chapter officers
Guy Patterson
Commander/MOPH Leadership Medal Presenter
Commander Patterson is not only the Commander of MOPH 705/87, but also serves as MOPH Department of Florida’s Chief Finance Officer (CFO). Commander Patterson enlisted in US Army and proudly served during the Vietnam (1968-1970).
Patriot Patterson was wounded in three different engagements during Vietnam Era. He was also awarded the Combat Air medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, and the South Vietnamese Silver Star Medal.
Email me: guypatterson1980@gmail.com
Bob Candelas
Senior Vice Commander
Patriot Candales was in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Vietnam from 1967-1976. Patriot Candales participated in conflicts such as Khe Sahn and Hue City.
Email me: usmc861@msn.com
Joseph Garrido, J.D.
Junior Vice Commander/Adjutant/JROTC Coordinator/MOPH Leadership Medal Presenter/MOPH Dept. of FL; Region IV; & National Patriot of the Year 2021-2022
Patriot Garrido enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Security Forces/Infantry in 2004. He served during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and during the Lebanon Evacuation. In 2006, Garrido was deployed to Cyprus to help evacuate Lebanese Americans from their country when it was being bombed by Israeli Forces. In 2007, after only three days in Iraq he was shot by an insurgent sniper while posting security on top of an Iraqi police building. Garrido was evacuated and sent to an Army hospital in Al Asad, Iraq.
Garrido has served as the finance officer and adjutant of Chapter 87 by filing their taxes and reviving the once failed chapter from IRS and Sun Biz.
Last year, in May 2021, Garrido had graduated law school and about to take the Florida Bar Exam (July 2022).
Email me: mophgreatertampa@outlook.com
Jacob Alexander
Chapter Finance Officer (CFO) & Sergeant-of-Arms
Patriot Alexander joined the Regular Army in June of 1992 as a Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator (31M). His first assignment was based in Germany, where he spent three years and was a part of the IFOR deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1996. After leaving active service, he served in the National Guard until he reclassed to Infantry (11B) in 2001 while assigned to F Company, 425th Infantry (ABN) (LRS). After the attacks of 9/11, Jacob returned to active duty service. He was sent to Korea with a follow-on assignment to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry (STRIKE BRIGADE) of the 101st Airborne, where he was deployed to the Suni Triangle south of Baghdad. While there, on January 2, 2006, acting as a turret gunner, his HMMWV hit a tripwire IED, severely wounding three members inside the vehicle, including himself, earning him the Purple Heart. After recovering from his injuries, he joined the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment for a deployment in Iraq, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, and 4th Infantry Division (WARHORSE BRIGADE) for deployments to Afghanistan and Kuwait. During that time, he earned the coveted Bradley Master Gunner’s Badge as a subject matter expert on Combined Arms maneuver warfare. On January 5, 2016, he was medically separated as a Sergeant First Class from the Army due to combat and non-combat wounds he incurred during his service. His awards include the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and several Army Commendation and Achievement medals. He currently works for the Department of Homeland Security, holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Liberty University, a Masters of Management, Strategy, and Leadership (MSMSL) from Michigan State University, and is a Doctoral Candidate for Business Administration (DBA) at Liberty University.
Email me: jacob.c.alexander1@gmail.com
Frank Venditti
Trustee 1
Patriot Venditti has been a Life Member of MOPH since 2012. Served 3 tours in Vietnam. First tour in 1966 and retired from the United States Air Force (USAF).
Email me: flvendis@yahoo.com
Jack Bethune
Trustee 2/MOPH Leadership Medal Presenter
Patriot Bethune has served in the Army in Vietnam; Air Force in Desert Storm; and retired U.S. Public Health Service.
Email me: wjbethune@aol.com
Jeremy L. Johnson
Chaplain/MOPH Leadership Medal Main Presenter
Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jeremy “Sapper J” Johnson of the U.S. Army (ret.), enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (U.S.M.C.) at age 17. He finished his U.S.M.C. contract before enlisting in the U.S. Army. While on his 6th combat tour, in Afghanistan, SFC Johnson was injured when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province. After the explosion, SFC Johnson was medically evacuated and hospitalized for several months. For his actions and bravery throughout his career he has been awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and several other military awards. SFC Johnson presently suffers from traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as other polytrauma issues. With the help of his full-time caregiver (Spouse, Sherry Johnson) SFC Johnson stays active both physically and mentally through veteran related activities where he can connect with other war veterans and give back to his community. Johnson has two sons: Jostyn Johnson and Slatyn Johnson.
Email me: sapperj05@gmail.com