Mike Ferraro

From the moment he raised his right hand and swore an oath to defend the United States of America, Mike has never stopped serving. What began on the grounds of a New Jersey hometown in 1982 — when a young man fresh out of high school answered his country’s call by enlisting in the United States Air Force — has grown into a lifetime of selfless dedication to those who wear the uniform, bear the badge, and carry the flag.

Over the course of nearly 32 years of honorable military service spanning both the active and reserve components, Mike rose through the ranks to achieve the highest enlisted rank in the United States Air Force: Command Chief Master Sergeant — a distinction earned not by chance, but by character. Before his well-deserved retirement in June 2013, he held leadership oversight of nearly 28,000 Airmen across 18 military installations worldwide, operating at Numbered Air Force, Wing, and Squadron levels. His service took him far beyond American soil, as he participated in numerous overseas missions encompassing combat airlift operations, wartime readiness campaigns, humanitarian airlifts, and strategic force development — each mission a testament to his courage, competence, and commitment to something greater than himself.

But for men and women like Mike, service doesn’t end with retirement. It simply takes a new form.

In 2016, driven by a deep sense of duty to his fellow veterans and their families, Mike founded Bridging The Gap for Veterans Foundation — an IRS fully determined 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the divide between military service and civilian opportunity. Since its founding, the organization has directly impacted the lives of more than 1,000 veterans and military dependents, connecting them to meaningful careers through innovative coaching methodologies, including signature programs such as speed interviewing — a dynamic, proven approach that gives veterans the competitive edge they’ve earned but are rarely taught to demonstrate.

An accomplished senior enlisted leader whose talents transcend the uniform, Mike has channeled decades of military discipline and strategic thinking into the world of entrepreneurship and corporate leadership. From launching business ventures and cultivating lasting partnerships to developing revenue-generating programs, Mike leads the same way he always has — from the front. In 2019, he launched “The Coffee Platoon” to help augment donations for various veteran programs and services.

His voice for veterans extends far beyond the boardroom. Mike ensures that America’s stories of sacrifice and service are heard, honored, and never forgotten. This calling to storytelling is nothing new: in 2019, Mike served as a television talk show host, producing 42 segments for RVN Television, a streaming channel available on Apple TV, Roku, and YouTube, where he brought the stories of service members and patriots into living rooms across the country.

Mike’s exceptional leadership has not gone unnoticed at the highest levels of government. In 2025, he was appointed to the New Jersey Governor’s Veteran Commission Council, where he serves as a powerful advocate for the quality-of-life programs and services that veterans across the entire state depend upon.

In 2020, he was appointed by the Department of War as the New Jersey State Chairman of the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (NJ ESGR), overseeing a dedicated network of 80 volunteers and one full-time staff member — working tirelessly to strengthen the bond between civilian employers and the men and women who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. He also proudly serves as a Board of Directors member for the Jersey Shore Council Boy Scouts of America and the Braven Healthcare Salute Program, continuing to invest in the next generation and the well-being of those who have served.

A lifelong learner who believes education is a cornerstone of leadership, Mike holds a Master of Science in Aeronautical Science and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics, both earned from the prestigious Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

A proud resident of Bricktown, New Jersey, Mike shares his life with his beloved fiancée, Toni, and is the blessed father of two beautiful daughters, Gianna and Olivia — his greatest mission and his most enduring legacy.

From Howell to the skies over combat zones. From the halls of the Pentagon to the communities of New Jersey. From the uniform of a United States Air Force Command Chief to the podium of a nonprofit founder — Mike has never stopped fighting for those who fight for us.