Mentors
Mentors are U.S. Armed Forces veterans (many with combat service) who volunteer to assist program participants while they are going through the court, including compliance with their treatment agreements. They provide support and encouragement, help navigate the court process and access VA and local services. Mentors are specially trained "battle buddies" who give participants feedback and support in a way that only a fellow veteran can do.
Mentor Bios:
Ken Braun joined the US Army in 1964 after high school, trained as a logistics specialist, and in 1965 was deployed to the Dominican Republic as part of an inter-American peacekeeping force in the wake of a Communist-led insurrection. After completing his active duty commitment, he earned a college degree under the GI Bill, worked as a riveter for Grumman Aircraft, a salesman for Gerber Baby Foods, and as a stockbroker, before beginning a 30-year career at Citigroup, retiring in 2008 as a bank director. He has been Commander of American Legion Post 1282 in Merrick since 2013.
Ralph Esposito is a US Navy veteran who served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga in the South China Sea off Vietnam from 1962-1964, as a crew leader on the flight deck. He joined the American Legion in 1964 and has served 5 terms as Commander of the Elmont Post 1033. He is a also a member of the VFW, DAV, and VVA. He was recognized by the Nassau County Legislature as Legionnaire of the Year” in 2009 and 2010 for his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of his fellow veterans. He was named “Elmont Person of the Year” in 2006, not only for his commitment to his fellow veterans, but for his sacrifice and service as a first responder and Commissioner of the Elmont Fire Department. In 2014 he was appointed to head the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency (VSA). Under his leadership, the agency started a Vet Mart food pantry in 2015 for veterans and families in need, was instrumental in creating a special veterans track in the Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency in 2020 and was recognized as a model service agency by NY State.
Ed Esrick served 8 1/2 years on active duty as a US Air Force JAG officer, then spent an additional 16 years in the active reserve and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He is a practicing attorney focusing on real estate and operates a title insurance agency. He and his dog are certified by the Good Dog Foundation as a "dog therapy team" and regularly visit patients and residents at facilities throughout Nassau and Queens.
Angel Hinostroza enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1989 after graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Organgeburg, NY with a BS in Accounting. He qualified as a Chaplain’s Assistant and served tours in Germany and Texas before being deployed to Kuwait. In 1993 he was released from active duty and remained in the Army Reserves until he was recalled and deployed to Iraq in 2004. He retired from the Army in 2021 after 32 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (6 awards), the Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Component Achievement Medal (2 awards), the National Defense Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2.awards), the Overseas Service Bar, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. When not serving his country, he had a career with the Social Security Administration. He currently works part-time as a Community Wellness Specialist helping veterans at CEC Healthcare, a Bethpage-based nonprofit that provides integrated health services to underserved communities. He is a member of VFW Post 2718, Franklin Square, American Legion Post 1033 Elmont, and the DAV #145, Valley Stream. He is also a volunteer with the VITA program at the Elmont Library, helping low- to moderate-income residents prepare their income tax returns.
William A. Lorusso US Army (retired), Captain, Medical Specialist Corps. He is a 24-year veteran of the United States Army/Army Reserve. He started as a UH-1 crew chief and door gunner, then became a Physicians Assistant (PA) and assumed the role of battalion surgeon for the Fifth Battalion, Fifth Field Artillery, where he qualified for the rank of warrant officer. He attended the flight surgeon school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and retired as an Aeromedical PA, serving as a US Army Flight Surgeon with the rank of Captain In his civilian career, he retired after a number of years as the chief PA of the orthopedic trauma service for North Shore University Hospital at Glen Cove Hospital and Syosset Hospital of the Northwell Hospital system. During that time, he performed pro-bono surgery on 3 trips to Africa for orthopedic trauma and joint replacement.
Mary McCue served in the United States Marine Corps as an Ammunition Technician for seven years, 2003-2010, earning the rank of Sergeant and doing two tours in Iraq at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her unit, Combat Service Support Group-121, was responsible for convoying the initial supply of ammunition from Kuwait to Al Taqaddum, Iraq during the Iraq War. This Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) would become the largest in country, where she would return for her second tour in 2006. Her awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Commendation (2), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal and a Certificate of Commendation. She also played for the Marine Corps Women's basketball team. She is proud to have served her country honorably and is dedicated to seeing her fellow veterans healthy, successful, and thriving. Semper Fi
Rich Mecabe retired as a Detective 1st Grade after a 33-year career in the NYPD. He served with the US Army in Vietnam 1969-70 as an artillery forward observer.
Steve Rose joined the Navy in 1963 the day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated. He spent his first years as a dental tech in Yorktown, VA, then was assigned to the Fleet Marine Force, where he served as a corpsman with the US Marine Corps in Vietnam. After leaving the service he completed his education and spent 40 years as a school social worker. After retiring, he spent a year seeing bad movies twice, then volunteered to work with the Association for Habilitation and Residential Care (AHRC), an organization that assists persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. More recently, he serves as a facilitator with the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, a non-profit that helps vets in recovery. He also volunteers at a child abuse prevention program and teaches at the College of St. Rose and Alfred University. He has been married for 48 years, has 3 grown children and is blessed with 4 grandchildren.
Ken Rosenblum is a retired law professor who founded the Touro Law Center Veterans Legal Clinic in 2013. He served 5 years on active duty as a Captain in the US Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, including a tour in Vietnam 1968-69 with the 4th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands. His assignments included work as a court-martial prosecutor, war crimes investigator and military judge. His decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Kevin Tirman, a Cold War veteran, served in the US Air Force 1979-1983 with the 44th Strategic Missile Wing, Strategic Air Command, and achieved the rank of SGT. Shortly after his military service he started a career in law enforcement. After working as a patrol officer, he was assigned to the Underwater Search and Recovery Team of the Nassau County Police Department where he finished his career, retiring after 30 years of service in 2015. Since his retirement, he dedicates his time to helping veterans. In addition to being a Mentor at VTC, he volunteers at the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, is an active member of the Seaford American and the Elmont American Legion Riders, a Ride Captain for the Patriot Guard Riders of NY and is the current Director of the American Legion Riders of Nassau County.