Jay founded Patriot Legacy Fund in 2017 after getting involved with several veteran nonprofits and seeing the need to do more. He served five years on active duty in the Air Force where he was a Communications and Information Officer. He traveled throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East testing satellite communication systems on fixed-wing and rotor aircraft: C-5, KC-10, C-130, C-32, and UH-1. Upon leaving active duty, he has held project and financial management positions in the software, automotive, banking, utilities, and manufacturing industries.

Jay received his BS in Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1997 and holds an MBA and an MS in Finance. He lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife and has a son that is an engineer for Gulfstream Aerospace, and a daughter that is a Radiologic Technologist student.

Steve is the Vice President of Patriot Legacy Fund and is a Retired Air Force Colonel. Steve is currently the Director of Corporate Development at BAM Technologies LLC, a Veteran Owned Small Business located in Northern Virginia.

Steve received his BS in Political Science from the United States Air Force Academy in 1997 and holds an MBA, Master’s in Defense and Securities Studies, and a Master’s in Political Science, Security and Defense. Steve lives in Washington D.C. with his wife and two children.

Jim serves as the President of Patriot Legacy Fund and is currently a 737 Captain with Southwest Airlines with over 11,000 hours. After completing 20 years within the Air Force and Air National Guard, he retired as a Lt. Colonel earning the Air Medal twice. He has over 2,500 hours in the C-17 and has flown missions in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Jim received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1997 and holds an MBA in Finance. He lives near Houston, TX with his wife Lacey and his two daughters, Taylor and Carsyn.

As the Director of Marketing, Lacey is charged with overseeing the development and implementation of support materials and services in the area of marketing, communications and public relations. She is also responsible for fundraising, organizing and event coordination for our annual Patriot Legacy Fund Casino Night held in Montgomery, TX.

Having had both grandfathers serve in the military (Army and Navy) as well as three cousins (Air Force, Army, & Navy) and husband (Air Force), she is passionate about being part of Patriot Legacy Fund. Lacey is a graduate of James Madison University where she obtained a B.S. in Kinesiology and a General Business Minor. She has a joy for fitness and runs a private, boutique studio where she teaches group fitness classes. When she’s not seeking sponsorships for Casino Night or working, she enjoys golfing, spending time with family and friends, and traveling! Lacey currently lives in Texas with her husband, two bonus daughters and her Shihpoo, Nugget.

Upon finishing his first tour of active duty in the United States Marine Corps, Will attended Centre College finishing his BS in 1995 with a major in Economics and minor in Physics. He later attended Morehead State University obtaining an undergraduate degree in accounting and subsequently, his Master of Business Administration. He is currently working on his dissertation towards a PhD in Management with a specialization in leadership and organization change.

Will has spent more than 25 years in the financial services industry managing sales teams across multiple states. He currently resides in Nashville, TN with his wife where he is Senior Vice President, Area Manager of West Tennessee for Truist Bank.

Mel is currently the Executive Director for Logistics at the University of California, San Francisco. He retired as a Colonel from the US Air Force in 2022.

Mel received his BS in Management from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1997 and holds a Master of Science in Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He lives in Fairfield, CA with his wife and two daughters.

Christophe is a retired Major, enlisting in the Air Force in 1990 as a Medical Laboratory Technician prior to earning his commission and serving as a Communication and Information Officer. He went on to become an Instructor at Officer Training School in Montgomery, AL and now teaches high school French outside of Atlanta, GA.

Christophe received his BS in Biology and French from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1997 and holds a Master’s in French from Georgia State University. He enjoys spending time traveling the world and relaxing at his cabin in the Smokey Mountains.