USA Cares Podcast USA Cares

On this day of gratitude and reflection, USA Cares extends warm wishes to you and your loved ones. 🧡🦃 As we gather with family and friends to give thanks, let us also remember the brave men and women who have served our nation, ensuring the freedom we celebrate today.

🌟 We are deeply thankful for the support of our incredible community that allows us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of military families in need. Your generosity and compassion enable us to provide financial assistance, creating brighter futures for those who have sacrificed so much.

🙏 Today, as we count our blessings, let us also count the moments of kindness and the shared spirit of giving that make our mission possible. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of those who have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedom.

🍁 May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of shared moments. Thank you for being part of the USA Cares family and for standing with us in support of our heroes.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍽️ #GratefulHeart #ThanksgivingJoy #USACares #SupportOurHeroes

GUEST BIO

Rear Adm. Mike Manazir entered the U.S. Naval Academy from Mission Viejo, California, and graduated in 1981. He earned his naval aviation wings in April 1983 and deployed in the F-14A in July 1984.

Manazir commanded the Tomcatters of Fighter Squadron 31 from June 1997 to September 1998, USS Sacramento (AOE1) from January 2003 to July 04, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) from March 2007 to August 2009 and Carrier Strike Group 8 embarked in USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) from September 2011 to June 2013.

Prior to squadron command, his afloat tours included service as a fighter pilot and landing signal officer aboard various aircraft carriers on the west coast. Following Navy Nuclear Power Training, Manazir served as the executive officer of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) from July 2001 to December 2002.

Ashore, Manazir served as an action officer in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, on the chief of naval operations staff as F-14 requirements officer and for the commander, Naval Air Forces as the assistant chief of staff for readiness.

As a flag officer, Manazir served as director, strike aircraft, weapons and carrier programs on the chief of naval operations staff (N880) from August 2009 to September 2011 and on the chief of naval operations staff as the director, air warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N98) from July 2013 to May 2016.

Manazir qualified in the F-14A/D and F/A-18E/F aircraft and has flown more than 3,750 hours and 1,200 arrested landings during 15 deployments aboard aircraft carriers on both coasts.

Manazir served as the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems, OPNAV N9, on the staff of the chief of naval operations. In this capacity, he was responsible for the integration of manpower, training, sustainment, modernization, research and development and procurement of the Navy’s warfare systems.

Manazir is the recipient of various personal and campaign awards including the Legion of Merit (six awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards) and the Strike/Flight Air Medal (two awards).

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Guest Bio

Jon Macaskill, MMT, is a Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness and meditation teacher. He is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and holds a Master’s degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Jon has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, off the coast of Somalia, and in Panama. He also runs a consulting business that brings mindfulness and meditation to high performing teams to aid in dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression, all while increasing focus, creativity, and productivity.

He also serves as the Deputy Executive Director for Veteran’s PATH, a non-profit organization that works to introduce meditation and mindfulness to veterans to bring them a sense of peace, acceptance, transformation, and honor.

Jon’s wife also served in the Navy and is now a civilian Orthopedic Physician Assistant in Virginia Beach. They are both proud parents of two small children and currently live as a family in Chesapeake, Virginia.

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Guest Bio

Elizabeth is an advocate for self empowerment, equity, and advancement. She serves as the Executive Director of Stephens College's Mission Promise Kept, where she has demonstrates a strong passion and dedication to making a difference. With a proven track record of organizational success, Elizabeth combines sound business judgment, analytical skills, and a visionary mindset.

Herrera has a decade of diverse nonprofit leadership experience. Most recently, she served as executive director of True North of Columbia, which provides safety, shelter, education and transitional support for those who have been affected by domestic and sexual violence. She was responsible for managing vision, community engagement and involvement, program operations, fundraising and fiscal management.

Herrera holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology with a focus on women and gender from Auburn University. She earned her master's degree in nonprofit management at Florida Atlantic University.

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Guest Bio

Quinn Chasan is a Senior Data Scientist at Orbis Operations, coming from nearly ten years at Google working with Government agencies to modernize public sector service delivery. Projects across cities from Houston to New York, States from California to Oklahoma, and Federal governments from the U.S. to Singapore.

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Part 2 of 2

Bullard served in the military for 33 years, with both Air National Guard and active duty Air Force assign-ments. During his career, BGen Bullard participated in Operations Desert Shield, Provide Promise, Restore Hope, Joint Endeavor, Joint Forge, Southern Watch, Bright Star, Coronet Oak, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. He held multiple leadership and staff positions, including Director of Mobility Forces and Joint Air Component Coordination Element (JACCE) staff for the Commander, 7th Air Force, Osan Air Base, South Korea; NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Senior Airfield Authority of Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan; and Chief of Operations for the Joint Intelligence and Operations Center, Headquarters, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Most recently, Bullard served as Chief of Staff for the Kentucky Air National Guard and Deputy Director of the Joint Staff of the Kentucky National Guard. He also has extensive experience in legislative affairs, representing the military and the manufacturing industry since 1993.

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