John D. Danzell III, M.D.
President / Chairman
Dr. Danzell is an honor graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Biology, minor in Chemistry, and honors designations in English and History. He went on to graduate from LSUHSC School of Medicine in Shreveport, where he was conferred for the degree, Doctor of Medicine in 2006 and received appointment as a Resident General Surgeon at the Ochsner Clinic Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. The aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita forced an interruption of training and the onset of a different professional path.
Following graduation, he was appointed Director of Rehabilitation Medicine where he constructed and managed a MicroVas Rehabilitation program in conjunction with a Family Medical Center. Dr. Danzell also held the positions of Administrative Consultant and Mental Health Skills Trainer for Oasis Integrated Medical Services, Mental Health Professional for Rising Up Family Services, Executive Administrator for the Louisiana Medical Association, and Outside Medical Consultant for several law firms.
Subsequently Dr. Danzell established Nirvana Medical Consulting LLC., as an umbrella representative entity for a series of diverse consulting avenues; spanning medical ancillary services, medical legal services, economic development, entertainment tourism, multicultural competency, community outreach, and diversity inclusion.
He is an associate partner and representative for NW Physician Consultants, a national medical consulting firm, which operates as a liaison to optimize efficiency and profitability for Physicians and clinical facilities.
Dr. Danzell has collaborated with Mr. Peter Alexander and the Totally Fun Company, in performing market feasibility research studies, concept development, project design, master-planning, and business plan development, for domestic and international projects. He has gained extensive political relations and public relations experience in establishing a strategic support network for development projects. He has also gained experience in diplomacy with negotiating joint ventures with foreign governments.
Dr. Danzell has performed strategic planning, created presentations, and presented to chief executives of major corporations, regarding the mutual benefits of brand endorsement and co-marketing partnership agreements.
He has been granted membership in several scholastic honor societies, and holds professional memberships with the National Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Louisiana Medical Association, and the American College of Surgeons. As a gifted artist and writer, with countless awards and honors for his works in the arts, Dr. Danzell brings a passionate creativity coupled with determination and the meticulous attention to detail, which was instilled through his medical experience. Dr. Danzell chose to approach life and work as a humanitarian, as he has long embodied the words of the Hippocratic Oath, which he proclaimed upon becoming conferred as a Doctor of Medicine. Already Bilingual in Spanish, Dr. Danzell has also embraced a personal passion to champion outreach to under-served communities in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Richard Martinez
Vice President of Logistics and International Outreach
Mr. Martinez is a native of San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic. He enlisted in the United States Army National Guard in 1993. He graduated in 1994 from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a BS in Police Science. In 1995 he graduated from the New York City Police Department Academy and has been a NYC Police Officer for the past 19 years. Mr. Martinez is currently assigned to the 47th PCT in the Bronx. In 2000 he graduated from the Army Officer Candidate School as a 2nd Lieutenant (Commissioned Officer), with his specific field of focus being Ordnance/Logistics/Maintenance Supervisor, and he also upgraded his field of expertise in the military to a Senior Logistician by completing the Army’s Captain Career Course in 2011. In the Army he has held the positions of Executive Officer, Administrative Personnel Officer, and as the Company Commander to a Direct Support Maintenance Company; he deployed to Iraq in 2004 with this company. During this deployment Mr. Martinez was responsible for the maintenance logistic support to units of both U.S. Troops and Multinational Forces, operating in the South Central region of Iraq. He served as the Deputy Commander/Operations Officer for the NY State Joint Task Force Empire Shield, working in defense and planning against Terrorist Attacks and response to Natural Disasters, i.e. Hurricane planning and response in NYC in conjunction with Intelligence Officers from the Department of Homeland Security, NYC Police Department, NY/NJ Port Authority Officers, NYC and NYS Emergency Management Office.
Mr. Martinez successfully ventured into organizing and marketing entertainment events at several entertainment venues in NYC; to include nightclubs, convention banquet facilities, and party boats. He has been doing this type of promotions work since 2003. As a freelance promoter, he used a range of interpersonal and business skills to create appealing and successful events, some of which would attract over 400 people in attendance. In his promotions efforts, he booked performance artist such as singers, DJs, and musicians, and also negotiated with clubs and party boat owners, set door prices and organized special promotions, liaised with artists’ agents, organized publicity events, including flyers and posters, distributed publicity materials, ensured the smooth logistical execution of events on the target date, provided VIP lists, managed budgets and accounts, and liaised with security and bar staff. Due to this experience Mr. Martinez developed great people skills, the ability to plan and execute quality events, and good media relations skills.
Mr. Martinez deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 with the 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB) as the Future Operations/Planning Officer, focused on planning the distribution, connectivity, maintenance of communication systems, and personnel throughout the battlefield. He extended in Afghanistan with the 198th ESB from Delaware and remained as the Future Operations/Planning Officer. He was also in charge of the supervision and planning for the only Signal University in Afghanistan, here he was responsible for the management and tracking of a budget over one million dollars, allocated for the university. Currently with the National Guard he is working as the 369th Special Troops Battalion Supply Section (S-4) Officer in Charge, responsible for overall logistics to 7 units and 4 Detachment (smaller units). Mr. Martinez is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Raymond A. Hicks, Ph.D.
VICE PRESIDENT of Education and Community Engagement
Dr. Hicks is an educator and management consultant. He is a former President of Grambling State University and Vice Chancellor of Southern University of Shreveport. He earned his B.A. from Grambling State University, M.A. from Louisiana Tech University, and Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University.
Dr. Hicks started his career as a high school teacher in Shreveport, Louisiana. Since then, he has held both teaching and administrative positions at Wiley College, Prairie View A & M University, Southern University of Shreveport, and Grambling State University.
Dr. Hicks is currently a Training Consultant for the Division of Workforce Development at Southern University of Shreveport. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Southern University-Shreveport in the Department of Human Services. And He is a managing partner in The Heritage Group of Louisiana, an Education and Management Consulting Firm.
Dr. Hicks has received numerous awards and honors during his professional career. He was appointed by the Governor to the Louisiana Pan-African Commission. He was chosen as one of Louisiana Tech University’s “100 Most Outstanding Alumni” during the Centennial Celebration, and he was designated as an “Outstanding Alumnus” by the College of Education at Louisiana Tech University. Dr. Hicks was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, by the University of Nebraska. He has received an Angel Award, an Honor recognized by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, for giving his talent and time to help Louisiana’s children.
Dr. Hicks has had extensive participation in Community Engagement roles. He is a Former Elected Board Member of the Caddo Parish School Board, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He sits on the Board of Directors for Image Changers, Inc., a Housing Development Initiative. He sits on the Board of Directors for the David Raines Community Health Center System. He sits on the Board of Directors for The ARC of Caddo-Bossier (Serving people with special needs). He sits on the Board of Directors for the Caddo Parish Council on Aging. He sits on the Board of Directors for Urban Housing of Louisiana. He volunteers and provides assistance to community–based nonprofit organizations, focusing on youth, the elderly, and those with special needs.