We do it because we are
...and we want others to thrive too.
We have the passion for service, the devotion to strengthening communities, and the burning desire to make an impact that matters to millions of people nationwide. We’re driven by the need to seek out opportunities with people who share our vision and understand how crucial it is right here and right now.
From where we stand today, military veterans and their spouses are facing a crisis of underemployment. For all of their courage and selfless service, their strength, and their resilience, some are struggling in their daily lives due to a lack of economic opportunities.
This is why the founders of ZeroMils are continuing to devote their life’s work of closing these gaps for those who proudly serve—and the spouses who stand by them—and their civilian neighbors.
Building strong, vibrant, connected communities empowered by partnerships between purpose-driven corporations and nonprofits, we can solve these great challenges—together.
Kevin M. Schmiegel, CEO
Kevin Schmiegel is Chief Executive Officer at ZeroMils and is based in Washington DC. A retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, Kevin is a mission-focused leader with a proven track record for rapidly scaling nonprofits and a reputation for delivering significant results. Pursuing his life’s work to strengthen communities and bridge the civilian-service divide, Kevin previously served as the founder of Hiring Our Heroes at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CEO of two other national nonprofits. Raising $100 million for these causes over a decade, Kevin and the teams he led have impacted millions of Americans, in and out of uniform. He is a proud husband to Laura and a father of five.
Paul D. Cucinotta, President & COO
Paul Cucinotta is President & Chief Operating Officer at ZeroMils. He is a retired Marine Corps colonel who after serving on active duty for almost three decades followed his passion for service to the non-profit space to help individuals thrive, while strengthening communities and bridging the civilian service divide. This ultimately led him to founding ZeroMils with fellow Marine Veteran and long-time friend, Kevin Schmiegel where they are creating Military Thriving® cultures and communities with their clients and partners in the places where they live, work and serve. Paul and his wife Beth have four children and three grandchildren, and when not serving their community can be found enjoying the beach on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina.
Monica Shea, Director of Partnership Integration
Monica is the Director of Partnerships Integration at ZeroMils and is based in Jacksonville, FL, where she lives with her active-duty Navy husband and their three children. Monica has a proven history of success in development, stewardship, program management, team building, and program integration through her experience with multiple non-profit organizations in the education and military sectors, including most recently at Operation Gratitude and United Through Reading. Monica served with ZeroMils’ founders the last several years and joined the ZeroMIls team full time in January 2022.
Monica holds an M.B.A. with a concentration in non-profit management, and is an alumna of the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship program. She is passionate about making meaningful and lasting connections at work, home and within her local community. Monica is an active volunteer with parkrun USA, Operation Gratitude, and her childrens’ schools, and spends as much time as possible listening to local bands and visiting the beach.
Tommy Jones, Director of Military Engagement & Strategic Partnerships
Tommy is the Director of Military Engagement & Strategic Partnerships at ZeroMils. A retired U.S. Army First Sergeant with 20 years of service, he brings deep experience leading enterprise military strategies that align business outcomes with community impact. At ZeroMils, he helps organizations design scalable programs rooted in the Military Thriving® framework—focused on purpose, connection, opportunity, and well-being.
Prior to ZeroMils, Tommy led strategic initiatives at Verizon and Walmart, building cross-functional military engagement efforts across talent, partnerships, and brand. He also advises on veteran entrepreneurship and franchise ownership. Outside of work, Tommy is a proud husband and father who enjoys surfing, golfing, and spending time with his family.
Trish Bautista, MNLM, Associate Director of Partnerships
Trish is the Associate Director of Partnerships at ZeroMils and is based in Eastern North Carolina. She joins the team with expertise in strategic philanthropy, fundraising development, community-based integration, and social impact marketing and communications. Trish previously served as Philanthropy Officer of an integrated pediatric health system, is an alumna of the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship (national) and the Emerging Leaders Fellowship (Florida), and holds a Yoga Teacher certification (RYT-200) with the Yoga Alliance and a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. She was raised as a military child and is now a proud active duty Navy Spouse. Trish and Brian are active parishioners and volunteers with St. Francis Xavier Catholic Chapel on Camp Lejeune MCB; enjoy camping, hiking, and CrossFit; and are expecting a baby girl in April 2025!
