Service Academy Business Mastermind

• #322: Helping Companies Expand into Panama, Latin America, and Beyond with Mario Cortizo, USMA ‘13

  Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Mario Cortizo is the Founder and President of Maerco Consulting, helping companies expand into Panama and Latin America through strategic market entry, partnerships, and business development support. A West Point graduate and seasoned entrepreneur, Mario combines disciplined leadership with a deep understanding of regional growth opportunities. His career highlights include leading business development for companies with over 200 million users, managing $2 billion infrastructure initiatives, and representing Panama in the 2022 Young Leaders of the Americas Entrepreneurship Program. At Maerco Consulting, Mario specializes in diagnosing challenges, identifying new markets, and building partnerships that drive long-term success. With multicultural experience and fluency in four languages, he is uniquely positioned to help companies navigate the Latin American landscape. Known for his hands-on leadership and commitment to innovation, Mario is focused on helping businesses expand, thrive, and create meaningful impact across borders. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Mario about: West Point Legacy: Mario is the first Panamanian West Point grad since 1987, continuing his father's legacy. Founder of MI Consulting: He helps U.S. companies enter the Panama and Latin America markets. Strategic Panama Advantage: Panama offers tax incentives, U.S. dollar stability, and top-tier infrastructure to global businesses. Clients from Startups to Multinationals: His firm supports companies ranging from early-stage brands to tech giants with 600M+ users. Actively Seeking U.S. Partners: He's building the brand and welcomes referrals from businesses interested in expanding to Latin America. Timestamps: 01:39 Journey to West Point 03:41 Starting MI Consulting 05:52 Why Panama is a Business Hub 11:31 Future Goals and Vision Connect with Mario: LinkedIn Email: [email protected] If you found value in today’s episode, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you’re a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we’d love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Mario for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

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• #321: Building the Future of Technology Consulting with C Infinity Solutions and Chris Coughlan, USNA ‘05

  Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Chris Coughlan is the Founder and CEO of C Infinity Solutions, a digital consultancy helping companies turn big ideas into scalable, AI-powered products. A Naval Academy graduate and former intelligence officer, Chris blends military precision with business innovation to drive real results. After leadership roles at IBM, Wizeline, and Atrium, he launched C Infinity to rethink how businesses build technology — faster, smarter, and with fewer barriers. His team specializes in helping founders and enterprises bring new products to market, modernize operations, and scale with confidence. Known for his hands-on leadership and focus on execution, Chris is helping redefine what technology partnerships can achieve. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Chris about: The Start of C Infinity Solutions: Combining military experience and business strategy to help companies build scalable digital products. How They Stand Out: Speeding up product development by turning ideas into full engineering specs in just four hours. Chris’s Path: From Navy leadership to IBM sales and strategy, then founding a digital consultancy focused on growth through technology. Lessons Learned: Bridging the gap between business goals and tech execution, while using AI to streamline and scale. What’s Next: Growing C Infinity’s client base, launching a SaaS product, and building a portfolio of tech-enabled companies. Timestamps: 00:39 Chris's Journey from Military to Tech 01:23 Overview of C Infinity Solutions 02:28 Exciting Projects and Use Cases 08:01 Team Composition and Skills 11:25 Innovative AI Tools and Methodologies 18:27 Future Goals and Vision 22:56 Connecting with Founders and Veterans Connect with Chris: LinkedIn Email: [email protected]  If you found value in today’s episode, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you’re a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we’d love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Chris for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01  

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• #320: From Navy Command to Executive Coaching: Building Transformative Teams with Jeff Servello, USNA ‘02

  Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jeff Servello is a seasoned leader and trusted Principal Advisor specializing in executive coaching, leadership development, and crisis response. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, he also holds a Master of Professional Studies in Leadership, Education, and Development from the University of Maryland.  Over the past 20 years, Jeff has led award-winning teams, managed billion-dollar resources, and coached cross-functional units to high performance in complex environments. He piloted multi-functional operations supporting global missions, oversaw $5M budgets, and directed the professional development of over 700 emerging leaders. As chief architect of an enterprise-wide talent plan, he increased retention rates by 12% and streamlined candidate screening for 800+ individuals annually. Today, Jeff partners with new and emerging leaders through Provision Advisors, helping them scale and sustain growth. His passion lies in empowering small business owners and future leaders to reach their full potential. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Jeff about:   The Start of Provision Advisors: Turning years of Navy mentorship and leadership into a business helping teams perform at their best. How They Stand Out: Helping leaders prevent crises before they happen and communicate clearly when they do. Jeff’s Path: From Navy XO and CO to executive coach, partnering with his brother to grow the firm. Lessons Learned: Adapting military leadership skills to business, learning the art of sales, and understanding how small shifts in mindset drive big results. What’s Next: Expanding his coaching practice and helping businesses scale with stronger, more resilient teams.   Timestamps: 00:59 Journey into Coaching 01:54 Provision Advisors and Family Dynamics 04:44 Coaching Philosophy and Techniques 10:34 Leadership Lessons from the Navy 17:31 Tools and Assessments for Effective Coaching 26:27 Goals and Future Aspirations 30:07 Connecting and Networking   Connect with Jeff: LinkedIn https://calendly.com/jeffservello   If you found value in today’s episode, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you’re a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we’d love for you to join our community and get started today.   Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Jeff for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01  

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• #319: How LCAB Holdings Is Redefining Commercial Construction with Jeff Tegman, USMA ‘07

  Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jeff Tegman is the Vice President of LCAB Holdings, a veteran-owned holding company redefining how the commercial construction industry attracts talent, maintains quality, and drives operational excellence. An Army veteran with an MBA in Engineering Management, Jeff leads LCAB’s strategy of acquiring specialized construction companies, building a resilient network that addresses industry fragmentation and labor shortages while raising the standard for subcontractor performance. With a disciplined, long-term approach to leadership and growth, Jeff is committed to shaping a more efficient and sustainable future for commercial construction. He also mentors veterans and military spouses through American Corporate Partners (ACP) and serves as a Parent Advisory Group Member for DC Public Schools. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Jeff about: From Fragmentation to Opportunity: How Jeff and LCAB Holdings are solving the $500B construction productivity gap through strategic acquisitions. Scaling Through Cross-Selling: Building a diversified portfolio of construction trades to unlock new growth across customer networks. Leading Change with EOS: Why implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is critical to successful post-acquisition integration. Investing in the Full Picture: How LCAB structures investments to give investors exposure to an entire portfolio, not just one company. Building the Future with Talent: Why recruiting veterans and strong leaders is the key to scaling LCAB’s vision across new markets. Timestamps: 00:48 Overview of LCAB Holdings 01:32 Challenges and Opportunities in the Construction Industry 04:08 Investment Strategy and Acquisition Process 06:34 Geographic Focus and Market Expansion 12:04 Acquisition Integration and Best Practices 18:44 Funding and Investor Relations 21:27 Personal Insights and Future Goals 35:48 Conclusion and Contact Information   Connect with Jeff: LinkedIn Email: [email protected] www.lcabholdings.com If you found value in today’s episode, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you’re a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we’d love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Jeff for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01  

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• #318: From Billion Dollar Success to Redemption: The Journey of Jeff Martinovich, USAFA ‘88

  Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jeff Martinovich is a seasoned business advisor, entrepreneur, and U.S. Air Force veteran with a background in finance, leadership, and strategic growth. A former Gulf War officer, he went on to build a billion-dollar investment firm, gaining firsthand experience in high-performance leadership and navigating complexity under pressure. After a highly public legal battle that reshaped his views on resilience and integrity, Jeff now channels his experience into helping leaders grow with purpose and clarity. As a partner at ASH Business Advisory, he works alongside fellow Air Force Academy grads to support early-stage and mid-market companies through capital, executive support, and operational strategy. He’s the author of When Not If, a Forbes Books bestseller on leading through adversity, and speaks nationally on business growth, accountability, and principled leadership. Today, Jeff is focused on helping entrepreneurs lead with confidence, scale intentionally, and build businesses that make a lasting impact. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Jeff about: From Billion-Dollar Firm to Prison: Jeff's journey from leading a billion-dollar investment firm to facing incarceration. Turning Time Into Opportunity:  How Jeff studied law behind bars and earned early release from a 14-year sentence. Purpose-Driven Business: Helping small companies grow through Ash Business Advisory. Hard-Earned Wisdom: Authoring two books to share lessons from failure, redemption, and rebuilding. Championing Founders: Jeff now mentors entrepreneurs, offering strategic guidance to help them grow with clarity and integrity. Timestamps: 01:00 Jeff's Background Before 2012 02:07 The Crazy Story Begins 05:38 Surviving Prison and Helping Others 08:50 Life After Prison 12:39 Lessons Learned and Business Ventures 15:55 The Power of Sharing Stories Connect with Jeffrey: LinkedIn Email: [email protected] https://www.jeffmartinovich.com/ If you found value in today’s episode, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you’re a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we’d love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Jeff for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

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