The IJF Team
Illinois Joining Forces is comprised of a small staff working every day with military and veteran Serving organizations across the state to ensure collaboration and effectiveness. The staff and leadership ensure maximum communication between organizations, within task forces, and assist the Veteran Support Communities in developing innovative approaches to serving Illinois’ service members, veterans, and their families.
Jaime Martienz
Executive Director
Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Martinez (Ret) is a U. S. Army veteran who served in the Infantry for 26 years and participated in numerous deployments with significant combat experience.
Jim Dolan
Director of Development
Jim has been a member of IJF since its inception in 2012 as the Executive Director of the Laurus Foundation and the co-founder of the Healer Warrior Initiative.
Taylor Colliau
Director of Marketing and Data Analytics
Taylor recognizes the importance of helping veterans across the state gain access to resources and services to better assist in their transition from military to civilian life.
Carlos Luna
Director of Grants
Carlos believes strongly in the potential of veterans’ ability to create lasting change and is set in utilizing that potential in empowering the city as a whole; because the veteran community is not isolated to one corner of the country, it is woven into every corner of it.
IJF Coordination Center Specialists
William E. Bryant III
IJF Coordination Center Specialists
William E. Bryant III. I served in the United States Marine Corps, working as a heavy equipment mechanic from 1982 – 1985.
Michael Smith
IJF Coordination Center Specialist
Michael Smith is a US Navy veteran who served for eight years with an Honorable Discharge.