THOMAS MCINNIS

Mr. McInnis' combat experience had a lasting and positive impact on his personal life and business career.  Tom was drafted into the Army during the summer of 1969. He went through Basic and Advanced Infantry Training and, shortly thereafter, was deployed to South Vietnam. For his service, Tom was awarded the Bronze Star for ‘meritorious action during hostile activities'. Vietnam was where Tom learned the importance of working together to achieve an objective. For many young service members of that era, a primary objective was staying alive.  Tom applied the valuable life lessons learned in the military to his personal development after receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1971.  Upon his discharge, Tom re-entered the workforce in an entry-level job for New York Telephone Company as a Splicer’s Helper.  While raising a family, he went to night school on the G.I. Bill and earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Economics from Lehman College, New York.  He also completed various Bell System Programs, which focused on Technical and Management Training.  While working for Verizon, he completed his Executive MBA at Pace University, in New York.  Tom retired from Verizon with over 30 years of service, as an Information Technology Director.  Tom went on to start his own consulting company, which he successfully operated for over 10 years. He is currently a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

Mrs. Boldt was forever impacted by 9/11, but it wasn’t until she saw the bravery, trust, and dedication from the men within her brother’s unit that she finally volunteered for her country.  She joined the Army in 2009 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC, followed by the Combat Medic Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, TX. She then completed Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA before being assigned to the 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg, NC. During her four years and a half years at Fort Bragg she served with the 307th Engineer Battalion and 30th Engineer Battalion and completed combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2014 she arrived at Fort Jackson, SC and instructed Basic Combat Trainees.  In 2016, she was selected for promotion to Sergeant First Class. It was during that time she decided to complete her contract and stay home with her young children.   Her most notable military training and certifications include Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification, Equal Opportunity Leader certification, Army Small Group Instructor Certification, Master Fitness Trainer certification. She was selected as the Advanced Leader Course Distinguished Honor Graduate, SMA Leon Van Autreve Leadership Award recipient, Commandant’s List, and Installation NCO of the Year. She was inducted into the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and later elected as President of the Fort Jackson Chapter. Her other awards and decorations include 7 Army Commendation Medals, 7 Army Achievement Medals, 2 Meritorious Unit Citations, 3 Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal- Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal- Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, 2 Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, 2 Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal, 16 Certificates of Achievement, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, German Parachutist Badge, Australian Parachutist Badge, British Parachutist Badge, and Army Instructor Badge.