Sharran Chambers-Murphy – Veteran Peer Mentor
U.S. Army
Sharran Chambers-Murphy is a military veteran. She served in the United States Army Reserves from 1986-1997. Her unit was deployed to Germany during Operation Desert Shield Desert Storm in 1990. She has performed humanitarian missions in areas including Ft. Clayton, Panama and Guayaquil and Celica in Ecuador. She has received numerous awards for outstanding service to her country and community. Sharran is an advocate and resource for military veterans and servicemembers of all branches of service. It is her desire to ensure that military service members are equipped with appropriate information that will enable them to transition and live a healthy productive life.
Steve Dreyer – Veteran Peer Mentor
U.S. Army
Steve Dreyer entered the Army in December of 1967. He trained in Fort Walters, TX and in Fort Polk, LA. Steve deployed to Vietnam in February 1969, as an 11 Bravo, Combat Infantry, with the First Cavalry Unit. He ended his service later that year in December 1969, leaving the service with 3 purple hearts and a case of malaria.
As a civilian, Steve married his wonderful wife Lori in 1974. They have three sons: Jamie, Tim and Dan. Steve is proud that his son, Tim, a 3rd generation soldier, followed in his footsteps and joined the Army, also deploying as Combat Infantry in both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Steve earned his bachelor’s in Business Administration from C. W. Post (now Long Island University.) Steve worked in manufacturing, retired at 65, and now works as a veteran peer where he enjoys supporting fellow veterans in their wellness journeys. His hobbies include gardening, cars, and being an “at home tinkerer.”
Dan O’Connell – Veteran Peer Mentor
U.S. Air Force
Daniel O’Connell graduated from SUNY Brockport with a BS in Criminal Justice and then entered the United States Air Force in February 1981. Dan was a Law enforcement specialist at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome NY, where he went on to earn his MBA from SUNY Binghamton. After the Air Force he continued onto the US Navy Reserves where he served in Naval Intelligence. Dan joined the New York City Police Department and retired out of the Nassau County Police Department. Currently, he serves as a Sergeant in the Port Jefferson Constable Bureau, and as a Joseph Dwyer Veteran Peer Mentor.
Dan is a huge baseball fan. He is happily married to his wonderful wife, Kathy, a Marine Biologist.
Brian Randolph – Veteran Peer Mentor
U.S. Army
Brian retired from the Army as an E7/Sergeant First Class after 22 years. As an AGR soldier assigned to the USAR’s 77th Regional Support Command, he was the HHD First Sergeant and Battalion Operations NCO for the 354th Transportation Battalion and the Truckmaster/Operations NCO for the 773rd Transportation Company. He also served as an AGR USAR Recruiter for the Des Moines Recruiting Battalion from 93-96. Prior to his AGR assignments, he was an 88M Motor Transport Operator assigned to the 172nd Transportation Company in Omaha, NE where he also deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm 90-91.