Spokespeople

IAVA has a number of veterans on staff and within its membership who speak on behalf of IAVA to various media outlets. As leaders within the military and veterans community, each veteran pictured below has a unique story to share. All media requests should be directed to the Communications team at 212.982.9699 or press@iava.org.

Staff Veterans

Member Veterans

Staff Veteran

Paul Rieckhoff Executive Director and Founder Paul Rieckhoff Executive Director and Founder Executive Director and Founder of IAVA, America's first and largest organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Leading veterans affairs activist and expert. Twitter: paulrieckhoff VIEW PROFILE >	Todd Bowers Senior Policy Advisor Todd Bowers Senior Policy Advisor Senior Policy Advisor, Marine Corps Reserves servicemember, and leading activist for veterans. Twitter: toddbowers VIEW PROFILE >	Jason Hansman Acting Membership Director Jason Hansman Acting Membership Director Former Army Reservist and Iraq veteran. Currently serves as IAVA's Online Community Manager. Twitter: jasonhansman VIEW PROFILE >
Tom Tarantino Senior Legislative Associate Tom Tarantino Senior Legislative Associate A decorated former Army Captain, Tom manages IAVA's research and policy in Washington, DC. Twitter: tomtarantino VIEW PROFILE >	Adam Bryant Information Systems Architect Adam Bryant Information Systems Architect Decorated former Army National Guardsman. Currently directs IAVA's Membership department. Twitter: adamjbryant VIEW PROFILE >

Member Veteran

Wes Moore IAVA Board Member, MSNBC Contributor Wes Moore IAVA Board Member, MSNBC Contributor Wes is an IAVA Board Member, MSNBC contributor, Rhodes Scholar, businessman and best-selling author of THE OTHER WES MOORE. VIEW PROFILE >	Elizabeth Young McNally IAVA Member Veteran Elizabeth Young McNally IAVA Member Veteran Liz spent eight years in the U.S. Army and served two tours in Iraq, including a year as the speechwriter for General David Petraeus. VIEW PROFILE >	John Gallina IAVA Member Veteran John Gallina IAVA Member Veteran John is the co-founder of Purple Heart Homes. VIEW PROFILE >
Dale Beatty IAVA Member Veteran Dale Beatty IAVA Member Veteran Dale is the co-founder of Purple Heart Homes. VIEW PROFILE >	Sara Skinner Data Management, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Sara Skinner Data Management, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson West Point graduate, Purple Heart Recipient. Experienced first-hand the challenges of VA healthcare. VIEW PROFILE >	Jeff Kohler Student, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Jeff Kohler Student, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Iraq veteran. Awaiting health claim results from the VA. Currently attending college on the New GI Bill. VIEW PROFILE >
Bryan Adams Student, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Bryan Adams Student, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Purple Heart Recipient. Featured in IAVA's Veteran Support Campaign. VIEW PROFILE >	Aubrey Arcangel Student, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Aubrey Arcangel Student, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Served in Iraq as an Army Specialist in Network Operations. Currently attends City College of New York. VIEW PROFILE >	Laurie Emmer VFW Post Commander, Mother, IAVA Member Spokesperson Laurie Emmer VFW Post Commander, Mother, IAVA Member Spokesperson A PTSD/TBI survivor whose son and daughter now serve in the military. Served one tour in Afghanistan in 2003 as a medic. VIEW PROFILE >
Ryan Conklin Author, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Ryan Conklin Author, IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Former Army servicemember who was involuntarily recalled for a second tour to Iraq. Cast member of MTV's Real World: Brooklyn. VIEW PROFILE >	Reynaldo "Rey" Leal, Jr. Student, Photographer, IAVA Member Spokesperson Reynaldo "Rey" Leal, Jr. Student, Photographer, IAVA Member Spokesperson Former Marine and Iraq war veteran. PTSD survivor. Advocate for fellow veterans and accomplished photographer. VIEW PROFILE >	Sherman Watson IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Sherman Watson IAVA Member Veteran Spokesperson Served three tours in Iraq as a Marine. Survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury. VIEW PROFILE >
Cara Hammer IAVA Member Veteran Cara Hammer IAVA Member Veteran A former Army Reservist and active infantry servicemember. Currently serves as lisaison to veterans and their families. Twitter: carahammer VIEW PROFILE >	Tim Embree IAVA Member Veteran Tim Embree IAVA Member Veteran Former Marine Corps reservist and Iraq war veteran. Currently works with IAVA's legislative team in Washington DC. Twitter: mrembree VIEW PROFILE >	Nick Colgin Member Veteran Nick Colgin Member Veteran Nick served with the 82D Airborne in Afghanistan as a combat medic and is a Purple Heart recipient. VIEW PROFILE >