WARRIOR FOR LIFE FUND - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of PLAYER DEVELOPMENT at SENSE ARENA
- WFLF AMBASSADOR / DIRECTOR of PLAYER DEVELOPMENT at SENSE ARENA
Andrew Alberts grew up playing hockey on the frozen lakes of Minnesota. He now resides on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and three children. After graduating from Boston College with a degree in Communications, he played nine years in the NHL, retiring in 2014. Following his playing career, Andrew worked as a TV Hockey Analyst for NESN and the Boston Bruins in 2017 & '18. Currently, he works as the Director of Player Development at Sense Arena, a VR cognitive training tool for athletes looking to improve their hockey and tennis skills. In 2023, Andrew joined the Warrior for Life Fund as an official ambassador.
Job Titles:
- FOUNDER / PRESIDENT, CORTEX INITIATIVE
- Founder and Owner of Cortex Initiative
- SPEECH - LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST, CERTIFIED BRAIN INJURY SPECIALIST, OWNER, CORTEX INITIATIVE
Annie is the founder and owner of Cortex Initiative. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist through the Brain Injury Association of America and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Old Dominion University with a minor in Special Education, and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from James Madison University. Annie started her career as a middle school special education teacher and a multi-sport coach. She later became an outpatient SLP in a local hospital system, where she treated patients with a vast range medically complex diagnoses, was the lead SLP for both the ALS and MS clinics at a nearby neurology practice, and co-facilitated a support group for people with Spasmodic Dysphonia. In addition to outpatient therapy clinics, she has worked in acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation settings, long term care facilities, and skilled nursing facilities. Annie has extensive clinical experience in general speech pathology with the adult population, including disorders of speech, language, cognition, voice, resonance, and swallowing. Her specific interests include working with clients who have suffered brain injuries, brain tumors, strokes, or have progressive neurological diseases, as well as clients with disorders of the voice. She has dedicated much of her career to developing and refining materials, resources, and interventions that help strengthen the cognitive and language abilities of high performing military service members and civilians with a history of mild traumatic brain injury. Annie enjoys educating family members on the impact of TBI, and regularly collaborates with other professionals nationwide to ensure superior care for her clients. She is nationally certified with leadership and clinical supervision experience. Annie is the proud mother of a young son, two stepchildren, and the best doodle-dog, Bobo. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, and volunteering with her husband's military hockey charity, Warrior for Life Fund.
Job Titles:
- ADAPTIVE HOCKEY HEAD COACH
Dean is a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Mi. He has been playing hockey since the age of 2. He reached the level of Junior A tier II playing for the Flyers in Thessalon, Ontario, Canada. Dean served in the United States Navy and retired after 20 years. Dean has not stopped playing hockey since he put on his first pair of skates. His coaching experiences include various youth hockey teams and ODU's hockey team prior to becoming the head coach for the WFLF sled team. Dean is an excellent communicator and outstanding instructor. His ability to inject humor at almost any time helps create a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment.
Mr. Kouvaris has been Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Chestnut Hill Ventures LLC since March 2002. Prior to Chestnut Hill Ventures, he was the Vice President of Finance for GCC Investments, LLC, a subsidiary of GC Companies, Inc. Before joining GC Companies, Mr. Kouvaris was a senior manager and Certified Public Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand LLP (predecessor to PricewaterhouseCoopers) in Boston. He currently serves and has served as a director of Millwall Football and Athletic Club plc, Coastal Medical Transportation LLC, AcuityLink LLC, Virtyx Inc., Affinity Solutions, Inc., FleetCor Technologies, Inc., ACA Capital Holdings, Inc., and Vanguard Modular Building Systems, LLC, among others. Mr. Kouvaris holds a B.S. in Accountancy from Boston College.
Job Titles:
- BOARD MEMBER / EVENTS DIRECTOR
- PRESIDENT BOSTON BRUINS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Frank Simonetti is a native of Massachusetts and a 1984 graduate of Norwich University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After a four-year career in professional hockey with the Boston Bruins Frank entered the Data Storage business where since 1996, he has been a co-owner and Vice President of Avatek Corporation. Frank has been a member of the Boston Bruins Alumni Team for over 30 years helping charitable organizations throughout New England raise funds and awareness through the game of hockey. Frank Joined the Warrior for Life Fund Board in 2019.
Job Titles:
- LEGAL ADVISOR
- PRINCIPAL at WOODS ROGERS VANDEVENTER BLACK PLC
Geoff has practiced in the firm's Norfolk office since 1997 and in the Kitty Hawk office since 2019. He concentrates his law practice in taxation, ERISA, employee benefits, business transactions, real estate, and international business matters. His taxation practice focuses on corporate taxation, limited liability company issues, and international tax as well as state and local tax. Geoff's employee benefits practice concentrates on qualified retirement plans, executive compensation, and welfare benefits including multiemployer plans and governmental plans. His business transactions practice is geared toward closely held business issues and international transactions. Geoff heads the firm's real estate practice in the Kitty Hawk office. Geoff served as a Law Clerk for Special Master Richard B. Abell of the United States Court of Federal Claims from 1995-97. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the United States Tax Court. Geoff provides legal advice and consultation to the Warrior For Life Fund.
Jon Lauder was raised in a rural community in Minnesota and spent his formative years playing ice hockey on the rinks in his hometown. After graduating college, he served 28 years in the United States Marine Corps retiring in December 2022. While in the Marines, he completed multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan including non-combat assignments in Israel and South Korea. He spent his last 4 years on active duty as the Marine Corps' liaison to the United States Senate working on military issues germane to the Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Veterans Affairs committees. Jon currently lives in Springfield, Virginia with his family. In 2023, he joined the Warrior for Life Fund as an official ambassador.
Kevan Miller was born in California but moved east at a young age to pursue a hockey career. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 2011 with a degree in Community Development and Applied Economics. Kevan retired from professional hockey in 2021 after a 10 year career with the Boston Bruins organization. He currently resides in Utah with his family and joined the Warrior for Life Fund board in 2023.
Mark Mowers grew up in upstate NY. He attended and played hockey for the University of New Hampshire graduating with a Sports Management degree in 1998. After college Mark played 13 years of professional hockey including stops in Nashville, Detroit, Anaheim and Boston before finishing up his career in Switzerland. Post playing career brought him back to the arenas where he has been an NHL Scout for the past 12 years, currently working for the Minnesota Wild. Mark also does real estate in the state of New Hampshire. He is involved with the Boston Bruins Alumni Organization recently being voted on as a board member. Mark and his wife Jana have two daughter and currently live north of Boston.
Mike helped found the Warrior For Life Funds in 2012 and currently serves as a Board Member, Director of Hockey Ops, and CFO. Mike coordinates several Warrior For Life Fund programs including the WFLF Developmental Hockey League and the WFLF Hockey Club. He coached youth teams for the Hampton Roads Youth Hockey Association (HRYHA) and is Level 4 USA Hockey certified coach. Mike served 23 years as both an In-Flight Avionics Technician and Naval Flight Officer, completing world-wide peace-time and a combat deployment to the Persian Gulf aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. Mike is currently a Lead Associate and Naval Aviation Readiness Specialist with Booz Allen Hamilton since 2008. He holds a B.S. in Business Management from Southern Illinois University and a MBA from University of Phoenix and currently lives in Norfolk, VA with his wife Kelly.
Job Titles:
- MEMBER of the BOARD
- SENIOR ADVISOR
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR, WFLF AMBASSADORS / OWNER - IFLY VIRGINIA BEACH
- Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of IFLY Va Beach Indoor Skydiving
Robert Pizzini is the Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of iFLY Va Beach Indoor Skydiving. He brought this multimillion-dollar technology to Virginia Beach in 2015. In 2018 iFLY Va Beach was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year. In 2019, Robert launched Elevate Your Leadership, a leadership experience that refreshes and energizes seasoned executives, develops new leaders, and builds high performing teams. In 2022, he authored his first Best Selling book titled Elevate Your Leadership, how to develop, Maintain, and Advance Lifelong Leadership. Robert's efforts earned the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award.
Robert retired from the U.S. Navy in 2010 after 26 years of service in Navy Special Operations as a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, and EOD Officer. He completed a combat tour with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Arabian Peninsula, Balad, Iraq. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star.
Mr. Pizzini received his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from New York Regents College and graduated from Troy State University with a Master of Science degree in International Relations and National Security. He is also a graduate of Air Command and Staff College and was an adjunct professor with American Military University's School of Homeland Security from 2007-2010.
Job Titles:
- PRESIDENT
- Vice President of Goldbelt Security
Ryan is currently the Vice President of Goldbelt Security, an Alaskan Native Corporation 8(a) that provides medical products to various federal agencies.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR, HAYWARD LUNDY GROUP
Shayla is an art therapist and resident substance abuse counselor specializing in group therapy and community programs. She has a bachelor's degree from The City College of New York, a master's degree in Art Therapy & Counseling from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and is currently working on another master's degree in Applied Neuroscience from King's College London. Her expertise extends beyond clinical mental health as she is also a registered yoga teacher and certified in mindfulness-based stress reduction. This unique blend of experience makes her a valuable resource for those seeking holistic mental health support.
As a lifelong advocate of nonprofit community programs, Shayla devotes the majority of her time to supporting initiatives aimed at assisting veterans, the military, and survivors of war / armed conflict. She is currently the Sustainer Donor Manager at Paralyzed Veterans of America and serves on the Junior Board of Tuesday's Children.
Job Titles:
- CEO DYER WEALTH MANAGEMENT
- WFLF AMBASSADOR / CEO DYER WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Tim Dyer grew up skating on the frozen ponds in southern New Hampshire. He holds a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Babson College. He currently owns a wealth management firm helping individuals and families invest wisely while minimizing taxes. In 2017 Tim participated in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest altitude sanctioned hockey game ever played at over 14,000 feet. Tim his wife Tara and two young boys reside in San Diego CA. He proudly serves as the west coast ambassador for the Warrior for Life Fund.
Job Titles:
- BOARD MEMBER / PARTNER DEVELOPMENT
- VICE PRESIDENT & SALES LEADER - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS DIVISION at CROSS INSURANCE
Tony Cabana attended college prep school at Proctor Academy in Andover NH (Class of 95) from there; he went on to play hockey and tennis at Sacred Heart University, where he graduated in 1999 with a degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in marketing. He is currently the Vice President of Cross Insurance - Benefits. In this capacity, he works with large employers helping them navigate the world of employee benefits. He has served on several boards including HELIO Health Care, Boys & Girls Clubs. Today, he acts as the Partner Development Director for the Warrior For Life Fund. In this role, he is part of a dynamic team helping active duty and retired Veterans cope with the effects of war through the game of hockey. Tony also serves as an ambassador to the Navy SEAL Foundation where he works with several gold star families. He currently resides in NH with his family.