Hon. Patrick J. Murphy

Chairman

Patrick is committed to being an ambassador for veterans. In 2007, Patrick became the nation’s first Iraq War Veteran elected to Congress, representing Pennsylvania’s 1st congressional district. He authored several groundbreaking pieces of legislation into law including the 21st Century GI Bill, the Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and the raising of the federal minimum wage. Continuing public service today, he was appointed to the National US Cyberspace Solarium Commission, as well as Distinguished Chair of Innovation at West Point, and supports fellow veterans entering political public service through Kennedy Democrats and Taking the Hill. Patrick led the U.S. Army – a Fortune 2-sized workforce of 1.3 million, with a $148 billion budget, and the nation’s largest employer of millennials. He led the expansion of the Soldier for Life initiative, was instrumental in achieving recruitment goals for the first time in five years, and generated over $250 million in public-private partnerships. He initiated opening up over 2,500 AAFES retail stores for the first-ever, tax-free online shopping which has increased annual sales to over $6.7 billion. Patrick was born into a family of veterans. His father Jack served in the Navy, his uncles Joe and Bill served in Vietnam, and his brother J.J. served in the Air Force, with two post-9/11 overseas deployments.

Patrick continued this tradition, enlisting in the United States Army ROTC program at age 19. He would serve two deployments following September 11th—the first to Bosnia in 2002 and the second to Iraq from 2003 through 2004 as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq, which included leading a Brigade Operational Law Team and successfully prosecuting two high-level terrorists in the Supreme Court of Iraq.

Hon. Thomas G. Bowman

CO-Chairman

Thomas G. Bowman was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as The Deputy Secretary of The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on August 3, 2017. He retired from the VA on June 15,
2018. and established TGB Strategies LLC to advice, counsel and assist on Veteran and Military issues.
Prior to being sworn in as Deputy Secretary, Mr. Bowman served as Majority Staff Director of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. From 2012 to 2014, he served as Special Assistant for Veterans Research at the University of South Florida in Tampa, and from 2009 to 2012 he served as Senior Advisor to the
Director of VA’s Sunshine Healthcare Network serving Veterans in Florida, Southeastern Georgia, and the Caribbean.
Mr. Bowman’s previous appointments within VA were Chief of Staff of VA, Deputy Chief of Staff of VA, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs, Acting Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Executive
Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Before joining VA in 2002, Mr. Bowman served as Senior Counsel to the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee.
Mr. Bowman was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps through the NROTC Program at the University of Texas in 1969. From 1970 through 1975, he served as a platoon commander, company commander, and battalion, regimental, and division staff officer with the 1st , 2nd , 3rd , and 4th Marine
Divisions in Southeast Asia, Okinawa, and the U.S. After law school, he was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., where he served as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and Law Center Director. He then served as the Marine Corps Representative and Instructor of Law at the Naval Justice School and a guest lecturer at the Naval War College, Newport, R.I., from 1983 to 1988.
Mr. Bowman left active duty in 1988 to become an assistant district attorney in southeastern Massachusetts but was recalled to active duty during the Gulf War. Released in May 1991, he practiced law concentrating in military and Veterans issues before returning again to active duty in 1994. He retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel in October 1999, after serving as Senior Military Assistant to
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Mr. Bowman is a member of the Board of Directors for The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV); Volunteers of America (VOA) Florida; America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP); and Florida Defense Support Task Force
(FDSTF). On April 27, 2022. Mr. Bowman was inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.

Elizabeth Murray-Belcaster

Executive Director

Elizabeth Murray-Belcaster is the President of EMB Consultants, Inc. Leading initiatives for Veterans’ and military families, Belcaster is an expert in strategic development of training to placement efforts across the country and an advisor for leadership and coalition building. She is responsible for networking with employers, military partners, and legislators as well as building independent partnerships with labor affiliates and with veteran’s service organizations across the country. She served as Task Force Committee member and lead panelist for the American Legion National Licensing and Credentialing Summits and continues to drive industry stakeholders, governing agencies, labor unions and military affiliations in collective spaces to further advance programming and policy for service members across the globe. Belcaster specializes in development of Military Training to Placement efforts with military leadership, industry, labor, academia and regulatory agencies and stakeholders across the country.

She’s had concurrent experience directing political campaign initiatives for the offices of Governor, State and National Congress, Senate, Aldermanic, and regional judicial positions. She has presented at the Clinton Global Initiative and has served as a board member on the Women For Wounded Warriors Foundation since 2016, and is a past recipient of United States Field Artillery Associations, The Order of Saint Barbara award.

Ed Lewis

chairman maritime

Edward Lewis served as a Machinery Technician and retired from the Coast Guard with 32 years of service, 16 as a Master Chief. His shipboard assignments included the USCGC MIDGETT, USCGC POINT DORAN, USCGC POINT SPENCER and the USCGC MANOWAR. Command Master Chief tours included Sector Guam in the Northern Mariana Islands, the Fourteenth District in Hawaii, the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support in Washington D.C., and Force Readiness Command in Norfolk, Va. He also served as the School Chief of the Chief Petty Officer’s Academy and led the Coast Guard’s largest engineering career field as the Machinery Technician Rating Force Master Chief.

In addition to assigned duties, Edward served on the Commandant’s Leadership Advisory Council, as an analyst on the Outlook Vision Team (10-year Strategy), Royal Navy and US Coast Guard future technical support study, and the core team for the Evergreen Project (25- year Strategy). He is currently a member of Green Advantage INC’s Education and Credentialing Board and is a member of Arizona State University’s Senior Enlisted Advisory Council. Edward is a graduate of the Army Sergeant’s Major Academy, Class 57, and holds a master’s degree in human service counseling / military resilience with distinction from Liberty University.

As Vice President for Business Development at the Maritime Institute, he focuses on staff recruiting, creating strategic business partnerships, and expanding Maritime Institute’s customer base. Edward has extensive experience with the Military-to-Mariner Initiative and is passionate about veteran and spouse employment. Edward has personal experience on Pacific Islands and saw firsthand the impact of plastics on wildlife, the culture of indigenous Oceana Peoples, and the environment. He spends his free time with his wife, Michelle, enjoying the outdoors and advocating for the maritime workforce.

Esmeralda Silva

Senior advisor/executivce committee chairwoman

Esmeralda Silva’s career has been comprised of roles revolving around building strong relationships. Over the past 25+ years, she has held leadership roles within student affairs, academic affairs, administrative services, military
outreach and partnerships, military and veteran relations, compliance and regulatory affairs, and advocacy and legislative work allowing her to create and implement integrated strategies as well as collaborate with cross-
departmental leaders to ensure wide focus on outcomes and success in many organizations.
Ms. Silva is actively involved in advocating for improved support and services for all members within the organizations that she supports to include students, industry professionals, military members, veterans and their families. Her experience working with 501c3 expands over 15 years. She currently serves as President Emeritus Council of College and Military Educators (CCME). She served as the President 2020-2024, supporting the organization through the global pandemic and making it financially stable. CCME is an active proponent for the professional development of those serving in the military education community by providing a forum for the exchange of information on educational programs, strategies and innovation among its members and associated
partners. She has held other board positions at state level advocating for change for our military community.
I am also actively involved as a supporting the 37th Training Wing with the US Air Force as an Honorary Commander Currently, I serve as the Vice President of Military and Workforce Relations for Teach Us.

COL. (Retired) Adam Rocke

Senior advisor/executivce committee member

Adam Rocke is a retired Army Colonel and career Infantryman with an illustrious military and civilian career. As a Special Assistant to the Army Chief of Staff and as Director of the Soldier for Life Program, Adam orchestrated the U.S. Army’s initiative to create a supportive network for Soldiers, Veterans, and their families, connecting them with essential resources for employment, education, and well-being, crucial for successful reintegration into civilian life. 

Throughout his distinguished military career, Adam held critical roles in various infantry and special operations units, ranging from Platoon to Brigade Level, and served on both the Army Staff and Joint Staff. His commitment saw him deploy overseas multiple times to support the Global War on Terror. 

In his civilian career, Adam continues to dedicate himself to serving service members and their families. He recently served as President of Client Relations at Katie’s Way, a mental healthcare company. Before this, he served as the Senior Director of Engagements at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program. Before this role, he served as the Managing Director of NS2 Serves, a non-profit organization that offers high-demand IT training to veterans and transitioning service members. Early on, he was the Vice President of Military Affairs at FASTPORT Inc., a digital technology company that supports veteran employment opportunities. 

Transitioning from the battlefield to the boardroom, Adam and three fellow veterans who served together in Baghdad, Iraq, co-founded FMR Leadership Solutions, where they are managing partners. They aim to help organizations unlock their potential by developing strong leaders, building resilient teams, and implementing tailored strategies that drive meaningful change. 

Adam remains a staunch advocate for Veterans and their families. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Home Builders Institute (HBI), chairs the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Retired Soldier and Veterans Affairs Committee, and is an AUSA Leadership Fellow. Additionally, he contributes to the American Legion Innovation Task Force on Veterans Employment and Training, as well as the Small Business Entrepreneurship Task Force. He serves on the executive committee of the White House-appointed Task Force Movement, is a Senior Advisor to the Troops First Foundation’s “Warrior Call” initiative, and is also a member of the Warriors’ Journey (TWJ) advisory board. 

A Soldier for Life!

James Chapman III

Senior Labor advisor 

James Chapman, III, was elected General President in August 2026 at the 33 rd General Convention, after running unopposed for the position. Prior to his election as General President, Brother Chapman was appointed to serve as IUEC assistant general president in January 2024, upon the retirement of Former Assistant General President James K. Bender, II. As assistant general president, Brother Chapman was honored to hold in the very same position his father, James H. Chapman, Jr., served from 2000 to 2006.

General President Chapman began his career in the IUEC on July 8, 1998, following in his father’s footsteps and joining Local 12, Kansas City, MO. Prior to joining the IUEC, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

After completing his apprenticeship, Brother Chapman earned his mechanic’s card as a member of Local 12. His leadership skills and passion for the trade were quickly recognized by his fellow brothers and sisters, and he was elected to positions within the local union early in his career. He was appointed as a trustee in September 2000 and recording secretary in 2002, before being elected business manager in 2005. He served as Local 12 business manager until
he was appointed IUEC national organizer in April 2009, a position he held for four years. In February 2013, Brother Chapman was appointed regional director and served in this role for 11 years until his appointment as assistant general president.

Brother Chapman has served in numerous other appointed roles within the IUEC
including as a health plan trustee from 2014 to 2017 and a pension trustee from 2017 to 2018. He has also served on numerous committees including the National Arbitration Committee, from 2018 to present, and the Labor Committee in 2011, 2016, and 2021.

Brother Chapman calls Kansas City, MO, home, and is the proud husband of Tandra and proud father of his two boys, Mitch and Max.