Who We Are
At HillVets, we are dedicated to mentoring, empowering, and transforming lives.
Read about the many people who join in our initiative of serving Veterans and advancing leadership.
Meet the Team
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Founder & CEO
Justin Brown
Justin Brown is the Founder, of HillVets and is currently the CEO, of the Nimitz Group, a bipartisan consulting firm tackling the most difficult veteran and healthcare issues. He has nearly a decade of Veterans’ focused experience and advocacy, fighting on behalf of Veterans and their families to increase educational and employment opportunities, to expand access to benefits and healthcare, and to eliminate homelessness. He has worked for the VA, the VFW, the American Legion, and was a Staff Director for numerous Subcommittees for the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Justin began his commitment to public service at the age of 17 when he enlisted in the United States Navy. There, he completed one deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch and two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following Justin’s service, he attended the University of Utah, graduating with dual bachelor’s degrees in three years. He became active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) where he served as the youngest All-American District Commander and Department Chief of Staff in its history.
Director of Fundraising and Operations
Lucy Fackrell
Lucy Fackrell from the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah is thrilled to be part of the HillVets team. As a native of SLC, Lucy Fackrell developed a deep appreciation for community values and a strong commitment to making a positive impact. Lucy is a University of Utah graduate with a major in Health, Society, and Policy and a minor in Sociology. During her time at the university, she developed a passion for public service, medical and healthcare affairs, policy processes, and nonprofit work. As a granddaughter of a former United States Air Force Veteran Test Pilot and having grown up in Utah serving the community and incorporating herself in leadership positions throughout her schooling, she is inspired by those who have come before her and who have paved the life she freely enjoys today. Being raised as an individual that respects and supports Veterans and has interests and experience in administration, communication, and social media efforts throughout various life events, she is further drawn to the HillVets organization and its initiative. Lucy is thrilled to be here and contribute her efforts to the HillVets team.
HillVets Advisory Board
The Honorable Chuck Hagel
Chairman of the Advisory Board
Secretary Hagel is the Former Secretary of Defense and United States Senator. He is an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War.
Brian Branton
Advisory Board Member
Brian is the current Senior Director, Federal Government Affairs, Head of Federal Government Affairs, at Novo Nordisk.
Gerry Byrne
Advisory Board Member
Gerry served as a Marine Officer in Vietnam in 1968/69 and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V. He is the current Vice Chairman for Penske Media.
The Honorable Patrick Murphy
Advisory Board Member
The first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress, the former Acting Secretary of the Army, a health care innovator in the public and private sectors, and a champion for veterans.
Matthew Sanderson
Advisory Board Member
Matthew has been with HillVets since its inception. A fellow Utah graduate with our Founder, Matt graduated from Vanderbilt Law School and is a co-leader of the Political Law Group and a Member of the Exempt Organizations Group focusing on non-profit and political law.
Mick Nardelli
Advisory Board Member
Mick Nardelli, specializes in positioning businesses to ensure they can reap benefits through government action while insulating them from the adverse effects of government regulations.
Brian Moran
Advisory Board Member
Brian Moran, a former Navy veteran and founder of GovCIO, a billion-dollar federal systems integrator, attributes his formidable success to the transformative experience of his military service. After serving honorably in the Navy, he channeled the discipline and leadership skills acquired there to later establish GovCIO, guiding it to become a major player in government operations. His role extended beyond leading the company as its founder and CEO to being a pivotal member of its board. Apart from his corporate accomplishments, Brian Moran is deeply committed to philanthropy, evident in his role as the founder, funder, and chair of the B.Morphed Foundation. This foundation provides private education for low-income children, supported by lifetime endowments, reflecting his belief in the power of education to transform lives. His personal life is enriched by his two children, Max and Quin, who have been a significant part of his journey. Through both his professional endeavors and charitable work, Brian Moran continues to impact lives, blending acumen with a deep-seated desire to give back to the community and to his country.
In Memoriam: Garry Augustine, Former Executive Director, DAV
Advisory Board Member
Combat-wounded Army Veteran and former Executive Director of the Disabled American Veterans. Garry passed away in March of 2022 and will forever be remembered for his immense impact on the Veteran community.
The HillVets Board
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Justin Brown
Chairman
Justin Brown is the Founder, of HillVets and is currently the CEO, of the Nimitz Group, a bipartisan consulting firm tackling the most difficult veteran and healthcare issues. He has nearly a decade of Veterans’ focused experience and advocacy, fighting on behalf of Veterans and their families to increase educational and employment opportunities, to expand access to benefits and healthcare, and to eliminate homelessness. He has worked for the VA, the VFW, the American Legion, and was a Staff Director for numerous Subcommittees for the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Justin began his commitment to public service at the age of 17 when he enlisted in the United States Navy. There, he completed one deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch and two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following Justin’s service, he attended the University of Utah, graduating with dual bachelor’s degrees in three years. He became active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) where he served as the youngest All-American District Commander and Department Chief of Staff in its history.
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Saki Ververis
Board Member
Saki is an Air Force Veteran, and recently served as President Biden’s VSO liaison. He is currently at the VA, and is a former staff member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
Erica Schumack
Board Member
Erica is a Vice President with J.P. Morgan Chase where she previously worked with veteran and military non-profit partners. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
Joseph Betteley
Board Member
HillVets Alumnus, USMC Veteran. Joe is Assistant General Counsel for the Fincantieri Marine Group, which builds, repairs and sustains maritime vessels that proudly supply, service and defend our nation and the world. Joe was in our first class of HillVets House Fellows prior to going to law School at the University of Virginia. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corp.
David Bell
Board Member
David has over a decade of legislative experience and worked for numerous New Jersey representatives. He takes lead on interviewing and onboarding HillVets House Fellows.
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Rachel Levenberry
Board Member
Rachel Levenberry joined the HillVets Foundation board in 2022. Rachel is the Chief of Staff at Rockwood Company, a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) change management consulting company that supports the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.