SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 28, 2026

GOVX, The Pat Tillman Foundation, and America's VetDogs Unite to Co-Raise a Future Service Dog Honoring Army Ranger and Former NFL Player Pat Tillman

“We are honored to partner with the Pat Tillman Foundation and GOVX to co-raise puppy Tillman, so that we can raise awareness of the life-changing services America’s VetDogs provides to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders at no cost to them”

-John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs

GOVX, the online shopping platform exclusively for current and former military, first responders, emergency medical professionals, educators and other government service personnel, is honored to partner with America’s VetDogs, a New York-based national non-profit that provides service dogs to veterans, first responders, and active-duty service members and the Pat Tillman Foundation, a national non-profit empowering military service members, veterans, and spouses through scholarships, leadership development, and a supportive community to co-raise Tillman, a future service dog in training.


Tillman is a 10-week-old, male yellow Labrador Retriever puppy, and namesake of Pat Tillman, an American professional football player who left the NFL to enlist in the U.S. Army after the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks. He is widely remembered for his military service, leadership, and sacrifice.


“We are honored to partner with the Pat Tillman Foundation and GOVX to co-raise puppy Tillman, so that we can raise awareness of the life-changing services America’s VetDogs provides to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders at no cost to them,” said John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs. “Pat Tillman’s legacy of service and sacrifice continues to inspire us. We’re proud to honor his memory through a future service dog that will one day help someone live with greater independence and confidence.”


For the next 16-to-18 months, Tillman will frequent the Pat Tillman Foundation and GOVX administrative offices, community events, and act as an ambassador for veteran services at Chicago-based professional sporting events, which will all be part of his basic training to mold him into a calm and confident future service dog. When Tillman completes his puppy-raising journey he’ll return to America’s VetDogs’ national headquarters in New York where he will be custom-trained and matched with a veteran, first responder, or active-duty service member with disabilities, at no cost to them.

“GOVX exists to serve those who serve, and this partnership is a powerful example of what can happen when organizations with that shared mission come together,” said Aaron Pelander, Chief Brand Officer of GOVX. “Pat Tillman's legacy continues to inspire generations of military members and veterans, and we're honored to help carry that legacy forward by supporting Tillman's journey to becoming a future service dog. We hope this partnership not only changes one life through the gift of a service dog but also shines a brighter light on the incredible work being done by both the Pat Tillman Foundation and America's VetDogs on behalf of the service community.”


It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog; however, all of America’s VetDogs’ services are provided at no charge to the individual.


“America’s VetDogs came to us with this idea, and we knew GOVX was the perfect partner to bring it to life. Tillman will spend the next year and a half with our organizations, teams, and partners, getting comfortable everywhere he goes,” said Dr. Katherine Steele, CEO of the Pat Tillman Foundation. “Then he goes to work for a deserving veteran. We could not be more excited to be part of it.”


About GovX

GOVX is dedicated to serving those who serve our country and communities – military service members, first responders, law enforcement officers, emergency medical professionals, and other government service personnel. With a customizable suite of solutions, GOVX provides leading brands who share in this mission with a unique opportunity to support this deserving audience. Through the flagship marketplace, GOVX.com, brands can authentically reach a growing community of 12M+ members with their own storefront. More than 2K trusted brands currently have a storefront on GOVX.com, offering unbeatable deals to those who serve. With the proprietary verification app, GOVX ID, brands can easily enable service member discounts within the checkout flow of their own sites. More than 5K brands currently utilize GOVX ID technology to honor service members. By leveraging GOVX marketing services solutions, brands can effectively amplify their products or services within an engaged and exclusive community and reinforce their support for Americans who make a difference.


In addition to providing unmatched value to those who serve, GOVX also donates a portion of every order to non-profits who serve the military and first responder community. To date, over $3M has been donated through the GOVX Gives Back initiative. For more information, visit https://www.govx.com.


ABOUT AMERICA’S VETDOGS

For more than 20 years, America’s VetDogs has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility and companionship to veterans, active-duty service members, and first-responders (including fire, place, and emergency medical personnel) with disabilities. America's VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States. VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. America’s VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. To learn more, visit VetDogs.org.



ABOUT PAT TILLMAN FOUNDATION

Inspired by Pat Tillman’s decision to leave the NFL and serve in the United States Army, the Pat Tillman Foundation’s mission is to unite and empower remarkable military service members, veterans, and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. Invest in the next generation of leaders at donate.ptf.org.


CHRIS BOHNERT - CPO

Chris joined GOVX in 2015, bringing more than 15 years of product, marketing and general management experience in the consumer internet space. As head of Product at GOVX, Chris leads product management, design and business intelligence for the entire product portfolio.


Chris began his career at Active Network in 2002 and helped grow the company from start-up to a successful IPO in 2011. During his time at Active Network, Chris managed several teams and product-lines, including the flagship media property, Active.com and the eCommerce division.


In 2012, Chris joined Takelessons, an online education marketplace matching students with qualified teachers. As VP of Product and Technology, he led a cross-functional team, including engineering, product management and design.


Chris earned a BA from the University of Arizona and an MBA from San Diego State University.

ADAM HOMZE - VP ENGINEERING

Adam joined GOVX in 2014 as the Vice President of Software Development and is responsible for leading the software development group, how our applications are built, and scaling the GOVX tech stack.


Since 2005, Adam has actively participated in the growth phase of several startups; holding multiple technical and leadership positions. Over that time, he has developed a wide range of skills to tackle the challenges inherent in building technology companies.


Adam earned a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego.

AARON PELANDER - CHIEF BRAND OFFICER

As the leader of the Brand Marketing team at GOVX, Aaron is responsible for crafting and executing a comprehensive brand strategy that supports GOVX’s business goals and mission. Working closely with the wider marketing and creative teams, Aaron brings the GOVX identity to life through creative storytelling, consistent brand messaging, strategic marketing channel investments, impactful partnerships and sponsorships, and alignment with key non-profit organizations, all aimed at increasing GOVX brand awareness and recall.


Before joining GOVX in 2014, Aaron held senior marketing and management roles at the Active Network and Provide Commerce. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona and his MBA from San Diego State University.

CAROL SCHNUGG - CFO

Carol serves as Chief Financial Officer for GOVX and oversees all financial, accounting and administrative matters for the Company as well as negotiating and administrating Brand-Partners’ wholesale pricing. Prior to joining GOVX, she served as Controller for Billabong’s Sector 9 company, where she oversaw its acquisition by Billabong and was recruited to oversee all financial and accounting matters along with managing its e-commerce site.


Carol previously owned and operated her own accounting and tax practice and was an accountant with Deloitte & Touche.


Carol received a B.S. in finance from San Diego State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

ALAN COLE - CEO/PRESIDENT

Alan began his career as co-founder and President of DELTYME Corporation, a San Diego-based web services firm working with national clients including Target, Cisco Systems, Costco and Garden Fresh.


After stepping away from an operating role at DELTYME, Alan attended business school at the University of Texas with a focus on entrepreneurial management. During his time in Austin he took on due diligence responsibilities at Gefinor Ventures (an early stage venture firm) and worked in marketing and business development roles in several Austin-area startups including Convio and Metreos.


Alan ultimately moved back to San Diego to join Active Network, where he held executive responsibility for the company's $50M Media + Marketing division. After six years with Active Network, Alan moved on to serve as COO of TakeLessons, an online education marketplace connecting students with qualified teachers. In late 2016, Alan joined GOVX as CEO.

Alan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Santa Clara University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.