Micah Chelf

Veteran Micah Chelf was raised to give and support others around him which sparked his desire to serve in the Army National Guard. Although his military career did not start off as planned, Micah persevered and got his call to serve in the Virgin Islands in 2017. Outside of the military, Micah has worked for numerous non-profit organizations that support veterans, youth, and the local community. In his current position with Talking Monkey Media, he continues to aid non-profits with their digital presence in this internet-savvy world.

Micah Chelf grew up in a military family and his passion to help and support others that started from his upbringing inspired him to enlist in the Army National Guard. After enlisting at the age of 17, Micah began his training at Fort Benning, GA to become an infantryman. The beginning of his military career did not go as planned when a knee surgery that never fully healed set him back and he could no longer serve. In 2017, after 4 years of needed recovery for his injury, he was activated in wake of the hurricane disaster in the Virgin Islands. While in the Virgin Islands, Micah earned the Virgin Islands Emergency Service ribbon and the Humanitarian Service medal.

While enlisted in the Army National Guard, Micah worked at XZone, a non-profit located in Chesterfield, VA. XZone is a ministry agency that mentors middle and high school students. The corporation owns sports grounds and facilities to play paintball, volleyball and other recreational sports. Micah managed the sport operations at XZone and eventually founded the organizations marketing department to help expand the mission and prevalence of XZone. But, as his time in the military came to an end, and his ties with XZone closed, Micah knew that he wanted to maintain a relationship and involvement with the military community. Micah was fortunate to have the opportunity to work for another non-profit, Tech For Troops (T4T). This opportunity allowed him to utilize his IT skills, complete his bachelors degree at ECPI, support veterans, and maintain his ties with the military community. Micah served as the Director of Operations and eventually the Sustainability Platform Leader. T4T utilizes donated computers and repurposes them for veterans to learn computer and IT skills in order to prepare them for the current day workplace. His work with non-profits did not end there. Currently, Micah is now working for Talking Monkey Media, a marketing agency located in Midlothian, VA that supports local non-profits with their digital presence on the internet for little or no cost.

Micah prides himself on his involvement with his community. Not only does it come with his professional life, but his passion to serve and aid others motivates him to give back to his neighbors in his free time as well. Supporting veterans and engaging with the Afghan refugees is what he is currently doing. His future goals are focused on expanding the reach that Talking Monkey Media has in the area and continuing to support non-profits whether established or newly founded. Micah is excited for the future at his company, and is ambitious to continue serving, supporting, and enabling the non-profits that help so many.

Loan Officer CJ Sweat from the Legacy Team of ALCOVA Mortgage branch was honored to present Micah with his Hometown Hero award.

*Pictured left to right: Micah Chelf and Loan Officer CJ Sweat