Laurie Sayles Artis originally from Chicago now lives in Bowie, Maryland and is establishing a multimillion dollar business that provides professional services to both government and commercial companies. As a 20+ year military Veteran, Artis has seen firsthand just how difficult the military to civilian transition can be.
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Her company, Civility Management Solutions, consults on the “military transition”, the “hiring, recruiting and retaining of Veterans”, and “working with Veterans and PTSD.”
Artis experienced two careerdefining moments: 1) ending a professional modeling career and joining the United States Marine Corps and 2) ending her career as an employee in order to become an employer to others.
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She is a Marine Veteran that served seven years as Maintenance Management Specialist and it was during the Lebanon and Grenada conflicts. In her three years as a Reservist, she served as a Platoon Sergeant and prepared Marines for possibly deploying to the Persian Gulf War. The biggest physical challenge she’s had to overcome was during boot camp, as the trials and tribulations of a threeday stint out in the wilderness was more than she could bear, as she knew she was going to be shut off from the modern conveniences of the world (city girl). The biggest life challenge was losing her parents too early in her adult life, as she transitioned out of the Corps without the comfort of being able to simply ‘go home’.
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She said the SoldierFit franchise giveaway is a great opportunity for her to come back to the arena of fitness and build upon her entrepreneurial journey! Artis is a strong advocate for healthy living, as her parents choices in food and lack of exercise brought about the sickness and disease they both encountered.
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Whereas, she lives a life of NO sickness or disease as she purposely chooses to live life in moderation, to include healthy eating habits and exercise. Artis was an athlete and played softball, tennis and volleyball. However, volleyball was her favorite due to the requirement of playing as a team and she went on to become an All Marine Volleyball player. She continuously enjoys being in the gym and her alter ego is being a champion body builder. She serves on Veteran business committees, is active in the community and church and participates annually in charitable races.
James Cummings
James Cummings is a father of three and Army Veteran. Currently residing in Alexandria, Virginia he’s looking to move to Maryland and open his own SoldierFit gym. A National Guardsmen for 15 years,
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Cummings has worked with artillery and served as master fitness and handtohand combat instructor. He’s served two deployments, both to Southern Iraq. He worked with military police and was a door gunner in a Black Hawk.
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Currently, Cummings is a personal trainer for LA Fitness and teaches classes at a UFC gym. The biggest physical challenge he’s had to overcome is recovering from injuries sustained from being a runner. He said his injury hindered him for running for months at a time, but he remained focused on other things he could do to stay fit and increase his ability to run.
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As a result of his time in the service instructing, he realized his strengths are in public speaking and teaching others. He’s spoken to thousands and takes a hands on approach to inspire and motivate others to get in shape.
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Cummings has twoyearold twins and a seven yearold daughter. He’s training for a 15K in Pensacola and his first full marathon in November.
Jaron Eckhart
Jaron ‘Jay’ Eckhart is a member of the Army National Guard and a firefighter/paramedic with Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
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He joined the service in 1997 and served until 2005. During that time, he was an infantryman and did several deployments to Iraq. During his service, Sergeant Eckhart was on the Stryker Brigade Combat Team and led a platoon of Iraqi National Guard soldiers in physical training. During one tour of duty, Eckhart, along with his company, conducted a fourweek basic training course for the Iraqi National Guard as two new battalions were being formed in the Qayarrah region to provide security to the local towns and villages.
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He said one of the most difficult physical challenges he’s has to endure was being in combat due to the rigor placed on your body. He shared that it’s typically 115 to 120 degrees outside and you’re wearing 80 pounds of gear. You have to react to gun fire and keep control of not only yourself, but—in Eckhart’s case—10 other men he was responsible for.
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Eckhart decided to get back in the military and joined the National Guard in 2011. Now, he’s pushing 40 and loving every second of the journey he’s on. He resides in Hershey, Pennsylvania and recently got married in December. He has now been a firefighter for three years. He shares that his new career is the best decision he’s made in some time. He shares a story about a career defining moment that has shaped his life. When he first became a paramedic, there was a twoyearold girl who went into cardiac arrest. Sadly, the paramedics ended up losing her and couldn’t bring her back. Eckhart said this unfortunate event ultimately served as motivation to work harder and never let it happen again.
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SoldierFit presents the perfect opportunity to keep physical activity as a way of life and complement his other career. He attributes a healthy lifestyle to what has kept him young. He hopes to be able to share this experience with other people in Greater Central Pennsylvania by opening a SoldierFit gym.
Dominic Morano
Dominic Morano is a Pennsylvania native and Army Reserves Veteran. In the service from 1996 to 2004, Morano was an electrician and engineer. He brought skills, honed in the civilian sector, to military missions across the globe.
For the last 10 years, Morano has worked in the financial industry. Currently a manager of Asset Management at Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC, he oversees a team of asset managers and is responsible for a multimillion dollar portfolio of delinquent mortgage loans.
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Lately, Morano has been increasing his involvement in endurance challenges that are military inspired. He likes competing physically in initiatives that bridge the gap and have something to offer both civilians and military members alike. He regularly takes part in endurance challenges such as The Spartan, Tough Mudder and GORUCK Challenges. It was at that July 4thGORUCK Challenge in Gettysburg where he was introduced to SoldierFit. Two of the members on his team were trainers at the gym.
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Compelled by the franchise opportunity and motivated by his business sense, Morano applied for the contest. Passionate about working with other veterans, Morano comes from a military family. His grandfather served in the service for 20+ years and so did his dad, uncles and brothers. He likes the military camaraderie and is looking for that in SoldierFit.
In addition, Morano has suffered a knee injury and was laid up for a full year after having ACL surgery. When the doctor gave him the go ahead, he then spent 1218 months working hard to get in the best shape of his life. Now, he’s committed to helping others achieve their fitness goals and help them feel good about themselves.
Jason Parrotte
Jason Parrotte is a private security contractor and Army Ranger Veteran with a Top Secret Security Clearance. Parrotte lives in Glen Burnie, Maryland and has 18 years of proven management and leadership experience. He joined the military because of his loyalty and pride to the United States of America. In his military career, he accomplished measurable results while leading a 10 man team in a dynamic, fastpaced combat environment.
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He’s worked with Intercon Security, DynCorp International and served as a police officer for Anne Arundel County. He led 100+ security detail missions, providing personal protection for all DynCorp program managers, deputy program managers and VIPs while working in Afghanistan. His undercover narcotics investigations led to 100+ arrests and provided evidence at 45 trials. He trained and evaluated 15 probationary level police officers, to ensure shift duties were performed properly and completely and that each junior officer was competent and qualified to patrol without supervision. Parrotte is currently on active duty orders as a National Guard Recruiter. What drew him to SoldierFit is the ‘pride, not ego’ mentality.
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One of his career defining moments was before he deployed to Iraq. He said he trained his guys a lot harder than the others in his group. When they got back, one of his younger guys came up to Parrotte with his father. The father thanked Parrotte for how he trained them (both mentally and physically) and—most importantly—for bringing his son home.
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Parrotte has completed two Spartan races, a Tough Mudder and a handful of GORUCK Challenges, including one on Friday September 11th. He coaches CrossFit and has competed in several CrossFit completions with two podium finishes. He is currently taking medical training courses by using his Post 9/11.
Andronico Recasas
Andronico Recasas is a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant with 13 years experience in radio/communications security (COMSEC) and computer/detection systems repair.
He’s served three deployments: two to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. Recasas will be honorably departing from active duty come January. During his career, he’s worked on a variety of critical systems and equipment from Avaya, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Harris, and Motorola. An equal opportunity leader, currently, he’s working with the United States Secret Service on communication support missions for presidential candidates and other high profile dignitaries.
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Recasas heard about the free franchise giveaway because he lives in Frederick, Maryland; close to one of the SoldierFit gym locations. He was drawn to the concept and business opportunity because of the chemistry of the instructors and all of the members who work out there. He said SoldierFit feels like a family.
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As for his own family, he said being in the military has been tough on loved ones from time to time. With a son and two daughters, being apart from his family can be a challenge, but he continually strives to be a good father and husband—and that’s a driving force in his life.
Recasas is committed to a healthy lifestyle and often participates in 12 mile ruck marches. These may be in the dead heat or winter cold, but he said leading a team of soldiers through that is a great experience. He enjoys spending time with his family and would love to one day open his own gym. His hobbies include photography and physical fitness.
[…] There are just FOUR days left to choose ONE lucky winner. Vote now through October 4th for your favorite finalist! Want to learn more? Get to know our top six contenders here. […]
HQ: FREDERICK, MARYLAND
