Meet The Team

Board Members

William “Bill” Leahy

Board Chairman

William “Bill” Leahy

Board Chairman

Bill Leahy is the visionary founder of Unturning Steel and a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Driven by purpose and a deep sense of service, Bill launched UTS to honor his brother's legacy and address the critical challenges facing transitioning service members and American manufacturing. With decades of leadership experience in both military and industrial settings, he brings strategic insight, unwavering commitment, and a passion for creating lasting impact. As Board Chairman, Bill guides the organization with integrity and focus—ensuring UTS remains mission-driven, veteran-empowered, and community-rooted.

Jason “Buzz” Lewis

Board Secretary

Jason “Buzz” Lewis

Board Secretary

Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Jason “Buzz” Lewis is a retired U.S. Army officer and servant-leader with 25 years of experience in operations, human resources, and organizational development. As Secretary of the Board, Buzz brings clarity, structure, and a strategic mindset to UTS’s governance and communications. His passion for empowering veterans, building strong teams, and strengthening communities aligns deeply with UTS’s mission. A firm believer that purpose-driven leadership saves lives, Buzz helps ensure the board’s work remains mission-focused, transparent, and grounded in action.

Jim King

President, Eljen Corporation

Jim King

President, Eljen Corporation

A respected executive in the manufacturing and environmental engineering industry, Jim King serves as President of Eljen Corporation, a pioneer in onsite wastewater treatment solutions. With decades of leadership experience, Jim provides strategic guidance on industrial workforce development, veteran talent pipelines, and sustainable business practices. His support reinforces UTS’s commitment to strengthening both American manufacturing and veteran career success.

Jake Herring

CEO, Argenta Software

Jake Herring

CEO, Argenta Software

Jake Herring is the CEO of Argenta Software, a cutting-edge cloud platform designed to help nonprofits manage operations, donor relationships, and mission execution. Before transitioning into the tech world, Jake spent nearly two decades in the manufacturing industry, where he honed his leadership skills and helped organizations grow through innovation, process improvement, and team development. His unique blend of experience in manufacturing and nonprofit technology enables UTS to stay at the forefront of strategic growth, operational efficiency, and digital transformation—while staying true to its mission.

Executive Team

Leading with Purpose. Building for Impact.

At Unturning Steel, Inc., our Executive Team is composed of mission-driven leaders who bring together deep military experience, industry expertise, and a shared passion for service. Each member plays a vital role in shaping the vision, strategy, and daily execution of our programs to ensure veterans are supported, empowered, and equipped for success in the civilian workforce.

William “Bill” Leahy

Board Chairman

William “Bill” Leahy

Board Chairman

Des Lewis

Director of Communications

Des Lewis

Director of Communications

Des Lewis serves as the Director of Communications for Unturning Steel, Inc. (UTS), where she leads the charge in shaping the organization’s voice, amplifying its mission, and building meaningful connections with veterans, partners, and the public. With a deep passion for service and a keen eye for strategy, Des brings clarity, consistency, and heart to every message shared by the UTS team.

As a proud military spouse, Des has spent over a decade navigating the unique challenges of military life—frequent relocations, deployments, and transitions—which have equipped her with resilience, adaptability, and a gift for building community in any environment. Her firsthand understanding of the sacrifices made by military families makes her an authentic and trusted communicator for UTS’s mission to support transitioning veterans and their families.

She excels in organizational systems, brand development, and mission-driven messaging, helping ensure that Unturning Steel’s values of service, integrity, and purpose are communicated clearly across all platforms.

Des is passionate about more than just delivering information—she’s passionate about fostering volunteers and cultivating strong, purpose-driven communities. She believes that sustainable impact starts with people, and she excels at creating opportunities for individuals and families to get involved and feel empowered in the mission.

Her work helps drive awareness and support for key initiatives like the DoD SkillBridge program, veteran employment pathways, and efforts to reduce veteran suicide by creating community, purpose, and certainty through careers in U.S. manufacturing. Whether she’s designing outreach campaigns, refining internal communications, or managing digital content, Des is committed to making every voice in the UTS community feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Currently based in Southwest Florida, Des balances her role at UTS with raising a vibrant family, staying active in her local community, and continuing her own journey of faith, growth, and leadership.

Jason “Buzz” Lewis

Board Secretary

Jason “Buzz” Lewis

Board Secretary

Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Brandon Weil

Head Coach

Brandon Weil

Head Coach

Brandon Weil serves as the Head Coach for SkillBridge candidates at Unturning Steel, Inc. (UTS), where he guides transitioning service members through their training and certification journey with mentorship, structure, and real-world expertise. A U.S. Navy veteran and nationally recognized leader in reliability and maintenance, Brandon equips veterans with the tools, mindset, and confidence needed to thrive in the civilian workforce—especially in high-demand manufacturing careers.

As the owner of Goat Reliability Services and a Board Member with the Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP), Brandon brings decades of experience across aerospace, automotive, and food manufacturing. His career reflects a deep passion for building people and systems that perform—making him a trusted mentor for service members navigating one of the most critical transitions of their lives.

Brandon’s coaching approach is rooted in practical knowledge, purpose-driven leadership, and a strong belief that veterans deserve more than just jobs—they deserve careers that matter. Through the UTS SkillBridge program, he helps veterans translate their military experience into industry certifications, hands-on skills, and leadership capabilities that position them for long-term success.

At the heart of his work is a commitment to UTS’s mission: reducing veteran suicide and strengthening American manufacturing by creating clear pathways to community, purpose, and certainty. Whether he’s leading group coaching sessions, advising on curriculum design, or partnering with employers to align opportunities, Brandon brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to the UTS team.

Currently based in the Midwest, Brandon balances his role at UTS with running his own company and staying active in national professional circles. He believes deeply in the power of mentorship and is driven by the belief that when veterans succeed, America’s workforce—and its future—gets stronger.

Savannah Jones

Executive Assistant

Savannah Jones

Executive Assistant

Savannah brings over five years of high-level executive support experience to her role at Unturning Steel, Inc., where she serves as Executive Assistant to our leadership team. Her expertise spans executive calendar and email management, complex scheduling, travel coordination, onboarding, and records management.

Her extensive background includes serving within the Department of Defense, where she has supported senior leadership at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. In her current role, she serves as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and the Principal Director of Homeland Defense Integration and Defense Support of Civil Authorities.

Previously, she supported the Senior Executive Service Director for Aircraft Carrier Engineering at Naval Sea Systems Command. Savannah’s experience in high-tempo, mission-focused environments has made her a trusted partner to senior executives, enabling them to stay focused on strategic priorities. Her operational excellence and attention to detail are instrumental in helping UTS deliver on its mission to empower veterans, strengthen American manufacturing, and build thriving communities.

Savannah currently resides in Maryland and is proud to contribute her talents to a team committed to service, resilience, and national impact.

Advisory Council

Guiding Our Mission. Strengthening Our Impact.

At Unturning Steel, Inc., we are honored to be supported by a dynamic Advisory Council composed of respected leaders from the manufacturing, education, and technology sectors. These advisors bring invaluable insight, industry expertise, and strategic direction to help us expand our impact, elevate our programs, and stay aligned with our mission to support veteran transitions, empower families, and build a stronger Made in America workforce.

Our Advisory Council members are more than professionals—they are passionate advocates for the communities we serve.

Nick Lambson

Alumni, UTS SkillBridge Program

Nick Lambson

Alumni, UTS SkillBridge Program

Nick is a proud graduate of the Unturning Steel SkillBridge program and a powerful example of what’s possible when veterans are given purpose, opportunity, and support. A former U.S. Air Force Combat Controller, Nick served for six years in Special Operations before transitioning back to civilian life with a deep commitment to his faith, his family, and building a future beyond the uniform.

Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Nick returned home after service and connected with UTS at a pivotal moment in his life. Through the SkillBridge program, he gained hands-on experience, industry-aligned training, and mentorship that prepared him for a successful career in U.S. manufacturing. He now serves as a Maintenance Planner at a local steel mill—bringing leadership, discipline, and technical excellence to his team every day.

Nick continues to stay engaged with UTS as a member of the Advisory Council, helping guide the very program that helped him thrive. His insight as a former candidate brings invaluable perspective to the table as we shape better transitions for the veterans who follow.

Kayla Hodgin

Human Resource Manager

Kayla Hodgin

Human Resource Manager

Kayla is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of military service in Human Resources, Operations, and Policy. Her expertise in strategic planning, workforce development, and succession planning has helped shape resilient teams and guide service members through critical career transitions. Now serving as an HR Manager in the civilian sector, Kayla brings a mission-driven mindset to every environment she supports. Her continued dedication to helping veterans thrive in post-military life makes her a valuable voice on the UTS Advisory Council.

Karon Ayers

Workforce Development Consultant

Karon Ayers

Workforce Development Consultant

Karon is a passionate advocate for veteran empowerment with deep expertise in workforce development, education, and community engagement. With a strong background in creating inclusive career pathways, she has helped countless transitioning service members find purpose and success in the civilian workforce. As a Workforce Development Consultant, Karon brings a strategic and compassionate lens to her work—bridging the gap between military talent and industry needs. Her commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and impact makes her an invaluable member of the UTS Advisory Council.

Joseph Cipponeri

Organizational Development & EHS Leader

Joseph Cipponeri

Organizational Development & EHS Leader

Joseph Cipponeri brings over 22 years of leadership and management experience, following a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force. His expertise spans organizational development, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and adult education—always grounded in collaboration and continuous improvement. Joe values practical solutions and applies Agile and Lean practices to streamline processes and drive sustainable growth. A lifelong learner and mentor, he’s passionate about helping teams thrive in dynamic environments and brings a mission-first mindset to the UTS Advisory Council.

Meet The Team

Board Members

William “Bill” Leahy

Jason “Buzz” Lewis

Jim King

Jake Herring

Executive Team

William “Bill” Leahy

Des Lewis

Jason “Buzz” Lewis

Brandon Weil

Savannah Jones

Advisory Council

Nick Lambson

Kayla Hodgin

Karon Ayers

Joseph Cipponeri

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