Lynnetta Smith has been the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom (CB2TB) since 2019, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families in their transition to civilian life. She currently serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Bryan County Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for the Bryan County Board of Elections.

With nearly two decades of unwavering dedication to federal government service, Lynnetta has flourished as a committed civil servant, specializing in budget and resource management across various branches of the military. Her career includes transformative roles that have honed her expertise in strategic financial planning and effective resource allocation. A notable highlight includes completing Temporary Duty Location Developmental Assignments at FORSCOM Headquarters, showcasing her adaptability in the dynamic landscape of military finance.

As a Senior Budget Analyst at the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in Quantico, Virginia, she demonstrated a keen ability to navigate complex fiscal landscapes while safeguarding essential resources. Her strategic acumen in defending budgetary projections at the Pentagon further solidified her reputation as an advocate for securing critical national defense funding. A pivotal phase in her career emerged when she served as Budget Officer at Winn Army Community Hospital, where she successfully managed three distinct appropriations totaling an impressive $265 million.

Until September 2023, Lynnetta served as Chief of the Atlantic Region for Budgetary Affairs at CID Hunter Army Airfield, overseeing resource allocation for the East Coast and European territories, including Belgium, Germany, and Italy. Since transitioning from federal service, she has fully dedicated herself to leading CB2TB, expanding its impact and resources to better support veterans, military families, and youth empowerment initiatives.

Under her leadership, CB2TB’s nine-month P.R.O.S.P.E.R. Veteran Transitional Cohort has been recognized as a United Way Community Partner, ensuring that veterans have innovative access to workforce development opportunities. Through this initiative, veterans receive behind-the-scenes access to ten industries across six counties, providing first hand exposure and direct pathways to sustainable careers. This program reflects Lynnetta’s commitment to bridge the gap between military service and civilian employment, fostering long-term success for those who have served.

Beyond her professional achievements, Lynnetta is a devoted wife of 24 years to James Smith, a 20-year veteran, and a dedicated mother to her two daughters, Nicole and Blythe. Her journey embodies a steadfast commitment to service, mastery of budgetary strategy, and an unwavering dedication to empowering veterans and their families.

James Smith retired in 2018, after serving 20 years in the United States Army. During his time in the military, he served in the Army Signal and Intelligence Corp. He received numerous awards and decorations for his hard work and dedication. While serving in the military he had to learn to work as a member of team, take orders as a member of team, and to ultimately lead a team. Being in the Army gave him a better understanding of the importance of being able to work as a member of team, giving everyone a chance to show their strengths, while helping them in the areas where they are weak. James spent his career not only serving the country, but also trying to make his fellow soldiers, not just better soldiers, but better people as well. He believes the most important thing is taking care of people and their families. If you do that, there is nothing they cannot accomplish. This is something he still believes to this day.

This love of helping grew further in 2019, when James and his wife Lynnetta founded Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom (CB2TB). CB2TB was founded to help veterans and their families as they transition from military to civilian life. After having gone through the process himself, he knows firsthand the challenges they face and some of the obstacles they have to overcome. Through CB2TB he wanted to make the process a little less stressful on the families as they navigate unchartered waters. CB2TB has hosted events and provided services and goods in the past to veterans and their families as a way to help. James through CB2TB has provided toys to kids in the area through Toys 4 Tots, every year since 2019. Additionally, he has helped plan and participate in back to school and other kid friendly events. Through CB2TB James will continue to give back to the community.

Prior to founding CB2TB, James has volunteered wherever he has lived. He has coached recreation teams, volunteered at schools, and many other events as a way to give back to the community. He has served as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce, where he assisted and volunteered as a member of the Chamber of Commerce from 2021 to 2023. These are some of the other ways James has given back to the community and will continue doing so in the future.

After retiring from the Army, James pulled the knowledge gained from his degree in Criminal Justice to serve as the Crime Analyst Supervisor for the Savannah Police Department. In this position he had to lead a team of ten analysts, getting them to work together as team to provide intelligence, information, and data to officers and leadership within the department and City of Savannah. He also had to work together with the rest of the department to make sure they had the information they needed, before they knew they needed. Through this position he learned even more so the importance of working together as team, because he could see the impact on the community firsthand when everyone worked together for the greater good.

Currently James is a Human Resource Development Specialist with ATF. In this position James is responsible for working as a member of team in the design, implementation, and evaluation of ATF training programs. In this position James gets to provide input and help others to make the organization a better place. This falls in with something he has always tried to live by, always leave an organization in a better place than it was before you joined it, as well as his Master’s in Performance Improvement. He takes this to heart and always to try to find ways to make things better, which ultimately makes him better, because he learns along the way as well, because he knows he doesn’t know everything and we can stronger together than we are apart.

Judge Crystal Denise Harmon was born and raised in the state of Florida and attended The University of Central Florida, and later in the Spring of 2009, obtained her law degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University College of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Florida.

Before residing in Chatham County, Judge Harmon served as a domestic violence prosecutor for the Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office in Albany, GA, where she prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases. After relocating to Chatham County, Judge Crystal Denise Harmon worked at the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, where she initially served as the prosecutor for Recorder’s Court and then began prosecuting felony cases in Chatham County Superior Court.

Judge Crystal Denise Harmon opened her private law practice in 2017. In addition to maintaining private practice, she served as the Solicitor for the City of Port Wentworth Municipal Court and the Public Defender for the Municipal Court in both the City of Garden City and the City of Pooler. She also served as a federal court-appointed attorney for matters in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.

Judge Crystal Denise Harmon currently serves as the Chief Judge of the Garden City Municipal Court. She also serves as a Pro-Tem Judge in the Chatham County Recorder’s Court, City of Pooler Municipal Court, and Bryan County State Court.

Judge Harmon resides in Pooler. She has been a resident of Chatham County since 2014 and is a member of the historic First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. Crystal is a proud Rattler, former adjunct instructor at Savannah Technical College, a member of the Savannah Bar Association, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Gate City Bar Association, and the Port City Bar Association.

Hazel Monroe serves as the Secretary of Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom, where she plays a key role in maintaining the organization’s structure and communication flow.

Hazel ensures that key details are not overlooked, that communication remains consistent, and that important organizational functions run smoothly behind the scenes. Her steady presence and commitment to clarity help keep the team aligned, informed, and focused on advancing the mission.

Peter J. Dell, PhD, LCSW, BCD is a licensed Clinical Governance & Evaluation Oversight Advisor, behavioral health executive, and trusted advisor whose career reflects a deep commitment to service, accountability, and whole-person wellness. With extensive experience in integrated healthcare, program development, and clinical supervision, Dr. Dell brings a strategic, systems-level perspective to advancing behavioral health access and strengthening organizational impact.

As a member of the Executive Board of Directors for Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom, Dr. Dell provides critical leadership in shaping veteran-centered programming, mental health strategy, and ethical governance. He plays a key role in advising on evidence-based practices, clinical oversight considerations, and partnerships that enhance CB2TB’s ability to support veterans and military families navigating transition, workforce development, and long-term well-being. His expertise strengthens the organization’s capacity to align mission delivery with best practices in behavioral health and trauma-informed care.

Dr. Dell’s leadership is informed by his prior military service and a strong belief in collaborative leadership and shared responsibility. He is known for helping organizations build sustainable programs, develop effective teams, and create environments where individuals are supported with dignity and respect. His approach emphasizes meeting people where they are while ensuring accountability and measurable outcomes.

He has been married to his wife, Angela, for 27 years, and they have two children, Grace and Ben. Dr. Dell remains deeply passionate about strengthening communities through thoughtful leadership, strategic partnerships, and service models that improve lives and foster resilience.

Steven Galbreath is a third-generation entrepreneur and small business leader serving as General Manager of Galbreath Heating & Air, a family-owned HVAC company based in Richmond Hill, Georgia. Founded in 1980 by his grandfather, the company represents more than four decades of trusted service and community commitment across the Low Country region.

Steven began working in the family business at the age of 13 alongside his father, gaining hands-on experience in operations, customer service, and workforce management. In 2021, he assumed leadership as General Manager, becoming the third generation to lead the company. Under his direction, Galbreath Heating & Air successfully modernized its brand while preserving the values, craftsmanship, and reputation that have defined the business for generations.

As a Board Member of Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom, Steven brings practical expertise in entrepreneurship, small business development, and trades-based workforce leadership. He is passionate about mentoring veterans who aspire to transition into business ownership, helping them understand what it takes to build, sustain, and scale a successful enterprise. Steven’s lived experience as a generational entrepreneur reinforces CB2TB’s mission to create real pathways to economic independence and long-term opportunity.

Chief Warrant Officer Three (Ret.) Eva Bolton-Nedd is an accomplished human resources leader with more than 25 years of experience in personnel management, organizational development, and workforce support across military and civilian sectors. She currently serves as a Human Resources Generalist at Gateway Terminals, where she leads efforts in talent acquisition, employee relations, compliance, and workforce policy implementation.

Prior to her civilian career, Eva served in senior leadership and technical roles, managing personnel readiness, training oversight, and operational workforce planning in complex environments. Her military service established a strong foundation in disciplined leadership, accountability, and people-centered management.

Eva holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbia Southern University. As a member of the Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom Board of Directors, she brings deep expertise in workforce strategy, veteran and military family transition support, and organizational culture, advancing the organization’s mission to empower veterans, families, and future leaders.

Jim Thornton is an accomplished operations and leadership professional with a strong background in organizational management, strategic planning, and team development. Originally from East Bernard, Texas, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University and a Master’s degree in Operational Leadership and Strategy.

Prior to retiring from the U.S. Army in August 2025, Jim served in senior leadership and operations roles across diverse domestic and international environments. Most recently, he served as the Executive and Operations Officer for Georgia Southern University’s ROTC program, overseeing the training, development, and mentorship of more than 300 emerging leaders. His career reflects extensive experience managing complex operations, aligning people and resources, and driving performance in high-pressure settings.

As a member of the Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom Board of Directors, Jim brings a results-driven, mission-focused approach to governance, with a commitment to leadership development, workforce readiness, and supporting veterans as they transition into successful civilian careers.

Jim lives in Georgia with his wife, Lucy, and their three children, Jaxon, Jace, and Jasper.

Terrill Gant is a strategic operations and business executive with more than two decades of experience leading large-scale logistics, human capital, and operational performance initiatives across public and private sectors. He brings a disciplined, people-centered approach to leadership, with a strong focus on organizational efficiency, continuity, and sustainable growth.

Terrill is the Founder and CEO of G5 Business Solutions, a veteran-owned firm that helps organizations modernize IT systems, strengthen business continuity, and improve operational effectiveness. His work supports clients in building resilient infrastructures, improving workflows, and aligning technology with mission-critical goals.

Known for his collaborative leadership style and strong stewardship of resources, Terrill specializes in developing high-performing teams and creating environments where people and systems work together effectively. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies from Liberty University and a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

As a member of the Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom Board of Directors, Terrill is committed to advancing economic independence for veterans and their families through workforce development, entrepreneurship, leadership training, and operational excellence.

Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom is proud to announce the appointment of Sergeant Major (Ret.) Teresa A. Roman as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective January 2026.

With more than 30 years of distinguished service as a United States Army veteran and continued federal civilian leadership, SGM (Ret.) Roman brings a deep understanding of service, advocacy, and governance. Her career has been dedicated to supporting Soldiers and military families through leadership, legal advocacy, and mission-driven service.

Her appointment reflects Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom’s continued commitment to F.L.A.G.—Family, Leadership, Ambassadorship, and Growth as we strengthen our impact and expand opportunities for veterans transitioning from military service to civilian leadership.

Meet First Sergeant (Ret.) Melissa R. Mays, MBA is a senior executive leader, entrepreneur, and veteran advocate with more than two decades of experience leading complex healthcare and operational organizations. Her career reflects a deep commitment to governance excellence, workforce readiness, and mission-driven leadership.

Following her distinguished military career, Melissa transitioned her leadership expertise into entrepreneurship and real estate investment, where she applied strategic planning, financial stewardship, and risk management to support sustainable growth. Her professional background is further strengthened by extensive nonprofit and community service supporting veterans, families, and community-based initiatives.

Melissa holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word and a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and Management from Park University. She is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified and a recipient of multiple military awards, including the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

As a member of the Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom Board of Directors, Melissa is honored to support the organization’s mission of empowering veterans to successfully transition into civilian, executive, and board-level leadership through mentorship, governance support, and advocacy.