#304: Helping Dogs Live Healthier Lives at Operation Good Boy with Tom Aiello, USMA ‘93
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Release Date: 12/18/2024
#320: From Navy Command to Executive Coaching: Building Transformative Teams with Jeff Servello, USNA ‘02
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Jeff Servello is a seasoned leader and trusted Principal Advisor specializing in executive coaching, leadership development, and crisis response. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, he also holds a Master of Professional Studies in Leadership, Education, and Development from the University of Maryland. Over the past 20 years, Jeff has led award-winning teams, managed billion-dollar resources, and coached cross-functional units to high performance in...
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#319: How LCAB Holdings Is Redefining Commercial Construction with Jeff Tegman, USMA ‘07
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Jeff Tegman is the Vice President of LCAB Holdings, a veteran-owned holding company redefining how the commercial construction industry attracts talent, maintains quality, and drives operational excellence. An Army veteran with an MBA in Engineering Management, Jeff leads LCAB’s strategy of acquiring specialized construction companies, building a resilient network that addresses industry fragmentation and labor shortages while raising the standard for...
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#318: From Billion Dollar Success to Redemption: The Journey of Jeff Martinovich, USAFA ‘88
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Jeff Martinovich is a seasoned business advisor, entrepreneur, and U.S. Air Force veteran with a background in finance, leadership, and strategic growth. A former Gulf War officer, he went on to build a billion-dollar investment firm, gaining firsthand experience in high-performance leadership and navigating complexity under pressure. After a highly public legal battle that reshaped his views on resilience and integrity, Jeff now channels his experience into...
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#317: Scaling Success: From Restaurants to Real Estate with Mike Brumagin, USMA ‘89
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Mike Brumagin is a U.S. Army veteran, West Point graduate, and co-founder of Battle Monument Group, a private real estate investment firm specializing in single-tenant net lease properties. After earning the Bronze Star for his leadership during Operation Desert Storm, Mike spent over a decade building and managing national restaurant franchises before shifting his focus to real estate. At Battle Monument Group, he has led the acquisition of more than 100...
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#316: Building the Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference with Patrick Alcorn, USMA
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Patrick E. Alcorn is a business strategist, veteran, and leadership coach committed to empowering entrepreneurs and organizations. As Director of the Veterans Business Outreach Center, he supports military-connected business owners at every stage of growth. A former combat engineer and West Point graduate, Patrick applies strategic thinking and leadership to drive economic development and innovation. He founded Business Beyond the Battlefield...
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#315: The Steady Leader: The Entrepreneurial Balancing Act with Schuyler Williamson, USMA ‘05
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Schuyler Williamson is an accomplished leader with a background in business, real estate, and mentorship. A West Point graduate and former college baseball player, he brings a competitive mindset and strategic approach to every endeavor. As the founder of Williamson Group Real Estate, he has built a thriving business as a real estate professional, investor, and entrepreneur. As the author of The Steady Leader, Schuyler shares his expertise in...
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#314: Scaling an Office Snack Business Nationwide with Claude Burns, USNA ‘06
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Claude Burns is a visionary entrepreneur, veteran, and startup founder transforming the workplace food and beverage industry. A former Navy Officer, he brings a mission-driven approach to leadership, strategy, and innovation. As the Founder and CEO of Office Libations, he is redefining B2B food service with a tech-driven model that optimizes inventory, reduces costs, and enhances service. Competing with industry giants, Office Libations has rapidly...
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#313: Leveraging AI and the ‘Grit Factor’ to Turn Your Dreams into Reality with Corey Reiser, USMA ‘11
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Corey Reiser is a former Army Artillery Officer, real estate investor, and founder of School of Grit. A Division I lacrosse player at the U.S. Military Academy, he built the discipline and resilience that shaped his career. After leaving the military, Corey applied those same principles to real estate, creating a successful portfolio and achieving financial freedom at a young age. Through School of Grit, he shares hard-earned lessons on mental toughness,...
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#312: Creating a Print on Demand Apparel Business for Schools, Sports, and the Military with David Baska, USAFA ’13
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ David Baska is a dynamic leader with expertise in operations, finance, and strategic planning. As Chief Operating Officer at Swift Brands, he spearheads the company’s mission to revolutionize military-branded apparel and the broader apparel industry through innovative technology and U.S.-based on-demand manufacturing. A former officer in the U.S. Air Force, David served in space and military operations, earning honors such as the Defense Meritorious Service...
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#311: Financial Planning with Private Investments, Tax Loss Harvesting & Charitable Giving with David Chepauskas, USMA ‘77
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: ____ With 33 years of experience, David Chepauskas specializes in solving problems and maximizing opportunities for senior Wall Street professionals, business owners, executives, and retirees. He is a partner at Summit Financial LLC, a leading independent financial planning firm serving the NJ Tri-State area. David is passionate about working with veterans and service academy graduates, leveraging his network to help them achieve their business goals and build meaningful relationships. His expertise spans retirement,...
info_outlineNeed financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/
Want to join us in Tampa on Janary 28th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events
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Tom Aiello is a seasoned marketing executive with over 25 years of experience in corporate and entrepreneurial ventures. A West Point graduate with an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, he has led marketing initiatives for major brands like McDonald’s, Kenmore, and Craftsman. He held leadership roles at Monster Worldwide and Sears Holdings before founding MARCH Marketing, specializing in products for military and veteran families. In 2022, Tom launched Operation Good Boy, a military-inspired dog products company. He also serves as Chairperson of the Board for OnComms, a veteran-owned mobile telecommunications company.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How Tom incorporates military principles and leadership strategies to marketing, advertising, and running a business.
- How his experience at a major advertising agency taught him valuable lessons about consumer psychology, integrated marketing, and turning client criticism into opportunities.
- How his personal experience caring for his sick dog showed him the parallels between the loyalty and selflessness of dogs and military service members, inspiring him to start a military-inspired pets products company, Operation Good Boy.
- Operation Good Boy's rapid growth from zero retail presence in 2023 to commitments for 3,000 stores by 2025, including major retailers like Walmart and Tractor Supply, driven by their premium supplement formulations and military-themed product line.
- Their strategic pivot from a subscription box model to allowing customers more control over their orders, which dramatically increased average order value and demonstrated the importance of "failing fast" and learning from customer feedback.
- The critical importance for consumer brands to have a presence on Amazon along with customer reviews for securing retail distribution deals, and how proper Amazon optimization requires specialized expertise and strategic investment.
- Operation Good Boy's mission to transform pet health in America through education and premium products, while giving back to military working dog organizations and veteran support initiatives.
- How Operation Good Boy leverages military precision in product development, partnering with an airborne ranger veterinarian to ensure their supplements, treats, and toys exceed market standards for quality and effectiveness.
Connect with Tom
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Special thanks to Tom Aiello for joining me this week. Until next time!
-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01