Biographies
Vann's Bio:
Evangelo "Vann" Morris is Healing America Foundations first public speaker.
Vann is a prior enlisted Lieutenant Commander (LCDR), US Navy, retired, having served in the military and government for over 30 years. Vann's wife (Rita) and their three sons are all U.S. Veterans. Vann grew up in the small village of Folsom, LA and began his naval career as an enlisted Sailor onboard ballistic missile nuclear powered submarines, where he received training on nuclear propulsion and advanced thermonuclear weapons.
Vann has a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Memphis and a MBA from the Naval Postgraduate School, in Monterey, CA. Once he became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, Vann led several Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) missions in the Arabian Gulf and the Caribbean Sea. Of note, his VBSS team seized 14 metric tons of pure cocaine in a single Colombian drug raid, which was a at the time, a maritime world record.
Throughout his naval career, he has visited 45 countries and deployed while onboard aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, amphibs, and submarines. His final three shore tours were the Pentagon in D.C., 82nd Airborne Division in Bagram, Afghanistan, and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in Tampa. His final three Operational duties were Combat Systems Officer, Anti-Terrorism Officer, and Tactical Action Officer all onboard the guided missile destroyer USS McCAMPBELL (DDG 85).
After retiring in 2014, he remained at SOCOM as an Information Operations (IO) Subject Matter Expert (SME) in support of major geographic (combatant) commands in select continents. As an IO SME, he coaches, teaches, and mentors Special Operations Forces personnel. Parallel with his military career, Vann has been public speaking for 20 years to honor all those who serve our great nation and to teach our children the value of Freedom.
Jim's Bio:
BCA Cares and the SDAAC supports more than twenty local charities including the Boys & Girls Clubs and San Diego's Center for Children. On June 20th, 2008 Bernet set the Guinness World Record for the largest wheel-chair tournament ever to benefit Sharp Healthcare Foundation. Bernet was recently named a Captain's Circle Member with the San Diego Police Foundation.
In 2022, Bernet was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Medal from the Secretary of the Army. The Meritorious Public Service Medal, formerly the Outstanding Civilian Service Award is the third highest honor within the public service awards scheme of the Department of the Army that can be awarded to a private citizen.
Bernet is an Army Reserve Ambassador (ARA). ARA's develop awareness and advocacy with community leaders and are vitally important bridges to communities across the Nation. They function at the federal, state and local level and voluntarily represent the Chief of Army Reserve (CAR) without salary, wages or other benefits. Most beneficial is ARAs provide “continuity” over the long term; while local Army Reserve team leaders come and go, Ambassadors are vested in the community. Their function is like that of Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) and they carry a protocol status equivalent to a major general.
He also chairs the West Point Admissions Project (WPAP) and Cadet Command Scholarship Program (CCSP) that identifies up to 300 minorities nationwide each year pursuing college opportunities. Bernet has served as Board Chair of Hillcrest Academy, a private – nonfaith-based K-8 school and continues to serve a variety of organizations, clubs or philanthropic efforts including the: Association of the United States Army (AUSA); Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito (BGSDTO); Sharp Healthcare Foundation; Salute to Heroes; San Diego Police Officers Association; Widows & Orphans Fund
Larry's Bio:
Larry Cook is a member of the US Civil Service and manages the Sovereign Challenge Program on behalf of the Directorate of Plans, Policy, Strategy Concepts & Doctrine at Headquarters United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), MacDill Air Force Base Florida. Mr. Cook directs one of USSOCOM’s longest active engagement outreach programs with annual events in multiple locations and an overall program budget of more than $2 million.
Mr. Cook has served in a variety of leadership, staff and technical positions in government and industry. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1998 after graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and served as an active duty commissioned officer until 2011. Mr. Cook also holds Master’s Degrees from Troy State University and the University of North Carolina.
Bryan Stern is an Amazing U.S. Naval Officer and Purple Heart Medal recipient who is the leader of the world class hostage rescue organization “Grey Bull Rescue”. Bryan Loves America and has put his life on the line rescuing U.S. hostages from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Israel just to name a few places.
The Grey Bull Rescue organization that Bryan Stern founded and runs, strives to bring this same sense of hope to Americans and allies in need, giving them a lifeline in times of crisis. The “Bull” in Grey Bull Rescue symbolizes the hope and determination embodied by Colonel Simons and his team. We are here to offer hope and fight for those who need it most—just as Bull Simons did. Healing America Foundation could not have a better person coaching, teaching, and mentoring it.
Healing America Foundation, Inc. is a 501 c3 non-profit and all donations are tax deductible. Our EIN is 93-2525673 and our IRS confirmation letter can be downloaded from our website. “A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.”