RAY HERR: From the Battlefield to Redemption
By Bianca Bain Villegas
It began not with spectacle, but with quiet resolve. At just 17 years old, Ray Herr signed his enlistment papers with his father’s permission, seeking escape from a simple home life and chasing a sense of purpose that extended beyond the confines of his small hometown. The Air Force wasn’t just a career option, it was a calling, a path toward something larger than himself.
Initially tracked toward Explosive Ordnance Disposal due to high ASVAB scores, Herr’s trajectory shifted after a conversation with Air Force Special Tactics recruiters. The roles they described operating deep behind enemy lines, directing airstrikes while embedded with Army units struck a deeper chord. He joined the elite Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), a rare and rigorous path, and launched into what would become a 21-year military career spanning nine deployments and countless moments of intensity, sacrifice, and transformation.
His first mission came in 1999, deployed to Kosovo just weeks after the birth of his son. Years later, that same son would join the military, and Herr’s daughter, also in the Air Force, would deploy to the very same region. His youngest son now serves in Korea. For the Herr family, service is not just tradition, it’s legacy.
But even the most steadfast legacies come at a cost.
As Herr rose through the ranks and faced the rigors of war, he also bore witness to its hidden toll. He lost friends to combat, and even more heartbreakingly, to suicide, six close comrades in just over a year. These weren’t just colleagues; they were brothers-in-arms, men he had trained with, deployed alongside, and trusted with his life.
The loss was staggering.
When Herr retired from the military, the departure from structure and purpose left a void no civilian routine could fill. The transition to everyday life was jarring. “Strangely enough,” he recalls, “life was easier over there. You knew your mission. You knew your purpose. Back home, something as simple as choosing cereal in a grocery aisle could be overwhelming.”
The disconnect between his wartime clarity and peacetime confusion deepened. Untethered from the camaraderie that had once grounded him, Ray found himself adrift, silently battling depression and suicidal thoughts. The very strength that had carried him through the battlefield now made it harder to reach out for help.
Then came a moment of reckoning. Not a flash of lightning, but a quiet, insistent voice. In the depths of his grief and despair, he cried out, “God, why aren’t You doing something?” The answer he felt in return was unmistakable: “Why aren’t you?”
It was the spark that would ignite Freedom’s Found, a coffee shop unlike any other. Founded not just to serve exceptional coffee, but to serve as a refuge, it quickly became a space for healing. Through peer-led PTSD recovery groups, trauma-informed outreach, and an ethos of authenticity, Freedom’s Found offers what many veterans desperately need but rarely find: connection, compassion, and hope.
“Coffee instead of alcohol. Community instead of isolation,” Herr says. “It’s a healthier way forward.”
Today, Freedom’s Found offers multiple structured recovery sessions each week and continues to grow as a discreet support network for veterans and their families. It connects them to vital resources such as counseling, housing, employment assistance, without bureaucracy or judgment. It’s a space where veterans hear the words they most need: You are not alone.
Asked what message he would give a fellow veteran or someone else walking the same dark path he once did, Herr doesn’t hesitate. “There’s healing. There’s hope. And there’s a seat at the table for you right here.”
JAKOB CARMICHAEL: To the Rescue!
By Laura Watts
It all started with Hurricane Harvey. Over the course of just 24 hours, the menacing storm grew from a Category 1 to a Category 4 before making landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas. While the worst of the devastation was more than 700 miles from Pensacola, the distance didn’t stop Floridians from lending a helping hand to their Gulf Coast neighbors through monetary donations and relief supply runs.
Jakob Carmichael, then a high school junior, watched the crisis unfold and wanted to be part of the solution. “I couldn’t shake the feeling that, with the right technology, some of that damage could’ve been avoided,” he recalls.
That moment was a turning point for Jakob, now age 24 and the president/CEO of RescAlert Inc., a disaster-response platform that employs 23 team members in Pensacola. “From then on, I knew I wanted to work at the intersection of emergency management and technology. I didn’t so much choose this field as it chose me!”
He was already an expert at software development and coding in August 2017 when Hurricane Harvey made impact. So young Jakob did what he knew best: He built a basic prototype of a database mapping system that could track, sync and visualize tools used by first responders, with the goal of forming a united response from those organizations.
That early project stuck with Jakob. Over the years he refined the idea while learning that outdated emergency management technology often leads to poor communication and utilization of resources during a disaster. After extensive research with emergency professionals, he launched RescAlert in February 2022.
What began as a mission-driven start-up has grown into an eight-figure business. RescAlert is an AI-powered emergency management platform designed to help communities and rescue organizations prepare for, predict and respond to crises. It offers the public a reliable way to prepare for disasters and make well-informed decisions even when under pressure.
“As a fellow Floridian, I understand firsthand the challenges that Pensacola faces especially when it comes to flooding, storm readiness and emergency response,” Jakob says. “RescAlert was built to solve these exact problems by delivering real-time, automated public safety solutions through our free mobile app.”
When a major disaster occurs, an area's emergency operation center is staffed by various organizations such as police, fire, EMS and the Red Cross. Each uses different software management tools, and sometimes those tools don’t communicate well with each other. This can result in unnecessary loss: of time, of resources and even of lives.
RescAlert brings early-warning systems, mobile alerts and AI predictions into one platform meaning responders, governments and the public receive clear, consistent information. This integration reduces confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page when every second counts.
Jakob’s team of professionals works closely with clients to understand their needs, continuously enhancing the platform’s offerings based on customer feedback. “Surrounding myself with people who believe in the mission and bring their own expertise has been critical to building and scaling RescAlert,” he says.
With deep local roots running through his family, being part of Pensacola’s history and community is meaningful to Jakob. Off the clock, he might grab a bite at The Fish House or Jaco’s, catch up with friends on Palafox Street, or unwind and recharge at the beach. He enjoys training in MMA (mixed martial arts), spending time with family, and exploring ways to grow personally and professionally.
From high school passion project to emergency response platform, Jakob has created an innovative product that changes lives. He’s doing his part to empower the people of Pensacola, and beyond, to stay one step ahead of disasters.
PETE LAUTER: Purpose-Driven. People-Focused. Always Present.
By Suzanne Pope
For some, success is measured in numbers. For Pete Lauter, it’s measured in impact, in how many lives he can uplift, the trust he earns, and how people feel after spending time with him. A devoted husband, proud Pensacola native, and dedicated community leader, Pete lives by a simple but powerful philosophy passed down from his grandfather: “This day will never be again.” Those seven words guide him daily, a reminder to show up fully, live with intention, and treat every interaction as a chance to serve. “I believe in being present,” Pete says. “Whether it’s a client trusting me with their future, a friend who needs encouragement, or someone I’ve never met, how we treat people in those
moments matters.”
Pete was raised by his mother, Lynn, a woman known for her selflessness and quiet strength. “She’d stop to help a stranger without hesitation,” he says. “And she wouldn’t think twice about spending her last dollar to help someone else. She taught me what it looks like to live for others.” After a successful career in banking, Pete felt a deeper calling, one that led him to make a major career shift in his late 30s. He left the familiar behind and became a financial advisor, driven by a
desire to help people in a more personal, impactful way. “Who changes careers at 40?” he laughs. “Someone crazy enough to believe comfort isn’t the goal and lucky enough to have a family who believes in that, too.”
At the center of that support is his wife Jane, and their children, Jack and Sabel.
“Jane is my best friend,” Pete says. “She’s beautiful inside and out, and we share a purpose to love big, serve well, and raise our kids with that same mindset.” Today, Pete serves as a wealth advisor at Waverly Advisors, where he specializes in guiding high-net-worth individuals and families. But his role goes beyond financial planning. “I help people sleep better at night,” he says. “I give them confidence and walk beside them through every season of life.”
Beyond the boardroom, Pete is deeply involved in the Pensacola community. He’s a former Chairman of the Board for First Tee Gulf Coast, where he mentored youth through the game of golf, and currently serves on the boards of the Baptist Health Care Foundation, The Kugelman Foundation, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Foundation. Once a year, he trades his tie for a tux and takes the runway, all for a good cause. Pete proudly participates in Covenant Care’s Art of Fashion, helping raise funds for Nonie’s Place,
a safe haven for women and children named in honor of Jane’s grandmother.“I never thought I’d model anything,” Pete says, laughing. “But if it helps someone else, I’m in.” That blend of humility, humor, and heart is what makes Pete Lauter not just respected, but beloved. He’s the kind of person who leads with presence, listens with intention, and brings people together with grace and purpose.
“Pensacola is home,” he says. “It’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to give. And I want to keep doing my part to make it even better.” Those wise words of his grandfather will continue to ring true: “This day will never be again.” And Pete Lauter is determined to make every one of them count.
THOMAS SHEPARD COGGIN: Anchored in Purpose. Rooted in Pensacola.
By Suzanne Pope
I first met Shep Coggin during a tour of the docks where America’s Magic is stationed. I didn’t know what to expect but what I found was one of the most memorable personalities I’ve encountered in this city. Within minutes, I was struck by his mix of sincerity, humor, and heartfelt curiosity. It took me a moment to place it, but then it clicked: Shep reminded me of Ted Lasso, the Apple TV character who wins people over not with bravado, but with unshakable kindness and humility. Like Ted, Shep makes you feel seen, heard and genuinely cared for. He’s a quiet leader
and a natural connector, the kind of man this issue was created to celebrate.
If you know him, you know him as Shep, a name pulled from his middle name that’s followed him since birth. It fits: approachable, easygoing, and unmistakably genuine. But while the name is casual, his purpose is anything but. Today, Shep is known not only for his role at the Port of Pensacola but for his deep commitment
to family, consistency, and service. A self-described homebody who once sailed the world, Shep has traded open waters for something more meaningful; building a life of impact right here at home.
“I grew up in Pascagoula, Mississippi,” he says. “We spent a lot of time on the water, small boats, sailboats, powerboats. That’s what drew me to maritime work.” After attending Norwich University and earning his mariner’s license at Texas A&M Galveston, Shep spent over seven years offshore from casino boats to deepwater operations during the Deepwater Horizon crisis. But a different calling brought him home. “I met my wife Ashley here in Pensacola,” he says. “When we started thinking about having a family, I knew I didn’t want to keep working offshore. I wanted to be present, to be there on weekends, at school plays, just in their lives.”
That led him to the Port of Pensacola, where he’s worked for more than a decade. “It wasn’t just a job,” Shep says. “It was a way to support the city's job creation, tourism, and industry. It felt like I could be part of something that mattered.”
What drives him isn’t legacy, it’s presence. He speaks with reverence about his father, a small business owner who passed away when Shep was 20. “He worked his whole life hoping to retire at 60 and finally enjoy time with his family. But when he got sick, he told me he’d waited too long.”
That lesson stuck. “We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow,” Shep says. “So I’ve always focused on living fully now, especially with my family.” In that way, Shep lives out something Ted Lasso once said: “Living in the moment is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.” He and Ashley, a Pensacola native, are raising two daughters, Harper and Darby, along with their dog, Archie. “They’re my peace,” he says. “Coming home at the end of the day to their love, that’s everything.”
Whether it’s a boat ride, a bedtime story, or a school performance, Shep’s not trying to impress, he’s trying to be present and to love well. When he’s not working, Shep is happiest on the boat, at the pool, or curled up on the couch watching 90s sitcoms. “Right now, we’re re-watching Family Matters as a family. It’s kind of
our thing.” He doesn’t talk much about legacy. “Most of us are forgotten after two generations,” he says. “So for me, it’s about helping who I can now, being a good dad, a good husband, and making my little part of the world better.”
Still, his hopes for Pensacola are anything but small. “This place is special,” he says. “And the port is an asset most people don’t realize we have. Infrastructure like this helps cities grow beyond tourism, into something lasting.” And Shep? He’s right where he wants to be steady, present, and deeply anchored in purpose.
RAMEL PRICE: Passion In Practice
By Anna Wall
Ramel Price has voraciously chased his dream of becoming a professional violinist since the age of seven. Born and raised in Pensacola, Price grew up watching world-renowned musicians like Itzhak Perlman enrapture audiences on television. He fell in love not just with the sound of the violin, but with the musicians’ stage presence and the respect they garnered from their craft. Price reflects, “I didn't know how they got to where they were, but I just knew I wanted to do that.”
After years of begging, Price received his first violin at age nine and began a short stint of lessons. “My parents couldn't really afford to keep the lessons going, but my interest kept going. So I decided to do what [Itzhak] Perlman would say, which is practice,” quips Price. And practice, he did. He learned to play by ear, supplementing his self-education with whatever books and videos he could find. This determination is a hallmark of Price’s personality - he also taught himself Japanese as a teenager.
As a high school student, Price played in several student performance groups. But even with more experience, he wasn’t sure how to translate his passion into a career or take the next step to college. This all changed in 2012 when Don Snowden, then-head of the Performing Arts Department of Pensacola State College (PSC), discovered Price through the Belmont Youth Band. Recognizing Price’s ambition and potential, Snowden offered him a full scholarship to PSC to study with acclaimed violinist, Dr. Leonid Yanovskiy, who would continue to mentor Price at the University of West Florida (UWF).
Price initially struggled with self-confidence at the university level. He would often avoid playing out so his colleagues wouldn’t notice the gaps in his training. Price put his head down and worked through the challenge, practicing four hours a day to catch up. Price graduated from UWF in 2017 a more confident performer, ready to climb the next hurdle and unlock more training. In the following years, Price received funding to pursue his master’s degree at Western Illinois University and his doctorate at the University of Iowa.
Price’s journey came full circle in 2023 when he returned home to teach at UWF while Dr. Yanovskiy was on sabbatical. Price expressed how surreal it felt to teach in the same office where he attended lessons as a student. His solo faculty recital last November was a career highlight. Price described the experience as a taste of his life-long dream of becoming a solo violinist on a much higher level than he had accomplished before.
Price has moved through his career with the goal of staying immersed in music. He describes mastering an instrument as similar to learning a language. “The best way to learn a language is not only to study it, but to be immersed in it and use it, to hear it all the time,” he explains. While in town, Price has immersed himself with many local groups, playing with the Palafox Quartet and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. He is currently in Georgia performing Wagner’s Siegfried with the Atlanta Opera.
Next, he is off to Ohio to earn his Artist’s Diploma at the University of Cincinnati's renowned College-Conservatory of Music. Despite being largely self-taught until the age of 18, Price has achieved the highest levels of success academically and continues to reach new heights onstage. His success is a testament to his strong work ethic and insatiable drive to learn. Price is an inspiring reminder that anything is possible through practice, discipline, and curiosity, no matter the challenges that stand in your way.