Pete Canalichio | ThriveAlive.ai

George Hyek | TRINSEC 7

MilCom Founders Podcast, Episode 45: From Police Officer to Fractional CISO with George Hyek Join host Rod Loges and guest George Hyek as he traces the path from his early days as a police officer to founding TRINSEC 7. George explains why he walked away from responding to crime to spend a career preventing it, first as an Army intelligence officer and now as a Fractional CISO+ giving small businesses in regulated industries the kind of integrated security that used to be reserved for Fortune 500s and the government. In this episode: * How a Marine recruiting pull-up event and a roommate's conversation with a recruiter pulled George off the police force and into the Army as an intelligence officer. * The 8 a.m. meetings at NATO Special Operations Headquarters where the commander, a Navy SEAL named Skip Vincenzo, banned all work talk so he could read where his people's heads and hearts were before the day started. * What George took away from General John Kelly addressing a packed gymnasium at U.S. Southern Command during the rise of ISIS, and never once mentioning the son he had lost. * Why George named his company TRINSEC 7, from Trinity to the biblical number seven for completeness, and how it captures his idea of holistic security. * The problem with siloed security, why juggling 7 to 10 vendors leaves small businesses paying markups and getting finger-pointing instead of accountability. * Why George turned down a security company as a client when they refused to let him run a vulnerability assessment. * The VC who told George he doesn't run a software as a service company, he runs a service as a software company, and why that reframe stuck. * George's work in rural healthcare and HIPAA, including a client visit in Oregon that reminded him the patient is the real person being protected. Key takeaways: * Strong teams are built on people, not just the mission. Knowing where someone's head and heart are tells you what kind of work they can do that day. * Real leadership makes it about the people you lead, not yourself, even when you are carrying the heaviest loss in the room. * Siloed security is one of the biggest vulnerabilities a small business has. One integrated program with one point of accountability beats a stack of disconnected vendors. * Security only works when it supports the business. The moment it becomes an obstacle, people route around it and create a bigger hole. * Coachability matters more than budget. A client who refuses to learn how exposed they are is not a client worth taking on. Guest: George Hyek, Founder and Managing Partner, TRINSEC 7. Former U.S. Army intelligence officer and federal Senior Special Agent. * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-hyek/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-hyek/] * Website: www.trinsec7.com [https://www.trinsec7.com] George Hyek is the founder and managing partner of TRINSEC 7, a security firm delivering enterprise-grade protection for small businesses without the enterprise budget. As a Fractional CISO+, George replaces the piecemeal, siloed approach to security with a single integrated program aligned to each client's business objectives, culture, and compliance requirements across frameworks like NIST, ISO, GLBA, and HIPAA. George's career began in law enforcement as a police officer, where he quickly realized that responding to crime wasn't where he wanted to be. He wanted to prevent it. That realization led him into the Army, where he commissioned as an intelligence officer through the Pennsylvania National Guard's Officer Candidacy School. Over 14 years of service across the National Guard, Reserves, and active duty, George served in joint assignments at U.S. Southern Command, NATO Special Operations Headquarters in Belgium, and other high-level commands, leading 60+ overseas counterintelligence operations. On the civilian side, George served as a Senior Special Agent investigating espionage, cyber intrusions, and national security threats, and managed security operations across seven airports and four nuclear plants, reducing critical incidents by 35%. He also teaches cyber threat intelligence and risk management at the graduate level, averaging a 4.9 out of 5 on student evaluations. George is the author of Holistic Security Secrets, a practical framework for family security programs, and is currently writing a second book focused on small business security. His ideal clients are small businesses under 100 people in regulated industries, with a growing focus on rural healthcare and HIPAA 2.0 compliance. Looking ahead: TRINSEC 7 is growing its client base and developing a proprietary software platform to complement its security services. George is also actively raising capital to bring that software to market. The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [https://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Donate to the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund: https://bold.org/funds/dick-loges-veteran-entrepreneur-fund/ [https://bold.org/funds/dick-loges-veteran-entrepreneur-fund/]

Pete Canalichio | ThriveAlive.ai

MilCom Founders Podcast — Episode 44: From Navy Aviator to AI-Powered Purpose with Pete Canalichio Join host Rod Loges and guest Pete Canalichio as he shares his journey from Naval Academy graduate and P3 Orion aircraft commander to co-founder of ThriveAlive.AI, a platform using artificial intelligence to help people find clarity on their purpose, vision, mission, and values. In this episode: * How Pete's father's simple advice kept him from leaving the Naval Academy during a brutal plebe year * Flying the P3 Orion with a 12-member crew during the Cold War and what leading that team taught him about showing up for every role * The oil-fed engine fire over the Pacific that forced Pete to dive his aircraft toward the ocean to blow out the flames * A seven-year finance career at Coca-Cola that Pete chose because he was good at math, not because it was his calling * How a chance meeting after a law firm talk led to a partnership with co-founder Ernesto Escobar * Building ThriveAlive.AI to help people in transition find their purpose so they don't repeat his seven-year detour * Why military veterans and their families are the community Pete is most passionate about serving * His daughter Ellie's "Dad, what are you thinking?" moment that changed a major decision Key takeaways: * Don't make hasty decisions when things aren't going well. Give it time before you walk away * A leader is someone people want to follow, regardless of title * The military prepares you to be an excellent officer but rarely helps you figure out what comes next * If somebody had helped Pete define his purpose before business school, he wouldn't have spent seven years in the wrong career * You don't have to do everything. Do what you do well and surround yourself with people who fill in the rest Guest: Pete Canalichio, Co-Founder of ThriveAlive.AI, US Naval Academy graduate, Navy aviator and instructor pilot * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petecanalichio-thrivealive/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petecanalichio-thrivealive/]   * Website: www.thrivealive.ai [http://www.thrivealive.ai] "Unlock the essence of your purpose, vision, and mission effortlessly with ThriveAlive.AI. Powered by cutting-edge artificial intelligence, it guides you through tailored questions to extract core values and aspirations." Pete Canalichio is an award-winning author of the Amazon #1 New Release Expand, Grow, Thrive (2018) and Strategic Brand Licensing (2024), a TEDx speaker, and a recognized expert in brand strategy, expansion, and licensing. Over a 25-year career, he has helped scale global brands through leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company, Newell Brands, and as founder of BrandAlive. In 2025, Pete co-founded ThriveAlive.Ai, a platform designed to help military members, veterans, and spouses gain clarity on their purpose, vision, and mission—extending his commitment to leadership and impact beyond the corporate world. Pete's leadership foundation was forged at the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a degree in physics before serving as a Navy aviator and instructor pilot. As aircraft commander of a multi-engine platform and 12-member crew during the Cold War, he developed the decisive, calm-under-pressure leadership style that defines his career. That leadership was tested in extreme conditions—most notably while piloting an aircraft over the Pacific Ocean when an engine caught fire. In that moment, Pete relied on disciplined thinking and decisive action to navigate the crisis safely, a mindset he has since applied to complex business challenges and global brand growth initiatives. Following his military service, Pete earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he was a Richard H. Jenrette Fellow and salutatorian. He began his business career at Coca-Cola in global finance, managing $32 billion in annual transactions as Treasury Operations Manager in London, before transitioning into brand expansion and licensing leadership. Over the course of his career, Pete has worked in more than 40 countries, leading large-scale initiatives across global markets. Today, he is known for helping organizations unlock growth through disciplined brand expansion strategies and long-term, value-driven partnerships. The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [http://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Donate to the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund: https://bold.org/funds/dick-loges-veteran-entrepreneur-fund/ [https://bold.org/funds/dick-loges-veteran-entrepreneur-fund/]

John Collins | Your Pay

MilCom Founders Podcast, Episode 43: John Collins, Retired Army Sergeant Major and Author of Your Pay Join host Rod Loges as he sits down with John Collins, a retired Army Sergeant Major who spent 28 years in special operations and turned his passion for financial education into a book for service members. John shares how a 15-minute hallway conversation changed his approach to money and why he went from teaching financial classes during deployments to writing Your Pay: Navigate Your Military Benefits and Take What's Yours. In this episode: * How a winding path from Boston University to Ranger Battalion to Special Forces shaped John's career * The hallway conversation with a finance specialist that changed how John thought about investing * Teaching financial literacy classes during deployments and watching it make an immediate difference * Why John chose to write a book instead of continuing to teach 25 people at a time * The four-year process from first draft during a deployment to publication * How working with an editor through a chaplain's recommendation kept the book on track Key takeaways: * Genuine care for your people is the foundation of leadership; without it, no one follows for long * Micromanagement usually signals a failure to invest in and trust the people you lead * Financial stress pulls focus from the mission; removing it frees service members to do their jobs * Starting imperfectly with investing is far better than waiting for the perfect plan * Knowing where you stand financially and where you want to go creates a usable map for decision-making * Always confirm that a financial advisor is a fiduciary before working with them Guest: John Collins, Retired Army Sergeant Major, Author of Your Pay * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-h-collins [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-h-collins] * Book: Your Pay: Navigate Your Military Benefits and Take What's Yours * Amazon:  https://a.co/d/02aCpQ5R [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fa.co%2Fd%2F02aCpQ5R&data=05%7C02%7Cnanderson%40onedegreecapital.com%7C23bca4a9213340cfa2ed08deb5215684%7C14b0901235c7485d9590323faa88e1f2%7C0%7C0%7C639147352305865960%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fG175Y6pJSn5Kgon%2BgN5CTh1HJXG3BDbZJp4l8IpOwY%3D&reserved=0] * B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-pay-john-collins/1150160718?ean=9798295838255 [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%2Fw%2Fyour-pay-john-collins%2F1150160718%3Fean%3D9798295838255&data=05%7C02%7Cnanderson%40onedegreecapital.com%7C23bca4a9213340cfa2ed08deb5215684%7C14b0901235c7485d9590323faa88e1f2%7C0%7C0%7C639147352305909609%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6Jmb69TrrRW6O7E2LSPrS3VI1c%2FLnYPVxS8fnBEK4%2BE%3D&reserved=0]  John Collins is a retired Army Sergeant Major and longtime advocate for improving the financial readiness of America's service members. Across a twenty-eight-year career spent mostly in special operations, he saw firsthand how preparation and long-term discipline determine success, both on the battlefield and at home. Born and raised in a small town in upstate New York, John enlisted in the Army after graduating from Boston University. He began his career in 3rd Ranger Battalion, initially serving in the demanding, albeit non-glamorous, role of Ammo Bearer. He went on to attend the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and complete the Special Forces Qualification Course ("Q" Course). Later in his career, he attended Stanford Graduate School of Business, further expanding his understanding of strategy, leadership, and decision-making. Throughout his service, John recognized a troubling pattern: many highly capable military professionals lacked the financial education necessary to fully use the benefits they had earned. Poor financial outcomes were rarely the result of irresponsibility; more often, they stemmed from incomplete information and a broader education system that overlooks practical financial literacy. In some cases, that confusion created avoidable stress, strained relationships, and diminished focus during critical moments. Motivated by a deep sense of duty, John dedicated himself to simplifying complex financial concepts into practical, actionable guidance for his fellow service members. His approach avoids jargon and theory in favor of clear explanations and real-world examples paired with disciplined frameworks that readers can immediately apply. His book, Your Pay: Navigate Your Military Benefits and Take What's Yours, represents decades of service and mentorship distilled into one resource. John wrote it to be the guide he wished had existed earlier in his own career, one that equips military families with the clarity and confidence to build lasting financial strength. John retired from the Army in 2025 and lives in Idaho with his wife and two sons. Looking ahead: John is building a website to provide additional resources for military families and is exploring partnerships with organizations that support financial readiness for service members. The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business founders. Each episode brings practical insights from successful veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [http://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at milcomfounders.com

Michael Parks | Daystar Photography

MilCom Founders Podcast — Episode 42: From K-9 Handler to Capturing Stories That Matter with Michael Parks Join host Rod Loges and guest Michael Parks as he shares his journey from Air Force K-9 handler and retired Supervisory Federal Air Marshal to founder of Daystar Photography, a veteran-owned photography, videography, and drone services company serving clients nationwide. In this episode: * How growing up with an active duty Army father gave Michael the foundation to pursue military service * His path from Air Force K-9 handler to Secret Service bomb dog detail to Federal Air Marshal * The moment on a glass-bottom boat in Destin, Florida that sparked his love of photography * How his mom saw the spark before he did and gave him his first camera for Christmas * Why he treats every client like family instead of a transaction, a lesson he learned from his working dogs * The story of Captain Johns, who refused to leave Michael's side during an explosive detection alert in Kuwait * How he founded Vet Fest, a free festival celebrating veterans that has grown from 300 attendees to 550 and is expanding to multiple cities * His advice on balancing the entrepreneurial drive with personal time and family Key takeaways: * The loyalty and focus of a working dog taught Michael how to serve clients: show up fully, earn trust, and give everything to the relationship * Don't treat people as transactions. Treat them as family * God places people in your life to support you when it matters most, whether it's a captain in a war zone or a mom who notices what lights you up * The military teaches pride and excellence, but entrepreneurs also need to learn when to step away and give themselves grace * Learn to have a work-life balance. The business isn't going anywhere, but you can never get back the time you've been given Guest: Michael Parks, Owner and CEO of Daystar Photography LLC, US Air Force veteran (12+ years, K-9 Handler/Security Forces), retired Supervisory Federal Air Marshal (22 years, Department of Homeland Security) * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professionalphotopgraher-recruiter-law-enforcement-advisor/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/professionalphotopgraher-recruiter-law-enforcement-advisor/] * Website: www.daystarphoto.com [http://www.daystarphoto.com] Michael Parks is the Owner and CEO of Daystar Photography LLC, a Veteran-Owned professional photography, videography, and drone services company serving Atlanta, Tampa, and Orlando. Through Daystar Photography, Michael captures powerful visual stories that spotlight leadership, service, and impact. He is the official photographer for Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and proudly serves as a Brand Ambassador for IVMF's Ambassador program.  Throughout his career, Michael has traveled nationwide documenting major veteran and corporate events, working with nationally recognized organizations including Wounded Warrior Project, Walmart, Fiserv, USAA, JPMorgan Chase, and Amazon.  Michael is also a retired Supervisory Federal Air Marshal with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), serving honorably from January 2002 to November 2023. Over his 22-year career, he held numerous leadership and operational roles, including Federal Air Marshal, Primary Watch Officer, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) Task Force Supervisor, Program Manager and International Planner for the Middle East & Africa, and ultimately retiring as a Supervisory Federal Air Marshal. His service took him to more than 50 countries and over 350 destinations worldwide, supporting national security and international operations.  In addition to his primary duties, Michael was entrusted with several critical collateral roles, including Law Enforcement Chaplain, Certified Peer & Grief Counselor, EEO Counselor & Investigator, Counter-UAS/Drone Supervisor, and Lead Recruiter & Hiring Specialist. Prior to his federal service, Michael served over 12 years in the United States Air Force, where he built deep expertise as a K-9 Handler (Explosive & Narcotics) and Program Manager. His Air Force career included progressive leadership roles as Kennel Master, Trainer, and Security Forces K-9 Handler. He is also the founder of Vet Fest, a growing annual festival celebrating veterans and connecting them with resources across the country. The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [http://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Donate to the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund: https://bold.org/funds/dick-loges-veteran-entrepreneur-fund/ [https://bold.org/funds/dick-loges-veteran-entrepreneur-fund/]

Michael Segal | Eagle Law Group

MILCOM Founders Podcast, Episode 41: From F-15 Fighter Pilot to Founder of Eagle Law Group with Michael Segal Join host Rod Loges and guest Michael Segal as he shares his path from flying F-15s in the United States Air Force to founding Eagle Law Group, P.C., a law firm in Los Angeles that serves the aerospace and defense industry. Michael also discusses building BizVets LA, a nonprofit connecting veteran professionals across the city. In this episode: * Michael's journey from the Air Force Academy to F-15 pilot training, Big Law at Loeb & Loeb, and eventually starting his own firm * How his 22-year Air Force career, including combat operations and managing billions in DoD resources, prepared him to lead a legal practice * The leadership lessons he took from his first fighter squadron commander at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa * Why he founded BizVets LA, a nonprofit that has grown to 92 paid members in its first year and a half * The legal mistakes startup founders make most often, from loose contracts to unclear equity structures * How AI is changing the legal profession and why the billable hour model may be on borrowed time Key takeaways: * Contracts exist for a reason, and shortcuts with legal documents work until they don't * Founders should figure out their organizational structure, equity splits, and decision-making processes before going to an attorney * Litigation is expensive in every way: financially, emotionally, and operationally * Veterans naturally trust and want to do business with each other, and that instinct is worth building on * AI is making legal work faster, but interpersonal skills and client trust are becoming more important as a result Guest: Michael Segal, Founder, Eagle Law Group, P.C., USAF F-15 Fighter Pilot (retired Major, 22 years of service) * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-segal-f15/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-segal-f15/] * Business Website: https://eagle.law/ [https://eagle.law/] Michael Segal is a former USAF F-15 fighter pilot who served 22 years in the Air Force, including time at the Air Force Academy, active duty flying F-15Cs and Es, and Reserve service. He earned his MBA during his military career and later attended UCLA School of Law. After working at Loeb & Loeb and several smaller firms, he founded Eagle Law Group in November 2023, focusing on complex commercial litigation and transactional work for aerospace, defense, and technology companies. He also founded BizVets LA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects veteran professionals in Los Angeles through monthly meetings, business education, and networking. Michael retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Major in August 2024. The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [http://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/ [https://www.milcomfounders.com/] For each podcast guest, One Degree Financial donates $100 to the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund.