Weekly Report (Vote) 🎖
Board Leadership announcements | Vote of Confidence | History in the making
I didn’t receive any other candidates for National Commander. That being said, I will accept the challenge in bringing what we built in Tallahassee, Florida to the rest of the United States.
Your vote is private. Only the final results are visible.
US Navy Veteran and TBI Survivor Ritaann Schultz to Lead National Brain Injury Advocacy
My fellow Veterans, it’s my honor to announce that US Navy Veteran and TBI survivor Ritaann Schultz has agreed to serve as National Chair for Traumatic Brain Injury.
Ritaann (pronounced Rita Ann) Schultz, a proud Pittsburgh, PA native, served our nation with distinction in the United States Navy from 1974 to 1978 as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Second Class (ABH2). After completing boot camp, she attended Aviation Boatswain’s Mate School and was stationed with Patrol Squadron 30 at NAS Pax River, Maryland, and NAS Jacksonville, Florida, where she worked with the P-3 aircraft, a critical asset in the Navy’s submarine-hunting missions.
As an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handler, Ritaann’s responsibilities on the flight line were both demanding and vital, including aircraft launching and recovery, equipment movement, firefighting, emergency operations, and securing aircraft. In 1975, she broke barriers as the first Navy enlisted woman to become NATOPS qualified as a P-3 Utility Aircrewman, earning her Navy Aircrew Wings. In this role, she handled pre- and post-flight procedures, in-flight observation, emergency duties, and aircraft refueling, once again setting a historic precedent as the first woman in this position.
Beyond her remarkable military service, Ritaann is a retired Licensed Massage Therapist and a long-time resident of Havana, Florida. She finds joy in cycling, gardening, and embracing the outdoors, reflecting her resilient and vibrant spirit. An avid cyclist, Ritaann has logged over 125,000 miles on her bike and competed in four Ironman competitions, even winning her age group as part of a four-person team in the 3,000-mile 2012 Race Across America. However, on February 3, 2015, while riding in a group, she was thrown off her bike at 30 mph and, despite wearing a helmet, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). It took five years for her injury to be properly diagnosed, during which she faced neuro-fatigue, vision, and cognitive challenges. Through her own research and persistence, Ritaann helped doctors recognize her condition and now advocates for functional therapy approaches that help brain injury survivors regain mobility, strength, and independence.
Please join me in welcoming Ritaann Schultz to Commanders Coalition, where her leadership, experience, and dedication will undoubtedly make a profound impact as our National Chair for Traumatic Brain Injury.
Learn More about her advocacy below
70-Year-Old Veteran Rides 100 Miles to Promote Functional Therapy for Brain Injury Survivors
Iraq War Veteran Juan C. Gonzalez Selected as National Vice Commander
Commanders Coalition is proud to announce that Juan C. Gonzalez has agreed to serve as its 1st National Vice Commander. With an exemplary background in military service and a steadfast commitment to veterans’ advocacy, Gonzalez brings unparalleled dedication and expertise to this leadership role.
A veteran of the United States Army, Gonzalez served from 2003 to 2009, including a deployment to Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2006 to April 2007 and participation in Operation Bright Star in Egypt in October 2005. During his service, he took part in over 75 convoy operations in Iraq, demonstrating leadership as an Assistant Convoy Commander. Gonzalez supervised training, planned convoy operations, and ensured equipment accountability, earning certifications as a Combat Life Saver and providing critical transportation safety training to over 400 Army Reserve members.
Gonzalez’s post-military career has been defined by his tireless advocacy for veterans. As a National Service Officer with the Wounded Warrior Project (2014–2019) and Disabled American Veterans (2010–2014), he assisted veterans and their families with claims for benefits, including compensation, caregiver support, and education. He has managed benefits claims, conducted educational seminars, and served as a liaison between veterans and the Veterans Administration. His work included reviewing medical and military service records, preparing cases for the Board of Veterans Appeals, and training staff to support veterans effectively.
Additionally, Gonzalez’s experience as a Case Manager at LaGuardia Community College and Career Advisor at Employment Works further highlights his commitment to supporting underserved populations, including homeless veterans and those with criminal convictions. He developed resources, conducted job placement referrals, and provided counseling to help individuals overcome barriers to success.
A graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology and a minor in Philosophy, Gonzalez combines his academic foundation with practical experience to lead with compassion and strategic insight. His bilingual proficiency in Spanish, ability to manage complex projects, and calm demeanor under pressure make him an ideal leader for the Commanders Coalition.
Please join me in congratulating Juan C. Gonzalez on his appointment as National Vice Commander. We look forward to his leadership in advancing our mission to support and empower veterans nationwide.
Iraq War Veteran Lindsay Holguin Selected as National Adjutant of Commanders Coalition
Commanders Coalition is thrilled to announce that Lindsay Holguin has agreed to serve as its 1st National Adjutant. With her military service and dedicated work in supporting veterans, Holguin brings notable expertise, leadership, and commitment to this vital role.
Holguin served in the United States Army from 2002 to 2010 as a Human Resources Specialist and Photojournalist. During her service, she managed highly sensitive personnel records for over 300 enlisted soldiers using an HRIS database, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality. She also participated in a military transition team in Iraq, where she played a key role in training Iraqi and Albanian army soldiers in rules of engagement, counterinsurgency operations, and logistics management. As a photojournalist, Holguin documented critical missions, capturing news events and reporting detailed stories for publication, showcasing her ability to communicate effectively under pressure.
Her post-military career has been marked by a strong dedication to veterans’ support and workforce development. As a Disabled Veterans Outreach Specialist with the New York State Department of Labor (2017–2019), Holguin served as a case manager for veterans enrolled in federally funded job training programs, including the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation program. She collaborated with employers, veterans’ organizations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and community-based groups to connect veterans with job and training opportunities. Holguin provided individualized job search skills development and case management, helping veterans overcome significant employment barriers.
Additionally, as a Labor Services Representative (Spanish Language) at the New York State Department of Labor (2016–2017), Holguin worked with thousands Unemployment Insurance claimants, offering career guidance, resume writing support, and job search strategies in both English and Spanish. Her bilingual proficiency and interpersonal skills enabled her to build trusting relationships and deliver tailored support to diverse populations.
Holguin’s experience as a recruiter and account manager further demonstrates her ability to foster connections between jobseekers and employers, a skill she honed at Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp. and King Teleservices. Her work in these roles included screening candidates, conducting workshops on career development, and creating opportunities for individuals to succeed in competitive job markets.
A graduate of the State University of New York at Albany with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and minors in Spanish and Psychology, Holguin combines her academic background with practical experience to lead with precision and empathy. Her proficiency in managing multiple projects, fluency in Spanish, and proven ability to thrive in fast-paced environments make her an outstanding fit for the role of National Adjutant.
Please join us in congratulating Lindsay Holguin on her appointment as National Adjutant. We are confident that her leadership will strengthen Commanders Coalition’s mission to empower and support veterans across the nation.
We can now apply for 501c19 status
If Commanders Coalition is approved by the IRS, we will join a small but notable list of 501c19 organizations. Here is a list I found online. Some might be missing.
American Legion
AMVETS
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Army and Navy Union of the United States of America
Forty and Eight
Fleet Reserve Association
Legion of Valor of the United States of America
Military Officers Association of America
Military Order of the Cootie
Military Order of the World Wars
What is the purpose of Commanders Coalition?
Taken from our Preamble
“to strengthen Veteran Service Organization leadership, foster a spirit of comradeship among Veterans, provide mutual support, uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, assist in securing the rights and benefits earned by Veterans, and maintain a continuing commitment to the welfare of our members and their families”