In 2017 we are expanding our programming to the suburbs of Houston, starting with The Woodlands. We plan on launching new programming in a new area of Houston every six months as we strive to achieve our mission of strengthening the veteran community in Houston, TX. We know that it's challenging to attend LSVA events when they are in town and you live and/or work out of town, so we are bringing our events to where our veterans live. We will be rolling out a Warrior for Life career networking lunch, a recurring family event, and a regular social.
We are only able to accomplish this big push in programming expansion due to the efforts of our volunteers. We have taken our most dedicated volunteers who have made a one year commitment to attend the events going on in the new area, we have chosen to call them our Community Leaders. In the case of The Woodlands these volunteers live and/or work there, are already ingrained in the local community and will be our standard bearers in developing the community of veterans in that area. We are very proud to have such a great and dedicated group of leaders join LSVA's efforts. The Community Leaders have undergone the entire employment process that new hires go through to work at LSVA, but they're doing it for free because they are passionate advocates for veterans and servicing their community. We are a small charity and their dedication and self-sacrifice is key in expanding LSVA across Houston, and eventually statewide.
LSVA is proud to introduce you to the first cohort of Community Leaders we have been training and will continue to pour resources and training into as long as they are in this role. These individuals live our values of Service, Leadership, Integrity, and Collaboration. We can't wait for everyone reading this to meet them.
Click Here to Apply & Learn More
Click the area you're interested in to apply:
Central Houston (Inside 610 loop)
Southeast Houston (Clear Lake/League City)
West Houston (Katy/Spring Branch)
North Houston Team
Amit Shamgar
Amit Shamgar is a Regional Director of Business Development and Operations at PureHM US and a Navy veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces. Amit brings over 25 years of global experience (North America, Middle East and Europe) in program management, measurements of performance, and consulting to LSVA. He spent the last 18 years of his career in the Oil & Gas industry; 8 years as a Subject Matter Expert for Williams’ Asset Integrity department, and 10 years with GE/PII Pipeline Solutions holding various positions, including Field Team-Leader, Applications Engineer, Quality Assurance Leader (Six Sigma) and Sr. Project Manager. Amit is a former Naval IDF operator who graduated from the prestigious Israeli Nautical Military College for Officers in 1987 where he completed studies in Marine Engineering Systems. During his service in Naval Special Operations, and reserve, where he held several leadership positions, he was deployed numerous times and operated in the Middle East. Amit also served as a Naval Instructor and Strategic Missions Coordinator. Amit
holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and an Associate in Electronics Engineering Technology. In his spare time Amit is an avid technical scuba diver and enjoys volunteering, fishing and learning to play his Spanish guitar.
Carlis Miller
Carlis served as a Marine and in the Reserves. He now resides in Houston, near his two children, a daughter and a son. After a tough battle with cancer, Carlis resolved to reach out to help others. He has become an inspirational force for many, in both body and spirit. He has spent the last 10 years working for FMC and has been a member of the American Legion Post 127 in Tomball for the last 7 years. Carlis has a need to get out into the community and help others. When asked why he would like to become a Community Leader for Lone Star Veterans', Carlis responded "Simply put, I want to inspire and help our people."
Chase Hammett
Chase served as a 12C (Bridge Crewmember) for 6 years in the Texas Army National Guard. He was part of the 551st Engineering Battalion, receiving an honorable discharge, as a Sergeant, in May 2015. Chase graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in Finance from Texas State University and is a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch. Chase enjoys being active in The Woodlands community, where his family resides. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer or a round of golf on the weekends or watching football. Outside of LSVA, Chase is actively involved in the, Texas State Alumni Association and a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church.
Julian Perez
Julian Perez is a U.S. Army veteran and spent 4 years as a Signals Intelligence Analyst stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Julian served with 1-22IN/1BCT in Kandahar City, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom as a STG Operator. Julian possesses a mathematics degree from Thomas Edison State University, and will graduate from Sam Houston State University with a Master of Business Administration in August, 2017. Julian works as a Project Manager in the oil & gas industry, and is heavily involved with GE’s Veteran’s Network. Julian has been a member of the LSVA since 2011. In his free time, Julian enjoys fishing, sports, and coaching his two oldest children’s soccer teams. Julian and his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Isabella, Julian Jr., and Bagwell, reside in Spring, Texas.
Michael W. Parker, Jr.
Michael W. Parker Jr. was born in Houston and raised in Spring, TX. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps right after he graduated from Spring High School. During his time in service, Michael achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. He returned home in 2013, and with the aid of the Lone Star Veterans Association, made a seamless transition. Currently Michael works as Financial Advisor with MassMutual Greater Houston, where he aids his community members and business owners plan for retirement. Lifelong learning has been a pillar in Michael’s development and that is displayed by his current pursuit of his Masters of Business Administration Degree from Prairie View A&M University. Michael continues to serve his community as a Board Member with the Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce and as Community Leader with the LSVA.
Mike Records
Michael was born and raised in Deer Park, TX. In 2001, Michael enlisted in the United States Army, where he earned the rank of Sergeant. During his time in uniform, Michael served in one of the Army’s elite Long Range Surveillance units, where his overseas assignments took him across Europe and the Middle East. Michael served a combat tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003-2004, where he received numerous accolades to include the Purple Heart. Michael received an honorable discharge from the United States Army in 2004 and went on to complete his bachelor’s degree at the University of Houston-Downtown. Upon graduation Michael proposed, implemented and directed the Veterans Services department at the University of Houston-Downtown. Michael has over 10 years of experience advocating for Veterans and continues to volunteer his time with several Veterans Service Organizations in the Houston area. He previously served on the board of directors for the Lone Star Veterans Association and worked for the Wounded Warrior Project, before joining the NextOp team.