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Founder
Ryan “Birdman” Parrott served eight years as a U.S. Navy SEAL completing multiple combat tours to Iraq and several other deployments to areas around the world. “My own experience and the experiences of others keeps me emotionally involved and motivated to achieve the goals of the Sons of the Flag. Still being able to put forth the fight, I know it is my duty to successfully carry out this mission with honor and integrity for those who have survived traumatic burn injuries.”
Due to his experience within the veteran community, Russ is often sought out to consult and mentor veteran owned businesses and he has assisted numerous veteran charities in reaching their goals.
President
Ryan Hyman is President of Sons of the Flag. When not fulfilling his commitment to burn survivors, Ryan is a Principal at Roach Howard Smith & Barton, a commercial insurance and risk management firm. "Sons of the Flag provided the perfect avenue for me to make a difference for those who have served our great country in the military, as dedicated first responders or courageous civilians whose bravery is inspiring."
The Inspiration
Captain Samuel Brown deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in June of 2008 and led his soldiers on multiple combat missions before being critically injured by a roadside bomb on September 4, 2008. His recovery brought him to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas where he spent the majority of three years undergoing many skin graft operations and countless hours of therapy to restore his body from his injuries.
Special Projects Coordinator
Jamie Coates serves as an Advisory Board Member to Sons of the Flag. "Sons of the Flag fills a gap in the research, recovery and care of our military men and women, and we intend to make a difference."
Steve has been involved in private equity real estate investments since the early 1980’s as a Principal of The Woods Company, Valcor Partners, ValQuest Equity Partners and ValQuest Equity Partners II. Steve also has a back ground in the oil business as well as other investments. Steve is 64, grew up in Dallas and is married with 5 children, 7 grandchildren and more on the way.
Chairman of Advisory Board
"I have been asked countless times to be involved with various charities and like most of us, I have to be selective. In all my years, I believe Sons of the Flag is amongst my most passionate and worthwhile causes for many reasons. Two of the top reasons are first, I believe in the founder with all my heart. Ryan Parrott is a person of the highest integrity, and he not only talks the talk but truly walks the walk. He is a man of heart and a man of action. Second, the cause is extremely worthwhile and gravely needed to help all burn survivors, especially the brave men and women in our military."
Vice Chairman of Advisory Board
John Victor Lattimore is president and chairman of the board of Lattimore Properties, Inc (LPI) and serves on the Executive Board of Sons of the Flag.
Project Development Officer
Ken Greaves, the Naval Special Warfare/Naval Special Operations Mentor for the Navy in Dallas, serves as an Advisory Board member and Special Events Coordinator for Sons of the Flag. "I'm honored to be associated with people and an organization that saw a need and decided to do something about it. It's a powerful and necessary mission to provide the best care and treatment possible not only for military burn survivors, but first responder and civilian survivors as well."
First Responder Strategist
Stephen Schmidt currently oversees development and management for a portfolio of retail and mixed use properties for Cypress Equities. He joins the Sons of the Flag as First Responder Strategist. "Sons of the Flag is an opportunity to assist those who have protected our freedoms and served our communities."
Media Relations Advisor
Aaron Norris, a film producer, director and actor, also proudly volunteered to serve his country during the Vietnam War. A ninth degree black belt, Aaron holds the current title, President of the United Fighting Arts Federation, U.F.A.F a world wide organization of more than 3000 black belts. He is also the president of development and production of ALN, formerly The American Life Network. As Media Relations Advisor to Sons of the Flag, Aaron is proud to be involved with a noble cause dedicated to furthering innovative research for burn survivors.
Investment Strategy Advisor
"Sons of the Flag creates an important opportunity to help an under-researched and under-funded obligation to assist burn survivors from all walks of life including some of the most heroic that sacrifice themselves to serve and protect us and our way of life."
Fire Department Liaison Officer
"I am honored to be involved with the Sons of the Flag. It gives me the opportunity to bring the necessary funding to advance technology and treatment for burn survivors in regards to pain management and visual scarring. Being a firefighter, burns are a reality and could affect many of my teammates in the near future...just the nature of the job."
