Our Team

A Strong Leader Defined:

"A strong leader is someone who faithfully unites heart and mind in honorable, selfless action for the betterment of others so as to effectively accomplish the mission."--Major General (ret) Daniel L. York in The Strong Leader's Hand

CORE Leadership TEAM

L-R: Daniel York, James Molloy, Eldon Regua, Luis Armas, Consuello Hodges, Daphne Parker, Michael Courts

Major General (ret) (USAR) EDD Daniel York has over 45 years of leadership experience. He has successfully commanded at every level in the Army from Platoon to Division and helped countless organizations (nonprofit and for-profit) and individuals become more productive and effective. His passion is investing in the growth of leaders. He is a CliftonStrengths certified coach and completed his doctorate in leadership with Liberty University. He is the author and trainer of The Strong Leader's Hand Workbook series and the books, The Strong Leader's Hand and The Weak Leader's Fist along with four other books and has recorded seven albums of original music compositions. He graduated from West Point in 1981 and earned two Masters Degrees. He
Colonel (ret) James Molloy is an experienced Air Force fighter pilot and entrepreneur with extensive experience helping Liberty University launch and improve its Aeronautic programs. He currently works with Samaritan's Purse in Africa and is well-experienced teaching the Strong Leader's Hand Workbooks with leaders from several different nations.
Major General (ret) (USAR) Eldon Regua brings decades of leadership experience to the SAOL team. He commanded the 104th Training Division and the 75th Training Command and was asked to come out of retirement to serve as the Senior Advisor to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army. He is well-experienced teaching the Strong Leader's Hand Workbooks with leaders from several different nations.
Luis Armas is a dedicated leadership and strengths coach, offering personalized coaching services in both English and Spanish. He brings over 20 years of experience in diverse leadership roles such as counselor, mentor, teacher, and pastor. He holds a Master of Arts in Global Leadership Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts. He is completing certification with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) through the Professional Christian Coaching Institute, and is a certified CliftonStrengths coach.
LTC (ret) Consuello Hodges is a retired military communications officer with extensive experience in ground and space operations and logistics. Throughout his impressive 25-year military career, he served as a senior Information Technology Advisor for 11 senior-level organizations. Hodges is renowned for his unique leadership style, which centers around the "inside-outside" philosophy and has had a profound impact on thousands of soldiers. He is a certified master resilience trainer utilizing his skills to assist both soldiers and civilians in overcoming adversity. He holds a Master's degree from Liberty University and a Bachelor's degree from Carson Newman University and is the author of Purpose in the Pain and co-author of Survived Life's Challenges.
Daphne Parker is a CliftonStrengths coach, and gifted children's ministry leader and speaker. Daphne uses all of her life experience; teaching, marketing, sales and public speaking to lift up and encourage others. She excels in teambuilding to create cohesiveness and joyful community by mentoring individuals and the team as a whole. A team can be found in a family, community group, workplace or wherever more than one person needs the strength of the sum to succeed. “I can show you many open windows and doors, yet it is up to you to choose which one you walk or fly through.” Daphne is also the President of her Toastmasters International club and a cofounder and former board member of VetREST with Daniel York.
COL (ret) Michael Courts iserved in a variety of command and staff positions including command at the Platoon, Troop, Battalion, and Brigade levels. His education includes; the Air Defense Officer Basic Course, Aviation Officer Advance Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff Officer Course, Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College. He is a Joint Specialty Officer. He has a Bachelor of Science from West Point in 1981, a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University, and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. COL Courts is a Master Army Aviator and paratrooper, is rated in the UH-1H, OH-58A/C, AH-1F, AH-64A, AH-64D and is a TH-67 Instructor Pilot.
Mike served as the former DuPont City Councilman 2012-15, and Mayor 2016-19. He is an avid golfer and skier. In the winter he works as a ski instructor at The Summit Snow Sport School at the Summit at Snoqualmie Pass. He and his wife are active members of Christ Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Wa. Mike has recently authored his first and second books; “Letters from Baghdad Vol 1: Tea with Terrorists” and “Letters from Baghdad Vol 2: Herding Cats”.