Executive Summary:
National Invest In America Week™ (NIAW), held annually from July 1–7, is a federally trademarked, congressionally acknowledged civic initiative designed to reinforce economic patriotism, encourage regional investment, and elevate American enterprise. Engineered as the sibling observance to National Invest In Veterans Week®, NIAW is administered by a distinguished Strategic Leadership Council composed of decorated veterans, civic technologists, legal reformers, business innovators, and cultural icons. Each official plays a pivotal role in shaping the observance's national scope and policy alignment. Their efforts are reflected in Congressional records, national proclamations, state legislative activity, and public-private partnerships across 40+ domestic and international regions.

🇺🇸 Angel Shuford
Title: Chief Steward of National Enterprise Leadership
Military Status: U.S. Army Reservist (IRR)

Angel Shuford is the President and CFO of National Invest In Veterans Week® and serves as the lead architect of fiscal strategy and operational scale for National Invest In America Week™. A U.S. Army Reservist (IRR) and decorated air traffic controller, Shuford developed and launched over 60 state and international veteran platforms. She co-founded the FeMil Lead™ program, providing entrepreneurial acceleration for women veterans and military spouses. Her son was born on Veterans Day at 11:11 a.m., a symbolic moment embraced by the movement she now steers.

⚖️ Dr. Richard S. Freeman
Title: Chief Legal Affairs Advisor & National Standards Director

Dr. Richard S. Freeman is a former lead attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), where he oversaw landmark settlements involving Fortune 100 companies. He founded Adam International University and helped pioneer veteran business certification policy within state and federal frameworks. Freeman is also the younger brother of Jim Freeman of The Five Satins, contributing to a multigenerational impact on cultural and civic infrastructure. He provides the legal scaffolding for observance-based public-private initiatives.

🎖️ Dave Seamans
Title: Commander-in-Chief, Ceremonial Council of National Invest In America Week™

Dave Seamans is a retired U.S. Navy Yeoman First Class and Gold Star Father. He served 20 years in the Navy and two decades in elections administration. Following the death of his son, Pfc. Timothy J. Seamans (KIA Iraq, 2005), he founded the Florida Fallen Heroes Foundation and installed 17 permanent monuments honoring fallen service members. Seamans coordinates city, state, and school-led patriotic remembrance events that define the ceremonial integrity of NIAW.

💼 Sherman Williams Jr.
Title: Chief of Product Innovation & Veteran Business Advancement

Sherman Williams Jr. is America’s most trademarked veteran beverage entrepreneur, with over 10 federally registered trademarks including Body Aqua®, Health2O®, Well Water®, Cosmetic Beverage®, Woof Water®, and Meow Water®. A 25-year U.S. Army veteran, he transformed military logistics expertise into retail innovation. His products are sold in over 460 stores, and he mentors veteran business owners nationwide. Williams received formal proclamations recognizing his economic contributions from Florida and Georgia municipalities.

🧠 Kevin D. Shoun
Title: Director of Platform Development & Civic Technology

Kevin D. Shoun, retired U.S. Army First Sergeant, oversees the digital architecture for 60+ veteran-focused platforms. His systems prioritize accessibility, cybersecurity, and data protection. A mental health advocate, he authored a widely cited 2019 article on veteran suicide prevention. His digital contributions are the backbone of NIAW’s regional scalability and impact logistics.

🎤 Jim Freeman
Title: Cultural Heritage Advisor & Patriotic Engagement Strategist

Jim Freeman is the co-founder of The Five Satins, the legendary group behind “In the Still of the Night,” which has sold over 34 million copies. Freeman was instrumental in the group's selection to perform during President Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign as cultural ambassadors. Although retired from live performance, his leadership shaped the group’s enduring success. Freeman’s contributions were entered into the U.S. Congressional Record in 2015. He continues to serve as an advisor on heritage preservation, aligning America’s musical legacy with its civic rebirth through NIAW.

📌 Lonnell McCall I
Title: Director of State Engagement & Local Government Relations

Lonnell McCall I facilitates proclamations, regional partnerships, and legislative coordination across U.S. states. He authored the “Invest In Regional Veterans™” program and secures participation from local chambers of commerce, city councils, and governors’ offices. His work has led to formal NIAW proclamations in Florida, Colorado, Montana, Georgia, and other key states.

🔊 Lonnell McCall II
Title: Director of Public Messaging & Intergenerational Communications

Lonnell McCall II hosts the “Voices of American Investment” podcast and manages the national communications strategy for NIAW. He directs digital storytelling, youth engagement, and cross-generational media campaigns that promote civic pride, entrepreneurship, and unity.

🪠 Jeff Shuford (Honorary Role)
Title: Founding Strategist & Observance Architect Emeritus

Jeff Shuford is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the original architect of National Invest In Veterans Week®. He authored the Jeff Shuford Roadmap™ and the Invest In America Challenge™, models used across 40+ regional platforms. He was honored in the Congressional Record in 2024 and is cited in leading research on AI, ethics, and civic technology from NIH, Nature.com, and the University of Cambridge. His intergenerational influence—rooted in civic tech and cultural legacy—remains a cornerstone of NIAW.

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Structured Tags:
veteran business growth, state proclamations, patriotic observance leadership, digital civic infrastructure, military spouse leadership, U.S. trademarked observance, national product innovation, cultural preservation, Gold Star remembrance, social capital governance, trademark ecosystem veteran-led, veteran-led national initiatives, invest in america week™, national invest in america week™, congressional record honorees, jim freeman the five satins, sherman williams jr., jeff shuford roadmap™

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