The Tammy Alvarez Show

David Vardeman (Part 2)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:08:58 +0000

This week, Tammy Alvarez welcomes David Vardeman for the second part of a two-part interview.

A high-performing Global Business Development Specialist and Community Banking Leader, David Vardeman has exceptional experience developing and driving robust programs that are bold, innovative and scalable. He is especially noted for consistently achieving aggressive marketing and sales projections, capturing consumer interest, and increasing customer service, satisfaction and retention.

Among his many career achievements are successfully starting the Business Banking Division, starting the Not-for-Profit initiative, being considered a top national banker supporting U.S. veterans and earning merit-based promotion to his present position from Department Head to Senior Vice President.

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David Vardeman (Part 1)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:58:08 +0000

This week, Tammy Alvarez welcomes David Vardeman for the first part of a two-part interview.

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Father David Khorey (Part 2)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:55:42 +0000

This week, Tammy Alvarez is joined by Father David Khorey for the second segment of a two-part interview.

Father Khorey is the associate pastor of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Vanderbilt University Law School.

He was a partner at a large regional law firm where he practiced labor and employment law for nearly four decades. He also served as chair of the firm's labor section for many years, and as managing partner from 2016-2018.

He was a member of the national College of Labor and Employment Attorneys and the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan State Bar Labor Section.

Active in the Church throughout his life, he completed the St. Stephen's Course through the Antiochian House of Studies and received an M.A. in Applied Theology from its joint program with Balamand University.

In 2003 he was ordained as a Deacon and in 2010 he was elevated to Archdeacon. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 2023 and attached to his home parish to assist in serving its growing needs.

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David Vardeman (Part 2)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:16:29 +0000

This week, Tammy Alvarez welcomes David Vardeman for the second part of a two-part interview.

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David Vardeman (Part 1)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:25:02 +0000

This week, Tammy Alvarez welcomes David Vardeman for the first part of a two-part interview.

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Father David Khorey (Part 2)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:45:29 +0000

This week, Tammy Alvarez is joined by Father David Khorey for the second segment of a two-part interview.

Father Khorey is the associate pastor of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Vanderbilt University Law School.

In 2003 he was ordained as a Deacon and in 2010 he was elevated to Archdeacon. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 2023 and attached to his home parish to assist in serving its growing needs.

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Father David Khorey (Part 1)

Wed, 27 May 2026 19:33:38 +0000

This week, Tammy Alvarez is joined by Father David Khorey for the first segment of a two-part interview.

Father Khorey is the associate pastor of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Vanderbilt University Law School.

In 2003 he was ordained as a Deacon and in 2010 he was elevated to Archdeacon. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 2023 and attached to his home parish to assist in serving its growing needs.

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Dr. Frank A. Blazich Jr., PhD

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:47:55 +0000

This week, Tammy is proud to welcome Dr. Frank A. Blazich Jr., PhD.

A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Dr. Blazich Jr. is a curator of Military History at the National Museum of American History.

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he holds a doctorate in modern American history from The Ohio State University (2013).

In January 2017, he assumed his current position as curator of modern military history. His first edited book, Bataan Survivor: A POW’s Account of Japanese Captivity in World War II, was published by the University of Missouri Press in February 2017.

He most recent book, “An Honorable Place in American Air Power”: Civil Air Patrol Coastal Patrol Operations, 1943-1943, was published by Air University Press in December 2020.

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Joy Ditto: Former President & CEO, American Public Power Association

Mon, 04 May 2026 15:43:44 +0000

Joy Ditto is a nationally recognized energy policy leader and former president and chief executive officer of the American Public Power Association, where she served from 2020 to 2023.

During her tenure, she represented more than 2,000 community‑owned electric utilities serving roughly 49 million Americans and led the organization through the COVID‑19 pandemic, major grid reliability challenges, and significant federal policy shifts.

Prior to that role, she was president and CEO of the Utilities Technology Council and spent more than 15 years in senior leadership positions at the American Public Power Association.

Earlier in her career, Ditto worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant to members of the U.S. House and Senate, focusing on energy, environmental, and economic issues.

She is currently the founder and CEO of Joy Ditto Consulting, advising organizations across the energy, infrastructure, and national security sectors.

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Dr. Courtney Lesoon

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:26:58 +0000

This week, Tammy Alvarez has a very engaging conversation with Dr. Courtney Lesoon about the world of Islamic art and what people can learn from it.

Dr. Lesoon is a historian of Islamic art, architecture, and urbanism. She earned her PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she was advised by Professor Nasser Rabbat in the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture.

Her doctoral work was supported by the U.S. Department of Education's Fulbright-Hays program and the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Foundation.

Dr. Lesoon is currently the Macaulay Family Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Islamic Art History at Smarthistory.

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Navy Captain (Ret) Mike McGrath (POW)

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:34:40 +0000

On this episode, Tammy speaks with Navy Captain (Ret) Mike McGrath (POW) about his efforts to help uncover and expose POW benefit fraud in the VA and help true veterans receive the benefits they have rightfully earned.

Captain McGrath was a Prisoner of War for nearly six years during the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, he chronicled his experiences and shared his own artwork in his book "Prisoner of War - Six Years in Hanoi," which is available for purchase online.

Captain McGrath earned numerous awards for his service including the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts and the 2003 Medal of Courage Award.

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Lt. Col. Orson Swindle & Everett Alvarez Jr., JD, CDR, USN (Ret.)

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:15:26 +0000

On this edition, Tammy Alvarez sits down with her very special guests, Lt. Col. Orson Swindle & Everett Alvarez Jr., JD, CDR, USN (Ret.)

Two of the longest held-captive POW's during the Vietnam War, Lt. Col. Swindle and Alvarez Jr. recall their experiences surviving at the notorious POW camp known as the "Hanoi Hilton" with other POW's including the late Sen. John McCain.

They also speak about their continued efforts advocating on behalf of other POW's and veterans wherever they may be.

Lt. Col. Swindle is a retired Marine Corps fighter pilot whose plane was shot down on November 11, 1966 over North Vietnam.

He spent over 6 years as a POW in Hanoi before returning home and being awarded numerous medals.

After retiring as a Lt. Colonel, Orson served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce in the Reagan Administration and as a Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission.

Alvarez Jr., a former Navy fighter pilot, served 8 1/2 years as a POW after his plane was shot down over North Vietnam on Aug. 5, 1964.

After returning home from war, Alvarez Jr. retired from the Navy in 1980 before serving multiple positions including Deputy Director of the Peace Corps and Deputy Administrator of the VA.

Alvarez Jr. was also awarded numerous honors, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2024.

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Johnny Crowley - "The Voice of Georgetown Prep."

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:18:32 +0000

Tammy Alvarez sits down with Johnny Crowley, who made a name for himself as the stadium announcer and play-by-play announcer at his alma mater, Georgetown Prep, in North Bethesda, MD.

Crowley also gives us an update on his current ventures as a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, including working as an anchor/reporter for SMU-TV. He is currently pursuing a degree in Journalism and Sports Management.

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Dr. Richard “Ricky” B. Reff, MD

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:19:29 +0000

Dr. Richard “Ricky” B. Reff is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician with more than five decades of clinical experience treating musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative joint conditions. He specializes in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, with extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating injuries of the hip, knee, shoulder, and spine, as well as sports-related and overuse injuries. [doctor.webmd.com], [healthgrades.com]

Dr. Reff earned his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences and has been in continuous clinical practice since graduating in 1972. He is affiliated with leading regional hospitals, including Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and Holy Cross Hospital, and practices as part of The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics in Rockville, Maryland.

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David Vardeman (Part 2): Senior Vice President, Capital Bank; Veteran and Military‑Nonprofit Advocate

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:08:43 +0000

David Vardeman is a Washington, D.C.–based community banking executive and nationally recognized advocate for veterans and military‑focused nonprofit organizations. He has served as a Senior Vice President at Capital Bank, where he launched and led the bank’s Not‑for‑Profit and Global Business Development initiatives. Widely regarded as a leading banker supporting military and veterans’ organizations, Vardeman has acted as a trusted advisor to nonprofit executives and boards, aligning financial strategy, fundraising, and mission sustainability. He serves on multiple civic and military‑affiliated boards, including the National Capital Council of the Navy League of the United States, the Coast Guard Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Warrior GMR Foundation, which focuses on veteran mental health and resilience. Vardeman is also a frequent speaker and commentator on veteran transition, leadership, and mental‑health advocacy, and has been featured by The American Legion for his work supporting the military community.

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David Vardeman (Part 1): Senior Vice President, Capital Bank; Veteran and Military‑Nonprofit Advocate

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:07:56 +0000

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Joy Ditto (Part 2): Former President & CEO, American Public Power Association

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:05:46 +0000

Joy Ditto is a nationally recognized energy policy leader and former president and chief executive officer of the American Public Power Association, where she served from 2020 to 2023. During her tenure, she represented more than 2,000 community‑owned electric utilities serving roughly 49 million Americans and led the organization through the COVID‑19 pandemic, major grid reliability challenges, and significant federal policy shifts. Prior to that role, she was president and CEO of the Utilities Technology Council and spent more than 15 years in senior leadership positions at the American Public Power Association. Earlier in her career, Ditto worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant to members of the U.S. House and Senate, focusing on energy, environmental, and economic issues. She is currently the founder and CEO of Joy Ditto Consulting, advising organizations across the energy, infrastructure, and national security sectors.

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Joy Ditto (Part 1): Former President & CEO, American Public Power Association

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:05:20 +0000

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Maj. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:01:30 +0000

Maj. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, U.S. Army (Ret.), is a physician, combat veteran, and nationally recognized leader in resilience and human performance. She served as a helicopter flight surgeon during the Gulf War and was shot down and taken prisoner of war in 1991, an experience that later shaped her work on recovery and resilience. Cornum went on to a distinguished Army career, culminating as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. After retiring from the Army, she became Director of the Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness program, helping institutionalize resilience training across the force. She is now a senior leader at the Boulder Crest Foundation, advancing post‑traumatic growth initiatives for veterans, first responders, and their families.

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Taylor Baldwin Kiland -- author & former U.S. Navy officer

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:00:38 +0000

Taylor Baldwin Kiland is an incredibly talented military nonfiction author and former U.S. Navy officer whose work focuses on the Vietnam War era and America’s POW/MIA legacy. A third‑generation Navy veteran, she grew up in Coronado, California, and Alexandria, Virginia, alongside many POW and MIA families. Kiland spent two decades in marketing communications before transitioning to full‑time writing and holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California. She lives in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, and writes and speaks nationally on leadership, resilience, and military history.

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Joe Lopez -- Acting President & CEO, Richard Nixon Foundation

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:55:53 +0000

Joe Lopez is the Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of the Richard Nixon Foundation, which jointly operates and supports the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California. He assumed the acting role in February 2025, following a tenure as Vice President for Marketing and Communications, where he led national initiatives that elevated the Library’s profile. Since joining the Foundation in 2014, Lopez has overseen major campaigns including the Richard Nixon Centennial Celebration and the $15 million renovation and reopening of the Nixon Library, earning industry recognition such as a PRSA Silver Anvil Award. Earlier in his career, he worked as a publicist at Scoop Marketing and managed publicity and events across entertainment and cultural institutions. Lopez holds a B.A. in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, where he also served as student body president.

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Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:38:24 +0000

Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.)

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Col. Lawrence C. Mohr Jr., M.D., U.S. Army (Ret.)

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:33:58 +0000

Col. Lawrence C. Mohr Jr., M.D., U.S. Army (Ret.), is a decorated Army physician who served as White House Physician to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush from 1987 to 1993. During his military career, he held combat and command assignments, including service in Vietnam, and rose to senior leadership roles within Army medicine. Dr. Mohr is board‑certified in internal medicine and pulmonary disease and completed advanced medical training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After his White House service, he pursued an academic career as a professor of medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he combined clinical practice with research and teaching. He is widely recognized for his leadership at the intersection of medicine, military service, and national public trust.

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Capt. Kevin Wensing, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:33:11 +0000

Capt. Kevin Wensing, U.S. Navy (Ret.), served more than 25 years as a surface warfare and public affairs officer with assignments at sea and in senior leadership roles at the Pentagon. During his naval career, he worked closely with the Secretary of the Navy and served as special assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, supporting national‑level defense and communications initiatives. Following his retirement from active duty, Wensing became vice president and assistant to the president of the USO, where he focused on programs supporting service members and military families worldwide. He later founded Wensing Enterprises, advising nonprofit organizations, veterans’ groups, and institutions on strategic communications, public engagement, and national commemorations. Wensing remains active in veterans’ advocacy, public service initiatives, and civic organizations connected to military and national service.

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Captain Sawsan (“Suzy”) Ghurani, M.D., U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:30:20 +0000

Captain Sawsan (“Suzy”) Ghurani, M.D., U.S. Navy (Ret.), is a board‑certified psychiatrist with more than three decades of experience in military and civilian mental health care. She served in senior clinical and leadership roles across the U.S. Navy, including assignments at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Camp Lejeune, and Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River. Dr. Ghurani also held policy and mental‑health leadership positions within the Department of Defense, shaping care delivery for service members and their families. She earned her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and completed advanced training through the National Capital Consortium and the Naval War College. She currently serves as Medical Director for Greenbrook TMS in Maryland, specializing in treatment‑resistant depression and trauma‑related conditions.

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