Patriot Boot Camp

05/29/2026

🎉 Happy Founder Friday! This week, we’re meeting Ryan Hunt, an alum of the Winter 2026 class of DAV Patriot Boot Camp.

🪖 Branch of service: Army

👤 Bio: Ryan Patrick Hunt is a retired Army major, entrepreneur and talent strategist dedicated to empowering the veteran and military-connected community. He founded Tenth Mountain LLC, the 10th Mountain Division–inspired apparel brand Mountain Up, and created the Veteran Social Summit (VETSOCIAL). Ryan is Military Friendly’s Vetrepreneur of the Year 2025 – Illinois and is a featured speaker, including at the Military Influencer Conference. His latest venture, Forged By Service, is a storytelling and media platform showcasing authentic journeys of those who served.

🏢Company: Forged By Service

05/22/2026

🎉 It’s another Founder Friday and we’re excited to celebrate Shahn Khan from our Winter 2026 cohort of DAV Patriot Boot Camp.

🪖 Branch of service: Army

👤 Bio: Shahn Khan is a senior resource management analyst, former Army officer and NCAA II athlete. He has extensive experience in the Department of Defense (DoD) and skilled in budgeting, resource allocation and strategic planning, with a proven ability to deliver solutions in high-pressure environments. Shahn is the founder and owner of DRiX LLC, a company that provides services including software systems engineering, system integration, data analytics, acquisition support and emerging technologies. DRiX builds these reliable, mission-focused services around teamwork, technical expertise and operational excellence, and is comprised of a well-oiled team of professionals who believe that any problem can be solved through shared ideas and critical thinking.

🏢Company: DRiX LLC

🌐 Website: www.TeamDRiX.Com

05/15/2026

🎉 It’s another Founder Friday and we’re excited to celebrate Jennifer Cioto, a Winter 2026 DAV Patriot Boot Camp alumna.

✈️ Branch of service: Air Force

👤 Bio: Jenny Cioto is a money and life coach, author, speaker and Air Force veteran passionate about helping families live with purpose and hope. A devoted wife and mom of five, including two children with special needs, she guides others in setting and achieving money goals, building confidence and navigating life transitions. Jenny is the owner of Pursuing True North, dedicated to helping people ditch financial stress by coaching them through budgeting, debt, mindset, goals and planning for the future.

🏢Company: Pursuing true North

🌐 Website: pursuingtruenorth.com

05/08/2026

🎉 Happy Founder Friday! This week, we’re meeting Tamekia Foley, an alumna of the Winter 2026 class of DAV Patriot Boot Camp.

✈️ Branch of service: Air Force

👤 Bio: Tamekia Foley is a Mississippi native, Air Force veteran and founder of High Tech.2.0, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) based in Georgia. With over 17 years of military service and 15 years of Department of Defense IT and cybersecurity experience, Tamekia helps bridge the digital divide in rural and underserved communities. Through High Tech.2.0, she provides cybersecurity services, workforce development and AI-driven compliance tools for manufacturers and small businesses, empowering organizations to build sustainable, tech-driven growth while creating pathways for veterans and underserved populations to thrive in the digital economy.

🏢Company: High Tech.2.0

🌐 Website: https://www.hi-tech20.com/

05/06/2026

A recently released report highlighted the need for IndyGeneUS Bio, a pioneering platform created by a DAV Patriot Boot Camp alum on a mission to close genomic data gaps.

The report shows that 88% of data used in structural genomic studies is missing or not representative of diverse, global populations. This gap indicates that the vast majority of genomic data is not inclusive, which hinders the development of equitable health care tools and precision medicine for all populations. Fortunately, IndyGeneUS Bio is determined to change that.

“Thanks to DAV for being the catalyst making this day possible with a $10,000 Patriots Pitch prize,” founder Yusuf Nkrumah told DAV.

Healthcare Innovation and Technology Lab

HITLAB Improving lives through digital health teaching, research, and service.

05/01/2026

🎉 Happy Founder Friday! We’re excited to introduce to you Winter 2026 DAV Patriot Boot Camp alum Dr. Jeremy Dublon.

🪖 Branch of service: Army

👤 Bio: Dr. Jeremy D. Dublon is a distinguished podiatrist and military veteran with expertise in surgical limb preservation and complex wound care. He is the co-founder of Next Step Care. Founded in 2025 at the critical intersection of clinical expertise and advanced technology, Next Step Care is driven by the mission to eliminate diabetic foot ulcer complications, which cost the U.S. healthcare system over $60 billion annually.

During his service in the Army, Dr. Dublon rose to the position of deputy service chief at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He also advised the White House as a medical consultant and surgeon to the president. His background includes experience as a medical officer at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), providing invaluable insight into orthopedic regulatory and commercialization pathways. Board-certified and dedicated to excellence, Dr. Dublon's commitment is centered on integrating cutting-edge, evidence-based treatments to achieve superior patient outcomes.

🏢Company: Next Step Care

🌐 Website: https://nstepcare.com/