Denny Katona enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1993. After serving seven years as an Armor crewman, he became an active-duty Army National Guard recruiter in 2000. In 2002, Denny transferred to the Regular Army as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Non-Commissioned Officer. Denny deployed in 2003 for the Invasion of Iraq and again in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also deployed in 2011 to Japan in support of Operation Tomadachi, providing relief efforts after the earthquake and tsunami that hit in March 2011.
After being honorably discharged in 2012 as Staff Sergeant, Denny applied his operational planning experience to a career as a project manager. A discipline that he has applied in both the Information Technology and Manufacturing industries.
Since leaving the Army, Denny has dedicated himself to serving the Veteran Community. He has planned coordinated and executed fundraising events for Praying for Kaelie, Fisher House, Austin Dog Alliance, and the CPL Chad O. Foundation. Throughout the planning and execution of these many events, Denny saw the need to bring the Veteran non-profit community together to better serve area Veterans. Denny developed the concept, planned, and networked, bringing together over 50 nonprofits, veteran service organizations, and veteran-owned businesses for the inaugural Vet Fest Austin in November 2016. In the spirit of that collaboration and community, Denny, along with members of the Vet Fest team founded O.P. Veteran in order to lighten the ruck of area veterans and at the same time assist nonprofits to maximize their impact upon the Veteran Community.
In this episode, Sgt. BeReal chats to Denny about his experiences as an Army and after transitioning out of the Military. Denny didn’t truly know who he was after he got out of the Military. They also discussed that when you are medically discharged, you won’t have a timetable to plan your transition.
Let’s listen to them and know how Denny figured out who he really was and also know how he can help veterans with his project management skills.
Key Notes:
A medical discharge doesn't have a timetable to plan your transition
Didn't know who he really is after he got out of the Military
Saw the need to bring the Veteran non-profit community together to better serve area Veterans
Assist non-profits to maximize their impact upon the Veteran Community
Connect With Denny:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denny-katona/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/denny.katona
Vet Fest Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LVNKVetFest
Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:
Website:
https://veteransbereal.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755
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