US Army Veteran, Non-Commissioned Officer

"Imagine if we created a national social consciousness for something good for a change." 

My grandparents came to America from Croatia in the early 1900's. He was a foreman in an open foundry steel mill for 37 years; she was a homemaker and helped to raise six children.  They came to America for a better life, which they made for their children and ultimately for me.  I can never forget that.

My father was a United States Army Officer and I was born in Germany.  We moved back to the States when I was only four years old and I was raised with two sisters and a brother in Florida.  After High School, I attended Florida State University where I received a BS Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration.  After my college graduation, I became a manager for Chart House Restaurants and worked in California, Florida, and the United States Virgin Islands.  A few years in corporate management led me into the United States Army where I served as a Non-Commissioned Officer.  After my service to America, I ran a small business successfully for 23 years.  All of my experiences have led me to the creation of GreenZone Hero where I am now serving my Country in a different capacity.   

America is in my marrow.  I believe in its people, in its strength, in its Freedoms, and in the Precepts of its Constitution.  As Americans, we have a huge legacy to carry on for future generations of citizens.  If we can keep Our Country strong through mutual beneficial commerce then we can carry on our great American tradition, one that inspires all of us to dream big.

I enjoy bringing people together and motivating them to utilize their own unique skills for the greatest potential.  I strive and encourage others to harness their personal abilities to make meaningful contributions to business and to society.

I believe in God, am mindful and a firm supporter of all military initiatives that improve quality-of-life.

"America means two things to me: FREEDOM and OPPORTUNITY. Because I am FREE, I am afforded great opportunities. People in other countries cannot readily do the things I can do. In America, we have the opportunities to live, love and propser as each of us chooses. We can decide where to live, how to live, choose our occupations, and we can choose whom we love. We are free to live our lives as we desire. I also reflect on how these freedoms were achieved and maintained for all of us. I honor and remember our Founding Fathers and their sacrifices. I also thank and pray every day for all of those who have served in our armed forces, for those who have died in service to all of us and America protecting our freedoms, and for all those men and women servinfg today. God Bless them and God Bless us all."

I have a very well rounded business background in the areas of marketing strategy, bank and small business management, financial administration, new product development, new product sales, vendor management , strategic planning, audit controls, and brand development. My career experience has lead me to an important place and time in my life where I have found a group of like minded individuals with true passion and vision to help my co-founder John Krotec and I accomplish something truly remarkable for our veterans. We are in the process of changing the dynamic by which businesses, veteran and consumers interface. Our innovative process will enable “veteran friendly” businesses, veterans, and non-veterans to work together to accomplish something truly remarkable and sustainable!

"I believe we live in the greatest Country on the planet with many great opportunities. I also believe that our soldiers need to be taken care of better when they are are done serving in Our Armed Forces." 

Richard Wright graduated in 1977 from Rhinebeck (NY) Central High and that same year opened his first business. He built it into a multi-million dollar company and sold it in 1995.

He then joined his wife with her already thriving concession business, Sugar Shakers, Inc. and has since expanded it into a full scale catering service as well. Working all along the Eastern Seaboard.

Over the years, they have won many “Best Concession” awards throughout the industry.

One of the founding fathers of NICA, National Independent Concessionaires Association, Rich has served on the Board and as President. Currently, Rich is working as a commercial solar developer for fairs, expos, and theme parks as well.

Rich has joined the GreenZone Hero team to serve as the director for developing sustainable relationships with national business and industry associations.

"Possibilities exist in America because of our FREEDOM. Do whatever is within your power to support that FREEDOM everyday."

Leann earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. She was a product manager for Oncology Therapeutics Network and at Bristol Myers Squibb in San Francisco, CA. From 1999-2001 she was the marketing director for iScribe, a healthcare technology company in Redwood City, CA. From 2001-2003 she was a marketing consultant for National Oncology Alliance in San Anselmo, CA.

She relocated to Florida with her family. Leann worked in marketing with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, developed a brand and partnerships for Circuelle Foundation (a breast health awareness company)  and marketing for AeroIQ (a private air charter company) in Sarasota, FL.

Leann is currently completing an aerial yoga instructor training program. One of her passions is aerial yoga and aerial silks and she will be able to teach classes at Four Pillars. She is also writing a book to inspire the dreamer in us all, “Nature’s Beauty Inspires”.  Leann will be responsible for marketing, branding, communications, networking, advertising, social media, blogging, and direct mail.  An avid ocean lover and dreamer!

"I wake up every day grateful for the FREEDOMS that have been afforded to me in our beautiful Country. However, these FREEDOMS have always come with a price; they are bought and paid for with the blood, sweat and tears of those Americans willing to sacrifice for the greater good, often times with their own lives. Every day I wake up and thank God that such men and women have defended and continue to defend our flag and the FREEDOM and liberty it has represented since the birth of America, the Greatest Country in the World."

Jill is an incredible addition to our team.  Her only child, Ben Kopp, died of injuries received while serving his third tour of duty as a United States Army Ranger.  Ben saved six of his fellow Rangers in the firefight that would cost him his life.  Upon his death, he donated his organs, bone, skin and tissue, saving or enhancing the life of 60 people. Nearly seven years later, his heart is still beating in a woman from Illinois.

The notion of organ donation came to Jill’s family 27 years earlier when her 11-year-old brother was killed in a car accident.  He became an organ donor causing his legacy to include this selfless act, which in turn caused Ben to make organ donation part of his final wishes.

Six years after Ben’s death, a lightning strike started a fire in Jill’s home causing the loss of most of her personal belongings.  Six months later she moved 1,500 miles away pursuing a dream she had been working towards for nine years.  Jill has helped to create a ripple effect of goodness to honor the lives of her brother and her son.  Drawing on her strength and grace, she has created a positive mission to honor their legacies.  

Jill is a seasoned motivational speaker, having addressed groups ranging in size from 10 to 10,000.  Coupled with 20+ years of corporate leadership, her life experiences have given her peerless wisdom that enables her to relate with most people.  

Her positive attitude is contagious and will find you believing that anything is possible when you learn to see the blessings in life’s adversities.

Jill has taken over duties to help grow our roster of Gold Star Businesses and GreenZone Hero Corporate Founders.  

An experienced Communications and Information Technology executive with extensive background and expertise in project and program management, systems integration, strategic planning, business development, marketing, P&L management, and network engineering and operations. As a Project Management Professional, he was responsible for the implementation of large information systems projects facilitating change while improving efficiency, and developing and managing large program management offices (PMO).

Prior to his retirement in December 2011, Bob was Senior Director for SITA, a global network, and information services company in the Air Transport Industry, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Prior to joining SITA, Bob was the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Wisor Telecom, an independent software vendor supplying e-Procurement and management solutions for communications services to large Enterprise companies and Communications Service Providers. While at Wisor, Bob led the expansion into the international market, opening offices in Great Britain and Canada.

During Bob’s time at Verizon, he was the Director of Business & Product Planning for a broadband multimedia network initiative. In that position, he developed the broadband video and high-speed Internet marketing strategy including architecture, products, and services. He established the initial programme office and was responsible for strategic planning, business development, including customer requirements, and the market prioritization for the deployment of a $750 million network.

Bob spent 5 years as a Managing Director with Bell Atlantic - International where he managed multi-million dollar systems integration and consulting projects for the national telephone companies in Italy and The Netherlands. During his European experience, Bob gained everincreasing levels of responsibility with P&L accountability for The Netherlands Enterprise Company, became a BAC International board member, and opened the first branch office which later served as the European model.

Bob is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) with degree in Business Administration and is a member of the Project Management Institute.

Jon is currently an Adjunct Instructor, USF Sarasota-Mantee, College of Business. Prior to joining USFSM he was Adjunct Instructor for Ringling College of Art and Design. He retired in 2005 after 30 years as an Assistant Professor from Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA where he taught marketing and management courses. He also served as Internship and Placement Director for the NSU School of Business. From 1965 till 1968 Jon was a Naval Officer assigned USS William M. Wood DD715 and was a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer for 2nd Marine Division, US Marine Corps.