Our MISSION
United Valor fosters authentic engagement, by helping the men and women who served this country. We continuously produce relevant content by sharing untold stories of veterans, accelerating the influence and reach of veteran-owned businesses, and promoting the image that paves the way for veteran success.
Our Culture
Giving back to those who gave their all. Our company is all about lifting up and honoring those who put their life on the line and creating a community that is involved in every way possible to benefit veterans from all branches.
PTSD is thrown around so much but is it truly understood? This is a problem we have seen and examined through various organizations where money is just being thrown at the issue but it isn’t solving anything for each individual with their own hardships. To empower these veterans, motivate them through their struggles, and re-connect them to their purpose in which they have lost is what we’re all about.
Our Purpose
Our company connects civilian and veteran communities through storytelling and organizational engagement. By helping the men and women who have fought for our freedoms find their purpose again; our platform is dedicated to sharing the untold stories of veterans from all branches and highlighting organizations who truly give meaning to veterans.
Our Drive
On average 22 veterans commit suicide every day in counting. There are more than 50,000 organizations that “benefit” veterans. Why is this still a problem?
Our belief is that too much emphasis is placed on veteran organizations rather than on the veteran experience. We hope to help these men and women by spotlighting organizations proven to help veterans overcome their own battles and connect to a community with a shared mission of healing and motivation post military.
Want to find out how you can be a part of our mission? Check out additional info down below including our list of recommended organizations that benefit veterans.
“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
— Douglas MacArthur
Our Founders
Dan Blakeley
Chief Executive Officer
Dan Blakeley is a former US Army Special Operations Ranger, who served with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. During his years of service, he has deployed six times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Following eight years of service, Dan found himself suppressing his experiences in the military to ‘fit in’ to his new community of friends and coworkers.
After earning a double Master’s at Appalachian State University, Dan began seeking ways to reconnect with the veteran community. From personal experience and conversations with fellow veterans, Dan knows all too well how difficult it is to find the ‘right’ veteran organization, not to mention finding one that provides purpose to those involved. He knew it wasn’t just coincidence when his friend Beau Simmons approached him about starting a project which would benefit veterans. They had to capitalize on their experiences and create a platform which would tell the stories of each veteran: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Beau Simmons
Chief Creative Officer
Beau Simmons is a fine art/documentary photographer who has specialized in Americana and Western lifestyle for over twelve years. His admiration and respect for those who have served all started when he was looking to join the Marine Corp but his life took him into the field of photography. Dealing with a sense of guilt, he has always wanted to find ways to help support those who have fought for our freedoms.
After establishing his name in the fashion and celebrity industry and reconnecting with his childhood friend Dan, he found a way to focus his passion while supporting veterans. With starting United Valor he has dedicated his time to honoring the stories of these brave men and women while shedding light on the physical and emotional stress of war.
Tom Amenta
Chief Development Officer
Tom Amenta was born in Chicago, IL, and grew up in the area before enlisting, against his family’s wishes, into the United States Army on his 18th birthday. Following his five years as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, including two combat tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Tom earned his degree in political science from the University of Illinois.
Tom spent the next eight years as the COO of the veteran lifestyle apparel company Ranger Up. He pioneered the veteran lifestyle apparel category and helped grow Ranger Up into the premier company in the space. While at Ranger Up he passionately advocated for veterans’ causes in many spaces, including lobbying Senate service committees. Leveraging the success at Ranger Up he helped produce and starred in the only fully veteran-produced Hollywood movie, Range 15. He is a passionate advocate for veteran entrepreneurship and assisting veterans in transition.
Organizations We Support
Contact us.
Our community is always open for veterans who would like to join our cause and share their stories with us.
Don’t worry about being professional. Be you. There are tons of images and stories publicly displayed out there, but your story is unique and it’s what makes you stand out from the rest. There are others out there that could benefit from your words and the experiences which have led you up to where you are now.
The beauty of your story is that it’s going to preserve your name, help others know that they aren’t alone, and continue to change lives around our community of veterans. Shoot us an email and let’s get to know each other!