HOH Ambassadors
Launched in 2012, the Ambassador program provides well-known veterans and military spouses the opportunity to use their platform to advocate for the military community.
With Support From
For more than a decade, Hiring Our Heroes has worked with our partners to address the issue of unemployment among veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to help the military community successfully drive their future and integrate into the American workforce.
As part of the Drive Your Future initiative, the ambassadors work to highlight available transition tools and resources and educate employers and community leaders on the value of veteran and military spouse employees.
Meet the Ambassadors
Connecting veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with 21st-century career opportunities.
JoAnne “Jo” Bass served in the U.S. Air Force for over 31 years. In August 2020, she was selected as the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the first woman to become the highest senior enlisted leader in any military service, making her a trailblazer and role model. She retired in March 2024 and continues to champion national security and policies impacting veterans and their families.
Jo has extensive leadership experience spanning cutting-edge technology to sensitive national relationships. She has written and spoken on leadership, national security, innovation, workforce strategy, and generational diversity.
Jo is founder and president of The Bass Group LLC, developing leaders and fostering innovation. She serves as Strategic Advisor to Columbia Southern University’s President, Ambassador for Hiring Our Heroes, and Board Director for multiple organizations including the Bob Woodruff Foundation and Military Women’s Memorial.
Raised as an Army dependent, Jo calls Hawaii home and shares her time between Texas and Washington, D.C.
Sergeant Major Ron Green retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after more than 36 years of active-duty service. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, he attended recruit training at Parris Island in November 1983 and served in various artillery and leadership roles throughout his career.
Green’s distinguished service included deployments to Somalia during Operation Restore Hope and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as Sergeant Major for Marine Corps Forces Europe/Africa in Germany and as Marine Expeditionary Force Sergeant Major at Camp Pendleton.
In January 2015, Green was selected as the 18th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, serving under three Commandants: Generals Dunford, Neller, and Berger.
He earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland and co-authored NATO’s NCO Professional Military Education Reference Curriculum.
His awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two gold stars, and multiple commendations.
Dakota Meyer joined Hiring Our Heroes and Toyota as a Personal Branding Ambassador in 2015. Dakota enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2006. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq and in 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan. For his actions on his last deployment to Afghanistan Dakota became the first living Marine in 41 years to receive the Medal of Honor. After leaving the military Dakota has continued his passion for serving. Dakota serves his community through his work as a firefighter and first responder and as an active father, church member, and volunteer.
As acting Secretary of the Army, Patrick Murphy was instrumental in achieving Army recruiting goals for the first time in five years, recruiting 120,000 Gen Z troops in 2016. He led the expansion of the Soldier for Life initiative, generating over $250 million in public-private partnerships, and opened online sales for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, increasing annual sales to over $6.7 billion.
In 2007, Murphy became the nation’s first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress. He authored groundbreaking legislation including the 21st Century GI Bill and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. A decorated combat veteran, he served with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, earning the Bronze Star.
Patrick Murphy is Executive Director at Hilco Global, Wharton faculty, and a general partner at Stony Lonesome Group, having invested over $300 million in veteran-owned businesses. As a Hiring Our Heroes Ambassador, he champions veteran employment and entrepreneurship.
Staff Sergeant Salvatore “Sal” Giunta was born and raised in Iowa, the oldest of three children. Known for his outgoing personality and adventurous spirit, Sal joined the Army in 2003 following the September 11 attacks, driven by a deep sense of duty and fierce loyalty to those around him.
Serving with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy, SSG Giunta deployed to Afghanistan, where his courageous actions on October 25, 2007 earned him the Medal of Honor — the first awarded to a living recipient since the Vietnam War. President Obama personally called to thank him for his gallantry and selfless service to the nation.
Despite the historic honor, Sal remained characteristically humble: “If I’m a hero, then every man that stands around me…everyone who goes into the unknown is a hero.”
His decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, and multiple international parachutist badges.
Ryan Pitts is a former Army paratrooper and Medal of Honor recipient for actions in Afghanistan on July 13, 2008. Ryan served two tours in Afghanistan for a combined 27 months and was medically discharged due to wounds received in combat.
After leaving the military, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of New Hampshire, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering.
Since receiving the Medal of Honor, Ryan has maintained a commitment to service through support for veteran and military family causes – particularly in areas focused on mental health and military-civilian transition. He serves as an ambassador for Cohen Veterans Network, Fisher House Boston, and Hiring our Heroes.
Staff Sergeant Clint Romesha is a U.S. Army veteran who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during combat operations at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan on October 3, 2009. Romesha enlisted in the Army in September 1999 and served as an M1 armor crewman. He was assigned as a tank gunner with B Company, 1-63rd Armor in Germany, deploying to Kosovo, and later served as a section leader with 3-61st Cavalry at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Romesha deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and once to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
After separating from the Army in January 2011, he relocated to North Dakota to work in the Bakken Oil Fields. He authored the New York Times Bestseller, “Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor.”
Romesha supports veteran initiatives through Reuniting After War, Patriot Project Board of Directors, and American Warrior Partnership. He enjoys spending time with his wife and their six kids.
John Wayne Troxell is a retired U.S. Army senior noncommissioned officer who served as the third Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the most senior enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces. He enlisted in September 1982 and served for over 37 years in numerous leadership positions.
Troxell’s five combat tours include Operation Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield/Storm, two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was sworn in as SEAC on December 11, 2015, and retired on March 31, 2020.
His awards include the Combat Action Badge, Ranger tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star. He holds a master’s degree in business administration.
Since retirement, Troxell founded PME Hard Consulting, LLC, serves as National Ambassador for the VFW, and is a strategic advisor and brand ambassador for Hiring Our Heroes.
