Our Team

The EOD Warrior Foundation is supported by a dedicated team of professionals committed to serving the needs of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians and their families. This team includes a passionate and experienced Board of Directors, a highly skilled Staff, and an esteemed Honorary Advisory Board, all working together to ensure the mission of providing financial assistance, emotional support, and wellness services to EOD warriors and their families. Each member of this team brings a wealth of expertise, leadership, and dedication, ensuring the Foundation can effectively support and advocate for those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.

Board of Directors
Our Staff
Honorary Advisory Board

Greg K. Mittelman
Chairman

Greg K. Mittelman is a highly accomplished veteran with a deep dedication to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, he has extensive experience in a wide range of EOD operations across conventional, nuclear, biological, chemical, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). His career includes serving as the USAF Commander at the Naval School EOD and playing a pivotal role in the transition and establishment of the school at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Greg has been actively involved in supporting veterans and their families through his long-standing role on the Board of Directors of the EOD Warrior Foundation since its inception in 2013. He also previously served on the Board of the EOD Memorial Foundation. His dedication to honoring those who serve in EOD is reflected in his proudest moment of laying the first wreath at the USAF cenotaph at the Eglin EOD Memorial.

In addition to his military career, Greg has a solid background in law enforcement and public administration, having been a certified Florida law enforcement officer and serving on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Regional Domestic Security Task Force. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Troy University, a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism-Public Relations and Advertising from Texas State University, and a certification in Non-Profit Management from the University of Texas.

Greg is also the Partner-Owner of Our C4 Solutions LLC, a consulting company focused on nonprofit and small business development. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Tammy, their stepdaughter Courtney, and granddaughter Harper.

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Jerry Shelton
Executive Director

Jerry brings a unique blend of military expertise and corporate strategic leadership to our organization. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 2013 as an EOD Chief Master Sergeant with 30 years of service, he joined R3 Strategic Support Group, a dedicated supporter of the EODWF. There, he excelled as the EOD Program Manager, overseeing a 70-person portfolio. In 2014, Jerry became an EODWF Ambassador, passionately advocating for the well-being of EOD warriors and their families.

Additionally, he has served as our annual Strategic Planning Facilitator for the past four years, helping to refine the Foundation’s vision, goals, and objectives. Jerry holds a certificate in Financial Success for Nonprofits from Cornell University, a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from the University of Maryland University College. His extensive experience, unwavering dedication, and commitment to serving those who have sacrificed for our nation make him an invaluable asset to our team.
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Brent Caslin
Director

Brent Caslin was introduced to the EOD community at a young age through his father’s career as an EOD technician in the US Army. Brent’s brother later joined the Army EOD community as well while he served unremarkably in the Field Artillery.

Today, Brent is a partner with the international law firm Jenner & Block, where he handles significant commercial and intellectual property disputes, particularly those related to cross-border transactions and complex trade secret cases. He has handled some of the largest civil trade secret cases in US history. Brent joined Jenner & Block in 2009, opening the firm’s Los Angeles office, after beginning his career as an associate and then young partner at Kirkland & Ellis. Brent also spent a year, through a Kirkland & Ellis attorney exchange program, handling international legal matters in Tokyo with the Japanese law firm Mori, Hamada & Matsumoto. He taught for several years as an Adjunct Professor at the Pepperdine University School of Law.

Consistent with Jenner & Block’s long-standing commitment to public service, Brent has been elected to and served multiple positions with bar organizations and regularly provides pro bono representation to military veterans and their families. He is honored to assist the EOD Warrior Foundation by serving on its board. Brent lives on the banks of the South Puget Sound with his wife and two children in Thurston County, Washington, not far from Joint Base Lewis McChord, which the family still fondly refers to as Fort Lewis.

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Josh Herren
Treasurer

Mr. Herren serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Yulista Holding, LLC. In this role, he oversees a portfolio of companies that operate in aerospace, defense, and civilian markets. After serving in the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1999 until 2008 as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operator and Team Leader, Mr. Herren joined Yulista’s parent company, Calista Corporation, focusing on business and corporate development.

Upon successfully executing key growth initiatives at the parent company, Calista Board of Directors appointed Mr. Herren to CEO of Yulista Holding; the government services division and largest business segment in the company. Mr. Herren’s experience includes executive leadership, board of director/shareholder relations, value creation and management, merger and acquisition (M&A) expertise, strategic planning and partnerships, customer relations, and corporate development.

Since taking over in 2011, Mr. Herren and his leadership team have produced record years in profitability and revenue for Yulista while maintaining the most diversified portfolio in both business base and capability since the company’s inception.

Mr. Herren has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration (Management) and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). He also has certificates in M&A and corporate valuations in addition to numerous military certifications and course completions. Mr. Herren has held certifications from the Middle Market Investment Banking Association as a Chartered Merger and Acquisition Professional (CMAP) as well as a certification from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA).

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Sean Dennis
Director

Sean Dennis is the current President and CEO and Co-founder of the United States Bomb Technicians Association (USBTA) a national non-profit 501c3 organization with emphasis on the Public Safety Bomb Technician and military EOD community. He is a Hazardous Devices School (HDS) graduate and former Public Safety Bomb Technician and Bomb Squad Commander/Special Operations Sergeant. He spent 13 years on the SWAT Team and was fortunate to simultaneously be on two specialized units.

In addition to supervising the Bomb Squad and HAZ-MAT Teams, Sean was the Assistant Emergency Manager for one of the largest counties in Colorado and a state certified HAZ-MAT Technician. He has been involved in the Bomb Technician/Explosive community for over 20 years (26 Years Law Enforcement) and has been involved in many critical incidents which has formed his belief system and support for Military and Public Safety Bomb Technicians. Sean also served as an Department of Homeland Security Explosives Specialist and former Assistant International Director of the IABTI (International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators). An organization that represents Bomb Technicians, Investigators, Academia and Scientist in over 72 countries with the purpose of the sharing of Information and Training involving Counter IED.

Sean feels strongly in supporting this great community and has reached out to those with in the military and public safety ranks to listen and learn on what they are hoping to see in an organization like the USBTA. The USBTA Facilitates Technology IED Training, support R&D projects, Testing & Evaluating of emerging technologies, Educate/Inform the public on hazardous devices and is a strong voice for the EOD community with all levels of government

Sean also served time in the US Navy as an intelligence Specialist. He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Eastern Illinois University. He is married with two adult children.

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Chris Patty
Director

Chris Patty is a commercial banker with Bank of America in Huntsville, Alabama, where he focuses on companies in the Aerospace & Defense sector and also serves as one of the bank’s regional government contracting leads.

Chris is a career banker with over 29 years of experience and has held various leadership positions in commercial banking throughout his career. Prior to beginning his banking career, Chris graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting from the University of Alabama and later earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Chris also serves on the Board of 305 8th Street, as a Board Member and Vice President of Finance with Cyber Huntsville and has served as a member of the Huntsville Alabama Heart Walk Executive Leadership Team since 2014. Chris and his wife, Linda, reside in Huntsville, AL and have six adult children that live in various locations across the country.

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Kellie Perry
Director

Kellie Perry has been a staunch supporter of the EOD community since joining the EOD family in 1988. As the spouse of an active-duty EOD technician and mother, she has achieved great success in raising two children while enduring multiple CONUS and OCONUS assignments, as well as numerous deployments.

Kellie’s commitment of self-sacrifice extends well beyond her immediate family. Service to community is Kellie’s mainstay, and her involvement has been far-reaching. She served as president of the Stephen Decatur School Parent-Teacher Association, director of religious education for NAS Sigonella Chapel, Sigonella, Sicily, officer of the board of directors and as a volunteer for Okaloosa-Walton County’s only Domestic Violence Shelter. Kellie earned strong accolades in her service as an individual augmentee deployment support specialist with Navy Fleet and Family Support Services, San Diego, Ca. Kellie has served on the EOD Memorial Foundation’s board of directors since 2011. Kellie earned a liberal arts degree from Okaloosa Walton College. She and her husband, Mark, have two sons, Michael and Christopher, one daughter-in-law, Cathryn, and three grandchildren, Evan, Elliotte, and Eilah.
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Frank T. Tobin
Director

Frank T. Tobin, Jr. has a deep history working with technology and telecommunications companies serving the defense and security sector for over 30 years. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of GOMSpace NA, and manufacturer and operator of nanosatellites for customers in defense, academic, government and commercial markets.

During his tenure at multinational companies – including running a division of Lockheed Martin,a global security and aerospace company, and running the Homeland Security & Defense Division at Thales NA, a technology company serving the defense, security, space, aerospace and ground transportation sectors – he was responsible for hundreds of millions in yearly revenues and managing hundreds of employees. He recently served as President of Hoyos.

Integrity Corporation, which combines the top handset developers with the leaders in biometrics and security to bring a new approach to mobile security to protect critical personal and corporate information. He has in-depth knowledge of complex systems integration and engineering, cyber security, advanced information systems and technology. He has also been directly responsible for managing large P&L operations overseeing both technical and business functions.

Frank is a decisive leader with a successful background and extensive experience in mergers and acquisition, contracts, finance, and sales management. A growth-oriented entrepreneur, he has proven team-building experience, as well as experience driving sales, increasing performance and implementing successful management procedures resulting in exceeding corporate goals, and gaining market share resulting in bringing business to the next level. His extensive entrepreneurial experience includes working with the private equity firm Main Street Capital, where he was responsible for the growth and sale of two companies: NABCO, a technology company focused on chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear containment, and Hi-Rel, a leading manufacturer of highly specialized metal components for the microelectronic packaging industry.

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Rob Reynolds
Director

Rob Reynolds retired as a commissioned officer from the Canadian Army after 22 years of loyal service. Rob joined as a non commissioned officer and after achieving the rank of Master Warrant Officer, was chosen to be commissioned from the ranks. As a Combat Engineer, Rob specialized in the explosives field as a Demolition Instructor and qualified EOD Operator.

Rob’s deployments into operational theaters include Kuwait, Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Rob concluded his military career as a member of the inaugural Canadian Counter-IED Task Force, participated internationally on NATO initiatives and Tiger Teams and was responsible for EOD requirements across the Canadian Army, Air Force and Navy. In 2008 he left military service to join industry and continue to support the EOD Warfighter through current product offerings and the development of future capabilities. Under the ownership of The Safariland Group in 2013, Rob was chosen to lead the Med-Eng team. Rob is currently the Vice President and General Manager of two companies, Med-Eng and Pacific Safety Products. Rob is married to his wife Manon and have two sons, Zac who is a competitive alpine ski racer and JJ who has recently enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces to follow in his father’s footsteps as a Combat Engineer.
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Leon Tackitt
Director

Leon Tackitt is a 27-year Navy veteran. During his first 5 years, he was an anti-submarine warfare specialist, search and rescue crewman, radar and sonar operator in H2 Helicopters. He transitioned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal in 1984 and completed his career in the EOD profession. After his retirement, he and his wife, Cindy, started a small family winery.

Shortly thereafter, Leon joined the EODWF family as an ambassador, and through the winery has developed a very strong network of friends and professionals who are committed to supporting the EOD Warrior Foundation in its endeavors.
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Brian Corris
Director

Brian Corris retired from the United States Marine Corps after 30 years of active duty service. Enlisting in 1985, Brian served his initial tour of duty as a rifleman in an infantry battalion. Promoted to squad leader at the rank of Corporal, Brian transitioned into the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) occupational field where he served 10 years as an enlisted EOD Technician and 16 years as an EOD Officer.

With multiple combat deployments dating back to Desert Storm/Desert Shield (1990/1991); Brian has served as an EOD Company/Platoon Commander and a Multi-National Force West EOD Officer in Al Anbar Province, Iraq (2006/2008) as well as the Deputy Director for the Regional Command Southwest Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Cell in Helmand Province, Afghanistan (2010). Achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Brian retired as the EOD/C-IED Officer for the Commander Marine Forces Pacific where he also served as program manager for humanitarian mine action in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Brian’s personal military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (x2), Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (x2), Combat Action Ribbon (x2), and the Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge. Brian is a graduate of Chapman University where he earned a Bachelors of Arts in Organizational Leadership while on Active Duty. Brian is currently serving as the Lead Explosive Specialist for John Wayne Airport in Orange County California. Brian resides in Oceanside California with his wife Angela, and has one daughter, Gabrielle, who resides in Colorado.
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Leo Bradley
Director

Colonel Leo E Bradley (U.S Army, Retired) is a consultant and subject matter expert providing world class expertise and thought leadership in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), counter improvised explosive device (C-IED), counter weapons of mass destruction (C-WMD), and explosives safety.

He served 29 years in the United States Army, most of those in ordnance and explosive ordnance disposal assignments, including commander of the 71st Ordnance Group and Combined Joint Task Force Paladin (C-IED) in Afghanistan (July 2011-June 2012), the Chief of EOD and Humanitarian Mine Action in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy; the EOD Division Chief for the Army Staff, and the Commander of the 184th Ordnance Battalion, including a deployment to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2005.

Leo walked down on his first suspect IED in 1994 in Wichita Falls, Texas, as an EOD company commander; shortly followed by his company’s response to the Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City; an event that continues to drive his focus today.

Leo is a senior staff engineer and subject matter expert for the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, an adjunct instructor at the Oklahoma State University Graduate School of Forensic Sciences, and a member of the Board of Advisors of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Science from Pennsylvania State University.

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Mark Sanders
Director

Mark Sanders is President and CEO of R3. He retired from the U.S. Navy after more than 20 years as an EOD Officer with qualifications as a special operations officer, Master EOD technician, Surface Warfare Officer, naval parachutist, deep-sea mixed gas diving officer, and joint specialty officer.

His last three assignments were focused on the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) threat. At U. S. Joint Forces Command as the IED Defeat lead action officer, he coordinated operational and strategic level support to the Joint IED Defeat Organization and U.S. Central Command. He commanded EOD Training and Evaluation One, responsible for advanced tactical training of EOD forces deploying to Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

As Deputy Commander of Combined Joint Task Force Troy, Iraq’s multinational and interagency counter-IED brigade task force, he oversaw the 1400-person task force at the height of the surge. Additional tours included Operations Officer on a Mine Countermeasures ship, Officer in Charge of an EOD detachment for a carrier battle group during Operation Desert Strike, Executive Officer of the Navy’s Experimental Diving Unit, and overseas duty with the U. S. Seventh Fleet where he planned and executed such multinational exercises as Cobra Gold (Thailand) and Balikatan (Philippines). His personal decorations include the Bronze Star.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Oceanography with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy and holds two Master’s degrees in National Security and Public Administration.

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Lisa A. Wirstrom
Director

Lisa Wirstrom, RN, BSN, CCM, has been advocating for military families most of her adult life. Lisa married into the EOD community in 1995 as the spouse of a career U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer. As a mother and one time stay at home mom of two boys now grown into wonderful young men, she understands and appreciates the impact that military service, and in particular the joint EOD units, has on the family.

Lisa was an active volunteer in the Family Readiness Group in multiple joint service and U.S. Navy commands. Lisa was an early advocate for expanding the Families Overcoming Under Stress (FOCUS) program services being offered to members of the Naval Special Warfare community and their families to EOD commands in the San Diego area. She has also volunteered in local Parent Teacher Associations and was active in the Ocean Lakes High School Band Booster organization. Lisa returned to the workforce in 2013 and resumed her career as a health care professional and is currently working as a Nurse Case Manager. A native of Delran, NJ, Lisa loves the Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies, and is a proud University of South Carolina and North Carolina State University Mom. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and loves the beach and travelling abroad. Lisa would be honored to offer her perspective as a spouse, mother, and as a licensed nurse and Nurse Case Manager to the EODWF Board of Directors and in service to our EOD warriors and their families.
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David F. Lasseter
Director

David F. Lasseter provides consulting and advising solutions to clients specializing in national security, law enforcement, intelligence, and biotechnology.

Prior to founding the consultancy Horizons Global Solutions David served at the United States Department of Defense (DoD) as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy responsible for, among other issues, all strategies and policies concerning preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and WMD-related materials; the United States Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction Program; and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) defense. In this role he also oversaw Oceans and Airspace Policy for DoD, supporting global mobility of U.S., allied, and partner forces. Before this role he served as the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) with responsibility for the national security portfolio as well as oversight of high-level Congressional investigations. He also managed the liaison efforts with all federal law enforcement agencies. Prior to DOJ David worked for United Technologies Corporation as the lead defense government relations professional. David has previously served as a chief of staff, military legislative assistant, and counsel to multiple members of the United States Congress. He is also a United States Marine Corps intelligence officer in the reserve component as well as a Visiting Fellow at the National Security Institute. David received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and a juris doctor from the University of Alabama. He has attended numerous DoD schools.
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Paul Plemmons
Director Emeritus

Paul is currently retired and resides in St. Augustine with his wife Nancy and their two dogs. Paul initially served on the EOD Memorial Foundation board shortly after his retirement from the Army in 2007 and remained on after the merger with the EOD Warrior Foundation as an active board member until October 2020.

Prior to his full retirement, Paul was a defense consultant for two years following his 11 year tenure as Corporate Vice President for the Electronic Warfare and Range Instrumentation (EWR) Business Area of Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Paul’s military career began in February 1972 as an enlisted Infantryman and concluded as an EOD Colonel in 2007. During his extensive service he held various staff and leadership positions, from platoon to brigade size units in peace and in combat. He was awarded his Basic EOD Badge in September 1981. Several of Paul’s key EOD assignments include Commander, 146th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment, where he deployed in support of Operation Urgent Fury; Commander, 191st Ordnance Battalion, where he organized and deployed a Joint EOD Task Force in support of operations in Albania and Kosovo; and Commander of the Sierra Army Depot, where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), serving as the first Officer-In-Charge of the Captured Enemy Ammunition mission for the Combined Joint Task Force 7, the largest mission of its kind since WWII. His final tour in Iraq was as the Commander, Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) Troy. His last duty station assignment was as the Deputy Commanding Officer for the Army’s 20th CBRNE Command. Paul was inducted into the United States Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame in 2013.

Paul has two sons, Paul Jr. and Ryan. Paul Jr. served in the Army as an Airborne Ranger for 8 years and Ryan currently serves on active duty as an Army EOD Officer. Paul and Nancy have four grandchildren.

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Jerry Shelton
Executive Director

Jerry brings a unique blend of military expertise and corporate strategic leadership to our organization. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 2013 as an EOD Chief Master Sergeant with 30 years of service, he joined R3 Strategic Support Group, a dedicated supporter of the EODWF. There, he excelled as the EOD Program Manager, overseeing a 70-person portfolio. In 2014, Jerry became an EODWF Ambassador, passionately advocating for the well-being of EOD warriors and their families.

Additionally, he has served as our annual Strategic Planning Facilitator for the past four years, helping to refine the Foundation’s vision, goals, and objectives. Jerry holds a certificate in Financial Success for Nonprofits from Cornell University, a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from the University of Maryland University College. His extensive experience, unwavering dedication, and commitment to serving those who have sacrificed for our nation make him an invaluable asset to our team.
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Ashlee Steinhart
Marketing & Program Coordinator

After graduating with a degree in business and political science, Ashlee felt the calling to serve in a position to help others. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in education and Master of Arts in teaching while traveling the country with her husband, an Army EOD tech, and her 3 children. While teaching, she felt she could serve on a larger scale and began looking into working in the non-profit sector. This brought Ashlee to the EOD Warrior Foundation in January 2022. Ashlee is very excited to support her EOD community as the Marketing and Program Coordinator.

Michelle Griffin, MSW
Director of Mental Health Services

Michelle joined the EOD Warrior Foundation as the Mental Health Case Manager in January of 2023. She was promoted to Director of Mental Health in December of 2024. Originally from New York, she moved to Florida in 2001 and was a stay-at-home mother to her two children. In 2003, Michelle’s husband, SSgt Patrick L. Griffin Jr lost his life while convoying from Kuwait to Baghdad in support of Operation Iraq Freedom. In time, she decided to use her experience as a Gold Star Spouse to help others, so she returned to college where she earned her master’s degree in Social Work.

She has worked as a mental health and substance abuse therapist for adolescents and held various case management positions. She is excited to join the team and assist with the mental health needs of the EOD Warriors and their families.
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Patricia Adelmann
Development Officer

Patricia joins the EOD Warrior Foundation as the Development Officer, and looks forward to raising awareness for the Foundation’s programs in the corporate and private sectors and increasing the support for the families of the EOD community. She comes to the position after achieving great success in managing and growing 3 separate annual funds at a professional engineering association (ASHRAE) and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, where she oversaw community development programs and grants.

She has also supported the continued success of several writing and creative arts nonprofits, serving as a member of their boards and sub-committees throughout her career. New to the EOD community, she does have a long family history of serving in active service, including her father, uncles, and grandmother. Patricia earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University, holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Walden University, and earned her CFRE designation, denoting an excellence in all areas of fundraising, in 2010.
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Jaclyn Diep
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Jaclyn Diep joined the EOD Warrior Foundation as the Accountant starting January 2020, assisting the EOD Warrior Foundation in fulfilling its vision and mission. Jaclyn was promoted to the role of Chief Financial Officer in November of 2024. Having emigrated from Vietnam, she grew up in Mobile, Alabama before moving to her current residence in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Jaclyn earned her accounting degree from the University of South Alabama. She joins the EODWF with 24 years of experience in financial management.

During her career, she advanced from being an Accountant to Chief Financial Officer to Assistant GM for a local management company. Though she is new to the EOD Community, she has family in active military service with a nephew in the Army and a son recently enlisted in the Air Force. Jaclyn has always had a passion to help others, so she is excited to give back to the country that gave her the opportunity to be where she is today and to be a part of a non-profit organization that makes a difference for the EOD community. She is honored to join the EOD Warrior Foundation team and looks forward to many rewarding years ahead.
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Maria Schabla
Financial Assistance and Resources Coordinator

Maria grew up in the military and is the daughter of an Air Force EOD veteran. She served 6 years in the USAFR as a personnelist at Duke Field and was activated in 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After receiving her Bachelors of Arts in Communication and Public Relations from the University of West Florida, and following her desire to help people she joined the US Peace Corps and served as a Health and Community Development Worker in a remote chain of coral atolls that make up the Republic of Kiribati.

 
Maria became a nurse in 2009 and most recently joins us from White Wilson Medical Center where she worked for 8 years as a nurse and clinic supervisor. She is excited to use her experience and skills to serve the EOD community and their families.
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JT Crocker
EOD Liaison and Memorial Care Coordinator

1SG (Ret.) J.T. Crocker served 22 years of federal active service with the US Army, accumulating a combined 18 years of Active Duty and Civilian EOD/UXO experience. JT has dedicated the last 9 years of his life to suicide awareness and intervention within the EOD community.

With this accumulated experience and conviction he will now turn his attention to his duties as the caretaker of the EOD Memorial, assume the role as an inter-agency liaison with multinational EOD support networks, and EODWF Volunteer Coordinator in order to support EOD service members, gold star family members, spouses, and children ensuring we remain an EOD family.
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Makenzie Kirby
Fundraising Events Coordinator

Makenzie Kirby joins the EOD Warrior Foundation as the Fundraising Events Coordinator. Along with this new position, she has been in the Air Force Reserves for the past 12 years. Makenzie believes morale events and support programs are a valuable way to help the EOD community come together and feels like this position will be truly rewarding.

She is hoping to compassionately bring EOD families and the community together, and continue growing the support they need, while having fun at the same time.
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Lieutenant General Reynold Hoover
(Ret.) U.S. Army

Reynold Hoover retired in December 2018 from his final assignment as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) with over 35 years of service.

Prior to his NORTHCOM assignment, General Hoover served briefly at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as the Mobilization Assistant to the Director.

From 2014 to 2016, he served as the National Guard Bureau’s Director of Intelligence and Chief Information Officer. General Hoover deployed to Afghanistan in 2009-2010, serving as the Commanding General of the Joint Sustainment Command. During his career, General Hoover commanded EOD warriors at the detachment, task force, battalion and group levels, including while deployed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. His last command was as a Major General at the 167th Theater Sustainment Command.

Complementing his military service as a National Guardsmen, General Hoover also has had a distinguished civilian career. He started as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, followed by a stint as an attorney in private practice.

From 2002 to 2003, General Hoover served as the Chief of Staff for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), then leading FEMA’s Office of National Security Coordination. In 2005, General Hoover was appointed as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush for Homeland Security, responsible for homeland security, continuity of government programs and policies, as well as nuclear defense matters.

General Hoover joined CSX Corporation in 2007 as Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Police & Infrastructure Protection; and, later, he was appointed AVP for Law & Risk Management at CSX Intermodal, Inc., serving as chief counsel.

In 2011, General Hoover returned to federal service as a Senior Intelligence Service Officer at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). His last assignment was as the Deputy Director, Office of Public Affairs, a position he held until his retirement from federal civil service in 2018.

General Hoover graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1983, and holds Masters degrees in Public and Private Management from Birmingham Southern College, and Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. He received his law degree from The Catholic University of America in 1997.

General Hoover holds several military awards and decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge. He serves on the board of The Old Soldiers Home Foundation and is member of The Florida Bar and the District of Columbia Bar. General Hoover’s interests include mountaineering, scuba diving, flying and reading.

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Major General Randy Manner
(Ret.) U.S. Army

Randy Manner, a retired Army Infantry Major General, is a passionate supporter of the EOD community. While serving on the Army Staff in the Pentagon, he was the Army’s General Officer representative to the Joint EOD Board, responsible for EOD policy and investment recommendations. He successfully advocated for the expansion of Army EOD force structure and counter IED tools. While at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Randy supported EOD special operations capabilities related to nuclear, chemical, and biological threats.

That research and development directly benefited conventional EOD forces. Since his retirement from the Army in December of 2012, he volunteers in support of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and their families as well as environmental initiatives. He consults with commercial companies on techniques to significantly improve their bottom line. Randy earned a BS in Computer Science from the Pennsylvania State University, a MBA in Decision Sciences from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a post graduate Certificate in International Security Policy from the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
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Major General Gordon C. Nash
(Ret.) U.S. Marine Corps

Major General Gordon C. Nash retired from the United States Marine Corps on

June 1, 2006 with nearly thirty–five years of active service.

After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, he completed Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1971.

He has commanded Marine Corps Operating Forces around the world from the Infantry Platoon to Marine Corps Division. He has served tours outside Marine Corps at various Service and Joint Headquarters that included with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in Southern Lebanon, a tour with the United States Army Special Forces, as commander of a Joint Task Force in Tbilisi, Georgia in support of the Department of Energy, as the Director of Operations and Chief of Staff for the Joint Special Operations Command, and as the Commander, Joint Warfighting Center, Joint Forces Command.

Major General Nash’s father and brother were retired Navy Captains, his father-in-law a retired Marine Colonel, and both his son and son-in-law are or have served as Marine Corps Officers, one a major and the other a lieutenant colonel. After living in many locations around the world, he and his wife Susan are proud to call Beaufort County, North Carolina home.

Upon retirement from the Marine Corps Major General Nash worked as a Senior Executive for the Sierra Nevada Corporation. In addition to supporting many nonprofit organizations he served on the Hampden-Sydney College Board of Trustees.

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Major General Timothy Byers
(Ret.) U.S. Air Force

Major General Timothy Byers is Senior Vice President, defense sector for Atkins and a 32-year veteran of the United States Air Force. During his military career, he served as a design engineer, readiness officer, contract management chief, programmer and environmental chief.

General Byers most recently served as The Air Force Civil Engineer where he led the 54,000-person engineering force at 166 installations worldwide. His previous assignments include headquarter tours and base command positions as a civil engineer squadron and mission support group commander. Prior to serving as The Civil Engineer, he was the Director of Installations and Mission Support, headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. He is a fellow and past national president of the Society of American Military Engineers. Byers earned his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Kentucky and his master of science degree in engineering management from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
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Rear Admiral Archer M. Macy
(Ret.) U.S. Navy

Archer “Arch” Macy is a 39 year veteran of the Navy where he served as a surface warfare officer, combat systems engineer and acquisition professional. He has a B.S. and M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, and a M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies.

He has commanded at sea and ashore, and as a flag officer served as the director of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology and Training for the Department of Defense, established the Joint Counter-IED Electronic Warfare (CREW) program, and commanded the Naval Surface Warfare Center, responsible for research, technical and engineering support for the Navy’s surface ships and aircraft carriers. In his last assignment RADM Macy was the Deputy Director (J-8) for Force Protection on the Joint Staff. He is now an independent consultant in defense matters in Arlington, VA.
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Brigadier General Dana H. Born
(Ret.) U.S. Air Force

Dana H. Born is the Faculty Chair, Senior Executive Fellows (SEF) Program; Faculty Advisor for the Black Family Graduate Fellowship and the National Security Fellows; Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government) is a retired Brigadier General with 30 years of service in the United States Air Force.

Prior to coming to Harvard, from 2004-2013, she served two terms as the Dean of the Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy where she was also the Professor and Head of the Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Department. Previously, Dana served as an Exchange Officer with the Royal Australian Air Force, Assistant Director for Recruiting Research and Analysis for the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management Policy), Deputy Chief of the Personnel Issues Team for the Department of the Air Force (DC/Staff Personnel), Aide and Speech Writer to the Secretary of the Air Force, Squadron Commander for 11th Mission Support Squadron at Bolling AFB, DC and in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A graduate with distinction of the United States Air Force Academy, Professor Born received her B.S. in Behavioral Sciences (1983), M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Trinity University, TX (1985), M.A. in Research Psychology from University of Melbourne (1991) and Doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Penn State University (1994). She received Penn State University’s Alumni Fellow Award (2012) and Distinguished Alumni Award (2018) and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Simmons College in Humane Administration (2007).
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Chief Master Sergeant Linda Cox
(Ret.) U.S. Air Force

Linda Cox, a retired Air Force EOD Technician, was the military’s first female to get into and graduate from Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal. She is credited with breaking several ‘glass ceilings’ in the EOD field. She was the first woman to lead her own unit, first woman to go to war, first EOD woman to be awarded the Bronze Star, and the first woman to hold E-9 Chief Master Sergeant in EOD.

Cox’s career in the Air Force was over 25 years, stationed in California, Washington State, Canada, New Mexico, England, Germany, and finally completing her career in Texas. Her Texas assignment began as shop chief for Air Training Command, Lackland AFB where she was promoted to HQ AETC, Randolph AFB.

After retirement in early 1997 with EOD still fresh, UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) work came calling. Cox finally retired for good in 2022, after 47 years of continuous bomb disposal work. Linda was named Woman of the Year for the city of San Antonio in 1991. In March of 2023 Cox was a panelist for the Women’s Air and Space Power Symposium put on by the USAF.

Linda’s trailblazing career has been featured and spotlighted in a multitude of ways. She has been featured in BuzzFeed article, “Blowing up the Glass Ceiling”, written by retired EOD officer Brian Castner. She also had a movie role in How Plastic Safety Gear Protects Our Heroes A ‘Plastics make it possible’ production, as a Bomb Disposal Technician.

Linda has been featured on the EOD Warrior Foundation’s very own Behind The Warrior podcast. She has a military patch that was created in her likeness and is presented to all women in EOD, upon graduating EOD school, as part of an ongoing EOD women’s mentoring program governed by SMSgt Giselle Irr and TSgt Ashley Banta. And currently her uniform is hanging on a wall at the Senior NCO Academy, Gunther AFB, honoring women in the Air Force.

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Sergeant Major Mike Vining
(Ret.) U.S. Army

Sergeant Major (Ret.) Mike Roger Vining was born on August 12, 1950, in Greenville, Michigan. After graduating from Tri-County High School in 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, the Ammunition Renovation Course at Redstone Arsenal, and the EOD Program at Indian Head, Maryland, before joining the Technical Escort Unit and completing the Nuclear Weapons Disposal Course.

In 1970, he deployed to Vietnam with the 99th Ordnance Detachment (EOD), serving 12 months in combat before his honorable discharge in 1971.

Reenlisting in 1973, he was assigned to the 63rd Ordnance Detachment (EOD) at Fort Leonard Wood. In 1978, he joined 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force), participating in operations including EAGLE CLAW (Iranian Hostage Rescue) and URGENT FURY (Grenada). After serving in Alaska with the 176th Ordnance Detachment (EOD), he returned to Delta from 1986 to 1992, holding leadership roles in EOD, research & development, and breaching. His deployments included POCKET PLANNER (1987 Atlanta Prison Riot) and DESERT STORM (Saudi Arabia). From 1992 to 1996, he was an Exercise Planner at JSOC, serving as Senior Enlisted Advisor during UPHOLD DEMOCRACY (Haiti, 1994).

In 1996, he was the explosives expert on the Downing Assessment Task Force, investigating the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. His final role was as JSOC’s J-3 Special Plans Sergeant Major, focusing on hardened target defeat. He retired from the Army on January 31, 1999.

Sergeant Major Vining’s extensive awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, the Combat Infantry Badge, Master EOD Badge, and numerous campaign and service medals. He was awarded the Order of 1st SFOD-D Delta Colors (1995) and the 2013 Art Macksey Citizenship Award and was inducted into the Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame (2018).

He holds a B.S. in Sociology from the University of the State of New York. Married to Donna Ikenberry, he has two children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Residing in South Fork, Colorado, he serves as a Director and assistant historian for the National EOD Association (NATEODA) and contributes to EOD historical research and museum committees.

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