Mission Statement of Charlie Foxtrot Entertainment
Our goal is to become the top market provider of military-based entertainment. CFE will leave it to others to seek out and tell the stories of the worst of the American military. Without whitewash, we will tell the stories of the best, of the heroic, of the inspiring-stories that are poignant and thrilling, that accurately portray the guts and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.
We believe: In large measure America is a nation of empathetic, good-hearted people who care about the suffering of others around the world. We oppose injustice, and hate tyranny and despotism. We send our fighting men and women to the far corners of the earth to assist those in dire need, and to do battle in the global war on terrorism.
Despite being inundated via radio, television, newspapers, magazines and movies, we seldom see our nation or its military portrayed in a positive, or even realistic, light. Often the images are negative. Rarely do they show the actions and accomplishments of America as constructive, inspiring or heroic. As a people, we are tormented by contradictory images; and we are confused about why others don't understand who we are, or for what we stand.
We recognize that in this time while our nation has troops are engaged in active combat, the entertainment industry allocates less than 1% of its overall production to military issues. It is our mission to fill this void, to tell the truth, to set the record straight.
We recognize that heroic, inspiring, poignant and thrilling stories attract more viewers and generally perform better at the box office. We know that the story we tell our selves of ourselves creates our self image; that behavior is consistent with self image. This is true on micro and macro levels, for individuals and for nations. Today, no medium more powerfully affects our ambient cultural story than film.
We expect viewers to leave the theater after seeing a CFE film desiring to emulate the heroes who have inspired us. We want to let our service men and women know they are appreciated, not forgotten, not dehumanized or relegated to being anecdotal cannon fodder for the evening news.
CFE strives to inspire. As Theodore Roosevelt noted, heroic stories "…possess the highest form of usefulness, the power to thrill the souls of men… to lift them out of their common selves to the heights of high endeavors."
"Inspired by Heroes"
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Special Advisory Board for
Charlie Foxtrot Entertainment, LLC
Dale Dye was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He graduated as a cadet officer from Missouri Military Academy, but there was no money for college, so he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1964. He served in Vietnam in 1965 and 1967 through 1970, surviving 31 major combat operations. He emerged from Southeast Asia with numerous decorations, including a Bronze Star for valor and three Purple Heart medals for wounds suffered in combat. He spent 13 years as an enlisted Marine, rising to the rank of master sergeant. He was chosen to attend officer candidate school and was appointed a warrant officer in 1976. He later converted his commission and was a captain when he was sent to Beirut with the multinational peacekeeping force in 1982-83. He served in a variety of assignments around the world and along the way managed to graduate with a BA degree in English from the University of Maryland. Dye worked for a year at Soldier of Fortune magazine after his retirement in 1984. He spent time in Central America, reporting and training troops in guerrilla warfare techniques in both El Salvador and Nicaragua before leaving the magazine in 1985 and heading for Hollywood. He is the founder and principal of Warriors, Inc., which provides technical advisory services to the entertainment industry worldwide. Services included performer training, research, planning, staging and on-set advisory for directors and other key production personnel.
Julia Dew Dye's position at the Warriors Inc is S-1/3/4. This designation refers to the staff officer responsible for three areas: Human Resources and Administration; Planning, Training, and Operations; and Logistics. In practical terms, current duties with Warriors, Inc. include staff planning, personnel readiness and management, preparing training guidance for the CO's approval, identifying training requirements, compiling training records and reports, organizing and equipping units, integration of supply and transportation, administration, bookkeeping, publicity, and creating and maintaining this website. On occasion, as the project warrants, she also acts as a unit commander.
Her unique knowledge of armor, weapons, and fighting styles throughout the ages allowed her to bring history to life in a dynamic and exciting way on the production of Oliver Stone's "Alexander". She was a natural choice to train Colin Farrell prior to the unit training in Morocco.
She has worked on numerous major motion pictures.
A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Jeff Searcy brought several years of marketing, sales and management experience with him when he joined the staff of Wounded Warrior Project in 2005 as Executive Vice President of Resource Development.
In this position, Jeff leads all of WWP’s fundraising initiatives, including cultivation of relationships with individual donors, development of corporate and foundation partnerships, implementation of fundraising events, and more. All marketing, branding and promotional activities fall under his umbrella. He’s also responsible for the nationwide nonprofit organization’s online presence, including its web site and online fundraising.
Richard has been drawing since a very young age. In 3rd grade (7 or 8 years old) he won
3rd prize in a state-wide drawing contest held by the New York State Albany Museum.
After high school, Richard enlisted in the army where his talent was noticed and much utilized.
He was awarded the Battalion Illustrator MOS in addition to his Military Police MOS.
After the service he attended college , but before ever finishing he bgean to pick up freelance jobs as an illustrator.
He has worked with Kevin Conrad, a pro inker in the comics industry. Working on such Top Cow titles as
"Witchblade", "Ascension" and "Darkness". From there he had his foot in the door at DC,
working on "Superman" and other titles, as well as working for Dark Horse Enterainment.
Billy served in the U.S. Army. Not long after his service he attended and earned his BFA at Bolwing Green State University.
Billy has worked on Zoom Suit #1 (20k issues ordered), Zoom Suit #3 and #4-Superverse
Entertainment, Mister Miracle #3-DC Comics and the X-men Unlimited #11- Marvel Comics
He also worked on HEROCLIX Designs- DC versions of Aresenal, Demon, Wildfire, Enchantress, Steel, and Mars/Ares (SPRING, 2005), Toy Designs for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe- Hasbro Toys, for Disney Movie Licensing. (FALL, 2005), Advent Rising Promotional Comic Book- Majesco Games, through DC. (JAN, 2005),
Heroscape Promotional Comic Book- Inserts in selected DC Comics for the month of October, also included with Heroscape Game on CD-ROM, Ghostbusters Convention Special, Outcast Five Online Interactive Storybook- AOL KIDS, Noble Causes-First Impressions, Bad Apples #1 and #2, Hammer Girl #1 and #2.
Recently he wrote and illustrated the forthecoming book "HOW TO DRAW POWERFUL COMICS" published by IMPACT Books.
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the Managing Members of Charlie Foxtrot Entertainment, LLC are:
John M. Del Vecchio is the best-selling author of The 13th Valley, along
with four other books on the war in Southeast Asia and the veteran home
coming experience. He was drafted in 1969 shortly after graduating from
Lafayette College with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and minor emphasis
in Civil engineering. In 1970 he volunteered for Viet Nam where he served as
combat correspondent for the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). In 1971 he
was awarded a Bronze Star for Heroism in Ground Combat.
He is author of The
13th Valley, For the Sake of All Living Things, Carry Me Home, and Darkness
Falls, along with numerous articles and papers. The 13th Valley was a
million+ copy bestseller, about which the New York Times Book Review said,
"There have been a number of excellent books about Vietnam.but none has
managed to communicate in such detail the day-to-day pain, discomfort,
frustration and exhilaration of the American military experience in
Vietnam." Del Vecchio's books have been translated into four languages and
published worldwide. He has lectured extensively on the history of the Viet
Nam War in Europe and the U.S., and has appeared on FOX News as a
military/political commentator. His theory, "The Importance of Story," has
been widely quoted. Del Vecchio also has a background in real estate and
finance, having been a Realtor and a commercial and residential loan
originator. Along with City of Fire, his current projects include Exit
Strategies, a book about resilience and exit strategies for "boomers", and a
yet to be titled novel based on the future of transportation and energy.
Special Groups/Affiliations:
Special Interests:
John likes hiking and is fond of the Appalachian trail.
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Tom Waltz is an Editor at IDW Publishing. Along with his editorial duties, he is the writer and
creator of the critically acclaimed graphic novel CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE (with artist Casey Maloney).
Waltz also writes the comic book GENE SIMMONS ZIPPER and stories for GENE SIMMONS HOUSE OF HORRORS,
a quarterly horror anthology. Future published works by Waltz include the comic books INDY-RACE OF
THE GALAXIES and SILENT HILL: SINNER'S REWARD, as well as the premiere graphic novel FINDING PEACE
(with artist Nathan St John). He also served as a staff writer for iHero Entertainment's award-winning
magazine of superhero prose, CYBER AGE ADVENTURES, from 1999 to 2005.
When not writing and editing, Waltz works as an Electronic Commerce Analyst for Science Applications
International Corporation (SAIC), where he's been an employee since 1998.
Waltz is a former active duty Marine (1987-1991), Desert Storm veteran, and former Army National Guard
Military Policeman (1999-2004).
He was born and raised in Clinton, Michigan and now calls San Diego, California home, where he
lives with his wife and two daughters. His personal website is myspace.com/tom_waltz.
Special Groups/Affiliations:
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 Currently serving as a combat medic formerly assigned to 1-23 Infantry Battalion returned from
Ernesto Haibi currently serves as a medic in the US Army. He deployed to Iraq with the Army's First Stryker Brigade out of Ft Lewis Washington. In 2006 he moved to the 62nd Medical Brigade's 514th Medical Company taking charge of most of the units combat oriented training.
Before coming back on active duty he had serves as both an infantryman and an interrogator/translator in the Florida Army National Guard. As a member of 1/124 infantry he attended the Jungle Operations Training Course at Ft Sherman Panama and was activated for Hurricane Andrew. The Air Force was his first branch and served from 1986 through 1991 serving in The U.K., South Carolina, Korea, The Philippines, New Mexico, and Washington state.
Between Air Force and Army, active and reserve Ernesto has over 20 years of military experience to bring to CFE.
His blog A Candle in the Dark along with several NPR and major media interviews have brought the war in Iraq to many who would never have had access to those serving,
Listen to Ernie's piece on NPR's "Untold Stories of Kindness".
Listen to Ernie's show online at FreeThoughtRadio.com.
Special Groups/Affiliations:VFW, FreeThoughtRadio.com
Favorite Hobbies: Creative writing and philosophical debate.
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A former U.S. Army combat medic who served in the Army National Guard in Virginia, and transferred to a reserve unit,
the 308th Med Ambulance, attached to the 321st M.A.S.H. out of Sacramento.
During basic training, his artistic talents were quickly discovered after an incident when he drew a caricature of his drill instructor for his fellow recruits,
that ended up in the hands of his drill instructors. Instead of getting into trouble, his superiors were blown away by his talent and commissioned to paint a mural on the wall of the barracks that asked
visitors as they entered "What have you done for your soldier lately?". A painting that Gerry took great pride in creating.
Gerry (in the middle) in front of one of the murals he created for his company
at Ft Leonard Wood.
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"I became a medic because I loved helping my fellow soldiers, and as one of the founders of Charlie Foxtrot Entertainment
its not what I did when I served as a medic that counts, but what I do now, through CFE, for the men and women serving, I have the chance again to serve them.
They deserve better than what they get, and our company wants to do its part to insure that what they sacrifice is never forgotten."
Gerry has worked as both a writer/columnist, cartoonist and illustrator/artist for numerous publications over the years.
Gerry created the Star Trek art for FX, Inc. that was
published into two limited edition art prints, as well as the art he created
for the book The Incredible Internet Guide to Star Trek. He expects to be doing more Star Trek art in 2008. He created a popular original
SF serialized comic series BIOWOLF for the Octopus Magazine, in Illinois, in the mid 1990's, and has created
art for a number of independent comic publishers, including co-creating City of Fire with Ernesto Haibi.
Gerry also founded BladeZone.com in
1996. BladeZone is the Online Blade Runner fan club and museum. Chock full of interviews with
cast and crew, BladeZone is hailed as the premiere Blade Runner Website in the world by even Ridley Scott and has been featured
on TV, in magazine and in books. BladeZone is now run and operated by Gerry's old
friend Gary Willoughby.
Gerry has a special thanks from the director for his work on helping make the acclaimed documentary
On the Edge of Blade Runner, and is featured in the book Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner,
by Paul Sammon.
Gerry worked as a commercial artist and designer for national ad agencies that have won many awards for creativity.
He has done contract work for Daedalus Comics, Blue Comet Comics, Vision Comics, Creative Arts House Comics and IDW Publishing.
Gerry has worked with filmmaker Josh Becker on post production art for his film RUNNING TIME
starring Bruce Campbell, the first feature length film to be shot in "real time" since Alfred Hitchcock's Rope.
Currently, Gerry is working with Josh Becker on a project about the first battle for the American Expeditionary
Forces in WW I war called Devil Dogs: The Battle of Belleau Wood.
View info on Gerry at IMDB.com
Gerry won the best short with his film "White Mouse" at the
CINEmerge 48 Hour Film Fest, having just 48 hours to write, shoot, edit, score a short film. To view the short
film, CLICK HERE.
Currently Gerry resides in Springfield, Missouri with his daughter, where, aside from the work he does with Charlie Foxtrot Entertainment,
he also works with ACR Nally Marketing Group as their lead concept artist.
Personal Quote
"Philosophy without life experience is like having a piece of paper and nothing to write with."
Special Groups/Affiliations: The American Legion, The Knights of Columbus, CINEmerge, Missouri Film Alliance (Founding Member)
Personal Website: GerryKissell.com
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Upon graduating from Penn State in 1986 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Doug was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned an engineering position at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO where he oversaw the maintenance on the Minuteman II Reentry Vehicles. Two years later, he was selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Columbus Air Force Base, MS. Upon graduation, he was assigned to fly C-141's at McGuire Air Force Base, NJ, where, over the next 6 years, Doug would find himself flying missions in the Gulf War, Haiti, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Somalia and also providing extensive support for the US State Department in over 160 countries around the world. He finished up his career with a tour at Yokota Air Base Japan where he flew C-9's and oversaw the diplomatic clearance shop responsible for all flights operating in the Pacific theater.
While a Captain in the Air Force, Doug earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Syracuse University. Upon his decision to leave the Air Force in 1997, Doug put that degree to work at Merrill Lynch just outside of New York City where he managed his clients' portfolios through the "Great Bull Run" of the 1990's, the collapse of the financial markets in 2000, and the subsequent volatility of the post 9-11 world.
In late 2002, Doug met his current business partners, left Merrill Lynch, and pursued his vision of running his own investment company. Today, he is one of the General Partners in a Private Placement Fund which manages nearly $25 million of real estate related investments throughout the Northeast. He also continues to fly as a pilot for a major US airline which he has done since 1998.
Doug enjoys playing guitar and piano, and doing the yard work at his Bridgewater, CT home where he lives with his wife and daughter.
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Of Charlie Foxtrot Entertainment
Bruce has over fifteen years experience as a finance manager with a
background in leading service and manufacturing companies. He has a
successful track record for leading project teams in implementing
large-scale financial and accounting software applications on schedule and
within budget. He has developed and implemented financial models that
streamlined data gathering, reporting and controls that enhance management's
ability to allocate funding toward initiatives with the highest ROI
potential.
Bruce has held financial management positions at Cendant Mobility Services
and Unilever and currently works with Doug by overseeing the accounting for
their Private Equity Real Estate Fund. He has an MBA in Accounting from
Sacred Heart and lives in Brookfield, CT with his wife and two sons.
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Jon Alderink is a student of Joe Kubert, one of the most prolific comic artists of all time,
and is best known for his gritty war comics. Jon follows in Joe's footsteps, joining the CFE team as
lead artist not only with the comics division, but also in preproduction for the film deivision.
Jon has recently completed work on the new Gene Simmons' horror comic series and is currently working on
"City of Fire" and teamed up with filmmaker Josh Becker on the adaptation of the screenplay "Devil Dogs".
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Served in the U.S. Army, in Bosnia, in the early and mid 1990's. "Mac" now works
in the motion picture industry, doing work ranging from special FX to writing and editing, and has
recently wrapped work on two original SciFi channel films, including the forthecoming Showdown at Area 51, and wrote a thriller now lensing in Michigan.
Currently Mac is working with filmmaker Josh Becker on adapting his screenplay Devil Dogs into
a graphic novel.
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