JHU Veterans Affinity Network

Captain Herb Dorsey received his Bachelor's degree in Engineering Science from Johns Hopkins in 1962 and his Masters in Systems Management from George Washington in 1971. Following graduation, he served as Supply Officer on the USS Caliente (AO-53) for two deployments in Southeast Asia and then, as an Inshore Undersea Warfare Officer in the Reserves. His early civilian career included roles in Traffic Management, hospital and government consulting, and as the Director of Data Processing at George Washington University Hospital.

In 1973, while serving as Executive Officer of a Reserve Ships Supply Officer Division, he applied for return to active duty status. However, at the same time, he was also offered a commission in the U.S. Public Health Service and the opportunity to walk to work at the Center For Biologics on the campus of the National Institutes of Health. Choosing the latter option, he served 26 years of active duty with the USPHS, earning three commendation medals and a rewarding career supporting the safety of the nation's vaccines and blood products. Following retirement, Herb was certified as a USTA Tennis official for 15 years, including service on the Board of Directors, USTA Maryland. 

Captain Herb's JHU volunteer efforts included services on the Alumni Council, Society of Engineering Alumni, and Student Relations Committee. He has also enjoyed meeting the numerous Whiting School recipients of the Dorsey Scholarship.

Captain Andrew Cote, A&S ’12, is currently the Marine Security Force Commander at the White House Communications Agency in Washington D.C. He and his Marines provide worldwide physical security for personnel and government property directly supporting the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, National Security Council, and other civilian and military officials. The White House Communications Agency Marine Security Force allocates resources, coordinate travel logistics, and supervise OCONUS and CONUS Presidential, Vice Presidential, and National Security Council support missions. He decided to join the Marine Corps since his grandfather and great Uncle are both Marines. He wanted to be the first Marine Officer in his family’s history, and it has always been his intention to become a Marine. Capt.

Cote is also working diligently with the Johns Hopkins community to establish a scholarship award for undergraduates who choose to join the Armed Services upon graduation.

Some things he wishes he knew before starting his position:

1. Always put your employees and teammates first, be a selfless teammate, employee, and leader. Take extra time to get to know those you work with.
2. Treat other people how you want to be treated despite how they act towards you. If you are kind to other individuals, they will be kind to you.
3. Take copious notes rooted in data about your accomplishments. This will pay dividends when it comes time for your performance review, promotion, or bonus discussion.
4. Never forget that you are being hired to generate profit for your company, organization, or team. Do everything you can to complete the workday knowing that you did everything you could.
5. Utilize your off time wisely, dedicate yourself to becoming better at your trade while others are not.
6. Never boast publicly, relish your personal success in private.
7. In reference to your employees and your peers – praise them in public and reprimand them in private. Never publicly ridicule or belittle someone.
8. Emotional-based decisions are the wrong decisions. Remove yourself from the situation, relax, calm down, divulge courses of action and then take action. Let level heads prevail.
9. As a new member of your team or company, it is imperative to watch and learn during your initial weeks and months. Do everything you can to identify those in your company who are people of character and above reproach, reach out to them and request mentorship.
10. When being asked about a task or a requirement by your superior or boss, the answer is never, ‘No’ the answer is ‘I will find the answer out immediately and report back.’

Liz O'Herrin Lee received her B.A. in communication science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her M.A. in Government from the Johns Hopkins University (A&S '11). She served with the Wisconsin Air National Guard from 2001-2008 and deployed to the Middle East three times as a munitions systems technician, supporting F-16 and F-15 fighter jets. She co-founded the Student Veterans of America and fought with a dedicated team to successfully pass the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the most robust and comprehensive set of veteran education benefits since 1944.

Liz has over 10 years of nonprofit management, event planning, and business operations experience, most recently as the director of programs & scholarships for the Pat Tillman Foundation where she oversaw the flagship Tillman Scholars fellowship program.

She is a published essayist and serves as a senior fellow for The War Horse, a nonprofit newsroom focused on the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, war, and trauma. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking way-too-elaborate meals from Bon Appetit magazine with her husband.

James Miervaldis (A&S '06,'10) is a consultant for the Department of Defense. As an Army Reserve Noncommissioned Officer, he deployed twice in support of the Global War on Terrorism. His unit was responsible for transitioning 12,000 detainees to the Government of Iraq and closing the Camp Bucca Theater Internment Facility in 2009 per the Status of Forces Agreement.

Later, he served with Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435 to develop the Afghan National Security court and prosecute detainees under Afghan law. With the help of the non-profit No One Left Behind and Senator Tim Kaine's office, he worked for three years to bring his Afghan interpreter and his family safely to the U.S. through the Special Immigrant Visa program.

Prior to the military, Miervaldis gained media and policy experience at the White House, Department of State, and Senate Republican Policy Committee. James holds an M.A. in Government and a B.A. in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University. He is the proud owner of The Tradition Scarf.

Ed Marsh (A&S '88 & WaWa/ADP) is a former Army Infantry officer. He served as an Airborne Ranger in the 82nd Airborne Division. After his military service, he focused on global industrial manufacturing, partnering with a German capital equipment manufacturer in their US operation, founded and ran a distribution company in India, and had extensive work in Nigeria, Brazil, and numerous other markets.

Today Marsh is a strategy and revenue growth consultant, keynote speaker, independent director, digital marketing expert, and Export Advisory to American Express. He is engaged in a number of programs that promote veteran entrepreneurship, including HubSpot for Veterans, and has served as commander of VFW Post 1093.

He's committed to working to bridge the divide that exists between the military and civilian sector in certain parts of the country.

Leo Bell (A&S '71) was one of the few African-American and Texan in Johns Hopkins University Class of 1971, receiving a degree in psychology.

The day before he graduated, Bell was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery. Later, he was a first lieutenant in his initial tour to South Korea, changed from Field Artillery to the Medical Service Corps and was appointed the Army surgeon general's representative in the Dallas area. He retired from the Army in 1993 as a lieutenant colonel with many military honors, including the Legion of Merit Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, and two Meritorious Service Medals.

Bell is a member of the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association's Cerulean Society, which recognizes those to give $1,000 or more to the Alumni Association's endowment, as he believes it is important to ensure that future generations of Johns Hopkins students benefit from their university experience as much as he did.

Bill Kirst (A&S '00) received his undergraduate degree from JHU in International Studies and Russian and received his graduate degree from Georgetown University's Communication, Culture & Technology program in 2004. Upon completing his graduate studies, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Reserve, where he served for 10 years and got out as a Captain, becoming a Veteran in 2014.

Currently, Kirst is a Senior Manager with West Monroe Partners and serves as the Organizational Management Leader for the West Coast region. He volunteers his free time to support Student Veterans at the University of Washington and sits on the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Council. Kirst founded JHU Pride –Johns Hopkins’ LGBT Alumni Affinity Group, and actively plays a leadership role to increase inclusion, empowerment, connection, and celebration of the Johns Hopkins community.

Captain John M. DeMaggio (Engineering '94) holds a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from John Jay College and a Masters of Science in Technical Management from the Whiting School of Engineering, JHU. He served 30 years active duty and reserve in the U.S. Navy. His initial four years of active duty included tours as a Special Agent with the Naval Investigative Services in San Diego, Deck Division Officer USS Belleau Wood and Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer, 2nd Battalion, 12 Marines. Upon release from active duty, he affiliated with the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program. DeMaggio has received numerous awards, letters of commendation, and five Naval Commendation Medals.

DeMaggio began his post-military civilian career as a Special Agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service where he conducted criminal and counterintelligence investigations and served with the Technical Services department, and is qualified as an expert witness in Forensic chemistry and electronic surveillance in State and Federal courts.

He serves on the JHU Alumni Council as the Engineering School Representative, mentoring JHU students and participating in the Engineering School's career night, mock interview night, speed networking, and other alumni/student support events.

Kate Hoit (A&S14) is the California State Director for the Vet Voice Foundation. She was born and raised in Albany, New York. In 2001, Kate joined the U.S. Army Reserve at 17 and served for eight years—including time as an Army photojournalist in Balad, Iraq from 2004 – 2005. During her deployment, Kate learned the importance and power of storytelling. Since then she has dedicated her career to amplifying veteran’s voices and issues.

Kate has been published by The New York Times, The Daily Beast, TIME, Maria Shriver’s Architects Of Change, Department of State’s EJ-USA Journal, Department of Veterans Affairs VAntage Point, The Huffington Post, RH Reality Check, and appeared in the History Channel documentary “Band of Bloggers,” WAMC: Northeast Public Radio, Comcast Newsmakers, ATTN:, and White House media. Kate was the former Director of Content and Communications for Got Your 6. She has worked at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in digital engagement, for now, Senator Tammy Duckworth and in communications for the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs.