PARTAP VERMA
Children change everything. I still remember the first time I held my eldest son. His little hands, curly toes and the soft baby murmurs were enough to forget all the problems in the world. And from that point on, my perspective completely changed. Every challenge, every problem in the world shifted in my mind. Fatherhood forces change and priorities and with great responsibility. Strong fathers make strong children. I’ve learned that leading by action and example are the most important virtues of a father. You have to carve out time because you will always be busy and distracted. If I can pass one thing off to my children- it is to understand that you can achieve anything you want in life, you just have to push every atom in your body towards that goal. That is where the magic happens! Fatherhood is an honor and a privilege and I am thankful for it!
Partap Verma is an award-winning luxury home builder (Avatar Design Build), attorney and community leader. Born and raised in the DMV, he has served his community in a variety of roles as neighborhood activist, a local Hindu leader and as Planning Commissioner. He lives in Potomac with his family and has three children who attend the Bullis School.
JOSEPH LaPIETRA (“Coach LaLA”)
Becoming a father didn’t just add a new role to my life; it reshaped how I see everything. I’ve always been driven, from my days as a college quarterback and team captain to building a career as a top 1% managing partner in financial services. I understood discipline, leadership, and responsibility. But fatherhood introduced something deeper—purpose beyond achievement.
My son, Joseph, has taught me what truly matters: presence. He doesn’t measure success by titles or accolades. He watches how I show up each day how I handle pressure, how accountable I am, and how committed I am to growing as a man. That awareness has made me more intentional in every aspect of my life.
One of the hardest parts of fatherhood is resisting the instinct to fix everything. As fathers, we want to protect our children from struggle. But I’ve learned that growth comes from facing adversity head-on. Sometimes the most powerful thing I can do is step back and allow my son to navigate challenges on his own—even when it’s uncomfortable to watch. That’s where confidence is built, and where resilience takes root.
Through my work with Mastery of The Mind, impacting over 3,000 students, I’m building a legacy grounded in discipline, ownership, and mental strength values I strive to instill in my son every day. Fatherhood, to me, is about preparing him not just for success, but for life.
Joseph LaPietra, known as Coach LaLA, is a former college quarterback, top-performing managing partner in financial services, and founder of Mastery of The Mind, a program dedicated to developing mental resilience in youth. He lives in the DMV area and is passionate about empowering the next generation through leadership and discipline.
JOHN (JACK) F. REUTEMANN, JR.
Travel has always meant more to me than simply getting away. As a father, some of my most meaningful memories were created not at home, but through the shared experiences of family trips with my children. There is something special about stepping outside of our daily routines and exploring the world together. Whether it was a beach getaway or traveling abroad, those moments gave us the opportunity to truly connect—time to laugh, talk, and be present with one another in a way everyday life often doesn’t allow.
What mattered most was never just the destination. It was watching my children experience something new—their excitement, curiosity, and sense of wonder. Travel gave us stories that stayed with us. It taught us patience, flexibility, and gratitude, and those lessons became part of our family’s foundation.
Now, experiencing those same moments with my grandchildren adds an entirely new layer of meaning. There is a deep joy in watching the next generation discover the world, surrounded by the same sense of togetherness that defined those earlier years. These trips have become more than memories—they are traditions that continue to shape our family.
Looking back, I realize these experiences have been one of the greatest gifts of my life. They strengthened my bond with my children, and now with my grandchildren, and continue to give purpose and perspective to what matters most.
John (Jack) F. Reutemann, Jr., CLU, CFP® is the Founder and CEO of Research Financial Strategies, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm specializing in active portfolio management. With more than 50 years of experience in the financial industry, he is recognized for his expertise in technical analysis and risk management. He is also the author of Your Financial Advisor Is Not Managing Your Money (And Never Was) and co-creator of the “No More Pies!” program, where he trains advisors in active investment strategies.
DR. RICHARD D. MYLES, SR.
Becoming a father at 17 made me realize what it meant to be responsible for someone other than yourself. Having my first daughter, Tee, changed my whole perspective on what a father should be. I balanced my career as a student-athlete in Washington, D.C. while getting my first apartment to help raise my daughter. I secured a job with my aunt's moving company to provide for basic needs, along with assistance from my parents. Today, I look at my five grown children proud of what and who they have become. Two of my children have successfully completed military service: my youngest boy served as a gunnery sergeant major and earned a Purple Heart, and my youngest daughter served as an Army sergeant. My eldest daughter runs a nonprofit that helps young girls with growth and development while balancing a career in government service. My oldest son is an entrepreneur who has built a successful business raising cane corsos. My middle daughter has over a decade of experience in the local government. What makes me most proud today is the lives they lead as good human beings who are all raising their own families, making me a great-grandfather. Fatherhood has taught me patience and understanding go hand in hand with unconditional love. I am proud of the Myles family legacy that each of them continues. Being a father is my most important title.
Dr. Richard D. Myles, Sr., a Washington, D.C. native, entrepreneur, and business executive, is the CEO/Chair and Founder of the nation’s only professional developmental football league, The Minor Football League. In addition to leading the MFL, known as the "laboratory of change," he is also the President and CEO of the Minor Football League Foundation, dedicated to outreach, education and prevention. The father of five is also a chaplain who previously served as an Assistant Dean of students and owned other businesses throughout the DMV.
Partap: Every challenge, every problem in the world shifted in my mind. Fatherhood forces change and priorities and with great responsibility. Strong fathers make strong children. I’ve learned that leading by action and example are the most important virtues of a father. You have to carve out time because you will always be busy and distracted.