Combined Arms - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Combined Arms is a pioneering non-profit organization established in 2015, operating from Houston, Texas. Its core mission is to transform the complex and fragmented process by which veterans and military families access essential services and resources as they transition to civilian life. The organization achieves this by offering an interconnected, data-driven platform that unifies access to a wide array of vetted veteran services. Combined Arms plays a crucial role in the veteran support industry by setting new standards for service delivery, fostering collaboration among diverse organizations, and leveraging technology to create more efficient and transparent support networks. The ultimate vision is a nation where every veteran and military family can easily access the resources needed to continually thrive.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

Combined Arms' strategic focus is centered on empowering veterans and military families to thrive. Its main objectives include:

Optimizing Resource Connection: Streamlining the process for veterans to find and access relevant services quickly and efficiently.

Driving Network-Wide Efficiencies: Enhancing collaboration and coordination among veteran service organizations to reduce redundancies and improve service delivery.

Improving Quality of Life: Directly impacting the well-being of the military-connected community by providing holistic support.

Specialization Areas

The organization specializes in several key areas to provide comprehensive support:

Resource Navigation: Offering personalized one-on-one support and a centralized platform for connecting individuals to local, state, and federal providers.

Employment: Working to increase veteran and military spouse employment and retention through strategic corporate partnerships and collaborations with government agencies.

Mental Health: Facilitating access to both clinical and wellness-focused mental health options.

Housing and Food Security: Providing housing assistance and operating monthly veteran mobile food pantries across Texas.

Legal Needs and Justice System Support: Improving identification and support for veterans within the justice system to connect them with diversion programs and benefits.

Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) & Allies: Engaging veterans and volunteers to address resource gaps for recently arrived SIV holders and wartime allies in areas like Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

Community Integration and Family Support: Promoting stronger bonds among veterans, their families, and communities through tailored outreach activities.

Target Markets

Combined Arms primarily serves:

Veterans

Transitioning service members

Military families (including caregivers)

Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients

The organization's technology platform is designed for national scalability and is actively expanding its footprint across the United States.

2. Financial Overview

As a 501(c)(3) public charity, Combined Arms' financial operations in 2024 showed:

Total Revenues: $5.78 million

Total Expenses: $6.65 million

Total Assets: $2.27 million

Total Liabilities: $2.28 million

Funding History

The organization's revenue streams primarily consist of contributions, government grants, and program services.

Contributions (2023): $3,554,642

Government Grants (2023): $907,747

Program Services (2023): $658,680

Combined Arms has received significant support from notable funders and partners, including Boeing, OneTrust Home Loans, Schultz Family Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Houston Endowment, The Strake Foundation, JP Morgan & Chase, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Arnolds Office Furniture, Texas Workforce Commission, Enbridge, BWC Terminals, Comcast, SLB, USAA, and Walmart.

Recent high-value grants include:

Greater Houston Community Foundation (2025): $752,500

Hauck Charitable Foundation (2025): $600,000

The organization plans to increase its revenue through national compliance for fundraising efforts, indicating a strategic focus on expanding its financial capacity to support national growth.

3. Product Pipeline

Combined Arms focuses on developing and expanding programs that directly connect veterans and military families to vital resources.

Key Products/Services

Texas Veterans Network (TVN)

Description: A flagship statewide network unifying veteran services.

Development Stage: Fully operational and continually expanding since its launch in 2020.

Target Market/Condition: Veterans and military families across Texas seeking comprehensive support.

Expected Timeline: Ongoing, with continuous expansion and refinement.

Key Features and Benefits:

Over 350 organizations and state agencies in the network.

Offers more than 1,200 unique resources.

Connected over 85,000 veterans and family members to free services.

Made Texas the first interconnected state for the military-connected community.

Funded by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Special Immigrant Visa (SIVs) & Allies Program

Description: A program dedicated to assisting recently arrived SIV holders and wartime allies.

Development Stage: Formalized into a full program in late 2021, having been volunteer-led since 2019.

Target Market/Condition: SIV recipients and wartime allies facing resource gaps during resettlement.

Expected Timeline: Ongoing, with expansion into new cities.

Key Features and Benefits:

Partners with local resettlement agencies and volunteers.

Impacted over 11,000 SIVs and wartime allies in Houston, Dallas, and Austin metro areas.

Provides referrals, social events, airport greetings, home visits, and household good donations.

Co-organized job fairs and provided essential items.

Veteran Mobile Food Pantries

Description: A program addressing food insecurity within the veteran and military family community.

Development Stage: Initiated in 2022 and expanded due to increased demand.

Target Market/Condition: Military-connected individuals experiencing food insecurity.

Expected Timeline: Ongoing, with plans for continued hosting.

Key Features and Benefits:

Partnership with Galveston County Food Bank and other organizations.

Operates three mobile pantries in Galveston, Montgomery County, and Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base.

Served over 8,000 military-connected individuals.

Provides weekly food and pantry staples, and connects attendees to additional resources.

Combined Arms has successfully demonstrated its model in Texas, leading to partnerships with other states, including South Carolina and Virginia, to establish their own veteran networks. The organization is also working with the New York City Department of Veterans' Services.

4. Technology & Innovation

Combined Arms differentiates itself through its innovative Software as a Service (SaaS) technology platform. This cloud-based platform effectively unifies access to veteran services by creating an interconnected network for veteran service organizations, state and federal agencies, and communities.

Technology Stack

Core Platforms and Technologies: A proprietary cloud-based SaaS platform.

Proprietary Developments: The platform itself is a key proprietary development, offering a unique "shopping-cart-style" experience for veterans and families to create personalized profiles and select multiple services.

Scientific Methodologies: Employs data sophistication and real-time data analysis based on veteran demand signals to optimize connections and inform decision-making for states.

Technical Capabilities:

Data-Driven Insights: Leverages data to optimize resource connections, drive network-wide efficiencies, foster transparency, and track outcomes and impact. The platform helps identify broad trends and areas of need through comparative analysis.

User-Friendly Interface: Provides a streamlined and intuitive experience for veterans to connect with vetted resources.

Rapid Response System: Partner organizations are committed to responding to service requests within 72 hours, with an organizational goal of reducing response times to 30 hours or less.

Scalability and Customization: The technology is adaptable for different states and regions, integrating with both government and non-profit entities.

Data Security: Prioritizes strict adherence to federal cybersecurity standards to protect sensitive veteran information.

The platform's innovation lies in its ability to break down silos in veteran support, transforming a historically fragmented landscape into a cohesive, integrated system that creates an economic impact of over $990 million for the veteran community since its launch.

5. Leadership & Management

Combined Arms is led by a team with significant experience, often including military backgrounds, reflecting a "for veterans, by veterans" approach.

Executive Team

Mike Hutchings, CEO:

Professional Background: Army veteran, Ranger-qualified, and Parachute Infantry Officer with combat experience in Afghanistan, awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Notable Achievements: Instrumental in envisioning Combined Arms' innovation and leveraging his leadership to revolutionize veteran support globally through the proprietary technology platform. He has testified in congressional hearings and helps inform national policy discussions at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Key Contributions: Championed the creation of a digital marketplace of vetted non-profit organizations and a platform for accountability and seamless user experience.

Mia Garcia, Executive Director of the Texas Veterans Network: Responsible for the strategic direction and operations of the Texas Veterans Network.

Manish Gupta, Chief Technology Officer:

Professional Background: Over two decades in business transformation, enterprise delivery, and digital innovation.

Notable Achievements: Excels at driving technology solutions, user engagement, data strategies, and implementing cutting-edge architectures across various industries.

Bryan Escobedo, Chief Growth Officer:

Professional Background: Former Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps with three consecutive tours in the Middle East as an explosives expert, a Purple Heart veteran.

Notable Achievements: A driving force behind the organization's technological advancements and national expansion efforts. He advised states on data-driven collaborative models and authored the handbook for a systems approach to collaboration. Played a pivotal role in growing Combined Arms from 7 to 250 agencies since joining in 2016. He also initiated nonprofit programs, establishing an employment initiative and a veteran-peer mentoring program.

Key Contributions: Recognized as a subject matter expert in veteran transition and a thought leader in the nonprofit industry.

Mary Taylor, Chief Government Affairs Officer: Focuses on governmental relations and advocacy.

David Fujimoto, Chief Development Officer:

Professional Background: Retired U.S. Air Force officer and accomplished fundraising executive with over 10 years of experience in non-profit growth and strategic partnerships.

Notable Achievements: Appointed in 2025 to fuel Combined Arms' rapid expansion and build a sustainable nationwide impact.

Angela Woellner, Chief Marketing Officer: Leads marketing and brand strategy.

Alexa Petty, Chief of Staff: Manages the executive office and internal operations.

Chris Gutierrez, Marketing Content Specialist:

Professional Background: Over six years of experience in marketing and communications across non-profit, public, and private sectors.

Key Contributions: Creates and implements innovative content campaigns.

Olga Diamonon, Financial Controller: Oversees financial reporting and compliance.

Madelyn Hopper, Executive Administrator:

Professional Background: Military spouse with over 5 years of professional assistant experience.

Key Contributions: Brings a deep understanding of challenges faced by service members and their families.

Rey Mendez, Technology Project Manager: Manages technology projects.

Nainita Dalvi, Technology Platform Manager: Oversees the technology platform operations.

Sally Lewis, Technology Support Manager: Manages technical support for the platform.

Kala Gulovsen, Technology Support Manager: Manages technical support for the platform.

Tommy Gell, Salesforce Developer: Specializes in Salesforce development.

Eric Infanti, UX/UI Design Manager: Manages user experience and interface design.

David Archuleta, South Texas Regional Manager:

Professional Background: Retired Command Sergeant Major from the U.S. Army with 25 years of distinguished service. Holds a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership, with multiple military deployments including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Notable Achievements: Awarded two Bronze Stars and the Legion of Merit.

Recent Leadership Changes

In July 2025, Combined Arms welcomed three new dynamic leaders to its Board of Directors: Terry Boyd, John Johnson, and Scott Osterling. David Fujimoto was also appointed as the new Chief Development Officer around the same time. Bill Boyar was elected to the Board of Directors in June 2024 for a 3-year term.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Hiring Trends and Workforce

Combined Arms' growth indicates a need for skilled professionals across various functions, particularly in technology, program management, and development. The organization actively recruits roles that align with its mission of supporting veterans and military families, as evidenced by the detailed staff list covering technology, marketing, and regional management. In 2023, Combined Arms had 36 employees.

Company Growth Trajectory Indicators

National Expansion: Successful replication of its model in states like South Carolina, Virginia, and New York City.

Increased Reach: The Texas Veterans Network has served over 85,000 unique military-connected individuals. Combined Arms has served 100,000 veterans and military families nationwide.

Program Scaling: The SIVs & Allies Program and Mobile Food Pantries have expanded their reach and impact.

Partnership Growth: Significant increase in partner organizations within networks, such as the TVN's 350+ partners.

Employee Sentiment and Culture Insights

The "for veterans, by veterans" approach suggests a strong mission-driven culture. The leadership team's military backgrounds likely foster an environment of shared understanding and commitment to their target community.

Company Size and Expansion Metrics

Combined Arms has grown from a single-city pilot in Houston in 2015 to a nationally recognized veteran-serving platform operating across multiple states. This growth is fueled by its scalable SaaS technology and strategic partnerships. The organization has also made an economic impact of over $990 million since its launch.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

Digital Footprint

Combined Arms maintains an active digital footprint to engage with its community and promote its mission. Its website, CombinedArms.us, serves as a central hub for information and access to its platform. The organization also utilizes various social media platforms to disseminate information, highlight impact, and encourage engagement.