ABOUT
MISSION:
To provide veterans with sustainable solutions while promoting a safer, healthier, and prosperous civilian lifestyle.
VETLIFE offers a variety of resources, programs, and events to veterans and their families all at no cost.
VETLIFE is a nonprofit organization formed in 2018 by veteran families for veteran families. The organization was born out of our own struggles after leaving the military. We became painfully aware of so many other veterans who were facing the same struggles. The large number of veterans unaware of benefits and the rising number of veteran suicides really bothered us, so we formed a nonprofit organization with the purpose of promoting a safer, healthier, and prosperous civilian lifestyle. This is how the name "VETLIFE" came to fruition. VETLIFE is about living your best life after the military. We provide veterans with a network of sustainable solutions and resources to improve the quality of civilian life. Our events are completely free to veteran families and promote a sense of camaraderie among other veterans while also providing valuable veteran specific resources. We pride ourselves on being attentive to any and all veteran needs.
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OUR Board of Directors
JOSHUA PARISH
Board Member | Founder
Army Veteran
Joshua Parish is an Iraq War Veteran who’s greatest passion is helping veterans when they transition into civilian life and giving them the best opportunity to be successful. Parish has over 15 years of experience working with local, state, and federal government agencies creating programs that have developed sustainable solutions including: Veterans Treatment Court, Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans, Veterans Transportation Initiative, among others. Parish has been awarded the Community Leader Best of Michigan Award and a Veteran Hero Award. He holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Western Michigan Thomas Cooley School of Law. Parish is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his wife and children.
CORTNIE PARISH
Board Member | Founder
Veteran Spouse
Cortnie Parish is the wife of an Army veteran. She has spent over a decade in corporate branding and marketing. She has been responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive marketing strategies for a variety of industries from health care to the auto industry. Parish is experienced in cross channel communications planning, brand management, graphic design, and corporate communications. She earned an MBA in Organizational Leadership from Cleary University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management from Lake Superior State University. Parish was awarded a Governor Service Award for National Service Impact from the Governor of Michigan. She and her husband live in Howell, Michigan with their four children. Parish enjoys volunteering as a golf instructor for the Michigan Special Olympics, gardening, and walking her Labrador Retriever.
ERIC HIPPLE
Board Member
Eric Hipple is a former NFL quarterback who spent a ten year career with the Detroit Lions. Hipple graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Business Administration and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1980. Hipple received the most valuable player award for the 1981 season. Since his 15 year old son’s suicide, Hipple devoted his life to building awareness and breaking down the stigma surrounding depressive illnesses. He received an honorary Doctorate for his work in mental health from Utah State University. He also received the University of Michigan 2015 Neubacher Award for work with the stigma associated with disabilities, the Detroit Lions 2010 Courage House award, and the prestigious 2008 Life Saver Achievement award given by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Hipple’s message of resilience has provided mental fitness awareness to professional groups, military, law enforcement, schools, communities, and coaches. In conjunction with Navy U.S. Fleet Forces, he has provided workshops on destructive behavior and suicide prevention over an eleven year span by focusing on mental fitness. He is committed to helping others find a quality in life with a special emphasis on military veterans, youth, and families. Hipple currently resides in Fenton with his wife.
JON EMAUS
Board Member
Jon Emaus has served on both public and private boards for over a decade. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University. Following over 10 years of domestic and international travel as a national insurance executive for hospitals and physician groups he relocated his professional life to Brighton and opened a law practice specializing in business law and corporate compliance. In addition to his business clients, Emaus aids troubled youth and families as a court appointed attorney in the Livingston County Family and Juvenile Court. When he is not found in the kitchen improving his amateur chef skills, he can be found on the softball field or spending time with family, friends, and new acquaintances.
AJ Franchi
Board Member
AJ Franchi is the President and COO of Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corp, a leading mortgage banker based in Ann Arbor, MI. Upon graduating with honors from Michigan State University, Franchi joined Gold Star as an intern, and quickly rose to become Director of Retail Operations for 400 loan originators and a member of the Board of Directors. In 2013, he was appointed as CIO and oversaw the development and administration of IT infrastructure, financial analysis reporting, and branch development. He is now responsible for overseeing all business efficiency and ensuring Gold Star's continued sustainable growth. Franchi is a visionary and natural servant leader with an unparalleled work ethic. He has led industry leading initiatives to automate innovative workflows, including the automation of Gold Star's Secondary Market loan execution, and the development of customer facing mobile apps for mortgage lending. Franchi has received numerous accolades including, Ellie Mae's Hall of Fame for Outstanding Loan Origination Process and Efficiency and ROI, Tech Savvy Lender by Mortgage Technology Magazine, Mortgage Professional Magazine's inaugural list of Young Guns, Mortgage Professional Magazine's Hot 100, and National Mortgage Professional Magazine's 40 under 40. ​