Our Story
From Battlefield Leadership to Lifesaving Preparedness
Founded in June 2016 by retired U.S. Army First Sergeant Valerie Ellis Lavin, Luminary Global carries forward a lifelong commitment to service, protection, and readiness.
Prepared to Lead
Valerie Ellis Lavin founded Luminary Global after 21 years of distinguished U.S. Army service as a First Sergeant. Her career spanned intelligence and operations roles across multiple commands, including deployments to Korea and Iraq, leadership of the 339th Military Intelligence Company, and service as US CENTCOM J2 Army Enlisted Leader and Commandant Headquarters First Sergeant.
Honored with the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLCs), Joint Service Commendation Medal, and numerous other awards, Valerie brought the same discipline and dependability to civilian life after retiring in 2014.
She quickly immersed herself in veteran entrepreneurship, co-founding Action Zone, Inc., leading national ambassador programs for Bunker Labs, and mentoring at Disabled American Veterans’ Patriot Boot Camp. Recognizing critical gaps in reliable pre-hospital emergency gear, she established Luminary Global to equip those who stand between preventable death and hospital care — first responders, military personnel, law enforcement, government agencies, and prepared families.
"Education and training go hand in hand. Through education, you gain theoretical knowledge, through training you gain practical skills, but neither works without the right gear on hand."
— Valerie Lavin
— Valerie Lavin
Prepared to Grow
In February 2017, Jeremy Lavin joined as Chief Operating Officer, bringing more than 20 years of operational leadership, government contracting experience, and business scaling expertise. Previously a Managing Director handling full P&L responsibility, revenue growth, and federal contract acquisitions, his background in logistics, supplier management, and e-commerce infrastructure has been instrumental in expanding Luminary from early Florida contracts to nationwide service.
Luminary has consistently proven its capability to design, fulfill, and standardize mission-critical solutions at scale:
- First Responders & Law Enforcement: Partnered with Prince William County Virginia Fire and Rescue over a 12-month period to evaluate and implement a standardized EMS bag system (ALS, BLS, and Trauma Bags) across 22 departments, eliminating fragmentation so that operators across any station have perfectly organized, accessible gear. We also worked with senior management and medical directors at the Pasco County Florida Sheriff’s Department to design and test custom-built IFAKs tailored to their specific operational environments.
- Military & Government: For over 4 years, Luminary has served as a strategic partner to the Ft. Benning WHINSEC program, supplying tactical trauma kits, surgical kits, and Combat Lifesaver (CLS) Kits to aid in the advanced medical training of foreign medics.
- Corporate & Education Readiness: Deployed hundreds of Classroom Lockdown Bucket Kits to 8 charter school locations in Nevada. We have also equipped the corporate sector, supplying over 45 DoorDash coastal operation centers with Hurricane Survival Kits, and providing survival kits to every employee across a bi-coastal boutique financial institution.
- Humanitarian Relief: Worked with numerous non-profits and DOD contractors to provide trauma kits and lifesaving supplies to support humanitarian operations in conflict zones globally, including Ukraine.
Luminary Life & Impact
Our mantra — Work. Serve. Play. — reflects how we balance mission-driven business with family and community. Valerie and Jeremy enjoy time at the beach with their dogs Cain and Dan, while continuing to give back through veteran support organizations. Valerie remains actively involved with Action Zone as Chairman of the Board and as a certified facilitator, helping military founders and spouses build successful businesses.
We are proud of our community recognition, including:
- 2023 Apogee Award Finalist (Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine)
- 2023 Small Business of the Year Nominee (Tampa Bay Chamber)
- 2023 Business Women of the Year Finalist (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
- 2021 VFW #StillServing Honoree
- 2019 Community Hero (Gasparilla Pirate Fest)
- 2017 Business Woman of the Year & “Roar” Award (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Join the Luminary Family
Whether you're a first responder equipping your unit, a government agency seeking compliant solutions, or a prepared citizen building family readiness, we're here to serve.