Board of Directors

Nick Gomez is a founding partner for Aceris Wealth.

Nick serves as a lead advisor and relationship manager to high-net-worth individuals, families and organizations, including closely-held and family-owned businesses. Nick closely works with clients to gain a complete understanding of their lifestyle, career, philanthropic and wealth planning goals. Once he has a holistic understanding of his clients’ objectives, he engages a Client Strategy Team to create a unique and constantly evolving financial plan and strategy to help meet these goals. Nick joined the organization in 2021 and has over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Nick earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an MBA in Finance from Concordia University Wisconsin. Nick has a Series 7, 24 and 66 securities licenses along with his life, health and annuities insurance licenses.

Nick is the current President with the UW Milwaukee Veteran Alumni Chapter. Nick resides in Bayside with his wife and three children. In his spare time Nick enjoys traveling, golf, lifting weights and spending time with family and friends.

Nick is also a Wisconsin National Guard Veteran, staff sergeant, with two deployments to Afghanistan.

Scott works as an advisor for Baird Private Asset Management, and has over 10 years of legal, relationship management, and financial services experience. He earned his B.A. from the University of Iowa, his J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, and his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scott is a commissioned officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, where he serves as a Judge Advocate and deployed to Ukraine in 2019-2020. Scott and his wife have two young children.

Zac Liermann is a senior manager in the valuation and transaction support services group at Wipfli Advisory LLC. He specializes in business valuations, and his areas of emphasis include the valuation of early-stage companies and complex financial instruments, such as convertible securities, earnouts, options, warrants and other hard-to-value assets. Zac joined the organization in 2018 and has over seven years of experience in the business advisory industry.

Zac earned Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Finance and Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) licenses.

Zac served in the U.S. Army for 8 years, seven of which were as an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Zac achieved the rank of staff sergeant and deployed six times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Zac currently resides in Glendale, WI with his wife and two children. He enjoys running, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Michal Ann is retired as Deputy Commissioner of the Department of City Development for the city of Milwaukee. Her work experience includes: Special Assistant to Mayor John Norquist; Staff Assistant to the Commissioner of City Development; Staff to the Finance and Personnel Committee of the Common Council; Past Commissioner of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Commission; and Past Commissioner of the Plan Commission of the City of Milwaukee.

Besides her involvement with VetsNet, Michal Ann is currently a member of the Shorewood Community Development Authority and Vice President of Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI).

Her past memberships include: Professional Dimensions; YWCA of Greater Milwaukee; YMCA of Greater Milwaukee; Women's Fund of Milwaukee; Local Initiatives Support Corporation (USC); Select Milwaukee organization; and Menomonee Valley Partners

Michal Ann earned her BA and Graduate Education credential from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has pursued graduate work at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Michal Ann is married to Chris Dawson, PHO researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin. They have two children, Marcey Gulley (teacher) and Brian Dawson (lawyer,) and five grandchildren - Dawson, Kana, Christopher, Jona and Jesse.

A native of Kentucky, Quentin received his BA in Economics and MBA in Marketing from Morehead State University, KY. Served in the U.S. Army Vietnam, Bronze Star.

Quentin served in various capacities in marketing and manufacturing companies during his career in the private sector. In his last three positions he was CEO of three different companies in the promotional marketing industry in Minneapolis, Northwest Iowa and St. Louis. The companies ranged in size from $25 million to $125 million in revenue. He has been named Iowa Business Person of the Year, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year for Iowa and Nebraska, Bobbin Magazine CEO of the Year and various other honorariums.

He has also served as a volunteer with the VA Hospital in Lexington, KY and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused children. Quentin and his wife, Lynn, live in Germantown, WI, and have two children and three grandchildren. He enjoys travel, reading, plus golf and model railroading with his grandchildren.

Penny is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard and currently also serves as the Director of Wellness and Resilience and a Force Support Squadron Commander. She is a Veteran with more than 30 years of military experience. She is also a strategic communications executive with 20 years of experience leading internal and external communications for complex federal, defense, healthcare, and technology organizations. Proven advisor to senior executives, trusted to develop and execute enterprise-wide communication strategies that strengthen brand reputation, drive employee engagement, and support mission critical initiatives. Penny is a collaborative leader known for building high-performing teams, aligning communications to business strategy, and delivering innovative, results driven campaigns across federal markets. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Strategic Leadership.

• Graduate Marquette High and Marquette University Business School 1963
• Served in 5063 US Army reserves from 1964-1971
• Career: Created Leather Marketing Agency Monday-Ott-Doherty and Associates. Sold to employees in 2001
• Created and taught "Introduction to Business" at Waukesha Memorial and Messmer High Schools. Each class started with E Mail from Fox Co Marines
  • Sponsored Fox Co Marines Homecoming and families/ soldiers events at Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette University basketball games
• Member Federal Bureau of Investigation Citizens Academy
• Co-Chaired 3 Black Tie Ronald McDonald House Gala events and served as Board member for 3 years 2007-2009
• Board Chair Ronald McDonald House 2010-2013 and chaired Steering Committee for "Open More Doors"Campaign raising close to $9 million to double the size of RMcH
• Nativity Academy board member and co chaired the Magis Society to scholarship graduates from K-8 school into high school
• Kinship Community Center advancement committee member 2017-2021
• Volunteer with Marquette University High School's Ambassador and Discover programs 2017-
• St. Marcus Leadership Council 2022-
• Jim Luther New Hope Center Board Member 2022-
• Community Smiles Executive leadership Council 2024-

Mervyn Byrd is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and was a Signals Intelligence Analyst, serving from 1982 – 1987, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Byrd started his Marine Corps career as a Morse Code Intercept Operator, getting his training in Pensacola, FL and spent over two and a half years in Misawa, Japan in the capacities of Intercept Operator and Analyst. Byrd got his official certification as a SIGINT Analyst through Analysis School in Amarillo, TX. He also had deployments to Norway, Germany and England during his career in the Marine Corps. He was formerly the Vice President of Sales and Leadership Development at the Waukesha County Business Alliance. He has been there since 2014. The Alliance is a member-based business association, with the mission of driving economic growth to Waukesha County through the success of its member companies. Byrd also headed Leadership Waukesha County, Mervyn also previously had a career as a commercial banker. He has a BBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. He and his wife Chantel have six children and live in Pewaukee with their grandson, Zyair

Mervyn Byrd is founder and CEO of Practical Execution Consulting Group (PractX). PractX is an executive coaching firm focused on leading and coaching leadership teams to align their vision around leadership, strategy, talent, execution, customers, profit and systems. Mervyn’s Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Group work also falls under this umbrella. Mervyn chairs, facilitates and coaches two Vistage Peer Advisory Groups of CEOs in the Greater Milwaukee Area. His group meet monthly for a full day to address their most pressing issues. Mervyn also coaches the CEOs one to one to illuminate blind spots and to challenge their thinking and execution.

I am a strategy-focused, executive leader of integrity with over thirty-three years of combined federal, public, private, and nonprofit leadership experience in education, government and non-profit institutions. I have extensive experience in Higher Education in both Student Affairs and Academics including, Executive Director of Pre-College and TRIO programs, and Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs. I am currently the Dean of the Business and Management Academic and Career Pathway and have served as an Associate Dean, Director of Education Services, Full-time and Adjunct Faculty, Faculty Chair, and Academic Advisor.

I also have additional higher education and military experience including Executive Officer and Commander, Executive Director/Administrator, Human Resources Director, Leadership Development, Diversity Consultant, Trainer and Facilitator.

In summary, I have extensive experience building alliances, facilitating and leading change and strategic initiatives, and developing and leading high-performance teams in a collaborative effort towards excellence in achieving uncommon results through strategic initiatives. I am a gifted and dynamic facilitator, trainer and consultant demonstrating the exceptional ability to teach, coach, mentor and facilitate learning among peers, superiors and subordinates.

Education:

Ph.D. - Global Leadership and Change, Tiffin University, projected summer 2024 Master of Science, Strategic Studies, U.S. Army Senior Service College

Master of Divinity, Regent University

Master of Science, Organizational Leadership & Quality, Business, Marian University Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Communication, & Business, Carroll University

Personal:

As the son of an Army veteran born in Frankfurt Germany, and a long-serving member of the military myself, I have lived abroad and in a variety of places. I consider the Midwest home, and love the Midwestern values. I grew up in one of the poorest zip codes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 53206. I am a first generation college student and the first in my family to attend and graduate college. I have three beautiful children and three amazing grandchildren. I absolutely love my family. I have more than 33 years of service in the United States Army, including two tours overseas to Korea and Afghanistan. I currently serve as the co-champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs and midwest region 5 (eight-state region). I am also the first African American male to both graduate from and command the Wisconsin Military Academy. I love learning, reading, teaching, exercising, and playing with my two youngest sons and three granddaughters. I love serving and being part of great teams that make a difference in the lives of others. I love family, faith, and I cherish life, especially after surviving a combat tour overseas.

Jonathan (Jon) Smies is a shareholder and attorney in the Green Bay office of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.  The focus of his practice is complex business litigation, and he serves as outside legal counsel to various public and private organizations.

Jon received his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. He completed his undergraduate studies at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Biblical/Theological Studies.  Jon also obtained a Master of Military Operational Art and Science with Distinguished Graduate honors from the U.S. Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College.

Jon retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel in 2023 after 20 years of service, both on active duty and in the Wisconsin Air National Guard.  He served in Baghdad, Iraq in 2006 and received the Iraq Campaign Medal. Upon his retirement he was awarded the Legion of Merit.

George is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam from 1969 - 1970 and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star as an Army Medic in the 101st Airborne. His other military commendations include: The Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal.

Banda is the 2017 President of the Allied Veterans Council of Milwaukee County and State Jr. Vice Commander of MOPH of Wisconsin.

Banda's involvement with veteran's organizations includes: American Legion Life Member - David Valdes Post #529; VFW - Life Member Chapter #1; Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter #1;

American Gi-Forum of Wisconsin (Latino Vets) - State Commander, 2012- 2016; Military Order of the Purple Heart - Chapter #818 Commander, 2014 - Present; State Representative on the Council on Veterans Programs, 2012-2015.

Banda serves on the following committees and boards: Wisconsin Veterans Museum Advisory Committee; Milwaukee War Memorial Center Veterans Board; Veterans Community Relations Team (VCRT); "Save The Soldiers Home" Campaign Fundraising Committee; University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Advisory Committee.