Edel Travieso is a veteran who served six years in the US Air Force. While serving his country, Edel performed many roles including logistics, mobility air freight, traffic management and EMT. He served during Kosovo, supporting the Alabama Air National Guard. As a civilian, Edel has been in management with various companies throughout his professional career. Edel’s strengths include innovative planning, project management, business management, consulting, building science, sustainability systems... and always thinking outside the box. He holds an MBA, a BS degree in Alternative and Renewable Energy Management, a minor in teaching, and holds several professional certificates and licenses, including BPI building analyst and HERS rater. He is founding member of the Green Veterans and serves as the current chair. He is always looking for ways to help his fellow veterans by advancing the Green Veteran mission and vision. He is an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council and is passionate about veterans leading the way forward in sustainability at home and abroad.

Website: http://www.greenvets.org/index.html

Video on Green Veterans:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbq5KyDUTsU

Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services Director Wanda Wright is the third generation of her family to serve in the U.S. military.  She has three decades of military experience.  As a 1985 United States Air Force Academy graduate, Colonel Wright began her military career as Deputy Budget Officer with the Tactical Air Command at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with a follow-on assignment to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, as the Budget Officer.

Leaving active duty in 1990, Colonel Wright joined the Arizona National Guard.   During the next 21 years, she served in various positions including accounting and finance officer, communications officer, executive officer and, finally, as the Director of Staff for the Adjutant General in Phoenix.  Among her many achievements was to serve as Air Commander of Operation Jump Start from June 2006 to December 2008 during which she commanded more than 4,000 airmen on our Southwest border.

Colonel Wright holds a B.S. degree in Management from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an M.B.A degree from Webster University in South Carolina, an M.P.A. degree from the University of Arizona, and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.  Colonel Wright’s military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.