Sergeant First Class Frank Gutierrez, a lifelong Chicagoan, began a distinguished 23-year military career by joining the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer. During his service, he was deployed to Iraq in 2003, where he served as a Squad Leader responsible for clearing the way for US forces. After an honorable discharge, Gutierrez continued his service in the Army Reserve as a Psychological Operations Specialist, deploying three more times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. His exemplary service earned him the Bronze Star, three Commendation Medals, an Iraq Campaign Medal with four stars, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one star, a Combat Action Ribbon, and a Combat Action Badge.

For over a decade, Gutierrez has remained an active advocate for veterans. He currently serves as President of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County, where they provide emergency financial assistance to low-income veterans in need. Gutierrez sits on several government advisory councils and is a Lifelong Member of the VFW. As the Senior Coordinator for Infrastructure Maintenance at the Chicago Transit Authority, he founded the Veteran Employee Resource Group to support fellow veteran employees. Most recently, in January 2024, Gutierrez founded the Veterans Chamber of Commerce and serves as its President. He also smokes brisket better than the entire State of Texas.

Sergeant First Class Frank Gutierrez, a lifelong Chicagoan, began a distinguished 23-year military career by joining the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer. During his service, he was deployed to Iraq in 2003, where he served as a Squad Leader responsible for clearing the way for US forces. After an honorable discharge, Gutierrez continued his service in the Army Reserve as a Psychological Operations Specialist, deploying three more times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. His exemplary service earned him the Bronze Star, three Commendation Medals, an Iraq Campaign Medal with four stars, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one star, a Combat Action Ribbon, and a Combat Action Badge.

For over a decade, Gutierrez has remained an active advocate for veterans. He currently serves as President of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County, where they provide emergency financial assistance to low-income veterans in need. Gutierrez sits on several government advisory councils and is a Lifelong Member of the VFW. As the Senior Coordinator for Infrastructure Maintenance at the Chicago Transit Authority, he founded the Veteran Employee Resource Group to support fellow veteran employees. Most recently, in January 2024, Gutierrez founded the Veterans Chamber of Commerce and serves as its President. He also smokes brisket better than the entire State of Texas.