Community Outreach Spotlight: John Lenti

Chloe Rodgers, Columbia Recruiting Battalion

John M. Lenti is a retired war veteran, entrepreneur, teacher, and civilian who takes community outreach to a whole new level.



Lenti leads a discussion at a CFF^® meeting



Lenti is the Chairman and CEO of the Celebrate Freedom Foundation^®, a Columbia, SC based foundation established in 1999 whose mission is to honor veterans, educate youth, and “foster lasting patriotism in citizens of all ages”. A major function of CFF^® is the SOaR™ (School/Student Opportunities and Rewards) Program. SOaR™ is an active program consistently working towards educating young men and women about career choices in the military. SOaR™ builds and continuously grows strong, friendly relationships between US Army Recruiters (USAREC) and educators, students, and parents.

“SOaR™ engages the next generation of parents who will influence their children to become the next future soldiers of the Army,” stated Lenti.

CFF^® and SOaR™ have seen increasingly positive results in the past few years, due to the initiative set by Lenti and other CFF^® board members, like President Jack Lovelady.

“SOaR™ has proven that it can accomplish all of these important goals for USAREC,” said Lovelady.

Before founding CFF^® and the SOaR™ initiative, Lenti had an expansive and impressive military and professional career.

After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Lenti obtained his MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University and his Masters in Military Art and Science from the Army Command and General Staff College. He went on to be a faculty member at West Point for seven years.

Lenti’s military career included assignments in Special Operations, and he is a recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valour, 5 Legions of Merit, the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with Valour, and other awards for exceptional service.

As a civilian, Lenti previously directed the SC Small Business Development Center Program, an entrepreneurship program, and helped develop similar business assistance programs in Poland, Hungary, and Germany for the Small Business Committee of the US House of Representatives.

Lenti has been part of the adjunct faculty of the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina since 1976, where he designed a highly regarded leadership course and continues to teach today.



A Celebrate Freedom Flag^® flag displayed at their airport hangar



An ever-present local figure and essential to Celebrate Freedom Foundation^®, John Lenti has used his military career for the greater good of the community and will continue to do so in Columbia and beyond.

For more information about CFF^® and SOaR™, visit www.thecelebratefreedomfoundation.org.