We were lucky to catch up with Daniel Vargas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Daniel, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I retired from the United States Air Force and decide that I wanted to follow my heart in being able to help fellow disabled veterans, first responders and their families that are having a hard time adjusting to civilian life.
Daniel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I entered active duty service in the United States Air Force in 1986. Upon graduating from basic training I spent twenty years with the United States Air Force where I held many leadership positions including Chief Executive Support, Air Force Recruiting Service, Randolph AFB, Texas; Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Protocol, 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri; Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Information Management, 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri; Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Commanders Support Staff, 9th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Hood AIN, Texas; Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Information Management, 3rd Air Support Operations Group, Fort Hood AIN, Texas; Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Wing Command Section, 36th Air Base Wing, Anderson AFB, Guam; Assistant NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN CHARGE, LOGISTICS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, 542nd Logistics Support Squadron, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN CHARGE, ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS, 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; AIR FORCE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT DIVISION RESERVE AFFAIRS COORDINATOR, Air Force Contract Management Division, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. Mr. Vargas deployed in December 1990 in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, and PROVIDE COMFORT.
Upon retiring in 2007, ! was hired by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes where ! held the title DIRECTOR, FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK. I Provided a wide array of activities and aid to wounded service members and their families during and after their recovery. ! developed and managed Homes for Heroes Program, Tour the Town Program, Family Hosting Program, Hero Counseling Program, and Kids Camp. I was Responsible for an annual budget of 1.5 million dollars. I was a key member in planning and executing Annual Road to Recovery Conference with an annual budget of 2.5 million dollars. I also managed relationship with the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs Administration, sports and entertainment industry and key military installations. Assisted in raising over 11 million dollars in donations that have aided over 11 thousand service members and their families.
In 2009 an opportunity presented itself for I join Bay Area Builders Association Support Our Troops where I held the title of Executive Director. I directed the day-to-day operation of this non-partisan/non-profit 501(3©) organization. I was instrumental in developing and transitioning the organization into “Operation FINALLY HOME” to provide custom made homes for wounded and disabled veterans and the widows of the fallen across the nation to get their lives back on track and become productive members of their communities. I developed partnerships with corporate sponsors, individual contributors, and volunteers to help severely wounded heroes and their families’ transition from the battlefront to the home front. I provided a wide array of activities and aid to wounded service members and their families during and after their recovery. I was Responsible for an annual budget of 2 million dollars. I provided key leadership and direction in the building of every home from the start to finish. I managed relationships with the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs Administration, sports and entertainment industry and key military installations.
In 2019 I left Operation FINALLY HOME due to disagreements with the leadership and since I have started my own non-profit, Operation TRIAGE. Operation TRIAGE is a non-partisan/non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial support to service-members, veterans, first-responders and their families. Our amazing team of regulars and volunteers (we have no paid employees) are committed to helping others. We take our convictions and turn them into action.
Any advice for managing a team?
You have to lead by example! Everyone is an important part in the organization especially when you rely on volunteers, donors and sponsors. You must maintain a level of integrity and transparency that is above approach! Treat everyone you meet the way you want to be treated!
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
I would not go back and change a thing. I love what I am doing and every experience I have had (good or bad) has lead to our success at Operation TRIAGE!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://operationtriage.org/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operation_triage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OperationTRIAGE2016/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperationTriage
Image Credits
Photos were taken by Operation TRIAGE Staff.