Michael B. "Mike" Cates is a retired United States Army Brigadier General who dedicated 28 distinguished years to military service. Over the course of his career, he was stationed at numerous bases across the country  including postings in Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, Kansas, Kentucky, and Maryland, as well as serving internationally in Seoul, South Korea, and Heidelberg, Germany.

His military career centered on Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, a field in which he held a variety of leadership positions throughout his tenure. Growing up in Frisco surrounded by family members and family friends who were veterans, Cates was instilled with a deep sense of duty and patriotism from an early age, values that ultimately drew him to serve his country in uniform, something he remains simply and genuinely proud to have done.

Among the richest rewards of his long career were the deep and lasting friendships he built with both military and civilian colleagues from all walks of life, connections that he carries with him to this day. After nearly three decades of service spanning the globe, Cates returned to his hometown of Frisco, where he finds great joy in the beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the Starwood community. He remains actively engaged in giving back, participating in several volunteer activities throughout the city he has always called home.

Todd Stamatakos served eight years in the United States Air Force, with time in both Active Duty and the National Guard, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant (E5). During his service, he was stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Lackland Air Force Base, and Atlantic City International Airport.

Reflecting on what being a veteran means to him today, Todd describes it as being part of a community of men and women who chose to do something for their country greater than themselves, and he carries pride in having been part of that team. 

He continues to give back through his work with his anesthesia practice's non-profit foundation, which collaborates with Counting Stars Ranch to help veterans acclimate to life at home and support their transition from war fighter back into civilian life.