SPARTA is led by veterans, first responders, and professionals who have lived the work — bringing military service, clinical experience, and business leadership to the effort of healing warriors in community.
President of Phoenix Builders, Josh brings more than 20 years of construction-industry experience and military service, having led some of the largest and most technically complex projects in the country. He manages overall strategy and operations and holds the team to a standard of rising above the ordinary in every situation.
Tony enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2004 and began serving his community as a law enforcement officer in 2009. He currently serves as a Gunnery Sergeant with the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, coordinating support for wounded, ill, and injured service members, and owns a jiu-jitsu academy offering free training to veterans and law enforcement.
A CPA with a master's in taxation, Jared oversees the finances of SPARTA as well as Phoenix Builders and its affiliates, leading investing, accounting, tax, and financial development. A former CFO, he champions veteran hiring and a human-centered workplace, and coaches his kids' teams when he isn't at work.
Tawny has spent over a decade in human-services management across senior care and behavioral health. She has developed intake procedures and crisis-line best practices for veterans' organizations and substance-abuse programs, and holds a certificate in Crisis Prevention and Intervention. On-site, she can often be found facilitating the ropes course or assisting with equine-assisted learning.
Dennis brings 30 years of experience across business consulting, higher education, and behavioral-health counseling, with a Ph.D. in education focused on leadership, motivation, and decision-making. He has served leaders across many industries as well as military, police, and first responders. Having first come to SPARTA as a participant, he now leads the curriculum with a focus on resiliency, empowerment, and purpose.
Veteran Peel Regional Police Officer · Public Speaker · PTS Advocate · Community Leader
Mark Bowles is a veteran Canadian law enforcement officer, public speaker, peer mentor, and advocate for greater awareness and understanding of post-traumatic stress among police officers, first responders, veterans, and their families.
Mark served for many years with Peel Regional Police in Ontario, Canada, with his service publicly documented as far back as 2001. During his policing career, he was also recognized with a Peel Regional Police Services Board Commendation.
Mark’s connection to The SPARTA Project began through his own experience as a participant. Today, he serves as both a Board Member and Lead Shepherd, working directly with veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders as they address trauma, PTS, moral injury, grief, guilt, loss, and the cumulative effects of careers spent serving others.
Mark also travels and speaks publicly, sharing his own experience, strength, and hope to educate law enforcement agencies, first responders, families, and communities about PTS and its effects, while helping reduce stigma and encourage peer support and recovery.
In addition, Mark runs the HK Memorial Hockey Tournament in Ontario, an annual charitable event that brings together approximately 400 police officers and emergency-service personnel and raises funds and awareness for cancer-related causes.
Across his work in law enforcement, charitable service, public speaking, and The SPARTA Project, Mark remains focused on serving others, strengthening the first-responder community, and turning lived experience into hope and purpose for others.