WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (PRWEB)
December 11, 2019

Companions for Heroes, a non-profit organization that saves shelter dogs by assisting military veterans, active-duty military, law enforcement, and first responders suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), announces the addition to the board; Mr. Victor B. Riden III, Mr. R. Byron Brown III, Ms. Laura Seban, and Mr. Julio Gonzalez.

Four new board members are added to this incredible 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The board was expanded by appointing four additional extraordinary advocates, which range from Senior Partners, Business Owners, Insurance Experts to IRS Tax Experts — these individuals all have and share a passion for helping to write the future, one Hero, one dog, and one cat at a time.

Bonnie Wardlaw, Chair of the Board of Directors said, “The Board is thrilled to have Julio, Vic, Laura, and Byron join the Board of Directors. Each brings a very distinct and sophisticated background to help Companions for Heroes grow and reach its goal of saving 600 Heroes and shelter dogs in 2020 from the Coastal Area of Georgia, and across the country. I am excited to be working alongside them all to accomplish our goal.”

“This addition will help the charity tremendously in saving more of the 4,000+ shelter dogs, wounded veterans, active-duty military, Gold Star Families and First Responders,” said David Sharpe, CEO of Companions for Heroes.”

The nominating committee met to review potential directors and presented a slate to the Board of Directors for a final vote. This Board provides leadership, guidance and will bring the opportunities required to assist in carrying out our mission.

It is with great honor that we welcome the following colleagues to support this incredible cause.

Mr. Victor B Riden III was a Managing Partner for Accenture a global consulting company. He spent several of his years as an independent management consultant living and working in New York City. Vic’s consulting focuses on advising and leading transformational change for Fortune 500 companies, primarily large financial organizations.

During his twenty-five years as an agent for change, he worked with market leaders to help implement strategic programs, design solutions for complex business problems and subsequently implement those solutions. Vic was recognized within Accenture for his development and leadership of individuals and producing high-performance teams.

Vic is now retired and continues to pursue a variety of business interests, such as retail, commercial and entrepreneurial ventures. He is very active in the non-profit world, has 20 years of volunteer work for the Boys and Girls Clubs and is the Chairman of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and the Georgia Area Council.

Vic received his BBA in economics from Mercer University and his MBA in finance from Vanderbilt University. He served on the Mercer University Stetson School of Business and Economics Board of Visitors and the Executive Committee of the Frederica Academy Board of Trustees.

Vic was named BGC Board Member of the Year for the state of Georgia and was awarded the National Silver Medallion.

He is a member of the Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Vic currently lives part-time on St. Simons Island, Georgia and part-time in Atlanta, Georgia with his three children Rebecca, Alle and Victor.

Mr. Byron is the Chairman of La-Z-Boy Southeast North America, as well as a member of the National La-Z-Boy Dealer Advisory Council. Under Byron’s leadership, the La-Z-Boy Southeast North America region has earned Top 10 Sales in North America, Retail Partner of the Year, the Ronald McDonald House Partner of the Year and the #1 Growth Store accolades.

Prior to joining La-Z-Boy, Byron was the General Electric Retail Systems Partner of the Year. Byron is currently a board member for Lay Leader, Finance Committee, Financial Advisor to Wesley Academy for Early Learning, Leader of Men’s Bible Study of Wesley United Methodist Church at Frederica.

Laura is the co-owner of Reliant Insurance Group located on St. Simons Island in Georgia.

Reliant Insurance Group offers insurance to high net worth individuals, small-large businesses, as well as Medicare health options.

Prior to her role at Reliant, Laura was a Senior Chemist for Rich’s Food Products, where she led other chemists in the Research & Development of all Rich’s Foods.

Laura is a past Advisor and Mentor for the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce and is a current board member for the United Way of Southeast Georgia.

Mr. Julio P. Gonzalez founded the Gonzalez Family Office and is the CEO and Founder of Engineered Tax Services, Inc., (ETS). Mr. Gonzalez started ETS in 2001 to bring specialized engineering tax studies to mainstream America, which historically was only available to the Fortune 500 companies through the Big 4 National Accounting Firms.

ETS is now the country’s largest specialty tax engineering firm, which specializes in the preservation of wealth and the United States’ job creation through IRS engineering-based services. Under Gonzalez’s guidance and true insight into how the industry is shaping, ETS is one of the fastest-growing, and most innovative engineering, energy, and specialty tax credit services firms in the country.

In addition to ETS, Mr. Gonzalez started several other family operational companies including his family office, Gonzalez Family Office (GFO), Calle Gato Ocho (CGO), Engineered Venture Services (EVS) and Engineered Family Office (EFO). Gonzalez Family Office manages the Gonzalez family capital by investing primarily in real estate, private equity, and venture capital. CGO owns and operates direct real estate investments in multi-family housing and office mixed-use real estate for the Gonzalez family. EVS was started to provide high-level due diligence in venture capital investing at affordable costs through the application of Prado principles. EFO provides a multi-family office environment for high-end athletes and top entrepreneurs.

Mr. Gonzalez works weekly in Washington D.C. with the administration, Congress and Senate to advise on tax reform and is the go-to tax expert representing many national organizations and associations, as well as the Hispanic 100, Hispanic Council and Family Offices.

Julio is a well-respected leader in his field, as well as in the tax reform world. Amongst many of his talents, Julio has an extensive track record of speaking at national events on topics such as cost segregation, historic tax credits, opportunity zone, research and development, and emerging tax programs.

About Companion for Heroes

Companions for Heroes (C4H) provides companion dogs, and on a case-by-case basis, service dogs, obtained from shelters, rescues and humane societies, who might otherwise be euthanized, free of charge to active-duty military personnel, military veterans, first responders, military spouses and children, and Gold Star Families recovering from the psychological challenges they suffered during service to our country. C4H increases public awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other challenges confronting our country’s heroes; and rally’s support for animal welfare and the adoption of shelter and/or rescue animals.

C4H is a non-clinical and non-facility-based organization that places special emphasis on creating mutually beneficial opportunities for shelter and rescue animals, some who might otherwise be euthanized, and our nation’s servicemen and women by accessing the expertise of medical care professionals and animal welfare organizations. C4H is an Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) program that recognizes the incredible power of the human-animal relationship and seeks to support those suffering from psychological stress as they pursue recovery with the unconditional love of a dog.

C4H (Companions For Heroes) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. C4H’s federal ID number for donations is #27-0648741.