MARY Canestorp

Experience

I am the Co-Founder of the Bravo Alpha® Foundation. I’m a United States Marine Corps Veteran, an adventure seeker and have operated in austere environments in dry desert heat eclipsing 110 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) to sub-zero temperatures. I also consider myself a gastronome (an adventurous eater). From sea urchin to fish eyes to rocky mountain oysters, I say try it once, twice if you’re not sure and three times if you liked it!

I have spent an enormous amount of time working with and am friends with many individuals who have served in uniform. As a Marine Corps Veteran and wife of a retired Marine Corps Veteran with several combat tours, I have a unique perspective and insight into the mind of these groups of people who are dealing with mental health related issues. I have served as confidant, counselor and therapist to my spouse for many years. We both consider me to be his personal saint. My total life experiences provide me with a unique ability to talk with individuals and families of Veterans and First Responders.

MILITARY CAREER

  • I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 1994 from Troy, New York with a subsequent tour at Camp Pendleton, California.

  • I left active duty in 1998 at the rank of Sergeant from my last assignment which was with Headquarters Battery, 11th Marine Regiment.

PERSONAL AWARDS

  • Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal

  • Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) AND DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY CAREER

  • Served as Program Manager for Marine Corps Systems Command from 1999 – 2001.

  • Graduated from Park University in 1999 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Management.

  • Graduated from National University in 2002 with a Masters of Arts Degree in Global Business Administration.

  • Served as the Computer Systems Compliance Officer for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from 2002 – 2006.

  • Served as a Programming Lead for Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) G-8 from 2007 – 2010.

  • I left the General Service (GS) of DOD as a GS-11 to pursue being a business owner, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP/NOPROFIT WORK

  • I have founded, co-founded and owned many businesses to include Faden Ink, Camp Bow Wow® - New Bern, Beer Army® Outpost, Beer Army® Combat Brewery, Beer Army® Burger Company, Beer Army® Gastropub and Beer Army® Productions.

  • I co-founded the Bravo Alpha® Foundation and currently service as its Director.

ADVENTURIST

  • I am an avid outdoor enthusiast who grew up in Upstate New York. I began riding horses at the age of five years old. I love being outside. I garden and have grown my own food, from vegetables, to meat (to include pigs, chickens, ducks, goats and turkeys) all of which I processed myself. I currently have several fruit trees and bushes growing a variety of fruit.

  • I have broken and trained wild horses. I have trained dogs in attack, tracking and obedience disciplines.

  • I enjoy many activities and sports like downhill skiing, cross country skiing, horseback riding (to include English, western, dressage, hunter/jumper and mounted archery), bicycling, motorcycling, rollerblading, standup up bicycling, fastpacking, hiking, camping, running, shooting, standing up paddle (SUP) boarding, kayaking, archery, surfing, SCUBA diving, mountain climbing, Tennis, pickle ball, ice skating, yoga, meditation, soccer, badminton, and ping pong to list a few.

  • Halloween is my favorite holiday and wish it happened more than once a year!

Professional Associations

  • Lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

  • Member of the Indian Motorcycle Owners Group

  • Member of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)