Meet the Team

Alex Sosa

Executive Director

As I sit down to share my story behind why I wanted to create the Veteran Development Group, I find myself reflecting on the life journey that brought me here—one shaped by the challenges, resilience, and deep sense of purpose that have guided me from my earliest days.

I was born to Mexican immigrant parents who came to this country seeking opportunities for their future children. Growing up just outside Los Angeles, I witnessed firsthand the hardships of poverty, yet my mother’s unwavering determination kept us shielded from truly knowing what if felt like to go without. She worked tirelessly to ensure that I—and my brothers—had a chance at a better life. For several years, when I was about 10 years old, and after a full day of my parents working, our family sold Mexican street corn late into the night to make ends meet. I was out there selling street corn until midnight, six days a week. My father, though loved by many, came and went as he pleased, leaving my mother to bear the burden of raising us alone.

Amid the challenges, my older brothers, who were pulled into the LA gang scene, made sure that I stayed out of trouble. They encouraged me to do something good with my life, a message that resonated deeply. While they took their own paths, they never stopped believing that I could rise above the circumstances that threatened to pull me down.

It was this belief in something greater that led me to join the military. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a Marine. Starting from the bottom, I worked hard to earn every promotion and accolade, fueled by the mentorship of those who had walked the path before me. Their guidance gave me the courage to take on challenges that others might have shied away from—whether it was attending an SNCO Leadership course as a Sergeant and graduating as the Honor Graduate or applying to the Warrant Officer ranks after just seven years of service.

My 21 years in the military were filled with moments of pride and purpose, but they also opened my eyes to the harsh realities faced by many service members. I saw firsthand the difficulties that came with transitioning out of the military, and I experienced the struggles myself. While the military does its best to prepare us for civilian life, I knew there was more to be done—something more personal, more proactive.

Connect with Alex

alex@thevdg.org

737.825.8052