WITH THE BOOT, IT’S PERSONAL.

Andrew Ward is the Founder and CEO of Acadiana Veteran Alliance, which works to improve outcomes for post-9/11 veterans and their families through its WORK, HEAL, and GIVE programming.

Founded in 2020, AVA’s goal is to reduce underemployment in the veteran community by connecting them to better career opportunities, and address combat-related PTSD through its medical and behavioral health partnerships.

In 2021, Andrew was named as a Scholar and graduate of the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program from the Bush Institute, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at individuals serving our Nation’s veterans who are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge, and influence across the country.

Most recently, Andrew founded “The Boot” in conjunction with the Governor’s Office and Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, a veteran-focused non-profit organization dedicated to statewide economic development through recruitment and retention of transitioning military members both in Louisiana and across the United States.

“The Boot” is a new initiative that grew out of the Military Affairs Transition Team meetings to address the attrition rate of military members after their service time in Louisiana.

Andrew is a Graduate from University of Louisiana at Lafayette with Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, and a Veteran and Infantryman of the Louisiana Army National Guard, with commendations and decorations from Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004-2005).

Ben Armstrong is a Marine veteran with 18 years experience in public leadership. He served as an Aviation Electrician with Marine Attack Squadron VMA-231 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom from 1999 to 2004.

After his military service, Ben earned his undergraduate degree from Texas State University and his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Prior to his current role at The Boot, Ben served as the inaugural Director of Veteran Services at the University of Texas at Austin from 2011 to 2014. During his tenure, he spearheaded the development and implementation of the University’s acclaimed Veteran Services Plan.

Following this, Ben was appointed Finance and Administration Chief at the City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in 2014. In this capacity, he effectively managed the city’s $52 million annual security budget and oversaw various special projects.

From 2017 to 2024, Ben Armstrong held positions of increasing responsibility at NextOp, a veteran employment non-profit, starting as Louisiana Regional Manager and later as Director of Outreach & Strategic Partnerships. During his tenure, Ben successfully expanded NextOp’s presence into four states and secured over $4 million in federal and regional workforce grants facilitating the placement of over 4,000 Post 9/11 veterans into meaningful careers.

Mark Collazos is from Lafayette, Louisiana. After graduation from Comeaux High School in 1985, Mark enlisted in the US Army and served 23 years of active-duty service in both the special operation and conventional forces communities, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major.

His combat deployments include Panama, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Mark retired in 2009 and began a second career as a DOD Government contractor supporting the acquisition section of the Army developing and testing tactical equipment for America’s war fighters.

In 2021, Mark was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame and in 2024 was inducted into the Distinguished Member of the Ranger Training Brigade for a lifetime of dedication to the Ranger and Special Operations communities. Mark and his spouse are Real Estate Investors and provide safe, clean, affordable housing for families in the Lafayette, Vermilion, Iberia, and Rapides Parish communities.

Mark earned his degree in general studies from Troy State University and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Excelsior University. His hobbies include spending time with family and friends, riding motorcycles with close friends, and attending military functions supporting veterans past and present. Mark married Deva Long of Lafayette in 1986 and they have two wonderful sons and three beautiful grandchildren.

Wade is a native of Perry, GA and a graduate of the US Naval Academy class of 2005. Wade served as a Surface Warfare Officer on USS Juneau (LPD 10) out of Sasebo, Japan and USS Gettysburg (CG 64) out of Mayport, FL. In 2009, Wade deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan serving with the 82nd Airborne Division on Combined Joint Task Force 82 (CJTF-82). Wade’s final duty station was at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling in Washington, DC.

Following his separation from the Navy in 2012, Wade pursued a business opportunity by opening a The UPS Store in Arlington, VA. Wade sold the store in 2020 and joined American Veterans Group, PBC, an institutional broker dealer with a social mission to help veterans. Wade served as the Social Mission Director at AVG, managing the firm’s partnerships in the veteran community and commitment of giving back 25% of the firm’s profit to help veterans in the communities of business partners. Wade’s work at AVG led to his participation in the George W. Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program in 2022, through which he met Andrew and Ben. Wade’s employment in Louisiana prior to joining The Boot includes management positions at Louisiana Cat and Waste Management.

Wade met his wife Jennifer while she was working in the DC office of a Louisiana congressman and moved to her hometown of Baton Rouge in 2021. Their daughter Madeleine was born on Veterans Day 2023.

Lindsey Wandell Russ is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in event management, marketing, and investor development. Over the past 15 years, she has worked in retail, marketing, sales, and events across various industries, developing a robust network of contacts.

Her career includes nearly six years in the construction industry with Associated Builders and Contractors, Pelican Chapter, where she cultivated a passion for mission-driven organizations. More recently, Lindsey spent two years with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber honing her skills in managing large-scale events with over 1,000 attendees and enhancing her project management capabilities across diverse industries in the Baton Rouge region.

Lindsey's expertise in planning, management, vendor negotiations, and collaborative strategies ensures the seamless execution of diverse and dynamic events. Her ability to align initiatives with organizational goals drives economic growth and community engagement. Passionate about delivering exceptional experiences, Lindsey is dedicated to advancing the mission and objectives of her new role at The Boot.

A lifelong Louisiana resident, Lindsey grew up in Metairie and graduated from Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans. Making the move to Baton Rouge, she went on to earn a degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Sociology from LSU, after which she decided to stay and make Baton Rouge her home.

Lindsey married her husband in 2016, and they live in Baton Rouge with their two young children. She is passionate about LSU sports and Louisiana's rich culture of food and music. Her lifelong commitment to Louisiana, her extensive professional experience, and her enthusiasm for Louisiana culture make her a valuable asset to growing the footprint of The Boot.

Wade is a native of Perry, GA and a graduate of the US Naval Academy class of 2005. Wade served as a Surface Warfare Officer on USS Juneau (LPD 10) out of Sasebo, Japan and USS Gettysburg (CG 64) out of Mayport, FL. In 2009, Wade deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan serving with the 82nd Airborne Division on Combined Joint Task Force 82 (CJTF-82). Wade’s final duty station was at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling in Washington, DC.

Following his separation from the Navy in 2012, Wade pursued a business opportunity by opening a The UPS Store in Arlington, VA. Wade sold the store in 2020 and joined American Veterans Group, PBC, an institutional broker dealer with a social mission to help veterans. Wade served as the Social Mission Director at AVG, managing the firm’s partnerships in the veteran community and commitment of giving back 25% of the firm’s profit to help veterans in the communities of business partners. Wade’s work at AVG led to his participation in the George W. Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program in 2022, through which he met Andrew and Ben. Wade’s employment in Louisiana prior to joining The Boot includes management positions at Louisiana Cat and Waste Management.

Wade met his wife Jennifer while she was working in the DC office of a Louisiana congressman and moved to her hometown of Baton Rouge in 2021. Their daughter Madeleine was born on Veterans Day 2023.