National Partnerships
Advancing Veteran Care Through National Partnerships
The challenges veterans face after service are complex, deeply personal, and often invisible. No single organization—no matter how committed—can meet those needs alone.
The Blue Angels Foundation advances care for veterans and their families by building and accelerating national partnerships that expand access to mental health services, transitional housing, post-traumatic stress (PTS) care, suicide prevention, and family-centered support.
Through collaboration with trusted leaders, institutions, and service providers across the country, we work to ensure veterans receive the right care at the right time—no matter where they live.
Inspired by the legacy of the Blue Angels, our approach is rooted in precision, trust, teamwork, and shared responsibility. Just as the Blue Angels fly in formation, our mission moves forward through strong partnerships aligned around a common purpose: helping veterans heal, reintegrate, and thrive.
Why National Partnerships Matter
Veterans returning to civilian life may face mental health challenges, housing instability, loss of purpose, and strain on families that unfolds over years—not months. These realities demand coordinated, scalable solutions. National partnerships allow the Blue Angels Foundation to:
Expand access to care by supporting leading clinical and veteran service organizations nationwide
Accelerate impact by reducing financial, geographic, and logistical barriers to treatment
Strengthen continuity of care across mental health, housing, and family support systems
Translate generosity into outcomes through disciplined stewardship and trusted collaboration
By working across sectors—healthcare, philanthropy, business, military, and community—we help ensure veterans are not left waiting for support until crisis, but met with care when they are ready to receive it.
A Network of Leaders
Committed to Impact
Our national partnerships are strengthened by a group of respected leaders who bring experience, perspective, and credibility from across industries. The Blue Angels Foundation National Strategic Council (NSC) members serve as advocates, connectors, and champions for veteran care, helping extend the Foundation’s reach and deepen its impact.
Dave Silkey
VP, Blue Angels Foundation
Inspired by witnessing a Blue Angels airshow in 1983, Dave Silkey began a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy after joining the NROTC Unit at UCLA. His service included flying as Blue Angel #3 and #4 and holding senior command roles with VFA-87 and CVW-2. Following his naval career, Dave transitioned to the civilian sector as Chief Operating Officer of Silver Air Private Jets and a Gulfstream G-650 Captain. With support from his family, Dave continues his service through the Blue Angels Foundation, where he is deeply committed to helping veterans successfully reintegrate into civilian life with the care, structure, and resources they’ve earned.
Jim Connelly
Member; Former President, U.S. Eastern Region, Marriott International
Jim Connelly retired from Marriott International in 2025 after a distinguished career spanning finance, operations, and executive leadership. Most recently, he served as President of the U.S. Eastern Region for Full-Service Hotels, overseeing 140 premium and luxury properties across 12 iconic brands. Jim has also led Marriott’s Global Golf Division and represented the company on the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals strategy board. Earlier roles included CFO for the Americas and The Ritz-Carlton, where he drove portfolio growth and operational excellence. Jim brings deep business insight and strategic leadership to the National Strategic Council.
Joe Matthews
Member; Co-Founder, TMG Construction Corporation
Joe Matthews co-founded TMG Construction Corporation in 1992 and brings more than 40 years of leadership experience in the construction industry. He has overseen the design, construction, and renovation of large-scale commercial and institutional projects valued at more than $1 billion. Known for his disciplined, systems-driven approach, Joe emphasizes performance, accountability, and innovation across all aspects of operations. He is a USGBC-LEED Accredited Professional, a Certified Professional Contractor, and holds multiple general contractor licenses across the United States.
Tanya Matthews
Member; Chairman of the Board & President Emerita, TMG Construction Corporation
Tanya Matthews
Member; Chairman of the Board & President Emerita, TMG Construction Corporation
Tanya Matthews is a nationally recognized construction industry leader and co-founder of TMG Construction Corporation, where she now serves as Chairman of the Board and President Emerita. With more than 50 years of experience, she played a pivotal role in growing the firm into a premier design-build contractor serving federal, municipal, and commercial clients, including the U.S. Department of Defense and Homeland Security. Tanya is widely respected for her expertise in security, ethics, and leadership, holding the Industrial Security Professional (ISP®) designation and receiving numerous national honors. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to integrity, service, and community impact.
Henry O’Connell
Member; CEO & Co-Founder, Canary Speech
Henry O’Connell is a healthcare technology executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience advancing innovation at the intersection of science, data, and medicine. After early work in neurology at the National Institutes of Health, he held C-suite roles at Hewlett-Packard, Gilson, MOXTEK, and IDEX Technology Group. In 2017, he co-founded Canary Speech, an AI-driven company using vocal biomarkers to detect early indicators of neurological and mental health conditions. A holder of 22 patents and a frequent keynote speaker, Henry is a global advocate for ethical, accessible healthcare innovation and brings a strong research-driven perspective to veteran wellness initiatives.
Mark Sherman
Member; Vice President, Customer Relations, LG-TEK
Mark Sherman is a retired U.S. Marine Corps cryptologist and a veteran signals intelligence and cyber professional with more than 40 years of service across military, civilian, and private sectors. His career culminated as the first senior enlisted and plank owner at U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, followed by senior technical leadership roles within the Department of Defense, including assignment to U.S. Cyber Command. Currently Vice President of Customer Relations at LG-TEK, Mark oversees complex, multi-million-dollar defense and technology programs. He remains dedicated to service through his support of the Blue Angels Foundation and other mission-driven organizations.
A Shared Commitment
The Blue Angels Foundation is committed to transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
The National Strategic Council plays a vital role in advancing that commitment, helping translate generosity into measurable impact for veterans nationwide.Together, we support mental health care, transitional housing, PTS resolution programs, and K-9 rehabilitation for our nation’s heroes.
How you can help
Get Involved
If you are interested in learning more about the National Strategic Council, or exploring ways to partner with council members to support veterans, we welcome the conversation.
Together, we soar.
In formation, we heal.
For More Information:
Email Dave Silkey, VP of the BAF, for inquiries about partnering with the NSC.