What we’re all about
F.I.V.E. STAR Transitions was founded to empower Veterans as they transition from the military to civilian careers through a combination of panel discussions, hands-on technical training, experiential networking events and mock interviews with subject matter experts. F.I.V.E. STAR Transitions delivers a FREE program designed to train Veterans in the skills required to successfully find a job in the private sector.
2019 Leaders
Jonathan Bulls
graduated from West Point in 2011 where he earned his B.S. in Management and was a four-year member of the Army football team, garnering two varsity letters. Upon commissioning as a Field Artillery (FA) officer, he spent six months at Fort Sill, OK for FA BOLC followed by his first duty station assignment to Fort Hood, TX. There, he deployed to Kuwait, served as a Fire Direction Officer, Paladin Platoon Leader, and Executive Officer. He attended the FA CCC at Fort Sill, OK and chose Fort Stewart, GA as his next duty station. He served as the Division’s Assistant Fire Support Officer. Jonathan did his internship at Microsoft in Business Operations and will return to Microsoft full time as an Account Executive with the sales organization in Dallas, TX after he graduates from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in Spring 2019.
Steve Dexter
graduated from West Point in 2011 where he earned his B.S. in Mathematical Sciences and Economics. After commissioning as a Field Artillery Officer, he spent 6 months at FA BOLC in Fort Sill Oklahoma. He was then stationed at Schofield Barracks Hawaii where he served as a Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Leader, and Fire Support Officer. He also spent 9 months working for the United States Army Pacific Command at Fort Shafter Hawaii as a future operations planner. He attended FA Captains Career Course in 2015 and then served as a Gunnery Instructor for FA BOLC where he taught five BOLC classes. Steve is a current first year at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and will intern with Ernst & Young as an M&A consultant this summer in Dallas, TX.
Justin Bourque
graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 where he earned a B.B.A in Finance and Economics. Upon commissioning as a Field Artillery (FA) officer, he spent six months at Fort Sill, OK for FA BOLC followed by his first duty station assignment to Fort Stewart, GA. There he served as a Company Fire Support Officer, Platoon Leader, and Assistant Fire Support Officer. Justin is a current first year student at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and is currently seeking roles in Corporate Finance and General Management.
Charles Lewis
graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2014 where he eared his B.S. in Management. Upon commissioning as a Finance officer (65W/F), he spent 3 years at Hanscom AFB in Boston, MA as a cost estimator. 2 years in the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System Recap program, providing surveillance and command and control capabilities to joint operations. He spent 1 year in the AWACS DRAGON program office as the Deputy Cost Chief, where he oversaw development, procurement, and maintenance of flight deck modifications for the Airborne Warning and Control System. After earning his MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 2019, he will return to the Air Force Academy as an Instructor of Management.
Meet our Founders
Herman Bulls
is an active duty Army officer. He is currently serving as the Operations Officer for Task Force 1-28 Infantry at Fort Benning, GA. Herman graduated from the Fuqua School of Business in 2015 where he concentrated in marketing analysis and entrepreneurship and innovation.
While at Duke, Herman served as a guest Professor of Military Science for the Duke ROTC program. He also served as an Admissions Fellow for the Fuqua Admissions office. Immediately following his graduation from Fuqua, he served as the southeast regional admissions officer for the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Herman has spent a total of 32 months deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq as an Infantry Officer. He has held various combat leadership positions in the Army with the 82nd Airborne Division and 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He has also served as an aide for two General Officers and completed the Army’s Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger School.
Herman graduated from West Point in 2005. He is married to his wife Jennifer and they have three children together (Connor, Quinn and Kennedy).
Kevin Brilliant
joined the Chicago Bulls in 2015 in a Business Strategy & Analytics role that combines behavioral science, analytics, and fan engagement. Prior to joining the Bulls, Brilliant completed his MBA at The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University with a focus on behavioral economics.
During his time at Duke, Brilliant joined Dan Ariely'sCenter for Advanced Hindsightwhere he worked with Ariely and his team of researchers to study applications of behavioral economics in sports. For his work in bringing this novel behavioral science-driven approach to creating the ultimate fan experience, Brilliant was named one of SportTechie’s20 Innovators of 2017.
Kevin’s prior speaking engagements include podcast appearances on ESPN and Sports Illustrated, and presentations at Leaders Week in London, Global Sports Management Summit, and IIeXForumson Nonconscious Consumers: How We Understand, Measure, and Drive Their Behavior.
Kevin graduated with Honors from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, and is a proud alum of McKinsey & Company.