In Memory of SGI Team Members
This page honors the remarkable men who have played a vital role in building and shaping Solutions Group International (SGI). Their hard work, dedication to service, and vision laid the foundation for our organization, and continues to inspire our future. Their legacy will continue to guide SGI, as we carry them in our hearts forever.
"When you leave this earth, you take with you nothing that you have received, but only what you have given."
- St. Francis of Assisi
Captain Joseph Philip “Joe” Calderon
SGI - Vice President of Workplace4Warriors
Joe was born in Seoul, South Korea, to Suncha Ham and Benignus Calderon. A man of unwavering dedication and service, he was a proud graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. Over the course of his distinguished career, he excelled as a commercial airline captain, military aviator, aviation security consultant, federal law enforcement officer, and educator.
Joe dedicated 33 years to United Airlines, where he flew the DC-10, 320, 737,747-400, 777, and mostly recently as a 787 Captain and Line Check Pilot. In addition to his civilian aviation career, he served 30 years in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. His military service included roles as a pilot, recruiter, and Director of Accessions Programs in Southern California. Passionate about mentoring future generations, Joe played an instrumental role in shaping young leaders by serving and chairing local Congressional Academy Selections Panels.
He made an impact in the private sector as a senior executive at Solutions Group International, an adjunct professor of finance at Santa Barbara Community College, and a youth coach. Joe also served 24 years as a director at Altura Credit Union, most recently as the Board Chair. He held a 6th Dan in Tang Soo Do and Shorin Kempo Karate, and was the Founder of Natural Defensive Tactics. He loved spending time on the golf course, enjoying both the game and the company of good friends.
Beyond his professional achievements, Joe will be remembered for his kindness, selfless service, and sharp wit. He possessed a natural ability to uplift those around him, leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts of all who came into contact with him.
Joe sadly passed away on February 2, 2025 in Duarte, California, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. A military interment will be held at Riverside National Cemetery (22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, California) on March 3, 2025. A Celebration of Life will follow at Riverside Convention Center (3637 5th St., Riverside, California) where family, friends, and colleagues will gather to honor his remarkable life.
Joe was a close personal friend. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Timothy Patrick Ryan
SGI - Combat Trauma Care (Lead Instructor)
Jan. 15, 1961 - Nov. 21, 2014
Tim passed away in Fayetteville, NC, due to a severe heart attack. He was very dedicated to the military way of life being the son of an USAF career military man, Joseph Ryan. Tim was very disciplined and liked to test himself. He was a graduate of Merced High School and while there he served in the Civil Air Patrol, played football, and worked one summer as a firefighter for the CA Dept. of Forestry. He had planned a career in medicine but had a taste of what the AF Pararescue (PJ) units did during a summer CAP encampment.
Soon after graduation he enlisted in the USAF in order to get into the next PJ training class at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. He excelled in the class and spent 17 years pursuing his love of the military and medicine as a medic - protecting and caring for others. Leaving the AF as a Tech Sgt., he then opened, owned, and operated an outdoor store called Tier One Outfitters for 10 years. He helped with Katrina and went to the Congo to help train their soldiers. Tim continued training deploying troops in lifesaving medical techniques under government contracts for the past several years.
His children say he lived a great life doing exactly what he was meant to do but believed their dad's favorite job was being a father. He did everything with his family. He believed in them, supported them, and loved them unconditionally. They will miss his weird cooking, bear hugs, and undying support.
Among Tim's extensive awards and medals were a Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. Services were held at his church, St. Patrick's, in Fayetteville, NC. He will be buried at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, VA.
Tim will be missed, but never forgotten.
Joshua "Josh" VandenBrink
SGI - Combat Trauma Care (Senior Instructor)
Left this world the evening of December 6, 2022, signing off shortly after he made dinner for his daughter, Magdalene "Maggie" Rose (age 6) and his son, Joshua Henry "Hank" (age 5). To everyone's surprise, it was a pulmonary embolism at his home in Monument, Colorado that claimed him, and not in one of the countless heroic missions he served in, under a barrage of bullets, and working in unison with his special operator brothers protecting one another and this great country.
Serving for fourteen years and twenty-one combat missions as a United States Air Force Pararescueman (PJ), was a defining part of his character and soul. Although he grew up with nine brothers and one sister, Josh found and forged a deep brotherhood with each and every one of his team members. Serving side by side with men just as elite as he is, protecting America's interest, and in the down time, giving each other as hard of a time as possible because that's exactly what brother's do.
Being part of the elite is exactly the type of minimum acceptable achievement Josh would hold himself to in all facets of his life. This evidenced so clearly in the artwork he created after leaving the service. His handmade steel American and state flags (which we have in our corporate office) can be found in thousands of homes and offices around the country, as well as featured in the Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC. Many are proudly displayed on the sets of the podcast "The Joe Rogan Experience" and the television series "Forged in Fire." The meticulous attention to detail and the personal pride in each piece he created is the exact care and dedication he took in every portion of his life.
Josh will be missed, but never forgotten.
