Dawn Sealy- President & CEO

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Wally Calabrese- Chief Financial Officer

Walter (Wally) Calabrese is a retired United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant with over 20 years of distinguished service. A Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, his military career included roles in aviation maintenance, training, and operational readiness. Notable assignments included serving as an MOS Instructor, Wing ALMAT Inspection Team member, and Assistant Maintenance Chief for Marine Aircraft Group 14. His service was recognized with the Air Medal with Combat “V,” Navy Commendation Medal, and three Navy Achievement Medals. After retiring in 2007, Wally transitioned to higher education, serving as Dean of Craven Community College’s Havelock Campus, overseeing campus operations and fostering student success.

Wally later led strategic operations for an SDVOSB from 2021 to 2025, managing government contracts and leading proposal development efforts. He secured a major $11 million contract supporting Fort Cavazos, Texas, demonstrating his leadership and expertise in government contracting. As one of five co-owners of Emberstone Innovations, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Wally combines military discipline, government contracting knowledge, and strategic planning to deliver tailored, reliable solutions. He holds degrees in Professional Aeronautics and Pastoral Theology and is also a Catholic Deacon, dedicated to service both professionally and personally.

Andrew Thornton- Chief Compliance Officer

Andrew (Andy) Thornton is a retired United States Marine Corps First Sergeant with over 20 years of service. His service was distinguished by leadership roles spanning 7 countries on 3 continents. His assignments included Signals Intelligence Analyst/collector, Cryptologic Support Analyst, Marine Security Guard Detachment Commander, and Company First Sergeant. He was awarded the Meritorious Service medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, Joint Service Achievement medal, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal for his service.

After retiring Andy utilized the skills, drive, and attention to detail that the Marine Corps instilled in him to become the Human Resource Manager for another SDVOSB where he was responsible for all HR matters for over 300 employees across the united states and her territories. In addition to his role as the HR Manager, Andy authored proposals, priced contracts and was part of the development team for the company.

Today Andy is serving as a Vice President of Emberstone Innovations, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, a business founded with excellence in mind to deliver the highest quality service to our clients.

In addition to his distinguished military and professional career Andy spends his free time serving the local community at Veterans of Foreign Wars post in New Bern, North Carolina. He is currently the Jr Vice Commander of VFW post 2514.

James Masterson- Chief Growth Officer

James Masterson is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class with over 20 years of distinguished service specializing in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) operations. Throughout his military career, he served in key leadership roles including Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Senior Small Group Leader, and was recognized with induction into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award for exceptional leadership and mentorship. His extensive experience as an instructor, trainer, and operational leader instilled the discipline, accountability, and mission focus that define his civilian success.

After retiring from the Army, James transitioned into the private sector where he quickly advanced in both utility and defense contracting environments. As a Project Controls Manager in the water and wastewater utility industry, he lead project-level controls for large-scale capital programs—overseeing budgeting, scheduling, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance to ensure reliable infrastructure delivery. He also served as a Director of Support Solutions at a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), managing proposal development, business growth initiatives, and operational performance for defense contracts.

In his current role as Chief Growth Officer and Co-Owner of Emberstone Innovations, James drives corporate strategy, business development, and federal acquisition initiatives. He combines deep technical insight with a strong background in leadership and program management to advance mission-focused solutions across defense and civilian sectors. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Western Governors University.

Cregg Sealy- Chief Operating Officer

A New York native, Cregg Sealy served in the United States Marine Corps holding various billets within the Infantry Military Occupations Speciality. Additional he served as a Marine Recuriter and has been certfied Weapons Instructor at various training commands. He has deployed as part of the 24th and 26th MEU and has several deployments to Iraq and Aghanistan. During his deployments he has taken part in operations that include noncombatant evacuations, convoy security operations, direct action operations, MTT assignments, and inbedded operations with host nation’s military commands / units.

After his military career, he continued to serve the Nation’s interest as a contractor in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Kosovo and Jordan. He gained his operational experience as a contractor employed as part of notable industry professionals that inlcude Blackwater, MPRI/L3 Harris, Page Group Protective Services, American Systems, Garda World Federal Services and Triple Canopy.

From 2020 to 2025, Cregg was employed by a small business SDVOSB contracting firm performing in the roles of contract Project Manager, Programs Manager, Contracts Manager and Director of Government Contracts. During his tenture he played an active role in increasing the company’s revenue and the awarding of several contracts within the military training and security sector. His core competencies include identification of market opportunities, competition, relationship with decision-makers, capture planning, proposal development and technical writing.

Today, Cregg is one of five co-owners of Emberstone Innovations, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business founded and operated entirely by U.S. military veterans. Our team has served in the United States Army, Marine Corps and Navy. Emberstone Innovations provides professional and administrative support services to Department of Defense and local state government clients. Our team’s various military operational experience in conjunction with over twenty years of government contracting know-how, positions Emberstone Innovations to be a premiere service provider to its customers.

Emberstone Innovations provided exceptional support with integrity and precision. Highly recommend their services for government needs.

John Doe

★★★★★