Troop Rewards › Our Team

Tom Burkett

Burkett Asset Mgmt., Inc. (BAM) CEO | Founder - January 1998 to present BAM is a holding company that operates companies that specialize in the consumer service's industry.

Civic Leader Team | Appointed by Gen. Carlton D. Everhart | USAF Air Mobility Command | Class of 2018 - 2021

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

Post 911 Veterans | Advisory Board Member | June 2017 to Present

VETPAW - Veterans Empowered to Protect African Wildlife | Advisory Board Member | January 2017 to Present

MacDill AFB, Tampa, Fl | Honorary Commander | Class of 2015-2017

University of South Florida | Advisory Board Member | Digital Marketing Certification | June 2017 to Present

Tamp Bay Lightning Community Hero Recipient | November 2016

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.

Lt. Col Nathan Schalles, USAF Ret.

President | Executive Director | Selection Committee

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.

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.

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Blake, USAF Ret.

Executive Team | Board Member | Chair - Program Services Committee | Selection Sub-Committee

Chief Blake retired in June 2016 after 30 years of decorated service with the United States Air Force and now enjoys his days with his family and walking his dog, Buddy, when not volunteering as an Executive with Troop Rewards.

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.

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.

Brian Gunderson

Treasurer | Chair - Finance & Governance Committee

CPA, CFST. Assists manufacturing, distribution and contracting clients with tax planning techniques to minimize their tax burden. Brian has extensive experience in corporate taxation and is qualified to represent corporate sales tax clients in a tax audit, perform audits under the Certified Audit Program, and review documents during the sales process for areas of tax exposure. Brian has a BS degree in Accounting and an MS degree in Taxation from Florida State University.

He also is a veteran of the U.S. Army

Jim Herron

Board Member | Fundraising & Program Services Committee | Selection Committee

Belleair Marketing, Inc. CEO | President - March 2013 - Present

Strategic Consulting, including business plan & sales strategy of customer affinity campaigns via the internet, tele-sales, database management and capitalization.

Jim's late father, Jim Herron Sr., served as a 1st Lt. in the US Marines during the Vietam War and was awarded 2 purple hearts and 3 Bronze Stars. He left the Marines as a Captain. He passed away due to complications from Agent Orange in September 2001.

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.

Roberta Schalles

Head Event Planner | 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.

Board of Directors & Executive Team