In Memory of Tony Koren

NorthStone Group co-founder Tony Koren died January 14, 2015 after a long battle with cancer.

Tony served in the Army nearly three decades. He served two tours in Vietnam with U.S. Special Forces, led one of the two Ranger assault forces into Panama during Operation Just Cause, and commanded the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, which was the lead unit for U.S support of U.N. operations in Bosnia. Upon his return to the states, he served as Chief of Staff of Ft. Carson where he initiated and directed the Housing Privatization Program, the first of its kind in the Department of Defense.

After retiring from the Army , Tony served as a vice president of the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs overseeing programs for the charity. Tony helped America understand wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as a correspondent for NBC News. He was a co-founder of the NorthStone Group, where he focused on leadership development and executive coaching.

His legacy at Fort Carson can be seen today in the homes soldiers and their families reside in on the post. As Fort Carson's chief of staff, Tony led the charge to get privatized housing on the post, built to civilian standards and maintained by a contractor. The program was the first of its kind in America and gave troops new homes that were as good or better than their civilian neighbors outside the gates. Judy, his wife of 47 years, said it's no surprise that Tony, a father of two, pushed hard for a program that gave soldiers better living conditions. "He cared about the soldiers above anything else that he did," she said.

Tony fought cancer for two years but didn't let the disease slow him down. Last summer, Tony and his son, Matt, topped a Broadmoor golf tournament. "The whole family was absolutely astounded," his wife said.

For NorthStone and our clients, Tony was a force like no other. Tony's leadership and friendship will be missed by all who worked with him.