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.

Professional affiliations include Executive Committee, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, and board member of The Warrior For Life Fund. Robert is a USA Hockey Level 4 coach, and coaches high school hockey.

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.

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.

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.

Growing up as the oldest of six children on the South Shore of Massachusetts, he and his younger brother Mike shared a passion for hockey, with both aiming to play at the college level. Greg played high school hockey at the Tilton School in New Hampshire, while Mike attended Thayer Academy in Massachusetts.

After high school, Greg went to college in Vermont but eventually followed his passion for skiing, leading him to Aspen, Colorado. There, he owns and operates Hamilton Sports. As a Gold Star brother, Greg felt a strong connection to the community his brother Mike loved, and he became involved with the Warrior For Life Fund, which has provided significant support to Mike’s surviving wife and children. Greg’s dedication to this community ensures that other families can benefit from similar opportunities.

Greg and his wife Ashley are expecting their first child in May and currently reside in Basalt, Colorado. It’s heartwarming to see how Greg has turned his personal experiences into a commitment to helping others. How wonderful that they have a new addition to their family on the way

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.

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.

Tom Phalon is a retired Master Chief Petty Officer who served 24 years as a Navy SEAL with SEAL Team FOUR and Naval Special Warfare Development Group. A native of upstate New York, he grew up playing hockey—a sport that shaped his core values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Now living in Virginia Beach, Tom continues his service as a Captain with Southwest Airlines and as an Ambassador for the Warrior for Life Fund, where he brings decades of leadership, military experience, and community connection to the mission.

Since 2012, Tom has been a driving force behind the Warrior for Life Fund and Virginia Beach Hockey, coaching and mentoring youth while helping veterans and active-duty service members find purpose through the game. As an ambassador, he champions programs that foster mental well-being, recovery, and resilience, engages with donors and sponsors, and remains a steadfast advocate for those transitioning out of service. His unique blend of military, aviation, and hockey experience makes him a powerful voice for the community he continues to serve.

Rachel Goguen, PhD.

Co-Founder of Sticks Paws & Pucks. Combining the love of dogs and hockey, Sticks Paws & Pucks offers a brand that supports many organizations, including the Warrior For Life Fund. Rachel wrote a children’s book, Sticks Paws & Pucks, The Championship Game, where several members of the Warrior For Life Fund were introduced, along with her two pugs, Owen and Liam. Rachel won an International Impact Book Award for this book in 2025.

Rachel spent 35 years in law enforcement. During this time, she was involved in starting a service dog program, with many of these trained dogs going to Veterans. Rachel has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology, a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice and a PhD in Criminal Justice, focusing on Statistical Analysis. Rachel is honored to be appointed as an Ambassador for the Warrior For Life Fund.

Patrick Mullen is a seasoned professional in project management and business development at Marina Bay Management in Quincy, MA. A Pittsburgh native, he grew up playing hockey and cheering for the Steelers and Penguins. Patrick graduated from the University of Denver in 2009 with a degree in Real Estate and Construction Management and later earned a Master’s in Business Innovation from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland in 2020. His career includes playing professional hockey across the U.S., Russia, Sweden, Germany, Austria, and the UK. Patrick discovered the Warrior For Life Fund through his connection with the Boston Bruins Alumni and continues to support initiatives that blend hockey with veteran resilience programs.

Allen Lerner is a Maine native and graduate of the US Naval Academy. He served on East Coast SEAL Teams, both active duty and in the reserves, and recently retired after 27 years of service. He continues to serve his community as the owner of Chick-fil-A Plymouth (MA) and by coaching youth sports.Allen Lerner is a Maine native and graduate of the US Naval Academy. He served on East Coast SEAL Teams, both active duty and in the reserves, and recently retired after 27 years of service. He continues to serve his community as the owner of Chick-fil-A Plymouth (MA) and by coaching youth sports.

Deborah Hodges is a seasoned healthcare executive and former President and CEO of Health Plans Inc. (HPI), where she spent 34 years leading the company’s growth into a nationally recognized, innovative organization in claims administration, cost containment, and care navigation. Known for her strategic leadership and ability to build strong, collaborative relationships, Deb has extensive experience across corporate strategy, operations, and client service, with a consistent focus on delivering results. She led HPI through several national acquisitions creating a strong legacy she is proud of and positioning the company for long term success.

A committed advocate for leadership development, Deb founded WAVE (Women Advancing Value and Empowerment) to support and elevate women in executive roles. She is a former Board member of the Self-Insured Institute of America and a frequent national speaker on healthcare innovation. Widely respected as an accessible and trusted mentor, she has been recognized for her dedication to volunteering and supporting others throughout her career.

Deb has been actively involved with the Warrior for Life Fund for several years through fundraising and community support, and is honored to be an Ambassador. She resides in Massachusetts with her family and is a proud grandmother to two little girls.