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Poto Leifi, Senior Art Director
I made up my mind to serve my country after September 11, but was not
able to enlist until April 2006 due to career, and family commitments.
In September 2006 I left my Design Director position at TAOS Footwear
to enter Basic Training. In November of 2008 I came home from my
first deployment to Iraq.
I currently serve my country as a multi media illustrator
with my reserve unit in Orange County, CA.
Athiambo K. Onyango / Artist
I consider Onyango to be the best friend that I have made while in the military.
I met Onyango on the bus on our way to Basic Training in Fort Jackson
and we went through Basic and AIT together. He is a seasoned “fine-artist”
with a deliberate and edgy style. He is the best second opinion that I can
go to when making art direction decisions or weather or not to strangle
one of these young smart-allec soldiers.
Travis B. Howell / Artist
Howell is my go-to-guy for everything with the 82nd. A young and
talented artist who I met at AIT, he has done an exceptional job while
deployed in Iraq. You can expect great things to come from this up and
coming artist in the near future.
Bezuayehu Mandefro / Artist
Another soldier that I knew from BCT and AIT, I can always depend on
Mandefro to help with research and graphic art skills. Always resourceful
and funny it’s a crack-up to work with Mandefro. She gives good insight
into the work created and we are glad shes on the team.
Gregory Meleza / Artist
My right-hand-man in Iraq, Meleza kicks ass. Together we created some
of the best work while deployed in the Al Anbar Province. Always quick
to learn this soldier is learning how to create and brand effectively.
He has a great eye for graphic art as well as photography.
Jamie K. Sussdorf / Writer
Sussdorf served as a journalist while we were deployed in Iraq.
She is a self-starter who proved to be a true professional and a valuable asset
to our team. Her writing skills are welcomed at Freedom’s On Me as
she is commited to producing only the best in
everything she writes.
Thomas M. Lugo / Tech Support
During our deployment, I nick named this young and very accomplished
Intel analyst “The Oracle”. Mild mannered and hard-working,
Lugo has a work ethic that is at a level way beyond his years.
Lugo has come aboard to help with marketing, promotions,
and all things internet.