First and foremost, I want to thank God for His blessings and grace in my life. Without Him, none of this would be possible. My faith is the foundation of everything I do, shaping how I lead my family, run my business, and support my fellow veterans. Every day, I strive to be the best husband, father, grandfather, and business owner I can be, knowing that my actions serve as a guide for my children and those around me.



Why Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses Matters to Me

When I left the Marine Corps, I knew I was stepping into a world that didn’t operate like the one I had grown accustomed to. The structure, the mission, the brotherhood—those things don’t just disappear overnight, but finding a new sense of purpose was a challenge. I know I’m not alone in that. Many veterans struggle to replace the drive and camaraderie that came from their service, especially those of us who served in combat.

Nothing will ever fill the space left by my fellow Marines, especially those I fought alongside overseas. That bond is something only a fellow service member can truly understand. But I’ve learned that while I can’t replace that, I can still live with purpose. My relationship with Jesus Christ has been the single most important thing in helping me move forward, keeping me grounded, and giving me direction. My family—my wife, my children, and my grandchildren—give me even more reason to push forward, to be a man of integrity, and to lead by example.

Building Something Bigger Than Myself

That’s why I started EPIC Merchant Systems—not just to make a living, but to create something that serves others. We provide the best payment solutions for firearms and firearms-related businesses because we believe in supporting those who value faith, freedom, and the Second Amendment. Whether it’s a home-based FFL, a brick-and-mortar store, a gun show vendor, a training facility, or an online retailer, we help these businesses thrive. And when these businesses succeed, the veteran community and like-minded Americans succeed.

Learning, Growing, and Taking Responsibility

Business, like life, isn’t perfect. Mistakes happen. Things don’t always go as planned. I’ve learned that true leadership isn’t about pretending to be perfect—it’s about owning up to your mistakes, learning from them, and doing better next time.

At SHOT Show, I made it a point to seek out a former client—not because I had to, but because it was the right thing to do. I wanted to shake his hand, look him in the eye, and let him know I was sorry that things didn’t work out. Months after they had moved on, we figured out what the issue was, but by then, it was too late. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that it happened under my watch. At the end of the day, if something goes wrong at EPIC Merchant Systems, I take the blame. That’s just how I was raised, and that’s how I was trained as a Marine.

The Future of EPIC Merchant Systems and Our Community

Despite the challenges, we are growing—and fast. So far this year, we’ve expanded by 50%, and we have exciting new services rolling out soon. We’re also expanding beyond the firearms industry to serve other business owners who share our values of God, family, and country. This is a new chapter for us, and I’m excited about where we’re headed.

My Message to You

I want to take a moment to personally thank every business that has put their trust in us. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or you’re just considering working with us, I appreciate you. We’re not perfect, and sometimes things are out of our control, but we will always stand behind our work, take responsibility, and do our best to serve you.

To my wife and family—thank you for standing by me. To my customers—thank you for believing in us and choosing to work with a veteran-owned company that stands for something. And above all, I thank God for His continued guidance and grace.

Keeping money in the veteran community isn’t just about economics—it’s about lifting each other up, about giving veterans a purpose, about ensuring that the values we fought to protect continue to thrive. I will continue to stand by this mission and work alongside businesses that believe in faith, freedom, and the American way of life.

#GodFamilyCountry