About Unus Supra

The Board of Directors

Jonathon McConnell

Jonathan McConnell is originally from Mobile, Alabama. In 2000, after graduating
from Davidson High School, Jonathan enrolled in Auburn University. While at
Auburn, Jonathan was involved in the War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen and was
elected president of the Student Government Association. Upon completion of his degree, Jonathan went to Officer Candidate School for the United States Marine Corps.


Jonathan served as an infantry officer in the Marines. On his first deployment to
Iraq, he commanded 3D Platoon (reinforced) Lima Company, 3D Battalion 2D
Marines. Completing numerous dismounted combat patrols, mounted combat
patrols, raids, and cordon and searches, Jonathan was charged with quelling the
insurgency on the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraq. On his second deployment to Iraq, Jonathan was the Executive Officer of Weapons Company 3D Battalion 2D Marines as well as 1 ST Mobile Assault Platoon Commander. During this deployment, he maintained Battle Position Da’Nang in the Al Anbar Province near the Syrian border. His company was co-located with an Iraqi Army infantry company which he was in charge of training and conducting joint operations.


Upon completing his second tour in Iraq, Jonathan attended law school at the
University of Alabama. Upon completion of law school, he passed the Alabama Bar. In response to the attack on the Maersk Alabama in 2009, Jonathan sought a cost-effective solution to combating piracy. Jonathan formed Meridian Global Consulting LLC and began putting embarked security teams on U.S. flagged vessels. Meridian has completed over 1000 transit days off the High Risk Waters off the Coast of Africa without incident. Meridian has since expanded its operations to ground security contracts in SE Asia and West Africa, as well as providing personal security details.


Jonathan’s personal awards and honors 2004 recipient of the Algernon Sydney
Sullivan Award, 2004 New York Marathon finisher, Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat
Distinguishing Device, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Lynette Ayers

Lynette is originally from Buffalo, New York. She graduated from Northwest School of the Arts in 2001 and enrolled in college at Kaplan University graduating with a bachelors degree in psychology in 2009.  She is a mother of three girls, a wife and sister of a Marines.  Her brother Lcpl Cliff Golla, was killed in action Sept 1, 2006 in Iraq.  Honoring her family and her brother's sacrifice she works diligently behind the scenes taking care of finances and overall organization of the non-profit.

"Losing a loved one is a life altering experience. The scars of which will remain forever. Shortly after losing Cliff, the Marines and sailors who served with him started to reach out to my mother, my sister and me. These interactions have been instrumental to our healing process. Although nothing could ever replace my brother, the newfound family provided comfort, conversation and began to fill the void to allow us to heal.

Recognizing how important and impactful that is to us, I realized I wanted to provide this to others. Over the last couple of years, I have had the privilege of organizing reunion trips for these Marines and sailors. I have seen firsthand the importance of these connections. These reunions provide the opportunity to laugh, heal, grieve, talk, and get the support they may struggle to get elsewhere. Their presence in my family was an unexpected gift and now I want to provide the same for them."

Doug Hamblen

Originally a native of Tennessee, Doug Hamblen shipped to Parris Island, SC for Marine Corps Boot Camp in February 1987. 

During his career he served, chronologically, with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines (1987-1989)---26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) Task Force 62 (1989-1990)—MTM Co.(1990-1990)—CSSD 23 Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1993)—Recruiting Duty, RS, Nashville, TN (1993-1996)—Combat Assault Battalion-Camp Schwab, Okinawa (1996-1997)—MWSS 273 JTF Noble Anvil-Operation Allied Force- Operation Joint Guardian- Operation Joint Forge (1997-2000) ---MCCSSS -Formal Schools Instructor/Troop Handler/Co. GySgt (2000-2003)—I&I, Albany, GA- I&I First Sergeant (2003-2006)—3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines Operation Iraqi Freedom (2006-2007)

Upon retirement from active duty, Doug moved to South Georgia--where he & his wife, Kimberly, now live on the quiet banks of Lake Blackshear just outside Cordele, Georgia. 

Joseph Rovnak

A native of western Pennsylvania, Joseph Rovnak joined the Marine Corps in 1986 and attended basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina.  As an infantry and reconnaissance Marine, he participated in several contingency operations to include the liberation of Panama in 1989 and the liberation of Kuwait in 1991.  In 1993, then Sergeant Rovnak was selected to attend the Marine Corps Drill Instructor program and served 2 tours of duty in this capacity, creating hundreds of Marines in both the officer and enlisted ranks.  In 2003 it was his honor to serve at the Marine Barracks in Washington DC as the Company First Sergeant for the Marine Corps silent drill platoon, color guard, and Arlington national cemetery ceremonial platoons.  His final set of transfer orders in 2005 sent him to his most challenging assignment with 3d Battalion 2d Marines, where he participated in combat operations in Al Anbar province Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  First Sergeant Rovnak retired from active duty in 2007 and settled in Maryland to begin his new life as a civilian.

Missing his close bond with the military, he pursued employment with the Department of Defense at the Defense Intelligence Agency, providing support to military personnel deployed around the globe.  This support included three deployments to Afghanistan as a government civilian, where he had the unique experience of traveling throughout the various provinces and meeting with locals.   In 2022, Joseph struggled with debilitating PTSD and physical ailments that nearly consumed him. As part of his healing journey, he is now fully retired and currently enjoys woodworking, gardening, and helping his fellow veterans through holistic alternatives.  Joseph is a resident of Mt Airy Maryland where he lives with his 15-year-old daughter Vivian Grace.  Joseph also has two older children Chris and Danielle, and two grandsons Joseph and Lucas.