08/06/2025: We are honored to announce that Curtis Taylor Jr. will be joining the TAVS USA Advisory Board.
Mr. Taylor is widely recognized for his relentless work ethic, dynamic presentation skills, and ability to drive strategic outcomes while fostering strong client relationships. He currently leads TIS3 Solutions, an 8(a), CVE, SDVOSB-certified firm delivering innovative “Smart Solutions” across both government and commercial sectors.
Previously, Mr. Taylor guided financial strategy and facility operations for one of the nation’s most prestigious universities on behalf of Thompson Hospitality. He also served in a hybrid leadership role at Oracle, directing sales channels that supported NASA’s missions and Amtrak’s strategic initiatives. Earlier, as Director of the International Business Division at Comcast/NBC Universal, he managed relationships with embassies, federal agencies, and foreign missions in Washington, D.C., overseeing critical program and project management needs.
Mr. Taylor’s career foundation includes leadership positions with Marriott International and Hilton Hotels. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Project Management and Organizational Leadership from Purdue University, where he played varsity football as a scholarship athlete. He also holds an Executive Master’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management and is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).
07/30/2025: TAVS USA Welcomes Donald Jennings as Senior Organizational Analyst to Strengthen Veteran and First Responder Transitions
Leaving the military or first responder community for the private sector means more than changing jobs—it’s a shift in structure, identity, and daily life. What once was a clearly defined system with shared values and guaranteed support becomes a world driven by individual goals, shifting work-life boundaries, and economic uncertainty. The security of steady pay and benefits is replaced with the potential for growth, but also risk. For most, the adjustment is abrupt, and they face it alone.
TAVS USA seeks to change that. We understand this transition—not just in theory, but through lived experience. We’re here to meet people where they are and stay with them through the full arc of their journey. Beyond offering free education and economic opportunity, we are striving to build meaningful connections and an enduring community.
To strengthen this vision, we’re proud to welcome Donald Jennings as Senior Organizational Analyst. Donald is a seasoned project manager, engineer, and nonprofit founder whose work spans sustainable agriculture, telecommunications, and human rights advocacy. In the 1970s, he founded the New Mexico Organic Growers Association, pioneering Bio Dynamic and Organic Farming education. In 1996, he co-founded Imani Works, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and UN consultant dedicated to advancing global human rights, hosting the annual Affrolachian music festival and providing conflict transformation services.
Donald’s career includes upgrading U.S. Coast Guard facilities, designing Boston Logan Airport’s wireless network, and managing high-profile projects for President Sadat of Egypt, King Khaled of Saudi Arabia, and the Shah of Iran. He grew Compucon’s market share to 80%, led national broadband rollouts, and co-authored the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
A dedicated mentor and educator, Donald has taught at the University of Virginia and led SCORE’s Central Virginia Chapter, empowering entrepreneurs and communities worldwide.
In his role at TAVS USA, Donald will help align our programs and strategies with the needs of those we serve. He’ll focus on ensuring our curriculum, coaching, and partnerships effectively engage our participants, creating clearer paths to employment, stronger long-term support, and a structure that adapts as our ecosystem expands.
At TAVS USA, we believe the shift from service to civilian life shouldn’t be a solo journey. With Donald’s insight and leadership, we’re reinforcing our commitment to building a support system that’s grounded, responsive, and self-sustaining.
07/24/2025: Fritz Timo to serve as lead instructor for the Internet-101 session.
Fritz Timo will serve as the lead instructor for the Internet 101 session in the 2025 TAVS USA inaugural class.
Fritz Timo is a seasoned technical expert and sales engineer with over two decades of experience in telecommunications and enterprise service delivery. As a Partner Channel Sales Engineer at Comcast Business, Fritz supports multiple account managers and strategic sales teams across government, education, and medical sectors in Washington, DC and Annapolis. He designs and helps implement advanced data, voice, and video solutions, working closely with internal stakeholders—from contract to construction to customer support—ensuring seamless delivery and integration.
Prior to his current role, Fritz held senior engineering and operations positions at Comcast Cable, Level 3 Communications, XO Communications, Nextlink, and Teligent. His expertise spans wireless and fiber technologies, network design, customer solutions architecture, and technical training. He holds a Cisco CCDA certification and excels at translating complex technical concepts into clear business value.
Fritz earned both his B.A. in Urban Studies and M.A. in Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo.
07/17/2025: Kate Daly to open the Building Your Brand session for the Fall 2025 Class
Kate Daly is a results-driven Senior Manager for Indirect Channel Marketing at Comcast Business. She specializes in channel marketing and partnership development, particularly managing strategies for the Comcast Business Solutions Advisor Program while building collaborative relationships with partners and stakeholders. Kate is also an active social media marketing thought leader, regularly sharing insights on creating comprehensive social media marketing strategies, optimizing LinkedIn posting times for maximum visibility, and analyzing social media analytics to unlock business insights.
07/16/2025: Byron Cantrall joins TAVS USA Advisory Board
Byron Cantrall is President and CEO of LS Networks, where he leads strategy, long-range planning, budgeting, and new growth initiatives. In this role, he partners with his executive team to shape direction and elevate both customer and employee experience—while also championing shareholder communications and board-level initiatives. Prior to this, Byron served as General Manager and Regional Vice President at Comcast Business in the Northeast and Texas markets, transforming under performing regions into top-performing business units and spearheading strategic organizational initiatives.
With over three decades of leadership across sales, operations, and customer care, Byron is an industry advocate deeply committed to workforce development. He has led cross-industry efforts to advance training for college graduates, integrate third‑party systems, and promote investment in under served communities. His expertise stems from a strong telecom foundation—earlier in his career, he held leadership roles including Vice President of Sales at Integra Telecom of Arizona and founded his own telecom integration company.
Byron holds a business degree from Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business and has completed executive certification at Harvard Business School.
07/15/2025: Brian Nichols joins TAVS USA Advisory Board and will serve as lead instructor for the Interviewing Skills session.
Brian Nichols brings a mission-first mindset forged through military service and refined across a dynamic career in recruiting and talent strategy. A U.S. Navy veteran who enlisted after the September 11th attacks, Brian continues a family legacy of service that traces back to the Revolutionary War. His leadership spans the private sector, federal government, and Fortune 100 companies—building veteran hiring programs that are not only scalable but deeply personal.
As Vice President of Recruiting, Brian leads with clarity and purpose. He understands the transition journey firsthand, having been the candidate, the corporate gatekeeper, and the program architect. This perspective allows him to advocate for both performance and humanity in every hiring decision. Raised in the Washington D.C. area and now based in New England with his wife and five children, Brian remains focused on one goal: connecting mission-driven talent to roles where they can lead, grow, and serve again.
07/14/2025: Aristotle Apostolopoulos joins TAVS USA Sales Round Table for the Fall 2025 Class
Aristotle Apostolopoulos is a high-performing enterprise sales executive with a decade of experience driving digital transformation across public sector, mid-market, and global enterprise verticals. Currently a Sr. Enterprise Account Executive at Comcast Business, Ari leads global managed solutions initiatives—delivering cutting-edge fiber, SD-WAN, and advanced security technologies that power resilient, scalable networks. Aristotle’s career is defined by consistent top-tier performance and national recognition, including Summit Winner and Public Sector Leader honors. At AT&T and T-Mobile, Ari launched sales strategies adopted nationwide and led teams to #1 rankings in fiber, voice, and outbound sales. Known for his relentless drive, strategic mindset, and ability to build trusted partnerships, Ari thrives at the intersection of innovation and execution—helping organizations modernize infrastructure and unlock new growth. He is a 2022 graduate of AT&T’s Management Development Program and a passionate advocate for technology that empowers people and progress.
07/13/2025: David Sussman joins TAVS USA Advisory Board
David Sussman is the Founder and CEO of Valcor, a business restructuring and capital acquisition firm that has grown into a global network with over 100 consultant offices across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Since 1994, David has led Valcor’s expansion while serving as a trusted advisor to small and midsize businesses, guiding them through restructuring, debt mediation, and growth financing.
In addition to managing complex corporate workouts and strategic ventures, David launched and later sold the groundbreaking DebtAuction platform, which managed over $1 billion in non-performing debt and attracted high-profile clients including Citi, Goldman Sachs, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. A recognized thought leader, David frequently speaks to business groups, serves on panels for the SBA and SCORE, and appears in major media outlets such as Fox Business, CNN/Money, the Los Angeles Times, and Entrepreneur Magazine.
07/09/2025: Matt Brigham joins TAVS USA Sales Round Table for the Fall 2025 Class
Matt Brigham is a Strategic Enterprise Account Executive with Comcast Business, where he has proudly served for 18 years. A second-generation telecom professional, Matt grew up with a deep appreciation for both service and connectivity—his mother served in the U.S. Navy, and his father worked in the telecom industry, making him a second generation "cable guy". That legacy inspired his own path in the cable and communications field.
Matt is a passionate advocate for veteran programs and actively supports initiatives that help service members transition into civilian careers, especially within the IT sector. He brings a wealth of industry knowledge, a commitment to customer success, and a strong belief in the power of mentorship.
He lives in Gig Harbor, Washington, with his wife and two sons, where he enjoys the balance of family life and the fast-paced world of enterprise technology.