“Legacies Alive is my passion. Our mission to honor our nation’s fallen heroes and support our Gold Star families is what gets me out of bed each morning. I am honored and humbled to work with such a patriotic, passionate, and dedicated group of like-minded individuals who make up our organization, which is driven by morals and values. We must never forget.”
Mark is a co-founder and president of Legacies Alive. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he played football for the Black Knights. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and was stationed in Oklahoma, Hawaii, and Washington. He had the privilege of serving in the 25th Infantry Division as well as the 75th Ranger Regiment. During his time on active duty, Mark served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. After leaving active duty, he earned his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Notre Dame and currently resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife, Amy, and daughter, Rylee.
“Our Gold Star families have two things in common, they don’t want the memory of their fallen heroes to fade away and they are stronger together. It is our duty to honor our fallen comrades by keeping their legacies alive and supporting their Gold Star families. Legacies Alive is more than just an organization; it’s a family and that is what I love most about our group. The intimate bonds that have forged through loss and struggle are what makes them so strong.”
Matt serves as the Vice President for Legacies Alive. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation, he commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Bragg, NC and Arlington, VA. He served as an Infantry Officer with the 82nd Airborne and the Presidential Honor Guard. During his time on active duty, he served one combat tour in Afghanistan. Matt currently lives in South Florida with his daughter and is the Director of IT Support Services for Envision Healthcare.
“The most rewarding part of working with Legacies Alive has been seeing my family and friends volunteer their time and seeing them meet, interact, and maintain friendships and communications with our Gold Star families. Legacies Alive has also helped me to heal from the loss of a very dear friend through helping others and bringing us all together to openly talk about our loved ones and celebrate their lives.”
John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, where he played football and baseball. After graduation, he served as a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Marines and also a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Ready Reserve Unit. John became involved with Legacies Alive through his deep passion to support our mission and has years of experience running his own non-profit organization, BCCI. John resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his wife, Patrice, and sons, Matt and Mick.
Chris is the treasurer and finance director of Legacies Alive. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he played football for the Black Knights. Upon graduation he commissioned into the Engineer Branch, completed Airborne and Ranger Schools, and deployed as a Combat Engineer Platoon Leader with the 3rd Infantry Division to Iraq where he was injured in an EFP attack. Chris currently resides at West Point, NY with his wife, Stacey, and son, Luke. He serves as the U.S. Military Academy Prep School’s Strength & Conditioning Coach and Football Offensive Coordinator.
Collin is the secretary of Legacies Alive. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he played football for the Black Knights and served as a team captain. Upon graduation he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and was stationed in Oklahoma. After leaving active duty Collin spent four years playing professional football with the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons. Following his time in the NFL, Collin worked at UBS in Nashville for two years before deciding to leave finance in order to pursue a career in medicine. He lives in Durham, Pennsylvania with his wife, Michalyn, and his three children, Clairyn, Madelyn, and MacArthur.
“What I love the most about Legacies Alive are the many opportunities they have provided me to meet Gold Star families from around the nation. We have shared our stories, laughed, celebrated the lives of our heroes and created lasting friendships. To the veterans who founded Legacies Alive and all those who have graciously supported its mission, thank you for the blessings of friendships, love, support and encouragement I have received.”
As president of the Gold Star Family Advisory Board for Legacies Alive, Carol represents Gold Star families at monthly executive board meetings. She serves as a liaison between Gold Star families and the board of directors, providing insight into the needs of our families and how we can best serve them.
Carol is the mother of Staff Sergeant Brian Piercy who was killed in Afghanistan on July 19, 2010. Her other two sons, Eric and Kevin, also served in the Army. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and MS degree from Oregon State University, Carol taught mathematics for 31 years before retiring in June 2018. Carol lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Joe.
“Having served in the military and lost close friends, my greatest fear was that their sacrifice would be forgotten. Through Legacies Alive, I’ve gained a reinvigorated hope that the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and their families will not be forgotten.”
DJ is the Director of Operations and a Board Member for Legacies Alive. After serving nearly a decade in the U.S. Navy, DJ became involved with Legacies Alive because he has a passion to serve the families of our fallen heroes. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis , an MBA from the Wharton School, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is also a member at the Council of Foreign Relations and is a Pat Tillman Scholar. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and children.
“The ethos of a warrior has transcended time for centuries, they are as significant today as the memories of their sacrifice lives on! Sacrifice of self in the service of others has no higher calling, and that sacrifice lives on in the hearts and minds of families and all those who read the gripping stories. Legacies kept alive will never be forgotten.”
Thomas Morgan leads the Legacies Alive effort for fundraising. Tommy earned his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1983. During his time on active duty in the U.S. Army, Tommy served in the Second Infantry Division Camp Casey Korea, and the First Cavalry division at Forty Hood. An Infantry and Aviation officer, Tommy qualified in several of the U.S. Army’s rotary wing aircraft, including the AH-64 Apache. Tommy earned a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University in 1993. Tommy resides in Westlake, Texas where he is the Founder and Managing Partner of Corps Capital Partners, a registered investment advisory and multi-family office organization focused on family wealth strategies.
Tommy became involved with Legacies Alive after meeting Mark at West Point and joining Mike during his Hike through Texas.
“As brothers in Arms and Army Football, we honor the families of the fallen in our battle and are forever grateful and thankful for their sacrifice.”
“The best part of serving the mission of Legacies Alive are the precious stories that Gold Star families have shared with me about their beloved heroes. It is a little part of them that I carry with me. I enjoy telling anyone who will listen about the amazing Americans they were, and help keep their legacies alive.”
Laura earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and currently resides in Las Vegas, NV where she works for Parallon Business Solutions as the Division Director of Clinical Pharmacy – Hospital Corporation of America Far West Division.
“Legacies Alive has allowed me to passionately honor the sacrifice and service of my heroes. The interactions I have had with their Gold Star families are some of the most powerful and influential experiences I have had in my life. It has inspired me to continue to connect our mission with more Americans so that our country’s sons and daughters forever connect the freedoms and liberties they are afforded with the sacrifice and service of our fallen and their families.”
Mike is a co-founder of Legacies Alive. Mike completed the first Legacy Challenge, “Mike’s Hiking For Heroes,” walking over 7,100 kilometers around the United States, honoring our nation’s heroes and meeting with their Gold Star families, which helped shape the mission and objectives for the organization.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he also served as captain of the football team. Upon graduation, he commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army and was stationed in Oklahoma and Colorado. He served with the 4th Infantry Division as well as the 214th Fires Brigade, in addition to serving in combat in Afghanistan. Mike is currently serving on the Army West Point football staff in West Point, NY.
Tyler is a Co-Founder and CEO of Bridge Core, an organization that enables their clients’ mission by integrating innovative technologies and adoption processes to modernize their digital workplace. Tyler earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, where he played football for the Mariners. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and started his career with Military Sealift Command as a marine engineer. He had the privilege of serving beside elite special forces operators during his time on special mission platforms. Tyler continues to serve in the Navy Reserves, recently returning from a sea tour with USSOCOM in 2019.
Frank is Legacies Alive’s Certified Public Accountant. He attended Allegheny College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Managerial Economics and is a shareholder of Palermo/Kissinger & Associates in Washington, PA. Frank works closely with our Finance Director and is responsible for all financial governance. He lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife, Amanda, their three children, Eleanor, Lucille, and Frank, and their golden doodle, Birdie.
“Serving military families through my work at United Through Reading is my passion and my privilege. Serving Gold Star families is my greatest honor.”
Sally is Legacies Alive’s Director of Strategic Relations and Strategy Consultant. She cultivates strong relationships with outside organizations, both public and private, that add strategic value to the Team. Additionally, she leverages her vast managerial experience to provide expert oversight on LA’s operations. Sally has a doctorate in educational leadership and management and a master’s degree in special education from the University of San Diego, and a BA in elementary education from Purdue University. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of United Through Reading, is a member of the Coronado Library’s Board of Trustees, and a board member of the United States Academic Decathlon. Sally is also a recipient of the United Through Reading Congressional Medal of Honor Community Service Hero Award. She resides in Coronado, CA with her husband, Jim, and their family.
