Board of Directors & Executive Team

• 
  

  Tom Burkett

  
  Founder | Chairman

  Known for his commitment to the armed forces and, specifically, the US Air Force. He was selected in 2015 as an Honorary Commander of the Security Forces squadron of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, in 2017 he was appointed by Brigadier Gen. April Vogel to serve as the Honorary Command Chief at MacDill, and was recently selected to be a member of the MacDill Support Council, a select group of business leaders in the Tampa Bay Community that provide assistance and guidance to the various commands that are located at MacDill Air Force Base.
  

  In February of 2018, he received an official appointment to serve on Gen. Maryanne Miller's Air Mobility Command Civic Leader Team for a 3 year term until 2021, which provides advocacy to issues facing airmen, Air Mobility and the USAF in general to local, state, and national elected officials.
  

  He is also an avid supporter of veterans and currently serves as an Advisory Board member of Post 911 Veterans since June of 2017

  In January of 2017 he was asked to serve as a Board Member for VETPAW - Veterans Empowered to Protect African Wildlife. VETPAW is an international charity whoes goal is to help end the African poaching crisis and conserve endangered species by utilizing the unrivaled skills and experience of post-9/11 U.S. veterans to train park rangers and support their communities.

  His commitment to local educational programs is highlighted by his appointment to serve on the Advisory Board to the University of South Florida’s Digital Marketing Certification Program from June 2017 to June 2018.

  In November 2016 he was recognized as a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero and donated the $50,000 award to Troop Rewards. 

  In 2019 he was asked to serve as the Chair of the Bay Area Community Air-Fest Committee for MacDill AFB's Air-Fest 2020 show. Which in 2018 was awarded the best Air Show in the World by ICAS and was the recipient of the Dick Schram Memorial Award.
  

  Tom's father, Frank S. Burkett Jr., served in the US Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Canaberra and the USS Rich as a Petty Officer 1st Class. His grandfather, Frank S. Burkett Sr., served in the US Army on the Mexican border during WWI. 

• 
  

  Chief Master Sgt. Scott Blake, USAF Ret.

  
  President | Board Member | Chair - Program Services Committee | Selection Sub-Committee

  Chief Master Sergeant Scott Blake retired from the USAF after 30 years of Honorable service to his country as a Security Forces Manager. 
  

  His background includes various duties at the unit and MAJCOM levels.  His assignments include bases in California, Missouri, New Jersey and Florida.  The Chief also served overseas in the Philippines, United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Southwest Asia, Kosovo and performed PHOENIX RAVEN aircraft security at multiple overseas locations.
  

  Chief Blake graduated with Honors from the American Military University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. 

  He also enjoys his days with his family and walking his dog, Buddy, when not volunteering and serving as President of Troop Rewards.

• 
  

  Jessica Schwarzkopf

  
  Troop Rewards Ambassador | Board Member | Fundraising Committee

  Film Producer at Hero Films, LLC. Currently working on producing and filming a major film production covering the life of her father, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. 

  General H. Norman Schwarzkopf was involved with Troop Reward's first reward to a Private 1st Class Army soldier back in June 2009 and Jessica is now Troop Reward's Ambassador.

• 
  

  Deborah Burkett

  
  Co-Founder | Secretary | Vice President | Board Member

  Director of Strategic Accounts

  Merz North America -  May 2018 - Present
  

  MacDill AFB, Tampa, Fl | Honorary Commander | Class of 2017-2019
  

  Deborah's father, Daniel Galeoto, served as a Senior Airmen in the US Air Force during the Vietam War at an airbase in High Wycombe, U.K. 

• 
  

  Roberta Schalles

  
  Director of Events | Program Services Committee | Program Service Manager | Selection Sub-Committee

  2015 - Present

  After 21 years of standing alongside her husband in the USAF, they are enjoying being retired and living in Virginia.  She is currently working as an RN in the NICU at Fairfax INOVA Hospital.

  2013-16    6th SFS Command Spouse supporting the families within the unit during times of deployment, hosting holiday parties, giving congratulatory baby bags for newborns and attending Military functions alongside her husband.

  After their third year-long deployment, she and her husband became recipients of a Troop Reward vacation, she recognized the difference it made in having that special time together as a family after a deployment; time away from all stressors and daily obligations of life.  The vacation was a true blessing and allowed everyone to relax and reconnect with each other.  Because of this, she wanted to give back to Troop Rewards and help other families enjoy their time.  It has become her passion to help families’ transition from deployments and reintegrate as a stronger family.

• 
  

  Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel, U.S. Air Force Retired

  
  Co-Chair - Advisory Board

  Melanie retired from the Air Force in September 2019.  She finished her career as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) and the 320th Air Expeditionary Wing, headquartered at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

  Melanie is a native of Vincennes, Indiana.  She enlisted in the Air Force April 1992 and held various positions in Security Forces, Personnel Administration, and as a First Sergeant. Her assignments included bases in England, Iceland, Texas, Alabama, Washington D.C. and Florida.  Melanie also deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  Melanie graduated from American Military University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration.  Additionally, she earned a Legislative Affairs certificate from the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University.

• 
  

  Chief Master Sgt. Michael Noel, U.S. Air Force Retired

  
  Co-Chair - Advisory Board

  Michael retired from the United States Air Force in September 2019. During his 23 years of service, he filled a variety of Public Affairs, Education & Training and Leadership roles serving across numerous organizations including U.S. Special Operations Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.  His assignments included numerous stateside and overseas bases, as well as deployments to Afghanistan and Africa. 

    Michael graduated from Excelsior College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies.  Additionally, he holds Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Public Affairs and Instructor of Technology and Military Sciences from the Community College of the Air Force.

• 
  

  Lt. Col Nathan Schalles, USAF Ret.

  
  Advisory Board Member | President Emeritus

  Nathan retired from the United States Air Force in October 2016 after 21 years of decorated service.  He served on the Joint Staff, commanded five times and served multiple tours overseas to include Afghanistan and Iraq.  He is committed to continuing the mission of Troop Rewards after not only observing the positive benefits it has had on military members and their families that he has served with but also the positive impact the vacation had on his family after serving a year overseas.  

• 
  

  Ryan Tate

  
  Advisory Board Member | Fundraising Committee

  Co-Founder & President of VETPAW.org (Veterans Empowered To Protect African WildLife)

  
  

  The goal of VETPAW is to help end the African poaching crisis and conserve endangered species. We do this by utilizing the unrivaled skills and experience of post-9/11 U.S.
  veterans to train park rangers and support their communities.

  Ryan is a proud US Marine veteran.

• 
  

  John Robinson

  
  Advisory Board Member

  Post 9/11 Veterans Corp:  President | Board Chairman |Co-Founder 2015 - Present

  Post 911 Veterans provides a platform where we integrate veterans in local charity events to encourage a sense of community and inspire through actions.

  USMC Afghanistan Veteran | Hillsborough County Firefighter/Paramedic
  

  Bachelors in Business- University of South Florida- 2009
  

  Why John wanted to join the Troop Rewards' Advisory Board:

  From personal experience coming off deployments as a sergeant in the US Marines, I know that the transition and reintegration for a family is tough. What people don't often realize is that while the service member is off defending our nation, the spouses and families are also serving in their own capacity. The service that Troop Rewards provides for these families coming off of a deployment is an invaluable tool for the reintegration process. A stress free environment allows the families to focus on rebuilding relationships and to reconnect. I couldn't be more proud to be a part of this organization and take part in all that they do to support our military families.