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Veterans

HIT Welcomes Owen Earl as New Veteran Outreach Coordinator

March 17, 2026 by Chris Kazarian

Earl, who has served in Coast Guard since 2002 and will be retiring in June, has benefited from a number of our programs over past three years.

Categories Slide Carousel, Staff & Board, Veterans Tags April Earl, Chief Warrant Officer, civilian, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Cutter Farallon, Coast Guard Cutter Wire, Cyndy Jones, Depoe Bay, exercise, financial assistance, FIRM, Fitness In Real Motion, Florida, giving back, Miami, military couples, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Oregon Inlet, Owen Earl, physical fitness, Puerto Rico, REBOOT, Regroup, retiring, Saugerties, Searching for Meaning, service members, Silene Gordon, social outings, transition, trauma, U.S. Coast Guard, veterans, veterans programs, wellness, West Milford, West Milford NJ 1 Comment

Meghan Keller and Michael Assad Jr. Join HIT Board

October 16, 2024 by Chris Kazarian

Headshots of Heroes In Transition Board Members Meghan Keller and Michael Assad Jr.

Pair bring passion for HIT’s mission to their roles as board members.

Categories Staff & Board, Slide Carousel, Veterans, Volunteers Tags 40 Under 40, 5 for Good, Army, Army Reserves, Army veteran, Bay State College, board of directors, Boston Marathon, Boston Marathon bombings, Cape & Plymouth Business Magazine, Cape Cod Rehab, Chief Deputy, combat, combat veteran, criminal justice, deployment, HIT Board, Kurt Keller, Lasell University, Mashpee, Mashpee Police Department, Meghan Keller, Michael Assad Jr., Nicole Spencer, Plymouth, Rochester Chief of Police, Rochester Police Department, Southern New Hampshire University, Suffolk University, U.S. Marshal, WCVB, Westfield State University Leave a comment

Veterans and Military Families Invited to Equine Open House on June 2nd

September 13, 2024May 29, 2024 by Chris Kazarian

May 29, 2024 (Sandwich, MA) – This Sunday, June 2nd, 11 am to 2 pm, Heroes In Transition (HIT) is inviting veterans and military families to learn more about its equine programs at an open house at Alliance Equestrian Center in Sandwich. Individuals and families can learn more and register by clicking the button below. … Read more

Categories Veterans, Community, HIT Programs, Military Families, Slide Carousel Tags 2024, Alliance Equestrian Center, Behrens Fund, Camp Lyndon, Cape Cod 5 Foundation, Community Partners, costumes, cowboy, equine, Equine Warrior, FIT Camp, HIT programs, horses, June, Lobster Trap, Lorrie Moran, military families, Nicole Spencer, open house, Sandwich, service members, The Lobster Trap, veterans Leave a comment

Embracing Nature with RideAway Adventures

November 18, 2023November 3, 2023 by Chris Kazarian

Adventure company connects veterans, military couples, spouses, and families to exercise and nature.

Categories Community, Couples Gatherings, HIT Programs, Military Couples, Slide Carousel, Veterans Tags Camp Lyndon, community, connecting with nature, exercise, giving back, kayaking, Kristen Alexander, Mashpee, Matt McRae, mental health, Mike Morrison, military couples, military families, military spouses, nature, Nicole Spencer, outdoors, paddleboard, physical exercise, physical health, Popponesset Bay, RideAway Adventures, RideAway Ruck Squad, Ruck4HIT, Sandwich, Scorton Creek, socialization, Stand Up Paddleboard, SUP, veterans, water, Wayne MacDonald, Woods Hole Leave a comment

HIT’s Newest Program REGROUP Focuses on Health and Wellness

February 28, 2023January 2, 2023 by Chris Kazarian

Program kicks off on January 18 and is geared to helping male service members, veterans, and spouses to improve their health and well-being.

Categories HIT Programs, Veterans Tags Cape Cod 5, Cape Cod 5 Foundation, Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation, Community Partners, Fairway Financial, Harvard University, health, health and wellness, healthy lifestyle, Lobster Trap, Lobster Trap Restaurant, male military spouses, male service members, male veterans, Mashpee, Mashpee TV, Massachusetts General Hospital, military spouses, new year's, new year's resolution, Nicole Briggs, Nicole Spencer, REBOOT, Regroup, resolutions, service members, veterans, wellness Leave a comment

Veteran Excited to Run First Falmouth Road Race with Team HIT

September 1, 2022August 17, 2022 by Chris Kazarian

Mel Bloom is running the Falmouth Road Race to give back to the organization that was there to help her when she left the Air Force.

Categories Falmouth Road Race, Veterans Tags charitable giving, East Falmouth, Falmouth Heights, Falmouth Road Race, Mariel Bloom, Mel Bloom, philanthropy, race, Rhode Island, runner, Team HIT, Woods Hole Leave a comment

HIT’s Programs Are Life-Changing for Military Couple

August 15, 2022August 12, 2022 by Chris Kazarian

Kaitlin and Jeff, a military couple at our Spring Couples Retreat in Hyannis.

Military couple from Mansfield find sense of belonging thanks to Heroes In Transition’s work.

Categories Slide Carousel, Veterans Tags Afghanistan, Army, Couples Retreat, Department of Veterans Affairs, hike, Jeff, John Alexander, Kaitlin, Kristen Alexander, Mansfield, military couples, Sandwich, survivor's guilt, veterans, Veterans Affairs Leave a comment

HIT to Hold Reboot Program for Female Veterans, Service Members, and Spouses in the Fall

August 9, 2022 by Chris Kazarian

Nicole Briggs photo

The deadline to register for Reboot, which begins in October, is September 16.

Categories Slide Carousel, Veterans Tags Barnstable High School, Cape Cod 5, female service members, female spouses, female veterans, Mashpee, Mashpee TV, military spouses, Nicole Briggs, REBOOT, resiliency training, service members, The Lobster Trap, veterans Leave a comment

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Teams Up with HIT to Give Veterans Unique Opportunity to Enjoy White Shark Excursion

July 27, 2022July 20, 2022 by Chris Kazarian

Overhead view of shark

Seven trips will occur from late-July to early-September, giving veterans opportunity view great white sharks in Cape Cod waters.

Categories Slide Carousel, Veterans Tags Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, AWSC, Cape Cod, chatham, Cynthia Wigren, great white sharks, John Alexander, shark excursion, Sharktivity, summer, veterans, veterans outings 2 Comments

Military Couple Finds Hope, Healing, and Connection Through HIT’s Programs

January 26, 2022 by Chris Kazarian

How a military couple found comfort, strength, and support through our programs.

Categories Slide Carousel, Veterans Tags camaraderie, combat veteran, Couples Retreat, deployment, Iraq War, Keith, military couples, Military Couples Retreat, military families, Nicky, PTSD, relationships, Rhode Island, strengthening relationships, trust, veterans Leave a comment

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Upcoming Events

Oct - Oct 09

5:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Veteran Equine Warrior Weekend – 2026 Fall Sessions

2026, Alliance Equestrian Center at Camp Lyndon

Oct - Oct 17

All Day

2026 Annual Fall Couples Retreat – “Stronger Together”

2026, Pelham on Earle

Oct 19

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Seeking the “I AM” – Fall 2026 Kickoff

2026, HIT Center

Oct 19

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Searching for Meaning – Fall 2026 Kickoff

2026, HIT Center

Oct 20

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Seeking the “I AM” – Fall 2026 Kickoff

2026, HIT Center

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Father-Son Duo Will Run Falmouth Road Race to Celebrate Next Chapter
Road Race an Opportunity to Remember a Friend, Honor Our Heroes
A Decade of Challenges, A Lifetime of Strength

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766 Falmouth Road, Unit A9
Mashpee, MA 02649
Tel: 508.539.1010
contact@heroesintransition.org

© 2009 - 2026 HEROES IN TRANSITION, INC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Corrie Mays

Director

Bio coming soon

Lynne Horan

Director

Bio coming soon

Michael Assad

Director

Bio coming soon

Trish McGrory

Fundraising AND EVENTS Assistant

Trish is an experienced administrative and hospitality professional who brings a strong organizational background and a passion for service to her role as Fundraising and Events Assistant. Originally from South Africa, she became a U.S. citizen in 2015 and draws on her international perspective and years of experience to support impactful and well-executed events.

With a background shaped by a disciplined upbringing—her father served in the military—Trish approaches her work with dedication, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence. She is proud to be part of a team that champions meaningful causes and community engagement through fundraising and events.

Kenneth Jones

Co Founder

Kenneth Jones is Eric Jones’s father. He is a retired marketing executive with over 30 years experience in consumer package goods marketing. Raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, Ken attended Northeastern University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology in 1970. In 1972, he was awarded a Masters Degree in Food Science & Technology from MIT, and in 1974 he received an MBA degree in Marketing from Cornell University.
Ken began his career in consumer marketing in Westchester County, New York in 1974 at the General Foods Corporation, moving to Lever Brothers in 1978 and to the L&F Division of Sterling Drug in 1980. In 1984, he moved to American Home Products, and returned to L&F in 1987. L&F was acquired by Eastman Kodak, and later by Reckett & Coleman, which ultimately became Reckitt Benckiser. Ken assumed positions of increasing responsibility in marketing of well-known household and food products including Category Director, and Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Warehouse Club class of trade. After retiring in 2004, he moved from Pound Ridge, New York to Mashpee, Massachusetts where resided with his wife, Cyndy.

Kristen Alexander

Program & Volunteer Manager

Bio coming soon

Nicole Spencer

Executive Director

HIT’s first-ever Executive Director Nicole Spencer has led our organization since 2016, overseeing our day-to-day operations; delivery of services; and short- and long-term strategic growth. During her tenure, HIT has experienced significant programmatic and financial growth. Nicole’s brother Adam, a Marine who served in Iraq, was the first veteran on Cape Cod to receive a service dog from HIT. That inspired Nicole to volunteer at HIT before she was tapped to be our Director of Development and eventually our Executive Director.

A 2003 graduate of Emmanuel College, Nicole holds a Master of Arts in teaching. She taught 7th grade math before starting a family. As a stay-at home mom, Nicole began to get involved in the nonprofit sector by volunteering for different organizations and serving on a local nonprofit board. Nicole’s love of running led her to become a running coach; she is the owner of In Motion Training. From 2015 to 2019, she served as the Volunteer Manager of the ASICS Falmouth Road Race.

In 2016, Nicole combined her running expertise and passion for helping individuals who sacrifice so much for our country by co-creating Ruck4HIT, with one team of 12 runners and 4 drivers rucking 41 hours, from Ground Zero in New York City to Falmouth. Now HIT’s largest annual fundraiser, Ruck4HIT is a relay race in which more than a dozen teams and over 125 participants run through each town on Cape Cod while wearing a weighted rucksack to symbolize the burdens our service members and veterans carry with them. Each year, Nicole directs AND runs in the event. Nicole received the Cape & Plymouth Business 40 Under 40 Award in 2017 for dynamic leadership.

Silene Gordon

Marketing Manager

Bio coming soon

Chris Kazarian

Director of Communications

Bio coming soon

Lorrie Moran

Executive Assistant

Bio coming soon

Tim Whelan

Director

Bio coming soon

Anthony Schiavi

Director

A native of Massachusetts, Gen. Kimo Schiavi entered the U.S. Air Force in 1983 after earning his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Holy Cross College. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm with three tours to Southwest Asia, he earned almost two dozen major awards and decorations—including the Legion of Merit—before retiring from the Air Force and Massachusetts Air National Guard in 2013. At the time of his retirement, he was assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters of the Massachusetts National Guard, serving as the first executive director of the Massachusetts Military Reservation. From 2013 to 2017, he served as Town Manager and Police Commissioner for the Town of Ashland, and is now executive vice president for Patriot Spirits, Inc. on Cape Cod.

David Nunheimer, Esq.

Director

David’s practice focuses on the legal aspects of trust, estate, small business and retirement planning, and asset protection. He believes in the team approach to planning and works extensively with other financial professionals. David spends a considerable amount of time with clients to learn about them, their families, business interests and concerns. He then educates them about their planning options to achieve the best possible plan. Yearly reviews with the clients assure that the plan continues to fit the clients objectives.

Mr. Nunheimer is admitted to practice in Arizona and Massachusetts. He is a member of the National Network of Estate planning Attorneys; Wealth Counsel, LLC, the Maricopa County Bar Association and its Estate Planning and Probate section, and frequently lectures to groups about estate and small business planning.

Philip A. “Tony” Dingman, M.D.

Director

While in medical school at the University of North Dakota, Dr. Tony Dingmann joined the U.S. Army National Guard, and then went on to subspecialize in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Brown University. By the end of his 26-year military career, he had achieved the rank of Colonel in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. During this time, he served as a psychiatrist to National Guard members, as well as to active-duty military personnel during three deployments to Iraq. Tony has served as the medical director and treating psychiatrist at Child & Family Services and at the Cape & Islands Department of Mental Health, and has maintained a private outpatient clinic for children and adolescents for many years. He works with veterans through the Providence Veterans Administration Medical Center as a treating psychiatrist and is an Associate Chief of Psychiatry for the Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Middletown, RI and Hyannis and New Bedford, MA.

Meghan Keller

Fundraising & Events Manager

Bio coming soon

Sarah Daley

Director

Sarah Daley’s commitment to supporting our country’s veterans and military families started with her dad who served in the Korean War. That commitment has only grown since she started volunteering for HIT, teaching yoga in the same hangar at Otis Air National Guard Base where her father once worked.

The owner of Lotus Cove Yoga and Project Play, Sarah has lent her expertise for several HIT programs, leading yoga classes for veterans, military couples, and through Reboot which assists females who are serving and have served as well as female spouses. Her support for Heroes has extended to participating in two Ruck4HITs; all Not Your Ordinary Ruck4HIT 5Ks; co-chairing HIT’s Fall Gala; and serving on the 2022 Ruck4HIT Organizing Committee. She joined the HIT Board in 2022. Sarah is a 1981 graduate of Boston College. She lives in Mashpee with her husband Stephen, the owner of Cape Cod Retractable, Inc., a longtime supporter of HIT’s work. The couple have three children.

Jan Aggerbeck

Vice Chair

Jan was born and raised in Denmark. He moved to the United States in 1987 where he spent 12 years as a senior executive for high-tech companies in the Silicon Valley for several small and medium size enterprises. Jan has lived in Massachusetts since 2004 and has been a senior executive for several global high-tech companies until him and his wife, Pam, purchased Cape Cod Coffee in 2015. Jan joined Cape Cod Coffee full-time in February of 2016 and has worked hard to increase brand awareness and grow the business. Jan holds a MS in Management from Boston University. Jan and his family have called Cape Cod their home since 2014.

As part of Cape Cod Coffee, Jan has been part of raising more than $1.5M+, each year, for local charities and has worked with many organizations on the Cape to help raise money such as Independent House, Heroes in Transition, Cape Abilities, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and many more.

Jill Blanchard

Secretary

A graduate of Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, MA, Jill Blanchard focused on Post Traumatic Studies before earning a master’s degree in Education from St. Mary’s College in Minnesota. Her father served in the U.S. Coast Guard and many of her family served in either the Army or Marine Corps, which is how Jill’s passion to assist members of the military and their families began. Her current work focuses on employment recruiting, where she can follow that passion. Jill has also been a dedicated volunteer to several organizations, including HIT, and received the Grace Snow Community Service Hero Award in 2015. Jill was also a team captain for the 2017 Ruck4HIT relay.

Savannah Fabbio

Chair

Savannah was introduced to HIT in 2018 when she participated in Anytime Fitness Falmouth’s 24-Hour Treadmill Relay to raise funds for our programs. The next year she ran her first Ruck4HIT, a tradition she has continued in 2020, 2021, and this year, when she not only captained her team, but organized the race with Nicole and Steve Spencer.

Both of Savannah’s parents served in the Marines. It’s why she is so passionate about our work to assist individuals who serve and have served our country, and their loved ones.

A graduate of Bourne High School, Savannah received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bridgewater State College. Since 2016, she has served as a loan officer at Shamrock Home Loans.

Savannah is a volunteer instructor for Housing Assistance Corporation’s First-Time Homebuyers workshop; a volunteer for WE CAN’s (Women’s Empowerment Through Cape Area Networking) financial empowerment one-on-one sessions; a member of the Falmouth Elks; the Assistant Treasurer for the Falmouth Housing Trust’s Board of Directors; the volunteer coordinator for the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce; and sits on the Community and Member Engagement Group for the Cape Cod & Islands Association of REALTORS®.

Savannah lives in East Falmouth with her husband Jay.

Mike Procek

Vice President

Michael Procek was born and raised in Connecticut. A graduate of The Loomis School, he went on to receive a BS Mathematics degree from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester MA and an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco CA. While serving in the US Air Force, Mike completed the Air Force Institute of Technology Education with Industry Program and the Air Command and Staff College, and retired as a Lt Colonel after a successful 22 year flying career. He then transitioned to an equally challenging career as a Subcontract Manager and then Contract Manager for a major defense contractor before retiring to Cape Cod.

Mike is no stranger to non-profit and charitable volunteer work. He was President of the Nashua NH chapter of the National Exchange Club of America, a national service organization with primary focus on youth programs, and served on the Board of Directors for the first NH Child and Family Services Child Abuse Prevention Center during its initial funding, start-up and operation. Mike has supported HIT since its inception, working on the annual blood drives and the Fall Galas. Mike was recognized in 2010 by the US Coast Guard for his rescue of an adrift swimmer in Nantucket Sound.

Cyndy Jones

Founder and FOrmer Chair

Cyndy Jones enjoyed a career of teaching for thirty-three years. She began her career teaching in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. After receiving her Masters Degree in Reading Education from the College of New Rochelle, she became a Reading Specialist in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District in Northern Westchester, New York.

Her love for teaching directed her into researching reading assessment. With this expertise, Cyndy has presented workshops and seminars on the national, state and local levels.

She is also the co-author of Developing Standards from a Performance Task, THE HANDBOOK OF LITERACY ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION, Christopher-Gordon Publishers.