COL J. ESTEBAN RODRIGUEZ, US ARMY (RET)
Colonel Rodríguez, a native of Puerto Rico, resides in Doylestown, PA with his wife Pamela, and daughter Trinity. Additionally, he has five adult sons. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in economics, along with a master’s degree in business administration, and a master’s degree in strategic studies. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry School, the Command and General Staff College, the Joint Forces Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.
Throughout his military career, COL Rodríguez served in the U.S. Army, the Puerto Rico National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve, including combat deployments in Operation Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Among his awards and decorations are the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and Army Staff Badge. He retired from the Army in 2022 after 34 years of honorable service.
As a civilian, COL Rodríguez served with the U.S. Foreign Service at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo and the U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros, Mexico, in roles as an Economic Professional Associate and a Management Professional Associate, respectively. He also held corporate leadership positions as president of Selecta Insurance Agency, Inc., and managing partner of Diversified Medical Services Corporation. He currently serves as the Commandant of the Philadelphia Military.
SFC MANUEL ROMAN, US ARMY (RET)
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sergeant First Class Roman dedicated 21 years of service to the United States Army, serving in diverse locations around the world. Throughout his military career, SFC Roman was stationed in countries such as Korea, Germany, and multiple nations across Latin and South America. A proud paratrooper, he embraced the challenges of military life, continually adapting to different cultures and environments while honing his leadership and combat skills.
SFC Roman also served with distinction in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he played a critical role in various operations aimed at ensuring regional stability. His extensive experience in international deployments, combined with a deep commitment to duty, has shaped his perspective on leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Following his service, SFC Roman continues to leverage the skills and lessons learned during his time in the Army to contribute to his community and professional endeavors.
1SG NELSON CHANQUIN, US ARMY (RET)
First Sergeant Nelson E. Chanquin proudly hails from Guatemala and was raised in California. He enlisted in the United States Army in September 1997, successfully completing Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he graduated as an Infantryman. In 2001, he skillfully reclassified as a CH-47 Helicopter Repairer (15U) following Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
Over his remarkable 26-year career, First Sergeant Chanquin has excelled in numerous leadership roles, including Mortar Fire Direction Chief, CH-47D/F Mechanic/Crew Chief, Section Sergeant, Flight Engineer, Maintenance Floor Supervisor, Maintenance Platoon Sergeant, Flight Platoon Sergeant, Aircraft Production Control NCOIC, Observer-Coach/Trainer NCOIC, Advanced Individual Training Senior Instructor, Battalion S4 NCOIC, and Battalion Senior Operations Sergeant. He has made valuable contributions during two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and three deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, concluding with a significant deployment at Seoul Airbase in South Korea. He officially retired from active duty on October 1, 2023.
First Sergeant Chanquin holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His extensive military education includes the First Sergeant Leaders Course, Master Leader Course, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Course, Equal Opportunity Course, and Master Resiliency Course.
First Sergeant Chanquin’s exemplary service record and dedication to duty testify to his leadership and commitment to the future generations of the United States JROTC program.
SFC Tametra Sherrod, US ARMY (RET)
Sergeant First Class Tametra Sherrod was born in Newark, New Jersey and raised in Eastern Pennsylvania. Her distinguished career with the United States Army began in June 1986. She successfully completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina where she went on to earn the Military Occupational Skill of Administrative Specialist (71L).
SFC Sherrod served for nearly 30 years in uniform (29 years and 10 months). Always eager to learn, she attended numerous military schools, including Primary Leadership Development Course, Military Postal Operations (F5), Battle Focused Instructor Training Course (H), Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course (Phases 1 & 2), Drill Sergeant Course (X), Combat Bridge Crewman Course (12C), Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course (Phases 1 & 2) and Retention and Transition Course (V).
SFC Sherrod’s overseas duties included a five-year tour in Bremerhaven, Germany, as a Military Postal Worker. She also completed a demanding 14-month combat deployment to Southwest Asia (Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait) in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Following this, she served for over a year on a humanitarian mission to Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope.
Her commitment and service have earned her numerous military decorations. Her decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal (with three bronze oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters), Good Conduct Medal (with five knots), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster), National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal (with three bronze stars), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with one silver hour glass), Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (with #3 device), Army Service Ribbon and Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medals from both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Drill Sergeant Badge and Career Counselor Badge
SFC Sherrod transitioned her commitment to education, currently holding an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She plans to complete her Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources.
She is currently an Army Instructor with the Philadelphia School District, where she has secured certifications in Robotics, Archery, and Coaching.
In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, walking, relaxing, traveling, and spending quality time with her children and grandchildren.
