The Team That Gets It Done
Wes Wood
After five years in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division as an infantry noncommissioned officer, Wes moved to Indianapolis to earn his MBA at Indiana University. Wes’ work with Conexus Indiana exposed him to the high demand employers across the state have for quality talent. Wes helped found INvets to connect those employers to the veteran population.
Title: Executive Director
Military branch: U.S. Army
Favorite military job: Sniper Section Leader
Years of service: 5
Rank: Sergeant
Favorite podcast: Joe Rogan Experience
Favorite phone app: Apple Podcast App
The last video game I played was: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Best vacation: Kauai, HI
My pet’s name is: Jake, the golden retriever
My dream car is a: Cybertruck
In my spare time you can find me: Playing with my two kids
Favorite drink: Beer, non-hoppy beer
Favorite restaurant in Indiana: St. Elmo’s Steakhouse
Favorite Indiana day trip destination: Turkey Run State Park
Blaine Zimmerman
Blaine, also a former infantry noncommissioned officer, spent time in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division before moving to Indiana, earning an MBA from Butler University and becoming a commissioned officer in the Indiana National Guard. Blaine’s experience gives him a great perspective as he leads INvets’ veteran engagement team.
Name: Blaine Zimmerman
Title: Director of Veteran Engagement
Military branch: U.S. Army
Favorite military job: Company Radio Telephone Operator (RTO)
Years of service: 12
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Favorite movie: The Big Lebowski
Favorite book: The Breaks of the Game by David Halberstram
Favorite podcast: Hidden Indy
Best vacation: Sanibel Island with my family
My pet’s name is: Dirk (10-year-old dog)
In my spare time, you can find me: Running, probably
Favorite restaurant in Indiana: Big Lug Canteen in Nora
Favorite Indiana day trip destination: Victory Field for an afternoon game
Jerry Young
After a dual-branch career in both the active-duty Air Force and the Indiana National Guard, Jerry retired from the military. Jerry has also had a diverse civilian work history that he draws upon to connect veterans and their spouses with employers and resources across the state.
Title: Veteran Engagement Manager
Military branch: U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army
Favorite Military Job: Infantry Platoon Sergeant
Years of service: 20
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Favorite movie: The Big Lebowski
Favorite podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience
Favorite food: Steak, medium rare
Favorite phone app: Google maps; I travel a lot!
Favorite athlete or celebrity: Robert Downey Jr.
The last video game I played was: Angry Birds 2
My pet’s names are: Lanx, Jacob, Nola (dogs)
Weird fact about me: Babies and puppies melt my heart and I love to cuddle them
My dream car is a: The EarthRoamer XV-HD
In my spare time, you can find me: In my shop building custom lamps from reclaimed parts, watching Netflix, riding my Harley, and fishing with my fiancé
Favorite band: Machine Head
Favorite drink: Rip It energy shots
Favorite Indiana day trip destination: Anywhere I can go fishing with my fiancé
Jeremy Higgins
Jeremy retired from the Indiana National Guard as a noncommissioned officer. He has held multiple leadership roles with civilian employers on their HR teams. Jeremy has been on both the applying and hiring side of the military transition process and he uses that experience to connect veterans and spouses.
Title: Veteran Engagement Manager
Military branch: U.S. Army
Favorite military job: Infantryman
Years of service: 24
Rank: Seargeant First Class
Favorite movie: Goodfellas
Favorite book: Lone Survivor
Favorite podcast: Craig Groeshel
Favorite food: Lasagna
Best vacation: Alaska
My pet’s name is: Sarge
In my spare time, you can find me: Working on project houses
Favorite album: The Dance—Garth Brooks
Favorite Drink: Yuengling
Favorite restaurant in Indiana: Salvatori’s, Fort Wayne IN
Favorite Indiana day trip destination: Lake Michigan
Brian Evans
After spending time in the Marine Corps and working for the White House as a civilian, Brian now manages company relationships. He provides resources and guidance for employers looking to hire and retain veterans.
Name: Brian M Evans
Title: External Affairs Manager
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Favorite military job: Dover Dignified Transfer NCOIC
Years of service: 4.5
Rank: Sergeant
Favorite movie: Tombstone
Favorite book: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Favorite podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience
Favorite food: Bacon and Eggs
Favorite athlete or celebrity: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
My pet’s name is: Cooper, a mixed terrier
My dream car is a: 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS
In my spare time, you can find me: Reading, writing, watching Netflix, and spending time with my wife and son.
Favorite drink: Coffee
Favorite restaurant in Indiana: St. Elmo Steak House
Favorite Indiana day trip destination: Nashville, Indiana
Miranda Onorio
With eight years in the U.S. Army and ten years of federal government experience, Miranda’s creative leadership help facilitate our mission and vision. She earned her BFA at Indiana University’s Herron School of Art & Design. Miranda is our content strategist, drone pilot, photographer, and videographer for our team.
Title: Social Digital Content Manager
Military branch: U.S. Army
Favorite military job: HR Retention NCOIC
Years of service: 8
Rank: Sergeant
Favorite band: The Darkness
Favorite road trip destination: New Mexico’s Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway
Favorite album: Lateralus—TOOL
Best vacation: Edisto Beach, SC
My pet’s names are: Ray (rescue feline convinced she’s a panther) and Sasha (foster female pup)
My dream car is a: 1951 Ford F1
In my spare time, you can find me: In my yard landscaping, gardening, or farting around in the garage with my husband and pup.
Favorite drink: Woodchuck, Granny Smith
Favorite restaurant in Indiana: Mikado
Favorite Indiana day trip destination: Kayaking at Sugar Valley Canoe in Turkey Run State Park
Next best Indiana day trip destination: Motorcycle trip down to Story Inn/Nashville, Indiana
Lamin Conteh
Lamin is currently a U.S. Army National Guard SMP Cadet completing his degree at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis. After completing his entry-level training, Lamin enrolled in ROTC and will earn his commission in May of 2022. As someone who is currently a student and serving at the same time, Lamin offers a unique perspective that helps INvets strategize better ways to help serve student veterans.
Title: Campus Outreach Intern
Military branch: U.S. Army
Current military job: SMP Cadet
Years of service: 2
Desired MOS: Transportation or Medical Services Officer
Favorite podcast: Zero Blog Thirty
Favorite food: Almost everything my mom makes
Last video game I played: Pokémon Shield
Best vacation: Yokosuka, Japan
Favorite animal: Bears
My dream car is a: BMQ I8
In my spare time, you can find me: Exploring Indianapolis, or lifting heavy things then putting them down 😉
Favorite drink: Sweet tea, or very sweet sweet tea
Favorite restaurant in Indiana: Milktooth
Favorite Indiana day trip destination: Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park
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