Carrying the Mission Forward: A New Leadership Chapter in Florida

Home Base Florida is entering a new chapter of leadership that honors the foundation built since 2014 while positioning the organization for continued growth across the state and beyond.

After more than a decade leading Home Base’s efforts in Florida, Armando Hernandez has been promoted to Senior Director of National Network Operations & Strategy. In this role, he will support operations and strategic growth across Home Base’s expanding national network in Arizona, Florida, Texas and beyond, bringing forward the experience he gained helping build Home Base Florida into a statewide program serving thousands of Veterans and Families.

A Naples, Florida native and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Armando’s path to Home Base began with service and a deep connection to the military community. After being introduced to Home Base during an internship with the Boston Red Sox Strength and Conditioning Staff, he joined the organization in 2014 to help launch its health and wellness efforts in Florida.

During his tenure, Armando expanded the Florida Warrior Health and Fitness Program into a multi-region model now offered in Southwest Florida, Tampa and Northwest Florida through partnerships with Florida Gulf Coast University, the Greater Naples YMCA, Tampa General Hospital, Shark Bite Fitness and the University of West Florida. He also played a key role in strengthening Home Base Florida’s clinical network through collaborations with Lee Health, Tampa General Hospital, David Lawrence Centers and Lakeview Center, helping increase access to evidence-based behavioral health care, traumatic brain injury services, peer and family support, wellness programming, care coordination and resource navigation. Under Armando’s leadership, Home Base Florida grew from a regional initiative into a program serving Veterans and Military Families across the state.

“As someone born and raised in Naples, Florida will always be home,” said Armando Hernandez, Senior Director of National Network Operations & Strategy. “It has been an honor to help grow Home Base Florida alongside such a patriotic and deeply committed team of professionals and community supporters. I am excited to build on that spirit as we expand into new regions, ensuring even more Veterans, Service Members and their Families have access to healing, hope and the care they deserve.”

As Armando steps into this national role, Larry Whitmore, MSW, has been promoted to take the helm as Director of Home Base Florida. A retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel now living in Bonita Springs with his wife and two sons, Larry brings a distinguished record of service and a deep commitment to the military community.

Larry’s 26-year military career included service in the Army, Army National Guard, Air Force and Air National Guard. He served primarily as an Electronic Warfare Officer conducting worldwide reconnaissance missions aboard RC-135U aircraft and last served as Director of Operations for the 170th Operations Support Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base before retiring.

Larry joined Home Base in January 2023 as a Veterans Outreach Coordinator and later served as Florida Clinical Program Manager, supporting care and services across Home Base Florida’s outpatient behavioral health and traumatic brain injury programs. He holds a Master of Arts in Military Science and Operational Art from the Air Force’s Air University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Montana.

In his new role as Director, Larry will oversee operations and strategic growth across Florida, helping guide the team’s continued delivery of world-class care and services at no out-of-pocket cost to Veterans and Military Families. His transition into this role reflects continuity, stability and continued momentum for Home Base Florida as the organization strengthens its statewide footprint and advances its mission to heal the invisible wounds of war.

“Armando and the Florida team have built something tremendous, and it is an honor to continue growing Home Base in a place I am proud to call home,” said Larry Whitmore, MSW, Director of Home Base Florida. “I look forward to working alongside this dedicated team and our partners across the state to ensure more Veterans, Service Members and their Families have access to the care, connection and hope they deserve.”

“Together, Armando’s new national role and Larry’s appointment as Director of Home Base Florida mark a thoughtful leadership transition – one that honors the foundation Armando helped build while positioning the Florida team for continued growth under Larry’s leadership,” said Michael Allard, Chief Operating Officer of Home Base. “With Armando helping extend Home Base’s reach nationally and Larry guiding the Florida team forward, Home Base Florida is well positioned to continue growing its impact while remaining rooted in the mission to heal the invisible wounds of war.”

“This leadership transition reflects both the strength of what has been built in Florida and the opportunity ahead for Home Base nationally,” said Brigadier General (Ret.) Jack Hammond, Executive Director of Home Base. “Armando’s leadership helped establish a strong foundation across the state, and Larry is the right leader to build on that progress as we continue expanding access to care and support for those we serve.”

Please visit these links to learn more about Armando Hernandez and Larry Whitmore.