President - Marilyn Westropp

Director of Business Development for North America at Acoustiblok, Inc., a company known for its innovative acoustical sound-reduction solutions. With a background in Business Administration from Kent State University, Marilyn has held leadership roles in various industries, including telecommunications, medical representation, event planning, and media production.

Marilyn is deeply passionate about supporting the military community, serving as the President of the Suncoast Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). She leverages her extensive business development and public relations expertise to advance AUSA’s mission, helping to connect military families, veterans, and the broader community through impactful initiatives. Her dedication to the organization reflects her strong commitment to honoring and supporting the nation's armed forces.

In addition to her work with AUSA, Marilyn has been honored by the Hispanic Professional Women’s Association and was a former ambassador for the South Tampa Chamber. Outside of her professional and community roles, Marilyn enjoys spending time with her two daughters, grandson, and dog, and finds balance through yoga, cycling, and reading.

Results-driven leader with extensive experience in the United States Army, currently serving as the J6 Senior Enlisted Advisor at United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Known for identifying strategic opportunities, Raf transforms them into successes, fostering a high-performance culture that drives operational efficiency and resilience.

Throughout his career, Raf has deployed multiple times in support of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and various U.S. commands. His leadership and technical expertise have earned him numerous awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Order of Mercury, and the Order of Saint Maurice, Legionnaire Award, for his exceptional contributions to both the Infantry and Signal Corps communities. Raf also enjoys having a sense of purpose through his involvement with the AUSA Suncoast Chapter and loves giving back to the Army community.

A first-generation American with roots in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Raf is deeply proud of his heritage. He and his wife, Carrie Ann, have been married for 18 years and have two daughters, aged 15 and 11.

Colonel (RET) Joe Capobianco is the president of JC&A, a defense consulting business.  He is an Army Veteran with over 30 years of service, 10 of which in operational assignments as an aviator and 20 in acquisition assignments working testing, program and contract management.  

Joe’s operational assignments and deployments include FT Bragg, NC with 1st Battalion (Attack) 82nd Aviation Brigade participating in Operation Just Cause in Panama followed by Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.  Later he served in Panama with Company D-160th SOAR working in Central and South America conducting Foreign Internal Defense (FID) and Counter Drug/Narcotic operations under Special Operations Command South (SOCSouth).  His follow-on assignments included Company Command and staff assignments with the 160th SOAR at FT Campbell, KY.

Joe’s acquisition assignments and schooling include the US Navy Experimental Test Pilot School (USN TPS), Assistant Product Manager (APM) at the Technology Applications Program Office (TAPO), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Government Flight Representative (GFR) for the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD), Experimental Test Pilot (XP) with the Aviation Applied Technology Division (AATD), R&D Officer and XP for Flight Concepts Division, Chief of Operational Test for US Army Special Operations Command’s (USASOC) Operational Test and Evaluation Division (TED), and division chief for rapid technology insertion at TRADOC / ARCIC.

Selected for Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel Product /Program Manager positions, Joe led and managed Product Management Office (PMO) Soldier Sensors and Lasers in Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier and PEO Special Operations Forces (SOF) Warrior in SOF Acquisition, Technology & Logistics (AT&L) at USSOCOM.  

Joe is a graduate of Norwich University, with a BS in Electrical Engineering, the Georgia Institute of Technology, with a MS in Aerospace Engineering, the Eisenhower School, National Defense University (NDU), with a MS in National Resource Management, and Murray State University, with a MS in Management of Technology.  

Joe’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.  He has the Master Aviators, Senior Parachutist, and Air Assault Badges along with Foreign Jump Wings.  He holds honorary recognition with the Order of St Michael (Aviation) and St Maurice (Infantry), is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, as well as being an award-winning author.

Credit Union Member Services Representative specializing in financial education. With a strong passion for customer service, Erin excels in presenting and educating members on financial topics to help them achieve their financial goals. She currently serves as Secretary for the Suncoast Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, where she supports the organization’s mission and works to strengthen ties within the Army community.

Before transitioning into banking, Erin built a successful career in hospitality, where she developed strong media and communication skills that have been invaluable in her current role. Erin holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dietetics from the University of Cincinnati, further demonstrating her commitment to education and personal growth. Her diverse background and expertise make her a trusted resource for both financial education and community engagement.

Eric Lien is a proud 4th-generation native of Tampa, Florida, with a Master's degree in International Business. He is also an OSHA-authorized Outreach Trainer for construction. After living in Germany for 26 years, Eric returned to Tampa in 2018. He is the proud father of two adult daughters who reside in Germany.

Eric has dedicated much of his career to leadership roles within the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), where he has served in various capacities over the years, including:

• Old Ironsides and Rhein-Main Chapter
  • Executive Committee Member (2004-2009)
  • Chapter President (2009-2012)
• European Region
  • Region President (2014-2018)
• Suncoast Chapter
  • Chapter President (2018-2023)
  • Senior Advisor to Chapter President (2023-Present)
  • Chapter Treasurer (2024-Present)
• Magnolia Chapter
  • Senior Advisor to Chapter President (2022-2024)

Fluent in German, Eric worked as a Regional Sales Manager for Coca-Cola bottlers in the Rhein-Main area of Germany from 1993 to 2010. He then transitioned to consulting in the federal contracting sector, providing expert advice to both prime and subcontractors supporting federal projects in Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East.

Currently, Eric volunteers with several military service organizations, including the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance, the Society of American Military Engineers-Tampa Bay Post, Sons of the American Legion, Florida Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve, and the Zephyrhills Museum of Military History.