Called to serve. Proven to perform.
The Challenge
How do our SOF service members translate their skills into a value proposition that resonates with private-sector hiring managers? We help connect SOF veterans and private enterprises to see the value of collaboration and what each offers the other.
Challenge Accepted
The Opportunity
Companies are looking for candidates who are results-oriented and know how to win. SOF veterans are looking for their next successful career – not just a job. The leadership and management skills they honed in the military are critically important in the business world.
Opportunity Knocks, We’ve Answered.
The Solution
After completing a SOTF Fellowship, our Fellows are ready, willing, and able to help sustain and scale any business or organization. Special Operations veterans add tremendous value to any team they’re on; smart companies recognize this. As a result, they’ll want to hire more of these extraordinary individuals who go through SOTF.
We’ve Got the Solution
Why SOTF?
Since 2013, SOTF has transitioned over 1,000 Special Operators into over 450 of our Nation’s highest-performing companies across American communities.
Our Program
Our program is focused on service members who have been through an assessment and selection process for the units of the Special Operations Command or operational personnel from select intelligence agencies.
Application
Verification of Service
SOTF Review Board Nomination
Fellowship conferred
Assessment
Psychometric Testing
Behavioral Testing
Profile & Value Proposition
Exploration
Executive Coaching
Resume Tailoring
Regional Workshops
Networking Events
Execution
Connections
Interview Preparation
Comparative Analysis
Offer Negotiation
Integration
First 100 Day Support
Alumni Network Induction
Latest Reviews
This program has been crucial in my transition from military life after 25 years on active duty. I was feeling a bit lost on how to proceed once I made up my mind to retire, and SOTF has provided me with the framework to guide me through this transition. The workshop I attended is a perfect example of a first-rate event that aggregates and presents valuable tools and insights to add to our toolkit as we navigate the waters of transitioning to our next chapter.
If you are a military member looking to re-invent, transition, change careers, super-charge your network, confront your fears, understand your own value, and capitalize on opportunities, there are none better than the passionate members of the Special Operators Transition Foundation. Thanks for the personal help when I needed it most.
Transition out of the Air Force Special Operations community was bittersweet, exciting, and scary all at the same time! After nearly 25 years of pouring my heart and soul into a military profession I loved, it was great to have the SOTF team and program behind me as I figured out how to navigate a path forward into the civilian sector. SOTF provided a reliable, safe, and attuned teammate to work through and succeed in the transition challenge. SOTF mentors provided me with a valuable “sounding board” to talk transition tactics and strategy. It was great knowing they had my back!
Trained. Tested. Trusted.
SOTF Fellows know they have received the most curated transition experience possible. Hiring Partners know they have a curated leader who can deliver unparalleled, ethical, and innovative results.
The ultimate winning proposition!
"Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you."
— Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944
Eighty two years ago today, more than 156,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy in one of the most significant military operations in history. Eisenhower`s words were directed not to generals or politicians, but to soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Many were barely out of high school. Some were still teenagers.
They answered a call greater than themselves, knowing the risks and carrying the hopes of a free world.
Today, we remember those who sacrificed everything on D Day, and we honor the men and women who continue to serve our nation in uniform. The courage, commitment, and selfless service that defined that generation can still be found in today`s military community.
As a veteran transition foundation, we believe supporting service members as they move into their next chapter is one way we honor the legacy of those who came before them. The freedoms we have enjoyed for nearly 250 years were secured by generations willing to serve, sacrifice, and lead.
We remember their sacrifice. We honor their service. We continue their legacy.
#DDay #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #ServiceBeyondTheUniform #NeverForget #VeteranSupport #MilitaryCommunity
Invest in Your Relationships… Be Interested Less Interesting
One of the greatest myths we tell ourselves is that successful people make it on their own.
After 34 years in uniform, I`ve never met a successful leader who got there alone… not in the military… not in business… not in life.
Behind every promotion, every command, every successful organization, and every meaningful transition are relationships – a network of people who invested their time, wisdom, trust, and belief in someone else`s future.
Over the years, I`ve learned that the most meaningful relationships aren`t transactional. They`re built on genuine interest in others.
Too often, we approach networking focused on how we can be interesting to someone else. The strongest connections I`ve experienced, both in uniform and beyond it, came from being genuinely interested in the people across the table. Their story. Their challenges. Their aspirations. Their purpose.
The same is true for the Special Operators we serve at SOTF. Every Fellow who successfully navigates the transition from service to the private sector is supported by a community: a coach who challenges them, an alumnus who shares a lesson learned, a business leader who offers guidance, a donor who chooses to invest in their future, and a spouse who stands beside them through uncertainty.
None of us succeeds alone.
Next week, we`ll gather Fellows, Alumni, friends, supporters, and business leaders from across Colorado. On the surface, it may seem like a series of networking engagements and workshops, but it`s genuinely something much more important. It`s a reminder for all of us that the strongest communities are built when people choose to invest in one another.
This is how opportunities are created, how transitions become transformations, and how missions continue long after the uniform comes off.
Hands down, the most important asset in any transition is never your resume or portfolio; it`s your relationships.
Invest in them… be interested.
Keith Pritchard
SOTF Director of Development
The SOTF was honored at the 9th Annual Military Appreciation Dinner hosted by the veteran community at the Detroit Athletic Club, continuing a meaningful tradition of recognition, service, and shared respect.
The evening featured a powerful presentation by CSM (Ret.). Glen "Nick" Nickel, a founding member of the elite Tier-1 National Mission Unit, Delta Force. His firsthand insights into pivotal moments in U.S. Special Operations history captivated the audience and underscored the realities of service at the highest levels.
A sincere thank you to Brian & Connie Demkowicz, Sherri Perez, and the entire Detroit Athletic Club Veterans Club for their continued hospitality in hosting this gathering year after year.
What makes this tradition especially meaningful is the Detroit Athletic Club veteran community’s commitment to honoring service beyond a single evening. As part of their Memorial Day observances each May, members returned the following day to participate in the annual "Murph" workout, a challenging tribute that honors the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their willingness to show up, remember, and carry forward the spirit of Memorial Day is a testament to the values of service, sacrifice, and patriotism that define this community.
Special appreciation to all who attended and supported the event, including our SOTF alumnus Brian Ellis, PhD, and two of our SOTF Fellows, Michael Thomas and Kegan McKinnon.
We`d also like to thank John Lind of the Arsenal of Democracy of Detroit, and our sponsors, whom we are deeply grateful for, @dac_detroit, Breeze Smoke, @nm_metrodetroit, @jamesgroupintl, Waltonen Engineering, @EOTECH, Huron Capital, Three C`s Landscaping, The Salvage Groups Inc, and many more.
We are grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside such an incredible community in honoring service, sacrifice, and country.
The SOTF team is excited to announce our Task Force Lead for the Dallas–Fort Worth region, Stephen Cortez. His motivation and drive to support our commitment to our Fellows and Alumni are steadfast and strong.
Stephen Cortez served as a Critical Skills Operator (Marine Raider) with 10 years of service in the United States Marine Corps, spending the majority of his career within Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC), where he held specialized roles as a Scout Sniper, JTAC, Communications Specialist, Military Free Fall Parachutist, and Combatant Diver. Throughout his service, he completed rigorous courses demonstrating his ability to rapidly learn, execute, and lead complex tasks while operating under significant physical and mental pressure. His experience in special operations developed a strong foundation in leadership, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and operating under extreme pressure in complex environments.
Following his transition from active-duty service, Stephen earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate from Texas Christian University and then entered into the home building industry where he works as a Community Sales Manager for Graham Hart Home Builder.
Stephen remains committed to supporting the mission of the Special Operations Transition Foundation (SOTF) because of the direct impact the organization had on his own transition from military service. As an SOTF Fellow, he gained mentorship, professional development, and access to a network of high-performing leaders that helped him successfully navigate the transition into the private sector. He is passionate about helping other SOF veterans successfully navigate their next chapter in life and is committed to serving them as the SOTF Task Force Lead for the Dallas-Fort Worth region, where he aims to create meaningful impact for current SOTF Fellows exploring opportunities and building their next endeavors within the region.
Welcome to the SOTF Task Force, Stephen! We’re so glad to have you with us and grateful for your support.
⛳SOTF Annual Charity Golf Tournament
August 17, 2026
Old Natchez Country Club | Franklin, TN
Join SOTF for a day on the course filled with patriotism, competition, and purpose. The tournament features all-inclusive play, hole activations from local Tennessee businesses, fun on-course competitions, and appearances from SOTF Special Operators throughout the course.
Bring your company, clients, or colleagues and take your business to the green while supporting our nation’s military heroes and their families.
Register now to tee up your spot: http://sotf.org/nashville
Field-Tested Talent Pipelines: What SOTF Teaches Business Leaders
The Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF) offers a practical, human-centered model for building talent pipelines that deliver results and lasting relationships.
Personalization over one-size-fits-all:
SOTF recognizes that every fellow brings different experiences, skills, and goals. Rather than applying a fixed curriculum, the program tailors each journey to maximize strengths, address gaps, and accelerate progress where it matters most.
Timelines that respect readiness:
Instead of forcing rigid schedules, SOTF aligns timelines with each fellow’s hiring window and readiness. This reduces bottlenecks, minimizes wasted effort, and improves transition outcomes.
Training that matches need:
The philosophy is simple: provide the level of training each fellow needs to advance. Ready candidates move forward, while others receive additional development. This outcome-focused approach avoids both overtraining and under-preparation.
Goal-driven placement:
SOTF prioritizes where fellows want to be, not where they currently live. By aligning target locations and industries with market demand, the program creates stronger long-term career matches.
In-person connections that matter:
Intentional face-to-face networking in target markets helps fellows build trusted relationships, reduce ramp time, and accelerate collaboration with employers and partners.
Expanding opportunity through strategic events:
Events like SOF Week create direct exposure to the Defense Sector, key decision-makers, and high-value conversations that can lead to partnerships and long-term careers.
What This Means for Business Leaders:
🇺🇸Access to mission-ready, resilient talent trained to adapt and lead
🇺🇸Faster onboarding-to-impact through tailored training and placement
🇺🇸Stronger corporate reputation through meaningful veteran support
🇺🇸Diverse perspectives from individuals experienced in high-stakes environments
If you would like to find out more about hiring a SOTF Fellow, please visit: https://sotf.org/hiringpartnerapplication/
Gareth Gorman
SOTF Director of Programs
SOTF Alum
Retired Green Beret
The SOTF team is thrilled to announce Zach Venning as our newest Director of Alumni!
Please join us in giving Zach a warm welcome as he steps into this role with excitement, dedication, and a passion for strengthening connections within the SOTF alumni community.
Zach Venning is a U.S. Army Special Operations veteran who spent nearly a decade serving as a Psychological Operations specialist supporting counterterrorism efforts across Southeast Asia. As he transitioned from the military, Zach connected with the Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF), where mentorship and community helped him chart a clear path into the private sector—support he continues to value and pay forward.
Zach began his post-military career at Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor recruiter before joining Closed Loop Partners as a venture capital associate investor. There, he deployed capital into early-stage companies at the intersection of sustainability and innovation, strengthening his ability to evaluate opportunity, assess risk, and think like a business builder.
Drawn to working directly with families, Zach returned to Morgan Stanley to join a private wealth team as an Investment Consultant, advising high-net-worth families on wealth creation and preservation. His impact in that role led leadership to expand his mandate as a Business Development Manager across Greater New York City. Today, Zach partners with over 800 high-performing Financial Advisors across Manhattan to drive market growth and help deliver institutional-caliber solutions to clients.
Zach holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Post University, an MBA in Advanced Corporate Finance from NC State University, and a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University. Based in Westchester, New York, he lives with his fiancée, Gabrielle, and his son, Valentino. He remains committed to supporting fellow veterans and mentoring those in transition, and outside of work, he enjoys the outdoors, sailing, and winter sports with his family.
Welcome to the team, Zach! We’re so excited to have you here and look forward to the many ways you’ll help support and grow the SOTF alumni community.
Connect over coffee and conversation with Special Operations veterans while supporting a mission that matters, and you may just meet your next exceptional hire.
Join us this June for a networking breakfast featuring Colorado-based SOTF alumni and current Fellows transitioning from military service into the workforce. Connect with proven leaders who bring resilience, adaptability, and mission-driven performance to every team.
More than breakfast is waiting at the table:
-Breakfast & Networking
-Meet Special Operations Talent
-Connect with Your Next Great Teammate
-Support Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Careers
Be part of a mission strengthening both business and community.
Register here:https://hubs.ly/Q04gGDDc0
