Keith O’Donnell – Chairman

During the past 35 years, Keith O’Donnell has established himself as one of the top commercial real estate specialists in the southeast United States. In October 2012, Mr. O’Donnell joined Avison Young, as a Principal, along with 30 former Codina/Flagler Real Estate Services executives and employees. Avison Young has now grown to almost 80 offices in North America and Europe. Prior to Avison Young, Mr. O’Donnell served as an Executive Development and Marketing Officer for Arvida Development and was Senior Managing Director of Codina/Flagler Real Estate Services for 20 years, where he managed a team of commercial asset specialists whose mission was to design and execute value enhancing real estate activities for national and international clients. Mr. O’Donnell has been responsible for over $6 billion of transactions during the past 20 years including several notable regional transactions. These transactions include the new 635,000-square-foot Build-to-Suit for Office Depot’s Global Headquarters and subsequent sale; a 310,000-square-foot headquarters for NCCI; repositioning and sale of Mizner Park, an 825,000-square-foot mixed-use complex on behalf of TIAA-CREF; redevelopment of Palmetto Park Place, a 9-acre mixed-use project in Downtown Boca Raton; transaction and advisory services for the Research Park at FAU and over 3.5 million square feet of business park transactions for IBM and Siemens throughout the Southeast United States. Other notable projects and clients include Lynn University and Lynn Financial Center. Current projects include the 1.5 billion dollar 72-acre Metropica project in Sunrise and repositioning the 43-acre former Office Depot Campus in Delray Beach. Mr. O’Donnell currently serves on the Boca Raton Regional Hospital – Board of Trustees and Foundation as a Board Member.

Judy Weaver, C-IAYT, E-RYT500, YACEP

It is Judy’s vision that created Connected Warriors. As a yoga therapist, Judy is widely recognized for her expertise and knowledge of yoga and other body/mind disciplines, regularly conducting certified yoga teacher training classes, facilitating workshops and lecturing on the university level. As Director of Education she has developed the curriculum for CW’s yoga program which integrates the latest scientific and psychological research and development for yoga as a healing modality for traumatic stress and the specific issues that military personnel and their families face. Judy has developed three evidenced based university study protocols and was one of the contributors for the book “Best Practices for Yoga for Veterans” in 2016. She serves on the Board of Directors for Smitz Labs – an innovative technology company.

Bill Greenfield

Bill has practiced as a CPA and holds a Masters in Taxation. He is also an entrepreneur in the field of Health Care Commercial Real Estate Development and a former member of the Board of Directors of Paradise Bank in Boca Raton, Florida. As an avid yoga practitioner with the desire to contribute to the men, women and families of the military, Bill is instrumental in advising Connected Warriors on all matters financial and has provided valuable insight into the development and expansion of the organization.

Odette Artime, RYT, HHC

Odette has 20 years of experience in non-profit development and administration, as well as publishing, the arts and historic redevelopment. She has served on the Board of Directors of Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut and founded the non-profit Yaxche Learning Center in Taos, New Mexico, as well as the Milagro Center, in Delray Beach, Florida to serve at-risk minorities and youth. Her passion is supporting and empowering individuals to gain their physical health, improve their quality of life and reach their personal goals as a yoga teacher, holistic health counselor, reiki master and certified living foods chef. She is a partner in Illuminated Star Productions which hosts nationally recognized health and wellness educators in local communities, and created Organic Soul, an online presence offering health tips, individual health counseling, lectures and group programs.

David Frankel JD

David is an attorney and spent 22 years as a prosecutor with the Florida States Attorney’s Office. As a senior trial attorney, he was responsible for many high profile and complex cases. Currently he is in private practice in South Florida specializing in the areas of criminal law and civil rights. David was instrumental in the founding of Connected Warriors, and in addition to his role as a member of the Board of Directors, acts as legal counsel. His first yoga teacher was his grandmother and he has been a certified yoga teacher since 2003. David’s passion and intention to help the men and women of our military comes from a very simple belief in the power of selfless service.

Marshall Leeds

Bio Coming Soon

William Mercurio, General, U.S. Army, Retired

Bill resides in Fort Lauderdale with his best friends Evelyn and Jake (black lab). He is father to Nicole, a veterinarian surgeon in New York and Marcus, the COO of Eastland Electronics in New York. Bill’s favorite charities include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish Fund, USO, Disabled American Veterans, VFW and now Connected Warriors, Inc.. Bill was President, Eastland Electronics Co., Inc, Ronkonkoma, NY. An electronics contract manufacturer with offices in New York and Hong Kong and manufacturing facilities in Dongguan, China. CEO, Security Optics, LLC, NJ. Designer/developer, manufacturer and marketer of technologically advanced Wearable Body Cameras for Law Enforcement and other market areas. US Army Major General (Retired). Service in Thailand, Europe, Viet Nam in staff and command positions in a Combat Engineer Battalion, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait & Iraq in Desert Storm as commander of a Logistics headquarters, the Pentagon in the Deputy Chief of staff – Logistics office and US Atlantic Command, Norfolk, VA as Deputy Commander-in-Chief.

Col. Patricia Lillis, MD, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired

Dr. (COL, ret USA) Patricia Lillis is an oncologist and clinician researcher at Marshfield Clinic Cancer Center in Stevens Point Wisconsin. Prior to that she served 32 years on Active Duty with the US Army were she also practiced medicine and clinical research. She authored numerous peer reviewed papers, textbook chapters and had multiple assignments at teaching programs in Major Medical Centers as she holds three medical Board Certifications as well as two Master’s degrees. Operationally, Dr. Lillis had extensive command experience eventually deploying to Iraq as a medical commander in active combat operations. For many military awards include among others the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. After returning home from overseas Dr. (Col.) Lillis was assigned to Walter Reed Military Medical Center and the Army Surgeon General’s office in Washington DC. There she played a major role in the Army Surgeon General’s Pain Task Force that introduced yoga, meditation, acupuncture and other integrative modalities into DoD hospitals and the VA system. Dr. Lillis has also published and participated in research studies in various modalities Integrative Medicine. A strong proponent of “walking the walk” Dr. Lillis uses these modalities in her own medical practice as well as personally. She is a yoga teacher and an “E-RYT” with the Yoga alliance and has been certified at the 500-hour level. Her main training has been with the Kripalu lineage although her many teachers and many more hours of formal and informal study have been from numerous yoga schools. Dr. Lillis is also a Co-founder of Warriors at Ease and was their first president.

William Mercurio, General, U.S. Army, Retired

Bill resides in Fort Lauderdale with his best friends Evelyn and Jake (black lab). He is father to Nicole, a veterinarian surgeon in New York and Marcus, the COO of Eastland Electronics in New York. Bill’s favorite charities include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish Fund, USO, Disabled American Veterans, VFW and now Connected Warriors. Bill was President, Eastland Electronics Co., Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY. An electronics contract manufacturer with offices in New York and Hong Kong and manufacturing facilities in Dongguan, China. CEO, Security Optics, LLC, NJ. Designer/developer, manufacturer and marketer of technologically advanced Wearable Body Cameras for Law Enforcement and other market areas. US Army Major General (Retired). Service in Thailand, Europe, Viet Nam in staff and command positions in a Combat Engineer Battalion, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait & Iraq in Desert Storm as commander of a Logistics headquarters, the Pentagon in the Deputy Chief of staff – Logistics office and US Atlantic Command, Norfolk, VA as Deputy Commander-in-Chief.

Patricia Lillis, MD, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired

Dr. (COL, ret USA) Patricia Lillis is an oncologist and clinician researcher at Marshfield Clinic Cancer Center in Stevens Point Wisconsin. Prior to that she served 32 years on Active Duty with the US Army were she also practiced medicine and clinical research. She authored numerous peer reviewed papers, textbook chapters and had multiple assignments at teaching programs in Major Medical Centers as she holds three medical Board Certifications as well as two Master’s degrees. Operationally, Dr. Lillis had extensive command experience eventually deploying to Iraq as a medical commander in active combat operations. For many military awards include among others the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. After returning home from overseas Dr. (Col.) Lillis was assigned to Walter Reed Military Medical Center and the Army Surgeon General’s office in Washington DC. There she played a major role in the Army Surgeon General’s Pain Task Force that introduced yoga, meditation, acupuncture and other integrative modalities into DoD hospitals and the VA system. Dr. Lillis has also published and participated in research studies in various modalities Integrative Medicine. A strong proponent of “walking the walk” Dr. Lillis uses these modalities in her own medical practice as well as personally. She is a yoga teacher and an “E-RYT” with the Yoga alliance and has been certified at the 500-hour level. Her main training has been with the Kripalu lineage although her many teachers and many more hours of formal and informal study have been from numerous yoga schools. Dr. Lillis is also a Co-founder of Warriors at Ease and was their first president.

Ken Bingham, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, Retired

Ken is currently the Director of the ROTCJ Program at Boca Raton Community High School. Founding the program in 1994 with 39 Cadets and with his efforts, the enrollment has grown to over 320 Cadets. The unit has won the top award as the Naval Service Training Command Distinguished Unit for the past 19 years. He has served several distinguished tours with the Navy such as Operations Test Director for the F-14 Tomcat. He provides Connected Warriors with invaluable experience and knowledge of the military.

Patricia Lillis, MD, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired

Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board

Dr. (COL, ret USA) Patricia Lillis is an oncologist and clinician researcher at Marshfield Clinic Cancer Center in Stevens Point Wisconsin. Prior to that she served 32 years on Active Duty with the US Army were she also practiced medicine and clinical research. She authored numerous peer reviewed papers, textbook chapters and had multiple assignments at teaching programs in Major Medical Centers as she holds three medical Board Certifications as well as two Master’s degrees. Operationally, Dr. Lillis had extensive command experience eventually deploying to Iraq as a medical commander in active combat operations. For many military awards include among others the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. After returning home from overseas Dr. (Col.) Lillis was assigned to Walter Reed Military Medical Center and the Army Surgeon General’s office in Washington DC. There she played a major role in the Army Surgeon General’s Pain Task Force that introduced yoga, meditation, acupuncture and other integrative modalities into DoD hospitals and the VA system. Dr. Lillis has also published and participated in research studies in various modalities Integrative Medicine. A strong proponent of “walking the walk” Dr. Lillis uses these modalities in her own medical practice as well as personally. She is a yoga teacher and an “E-RYT” with the Yoga alliance and has been certified at the 500-hour level. Her main training has been with the Kripalu lineage although her many teachers and many more hours of formal and informal study have been from numerous yoga schools. Dr. Lillis is also a Co-founder of Warriors at Ease and was their first president.

Dr. Erik Groessi

Dr. Groessl is a Professor in the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health at the University of California San Diego, and is the Center Director of the UCSD Health Services Research Center. He is also a Principal Investigator and health services researcher at the VA San Diego Medical Center.

He received his Clinical Psychology PhD in 1999 with a specialization in behavioral medicine/ health psychology. In 2017, Dr. Groessl completed a VA-funded 4-year study of yoga for chronic low back pain among VA patients. He also recently served as Principal Investigator of an NCCIH-funded study of yoga for chronic low back and neck pain in active-duty military personnel in conjunction with the Naval Medical Center San Diego. He previously collaborated on an NCCIH study that measured the essential properties of yoga (EPYQ) among community and veteran/military populations. His other areas of research include implementing yoga programs, broader integrative health interventions, other behavioral interventions, cost-effectiveness research, and health services research.

Dr. Groessl has involved Connected Warriors as a partner in his research since 2012 and has attended the Connected Warriors trauma-sensitive yoga training.

Dr. Neil Crenshaw

Neil Crenshaw, Ph.D., ERYT200, is interested in teaching, research, and disseminating information. He taught biology for 30 years and yoga/meditation for 20. He was a volunteer yoga teacher in 2010 – 2015 at the VA hospital in Gainesville, FL. Neil has taught yoga at Bailey’s Health & Fitness in Gainesville for the past 18 years and for the past year has been working with University of Florida neuroscientists on yoga’s effectiveness on people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). He has seen yoga and meditation work wonders on people with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and even wheelchair “bound” patients. It is his belief that correct breathing with movement is a very powerful tool for helping anyone with just about any disorder or ailment. Neil is also currently working with two Veterans from the VA endeavor mentioned above in getting them certified and registered as yoga teachers. He believes the most important thing needed is more Veterans certified as yoga teachers and as yoga practitioners.

Michael Stahl, LMT

Michael Stahl is a licensed massage therapist (LMT), an educator who teaches health practitioners how to work effectively with injury and trauma, and the owner of the Peregrine Center, a holistic bodywork center in Nashville that provides therapeutic, integrative bodywork to clients of all ages and physical abilities. His current teaching schedule includes professional education and training classes such as: “Holistic Bodywork for Injury and Trauma” and “Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology for Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training”.

Michael is the author of Pilgrimage: a guide for the journey of pain and healing, a book that integrates scientific research and applied experience of how our bodies experience pain, injury and healing. Michael distills this research and experience into an accessible framework to help individuals understand the mind-body connection and navigate their own journey of pain, healing and recovery. He has facilitated sessions for Relief Retreat, a retreat designed for individuals suffering from chronic pain and looking to break their addiction to opioids. He’s also been an invited speaker at Vanderbilt University’s Osher Center for Integrative Health, and the Vanderbilt Program in Interprofessional Learning (VPIL) at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Michael began his career as a lawyer, having earned his law degree (with distinction) from Stanford University and his undergraduate degree (summa cum laude) at Georgetown University.  Prior to pursuing law, he also earned a Master’s Degree in Human and Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University.

While not the usual career path, the decisions and direction of Michael’s career have been guided by a natural curiosity, passion for learning and growth, and a simple question, “What’s possible?” Michael’s passion to discover what is possible regarding pain and healing began when, at the age of 15, he fractured his spine, which resulted in serious nerve damage and led to subsequent injuries and multiple surgeries. Michael immersed himself in anatomy, physiology, physical therapy and anything else that might help him recover. Through this experience, he began to ask himself and others “What’s possible” with respect to pain and the healing process and eventually founded the Peregrine Center to pursue that work as a career. You can learn more about Michael’s journey here: http://www.peregrinecenter.com/staff/

That question—asking himself and his clients what is possible in their lives—has shaped Michael Stahl’s career path and the clients he’s helped serve.

He has found that when we ask ourselves what’s possible, our natural curiosity about ourselves and our challenges becomes clear, and that’s when healing and transformative growth can begin.