Meet The Team

Brendan Aronson

Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Brendan Aronson is a co-founder and CEO of The Military Veteran. Brendan attended the US Naval Academy for his undergraduate degree and served for six years as an infantry officer in the US Marine Corps. As a Marine, he completed deployments to Asia and Iraq. He worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, and completed an MBA from The Wharton School of Business in 2020. He is a serial entrepreneur who has helped thousands of veterans transition out of the military and into higher education and meaningful careers.

Tim Hsia

Co-Founder

Tim is a distinguished graduate of West Point, a former Army infantry officer, Stanford JD/MBA grad, co-founder of Service to School, and investor at Context Ventures.


Jim Lose

Chief Operating Officer

Jim Lose served as a Marine Corps Intelligence Officer for eight years, completing deployments across the Middle East, the Balkans, and the Asia-Pacific region. He was recalled for an additional year of active duty during Operation Enduring Freedom. 

For over two decades, Jim has been a dedicated leader in the military placement industry, guiding nearly 3,000 veterans into successful civilian careers. His deep understanding of the career aspirations and challenges faced by veterans, combined with his commitment to building strong relationships with corporate clients sets him apart. Whether working with Fortune 500 companies or PE/VC-backed firms, Jim employs a consultative, white-glove approach to make meaningful connections and drive successful outcomes. 

When he’s not at work, Jim loves nothing more than charging through the powdery mountains of the Western US with his wife and three daughters. He also loves baking craft pizzas on Friday nights and daily morning walks by the Potomac River with his bullmastiff and near constant companion, Ruby. 


Lenore Karafa

Client Services Partner

Lenore Karafa is a Venture Partner at Context Ventures and Client Services Partner at The Military Veteran. With a distinguished career spanning military service, finance, and entrepreneurship, Lenore brings a wealth of experience to her role. She served as a Marine Corps officer for seven years, including deployments to Iraq, before transitioning to the private sector. Lenore holds an MBA from Wharton and has worked in investment banking, strategic consulting, and venture capital. Her passion for supporting veteran entrepreneurs and her expertise in leadership development make her a valuable asset to both Context Ventures and The Military Veteran. Based in Park City, Utah, Lenore is an avid skier and newbie mountain biker.  

Jess Stokes

Director of Business Development

Jess Stokes is an accomplished operations leader with a proven ability to scale teams and optimize processes for high-growth, mission-driven companies. As TMV’s first recruiter, she established the company’s core functions and now provides strategic leadership as the Director of Operations. Jess holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from The Wharton School.  

Liz Diss

Senior Client Partner

After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2006, and obtaining her master’s in industrial organizational psychology, Liz spent her commitment as a Logistics Readiness Officer. Her career took her abroad to work as an event and travel coordinator for top military and civilian leaders, the State Department and other esteemed politicians from around the globe. She has acted as a liaison between foreign embassies and the United States Government, forming ties to solidify international bonds. She joined the civilian Human Resources world in September 2011 helping both the military and civilian populace find their roles in the workforce. Liz has since then worked in Defense and Corporate HR to create robust programs and collaborations between veterans and employers In 2015 she launched the first ever Veteran Consultation Company for corporate hiring in the United States – resulting in being decorated in Sacramento Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” for entrepreneurs in California in 2018 . Liz is also a retired professional Ironman triathlete, ultrarunner,mountaineer,climber,& proud representative for Ms.Veteran America and currently pursuing education in trauma therapy.Liz is currently a coach for Adventure Recovery. Her passion for the outdoors, partnered with her personal and professional experiences with trauma and mental health advocacy





Joe Vroman

Lead Candidate Recruiter

Joe Vroman served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman for 20 years, retiring at the rank of First Sergeant. He is a decorated combat veteran with an extensive background in leadership, training, and career development impacting people from all walks of life.  Joe has traveled the world on numerous deployments in both peacetime and combat operations, and served in assignments as both a Drill Instructor and Army Recruiter.  After retiring from the United States Army, Joe pursued a career in Talent Acquisition,specifically in the veteran hiring space, where he continues to build on his passion for servant leadership in helping veterans find suitable, meaningful employment opportunities – post military.