Phoenix Village Heroes: Serving Those Who Serve
As May comes to a close, Military Appreciation Month is winding down, but in our hearts, every day is a day to say thanks to the 1,302,259 Armed Forces (DOD March 31, 2024) service members, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, serving our country.
As of September 2023, reported active-duty troops included:
Showing appreciation for our military heroes is a fundamental part of our Phoenix Village DNA (PhoenixTeam, Blue Phoenix , and Blue Bay ). We exist to serve those who have served, and we deeply value our Veteran team members. They bring their military mindset of excellence to the table daily to provide immense value to their team members and clients.
We honor our Phoenix "Village Heroes" for their military service and dedication to continued service with our team. They have all lived what most would consider two lifetimes, conquering formidable obstacles while conducting heroic acts of service during their years of active duty and later as they transitioned into the civilian workforce. Today, we honor their remarkable journeys by celebrating both their military service and their current civilian accomplishments.
Thank you to all current and former members of the U.S. Military, and a special moment of gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.
Snapshot of our Phoenix Village Heros’ journey—from young recruits to technology trailblazers:
John Trodden , U.S. Marine Corps, 1996- 2022
“It was hard for John to retire after all those years of service. His mission has always been to work closely with other fellow Marines, so he founded Blue Bay to continue serving that mission in a slightly different (impactful) way.” - Tanya Brennan , Phoenix Team CEO and Managing Partner
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“It is an honor to lead such a talented and dedicated group of people. Thank you for believing in Blue Bay and what we stand for. Every individual on this team brings unique talents and strengths that collectively make us unstoppable. I’m truly honored and humbled to be a part of it, and I assure you that I’m completely committed to you and your family’s well-being. Blue Bay’s character is defined by each one of your unique personalities. Thank you for bringing warmth, empathy, integrity, and humor to this workspace.” - John Trodden, Blue Bay Founder, CEO
Carlos Bennazar, CSM , U.S. Navy, 1991-1999
“Carlos has spent over 20 years in the mortgage technology industry since his time in the U.S. Navy. From analyst to project manager, to UI designer, he has covered all facets of software development. He also flourished as a small business owner. Most recently, Carlos has ventured into the AI world, by assisting with the creation of Phoenix Burst! Carlos is a significant asset to his team and his clients. Thank you, Carlos, for all that you do! – Vicki Lowe Withrow , PhoenixTeam Managing Director
Michael Vasquez , U.S. Marine Corps, 2001-2023
“I had the privilege of working shoulder-to-shoulder with Mike while he was on active duty. He is a hardworking man with impeccable character, integrity, intelligence, and work ethic who leads by example and is deeply passionate about being a teammate. It's an honor to see him continuing to serve and using all his skills in the civilian sector. Blue Bay would not be what it is without Mike Vasquez... he brings unique talents and strengths that collectively make our team unstoppable." - John Trodden, Blue Bay Founder, CEO
Robert Smith , U.S. Army, 1993-2014
“Rob is an invaluable part of our team. He helps our clients unlock the power of Agile with his exceptional skills as a trainer, facilitator, and coach! With unparalleled expertise in agile transformations, he meets clients where they are and guides them to where they need to be. His unique ability to tailor training with relatable examples and client-specific use cases makes his sessions especially engaging and helps clients embrace the benefits of change. Whether in a training environment or fully embedded with client teams, Rob brings an infectious enthusiasm to everything he does, making him a trusted partner to deliver tangible and sustainable change to our client's organizations.” – Chase Carpenter , PhoenixTeam Managing Director
John R. , U.S. Navy, 2015-2023
"John is a true force multiplier and I'm very fortunate to have him as part of the Blue Bay family. He is deeply committed to helping veterans and their families access the benefits they deserve, and we are deeply grateful for his service in the Navy and presently. Keep striving and working hard! Thanks for your commitment and dedication." - John Trodden, Blue Bay Founder, CEO