Executive Committee

Todd L. Sherman

Major General (Ret) Steven Hashem

Joseph Caruso

Robert Curley
Board Members

Mike Francisco

Navy SEAL (Ret) Joe Crandall

Danny Bianco

David Ingram

Tim Irons

Colonel (Ret) Michael S. Mikulski II

Jeffrey O’Hara

Elaine Damm

Erik Osland

Patrick Fisher

Michael Wilkinson

Pam Davis

Kevin Ruth
Advisors to the Board

Ryan Peters
Advisor to the BoardUpon successfully finishing training and certification as a Navy SEAL, CDR Peters completed three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Leaving active duty in 2009, CDR Peters attended Rutgers School of Law, and was graduated in 2012. In 2013, he was recalled to active duty service and spent ten months forward-deployed with a SEAL element assigned to Special Operations Command South.
Outside of his Navy SEAL background, CDR Peters currently serves as the Commanding Officer of Special Boat Unit 18, a Reserve Unit composed of 7 Officers and over 150 Enlisted SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant Crewman, and Support Personnel, responsible for ensuring the Navy Reserve, Special Boat Unit 18 is operationally ready to mobilize in support of Naval Special Warfare Global Force. CDR Peters was also was sworn in as a NJ Assemblyman in January 2018.
He is well respected by all and The Patriot Fund Board was proud to announce that he was the recipient of the 2021 American Patriot Award. He looks forward to being an active Advisor to the Board starting in January of 2022.

Command Chief Master Sgt. US Air Force (Ret) Will Markham
Advisor to the BoardWilliam Markham, Command Chief Master Sergeant US Air Force (retired) served for 30 years in the United States Air Force and has received numerous decorations and awards for his courageous duties. His inspiring past has led him to become the generous and noble man that he is today. As a retired Veteran, he continues to serve the military community through mentorship, charitable actions, and patriotic leadership.
The Patriot Fund’s core values and Will’s principles are one and the same. As a young boy when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up Will’s response was consistent in stating, “I just want to take care of people”. Will continues to live his life based around two mottos that have become the compass for his everyday actions. The first motto being “Freedom of maneuver,” and the second, “Always find the way to YES.” His passion to raise funds for veterans and their families for the last 20 years has increased every year with gaining support from the community.
Will resigned from SOWF (Special Operations Warrior Foundation) in April of 2019 to create a solution and a greater need for Veterans in June 2019. Will along with a close team of legal and medical professionals started a 501(c)3 non-profit, Project OVAT (One Veteran @ A Time), which is a charitable organization that was established to help Veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military.
A constant professional since his retirement, he has been inducted into the 2018 USAF, Gathering of Eagles, and 2021 U.S. Special Operations Command, Commando Hall of Honor. Will continues to give back to our community through mentorship, leadership, and team building activities to our professional and private organizations.

Pete Musumeci
Advisor to the BoardPete Musumeci started out as an Advisor to the Board for The Patriot Fund in 2019, became an Executive Committee Member in 2021 when the committee was first established, and is again an Advisor to the Board currently (January, 2022). He became interested in The Patriot Fund after having an inspiring conversation over lunch about the organization’s mission with current Executive Committee members and board members. These conversations further led him to want to become part of the team and he has taken great strides, along with the rest of the Executive Committee and the Board, to make The Patriot Fund the organization it is today.
Pete is proud to serve the Delaware Valley region and is just as ecstatic to reach regions beyond this as The Patriot Fund continues to expand year after year. Pete was the Chief Credit Officer for Commerce Bank and is presently a consultant and board member of Republic Bank. With more than 40 years of experience in the banking industry, he has brought decades of industry experience with high growth, customer focused businesses.

Don Tretola
Advisor to the BoardDon Tretola began his Public Affairs career with PSE&G in 1971 and retired with nearly 38 years of service in the military. His service to this country is well respected by all and we are proud to have him as an Advisor to the Board at The Patriot Fund.
Don is the recipient of numerous awards including the commendation Medal presented by the Adjutant General, the ESGR Military Seven Seals Award from the Department of Defense, and various others. He has served on numerous community based organizations including the College of New Jersey Advisory Board, Central Jersey Junior Achievement, Mercer County Community College Advisory Board and Saint Francis Medical Center as well.
Marketing Director

Lauren Maiale
Marketing DirectorLauren Maiale professionally works for SSG Executive Advisory Group of Raymond James as the Senior Practice Marketing Associate. She brings notable expertise in the areas of social media and digital marketing to the company. She is proficient in the creative design and execution of marketing communications on all of our social and web based platforms, while remaining cognizant of traditional marketing approaches to reach clients and prospects.
When joining the SSG Team, her co-workers Todd L. Sherman and Mike Francisco introduced her to The Patriot Fund. After hearing the organization’s mission and values, Lauren was eager to get involved with the organization. She has become the Fund’s Marketing Director, generating engaging social media posts, updating The Patriot Fund’s website, assisting with event planning tasks and managing all marketing communications for the organization.
“It’s the most humbling feeling to be part of something bigger than myself – helping our Veteran heroes live more fulfilling lives!” – Lauren Maiale