James McGuire, Director of Veteran Programs, spent seven years in the United States Army as both an enlisted soldier and officer, progressing through the ranks of Sergeant and Captain. During his service, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a foreign military advisor to the Iraqi Army and Police. His career is supported by a BS in Business Management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an MPA from the University of Oklahoma. James is passionate about sharing the lessons he learned while making the transition from the military to the federal government and eventually to Hire Heroes USA.

Allison Herbst, Director of Finance & Administration, is responsible for the organization’s financial reporting, human capital and technical resources.

Mrs. Herbst received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City as well as an Associate’s degree in Fashion Buying & Merchandising. Her 15 year advertising career is highlighted by various sales-based positions with well-known brands including, Kudzu.com, Autotrader.com, POP Design Magazine, Creative Loafing, and the Verizon Yellow Pages.

As one of the first employees at Hire Heroes USA, her background in campaign management, marketing and online media was instrumental in garnering support and unprecedented growth since the organization’s inception in 2007.

Mrs. Herbst relocated to Atlanta in 2001 from Queens, New York. She currently resides in Alpharetta, Georgia with her husband. Believing strongly in the mission of this organization, Allison joined the Hire Heroes USA team in July 2007.

Megan N. Whitson, Director of Corporate Relations & Development, engages with corporations interested in working with Hire Heroes USA. She works to identify, maintain, and strengthen existing partnerships and is also responsible for the implementation of the organization’s fundraising initiatives.

Mrs. Whitson received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Tennessee in 2008. Mrs. Whitson comes to Hire Heroes USA from the advertising industry where she served as Print Analyst and Buyer for Media Edge. There she developed client agreements, outlined print advertising options based on cost analysis, and gave recommendations to clients to maintain optimum brand exposure.

Mrs. Whitson was born in Delray Beach, Florida and grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband.

Nathan Smith graduated with distinction from the Virginia Military Institute in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Political Science. Following his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps, he served as an Infantry Officer in rifle and weapons platoon commander billets during two deployments in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 2005 to 2007, where he was twice decorated for exceptional performance in combat.

After deployment, Mr. Smith assumed duties as a strategic weapons guard platoon commander and a Recapture Tactics Team commander at Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Bangor, Washington. During his three years in Washington State, Mr. Smith was recognized for creating Marine Corps-level changes in strategic weapon security procedures and training program, planning and conducting a joint training exercise with British Royal Marines in England, and for participating in a number of public speaking engagements in the local community.

Mr. Smith completed seven years of service in the Marine Corps in May 2010 and immediately assumed the position of Deputy Director at Hire Heroes USA; he was promoted to Executive Director in 2011.

Mr. Smith was born in Portland, Maine and currently resides in Alpharetta, Georgia. He is a candidate for a Masters in Public Administration at the University of Georgia.

Brian Stann played middle linebacker for the US Naval Academy and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics in 2003. Following his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps, he served as an Infantry Officer in Mobile Assault Platoon and Company Executive Officer billets during two deployments with 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Mr. Stann was awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for valor, for his actions near the Al-Romana Bridge during Operation MATADOR in May 2005.

From 2007 to 2008 Mr. Stann assumed duties as Commanding Officer, 8th Marine Regiment Headquarters Company in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He left the Marine Corps as a Captain in 2008 and moved to Georgia to assume positions at MedAssets and Hire Heroes USA.

Mr. Stann’s mixed martial arts fighting career began in the Marine Corps in 2003, where he earned certification as a black belt instructor trainer in Marine Corps Martial Arts. He began fighting professionally in 2006 while on active duty in the Marine Corps, using accumulated leave to take time for training and fights. In 2008 Mr. Stann defeated Doug Marshall to become the WEC Light Heavyweight champion; in 2009 he debuted in the UFC, where he currently fights in the middleweight division.

Mr. Stann was born at Yokota Air Base in Japan and grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Alpharetta, Georgia with his wife Teressa, a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader, and his two daughters Alexandra and Deanna.