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.

Founder & CEO, Archway Strategic Partners, LLC

Former Managing Director, 4M General Contractors, LLC

Mark Vasterling is a seasoned executive and founder of Archway Strategic Partners, LLC, a federal consulting and strategic services firm specializing in defense, aerospace, and government procurement advisory. With over a decade of combined leadership in public safety, federal contracting, and defense industry consulting, Mr. Vasterling brings a mission-driven approach to business development, strategic execution, and cross-functional engagement across national and international arenas.

Prior to founding Archway, Mr. Vasterling served as Managing Director of 4M General Contractors, where he led multimillion-dollar projects with major clients including Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. He played a key role in expanding 4M’s footprint in the tribal and federal contracting sectors, particularly within SBA 8(a) and ISBEE frameworks.

Mr. Vasterling’s experience includes extensive work with U.S. military acquisition programs, foreign military sales support, and contractor-client integrations that align with U.S. national security interests. His expertise lies in developing scalable growth strategies, navigating complex procurement environments, and establishing trust-based relationships with federal agencies and allied governments.

With a background as a Firefighter Paramedic and over 10 years of service in public safety, Mr. Vasterling brings an unwavering commitment to ethical leadership, rapid decision-making, and resilient operational planning. He is also a senior consultant in shared services optimization and has advised numerous organizations on performance improvement and compliance within regulated sectors.

Today, Mr. Vasterling continues to lead Archway’s strategic engagements in INDOPACOM and other global theaters, building partnerships that enhance intelligence capabilities, defense readiness, and innovation in support of allied security priorities.

Casey Corley is a dynamic Account Manager and Business Development leader with TEKsystems Government Services, specializing in government contracting across SOCOM, CENTCOM, SOUTHCOM, & State and Local Government in the Greater Tampa Bay region. With deep expertise in capture management, contract execution, and relationship development, Casey drives mission-focused solutions by aligning TEKsystems’ workforce capabilities with the evolving needs of the Department of Defense & State and Local Government. She is trusted by both government and industry partners for her ability to connect strategy with execution, from proposal development through transition and program delivery.

Beyond her role in government services, Casey is an entrepreneur at heart. Her vision is to create long-term partnerships that blend innovation, workforce development, and mission support while empowering transitioning veterans and underrepresented talent to succeed in government careers.

Casey has always believed that family isn’t just who you’re born with — it’s who you rescue. Over the years, she has opened her home and heart to more than 40 foster animals, giving dogs, cats, and even bunnies a safe place to heal, grow, and find their forever families. Some fosters became lifelong companions, joining her “big happy family” of rescues, while others moved on to new homes touched by the same love and compassion.

Whether it’s mentoring in her professional world or fostering in her personal one, Casey carries the same belief: every life deserves a chance, and kindness is the foundation of community.

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.

With 27 years in the U.S. Army, I learned that financial stress quietly erodes mental health, marriages, and decision-making, especially for those who serve or have served. I believe financial wellness and mental health are deeply connected, and that clarity around money can reduce divorce, anxiety, and even suicide.

After retiring from the Army, I wanted a second career that still allowed me to serve others and stay connected to the military community. Having watched countless service members make uninformed financial decisions or miss opportunities, I transitioned into financial planning to help people gain control and confidence over their finances.

I chose Strategic Financial Group (SFG) because of its values and commitment to personalized service. We specialize in retirement income planning, 401(k) rollovers, estate preservation, and tax-reduction strategies for professionals and business owners.

I also continue to serve as the Treasurer of the AUSA Suncoast Chapter, using my role at SFG to support soldiers, families, and veterans across the region.

Money may not buy happiness, but it does buy decision space. And that space can change lives.

I am a retired U.S. Army veteran with 30 years of distinguished service, including 32 years proudly

dedicated to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. After transitioning from military service, I entered the financial industry and currently serve as a Financial Center Manager at Bank of America. In this leadership role, I guide a team of skilled Consumer and Business professionals focused on delivering exceptional financial solutions and client service.

My commitment to service extends beyond my professional responsibilities. I remain deeply

engaged in my community through selfless volunteerism and civic leadership. I take pride in being a consistent force for good - dedicated to mentorship, empowerment, and making a lasting impact in the lives of others.