Partners.
He holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina and a Master’s in Education from Harvard University. In addition to serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Sports Foundation, he serves as a trustee, director or adviser, respectively, for World T.E.A.M., Outward Bound USA, PeacePlayers International, Athletes United for Social Justice, and Fencing in Schools. He has presented frequently at national conferences, contributes to regional and national publications, and he was awarded a Lyndhurst Prize by the Lyndhurst Foundation for his work and commitment to community service.
Mr. Whisnant, his wife, and son, reside in Washington, D.C. His wife, Liz, is Principal of the Horace Mann School and Max is a student at St. Albans School.
PAST DIRECTORS
Joseph Abboud
Stephen H. Ackerman
Zack H. Bacon, III
Paul Beckham
David T. Blackburn
Marlis Brunaka
John Bucksbaum
Dennis Byrd *
Dennis Crumpler
Nancy J. Ditz
Michael Fisher
Benita P. Fitzgerald-Brown
Jonathan Forbes
Robert Freeman
J. Alston Gardner
Charles Gray
Cathy Griffin
Brian C. Halpern, M.D.
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling
Fred Hoffman
Willis J. Hulings III
Will Humphrey
G.W. Jim Johnson III
Artemis Joukowsky
Thomas Kenny
Peter D. Kiernan, III
Christopher J.W.B. Leggett, M.D.
Greg LeMond
Robert W. Mathes
Jeff Messner
Don Middleberg
Robert Morris
Valerie Coleman Morris
W. Olin Nisbet, III *
Diana Nyad
Frank O’Keefe
Charles T. O’Neill *
Patricia Potter, M.D.
Christopher Reeve *
Dana Reeve *
Harry Reynolds, Jr.
Joey Reiman
Mark S. Richardson
Guillermo Rojas Jr.
Michael Row
Richard Schaeffer
Doug Single
John D. Snodgrass
Adrienne Foster Spelman *
David H. Spencer
Teddy Turner
Paul Tyler
William J. Warner
Erik Weihenmayer
Adrian Foster Williams
David “Tiger” Williams
WORLD T.E.A.M.
Since World T.E.A.M.'s first inclusive program in 1987, our non-profit organization has used athletics to challenge adaptive men, women and children to accomplish goals they never thought possible. We strongly believe that "The Exceptional Athlete Matters."
