Meet the Team

Matthew Monson is a veteran entrepreneur and corporate strategist. Matt is a former U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Infantryman (0311) and holds a medical doctorate. He brings an elite blend of tactical execution and clinical precision to the federal marketplace.

Matt’s proven track record spans a decade of operating a private clinical practice, leading multiple international medical mission trips to the South Pacific, and establishing robust, 50- state pharmaceutical wholesale supply chains, he is an expert in navigating highly restrictive regulatory frameworks. Matt maintains several privileged federal and state credentials, including holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL), Special Occupational Taxpayer (SOT) status, and Terminal Operator licensing. He founded Patriot Courage to bridge the gap between emerging technology – including advanced AI, machine learning and predictive models – and federal mission readiness, ensuring agencies and partners leverage critical small business set-asides (SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, ISBEE, etc.) to achieve zero-fail outcomes.

Rick’s early career was spent as a member of technology start-up teams in the critical “zero to one million” revenue growth phase. He worked closely with many early-stage investors within the venture capital community. Rick leveraged this early experience as a member of the management team at publicly held VSI Enterprises, an innovative leader in videoconferencing, network diagnostics & device control technologies. His career started in direct sales with progressively increasing responsibilities including National Accounts Manager, Regional Sales Manager, and Vice President of Global Sales. The Board of Directors promoted Rick to President, Chief Executive Officer and Director to lead a strategy of moving the company from a hardware manufacturer to a software provider.

Rick also co-founded LightPath Consulting to help SMB clients with their early-stage growth and business transformation via the application of artificial intelligence, machine learning & advanced analysis technologies. In client engagements, Rick has served as a member of various management teams and strategic advisor to Boards and investors. His engagements included AI solutions that manage healthcare outcome optimization, hospital workflows, fraud detection and identity protection technology in the insurance & financial sectors as well as a SaaS solution that optimizes outreach to consumers via email and social media. Rick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Rick is an active alumnus and has served as an advisor mentor for the TI:GER MBA Program (Technology Innovation: Generating Economic Results).

Derek is trained as a Statistician, specializing in applied computational statistics, i.e., data science. His work experience has a strong consulting focus, providing expertise in a variety of areas ranging from developing advanced analytics and machine learning models to leading clients in the “Art of Possible”.

Derek’s experience includes predictive modeling, consulting, and development work in areas such as fraud, lifetime value, market share, pump failure, failure to appear in court, drug adherence, opioid diversion, and likelihood of claims payment. These covered broad domains such as hospitality, telco, credit risk, and healthcare.

Over the last several years Derek served a variety of roles at Microsoft, including Global Lead Data Scientist, Architect, and Industry Digital Strategist in Microsoft Engineering, Consulting Services, and Worldwide Commercial Business. After Microsoft, Derek transitioned to lead the technical team of Life2, Inc. as their Chief Technology Officer. At Life2 he both modularized and modernized their healthcare analytics platform. Derek also co-founded LightPath Consulting to help SMB clients with their early-stage growth and business transformation via the application of artificial intelligence, machine learning & advanced analysis technologies.

The common thread throughout Derek’s career is bringing advanced analytics and machine learning models to clients in easily understood, actionable, and reproducible terms.

James’ early career was defined by elite leadership within the United States Marine Corps, serving as both an enlisted leader and a commissioned officer. During this time, he spearheaded high-stakes tactical and technological operations across multiple combat deployments to volatile, high-threat environments. As a Convoy Security Commander in Iraq, James directed complex logistics and security movements across an expansive base infrastructure network under extreme operational pressure. He later transitioned to Battalion Communications Commander, where he engineered secure, classified satellite, data, and radio networks to guarantee zero-fail connectivity for numerous Forward Operating Bases, multi-agency forces, and international allies. Culminating his military service as a Regimental Communications Commander, James governed an enterprise network for an expansive user base while directly auditing and securing a highly sensitive portfolio of Controlled Cryptographic Items with a flawless record of zero losses.

Translating this elite federal experience into commercial success, James has established a multi-decade track record as a high-volume logistics business owner and corporate operator. As the founder of an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, he engineered a massive transportation matrix executing extensive daily routes and managing a vast vehicle fleet, leading a large workforce to successfully distribute millions of packages. Concurrently, James has spent years at the helm of Always Moving Forward, personally logging over a million incident-free highway miles while securing premier federal contracts—including prime facility renovations, medical supply distribution for Indian Health Services, emergency logistics for the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, and sensitive asset relocations for the USDA. His executive compliance and operational precision were cemented when he successfully cleared rigorous federal audits with zero discrepancies to secure prestigious SBA 8(a) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business certifications. The common thread throughout James’s career is the systematic application of military precision and unyielding logistical execution to protect client assets and deliver mission success.

Committed to civic leadership and veteran advocacy, James continues his service today by sitting on the Board of Directors for his local Boys & Girls Club and maintaining active memberships in both the Marine Corps League and the American Legion.

Bethany supports federal growth initiatives with a strategic, relationship-driven approach to government contracting. Her work focuses on helping clients and partners navigate complex federal requirements, align stakeholders, and move opportunities forward with clarity, discipline, and confidence.

Bethany brings experience across federal sales, client engagement, capture support, teaming strategy, and client services. She builds trusted relationships, translating complex requirements into practical next steps, and supporting clients through highly regulated federal environments. Her approach emphasizes reliability, clear communication, and long-term partnership development.

In addition to her role with Patriot Courage, Bethany is the Founder of WISEGov, a certified EDWOSB focused on disciplined strategy, execution excellence, and principled leadership in the federal marketplace. Across her work, Bethany is committed to helping organizations strengthen their federal positioning, build meaningful partnerships, and pursue opportunities with purpose and professionalism.

Lindsey brings a unique perspective to federal contracting rooted in a diverse career background spanning education, coaching, and business operations. Lindsey manages the full proposal lifecycle, from solicitation analysis and vendor sourcing through compliance management, pricing strategy, and bid submission across multiple agencies and contract vehicles.

Prior to joining Patriot Courage, Lindsey's career spanned education, coaching, and family business Management – roles that honed her project management discipline, attention to detail, and ability to lead teams toward measurable outcomes. She holds a degree in Education and brings a teaching mindset to federal contracting: if you can explain it clearly and systematically, you can execute it repeatably.

Michael supports Patriot Courage’s software development efforts, helping bring practical technology solutions to the firm’s work in the federal marketplace. His role focuses on applying software, web development, and modern digital tools to support clear execution, reliable systems, and a stronger technical foundation for the organization.

He brings experience in website development, application development, automation, and AI-enabled software solutions. He works across both front-end and back-end development, with an emphasis on building tools that are clean, efficient, and easy to use. His approach centers on turning complex ideas into functional systems that help organizations operate more effectively.

Rich graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, with a BS in Chemistry and served 7 years of active duty in the Marine Corps, with combat tours in Operations Just Cause and Desert Shield/Storm, as well as counterinsurgency operations in Central America and the Drug War in South America. He is an intelligence officer and held command as a Captain. After leaving active duty he completed his MBA, in 1993, at Michigan State and joined H.B. Fuller, a chemical company in Minnesota. He held a variety of business development, marketing and product commercialization positions during his 5 years with the company. Two of those years he spent as General Manager, H.B. Fuller Adhesives (China), Ltd. - a joint venture with the Guangdong Government.

In 1998 Rich joined TALPX, Inc. a start-up internet commodity exchange in the softwood lumber market. Following 9/11, Rich was recalled to active duty and served two years at the Pentagon, supporting the War on Terror in Marine Corps Intelligence. Upon leaving active-duty Rich returned to Minnesota and joined Meggitt Defense Systems. He worked in Business Development, Government Relations and Mergers & Acquisitions. Following the acquisition of Firearms Training Systems, by Meggitt Defense Systems (Oct 2006), Rich took the position of President, Meggitt Training Systems in Oct 2007. Meggitt Training Systems was a merger of Meggitt’s training businesses in Georgia, Minnesota, Canada, Australia and the UK and the world leader in live fire and virtual training systems for the military and law enforcement agencies. In February 2011, Rich joined Polaris Industries as the General Manager of Polaris Defense. Polaris Defense created the ultra-light mobility market for armed forces around the globe and remains the leader today, with vehicles employed in more than 40 countries and in operations around the globe with U.S. and Allied Forces. In February 2016 Rich left Polaris Defense to run the Aerospace & Defense business for Carlisle Brake & Friction, in Solon, Ohio. Rich joined Navistar Defense in 2020 running the special operations tactical vehicle business, then became the VP/GM of Navistar Defense’s contract manufacturing business in 2022. Rich left Navistar Defense in June of 2024 and is currently the Chairman of the Board of Warrior Funds OZ.

Rich retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in Feb of 2008. His last post was the Executive Officer, Marine Wing Support Squadron 471. While at the Naval Academy Rich played rugby and was the Brigade Heavyweight boxing champion in 1984. Rich was a player on the Marine Corps Rugby team (1985-1989), captain of the team (1989) and Officer in Charge of the team (2002-2003) over a 20-year career that included three military club championships and two inter-service championships. He has served on the boards of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and the Marine Corps Reserve Association. He completed Harvard Business School’s General Management Program in 2007 and the Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2023.