WWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wild Warrior Adventure was started in 2018 by men who love fly fishing and have a heart for the sacrifice and service of Combat Veterans. Bonded by the significant life impact of The Wild Adventure, WWA founders give back to active duty and retired Veterans, specifically those experiencing combat operational stress injuries. WWA Board Members are committed to the healing of emotional, moral and spiritual wounds of Combat Veterans.
Jonny is the Executive Director of Wild Warrior Adventure, and a life and professional development coach. He is a retired SSG from the United States Army. He was medically retired in October of 2013 after being active duty for almost 12 years. He served with the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) in both C Co and A Co out of Ft. Myer, VA; with C Co, 2/503 Airborne, 173rd ABCT out of Vicenza, Italy; and as an instructor with the 7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Grafenwoehr, Germany.
He is married to Lindsey since October 2004 and together they have three beautiful daughters: Sierra, Savannah and Skye. Their journey through the military and a combat deployment has taken their family through both life-altering and strengthening times.
Jonny spent his time in the Military as an Airborne Infantryman. He served proudly as a Squad Leader in an Airborne unit and was trained as an Instructor for the Warrior Leaders Course. In July of 2008, his Platoon was involved in the Battle of Wanat. One of the deadliest battles of the Afghan war. Although the odds were against all of them, he survived. This battle is where his journey began. He has been recognized for his skills, knowledge and valor with medals such as the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor and many more.
As a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach and Speaker, Jonny loves to help others find purpose and direction. When he’s not looking to improve the lives of others, he spends his time expanding his knowledge on the outdoors through fly fishing, fly tying, snowboarding and anything near water. His time in the Army only fueled his passion and love for the outdoors. Jonny finds healing by remaining actively engaged in the Veteran community and helping fellow Veterans find their healing through a relationship with Christ. He continues to use his leadership experience to guide and mentor others in their pursuit and give glory to God.
Travis served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003-2011. While serving, Travis completed one combat deployment to Iraq from 2006-2007. After completing his service, Travis attended the University of Texas, San Antonio where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Anatomy & Physiology. Shortly after, he was hired onto the strength & conditioning coaching staff of the San Antonio Spurs where he completed three seasons with the team. After leaving the NBA, Travis then took a position as the Executive Director of the veteran nonprofit founded by the late Navy SEAL, Chris Kyle, and remained with the nonprofit for 3 years as the Vice Chairman of the Board after leaving his Executive Director position. He now works in business development and has completed his master’s degree in business administration from Texas Tech University. With over 20 years of combined service both in uniform and in veteran non-profit, Travis offers a personal understanding and extensive expertise into the struggles our veterans experience. Travis, his wife Jenna, and their twin daughters live in Central Texas where they enjoy all things outdoors.
Mike has been in the private banking/wealth management business for 34 years, 30 of them with Bank of America.
Mike enjoys family gatherings with his wife of 34 years, his three adult children and their spouses, and his seven grandchildren. In his free time Mike travels, hikes, hunts quail, bay and fly fishes, and studies history.
Mike had a powerful life experience at a program like WWA for corporate executives. Several new friends from the corporate program had recently started WWA; Mike agreed to serve as a volunteer for the second WWA trip. Seeing firsthand the impact on the veterans, he decided to become more actively involved by joining the board. Mike considers it an honor to serve our great country’s veterans who sacrifice so much for our freedom and way of life.
Don served nearly 30 years in the Fire Service and desired to continue serving others in his retirement. In 2017, A group of close friends on a fly-fishing retreat were discussing the need for a program for combat veterans. As a result, Don volunteered to help to make this a successful program.
Don’s Father was a Korean War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and suffered mentally his entire life from the stresses of combat. Those stresses in turn, negatively affected Don’s family and the relationships closest to his father’s heart.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have a safe outlet to share his story and viewed opening up as a sign of weakness.
Having witnessed these warriors attend our Wild Warrior Adventure programs and communicate their personal stories of the physical and mental anguish of combat. Through these discussions in a safe environment with other veterans around the campfire, transformation and healing begins, and their lives are greatly impacted.
Dan is an active-duty Marine stationed in the San Francisco Bay area with his wife and daughter. He is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Dan and his family are not only proud of military service but enjoy the opportunities the military gives them to move around the world. Over the past 16 years, they have lived in multiple countries and states where they get to explore the local area for a couple of years and move on to somewhere new for more adventures.
Dan started his adventure with Wild Warrior on a 2020 fly fishing trip. In the years following the trip, Dan felt led to service and sought opportunities to give back to the combat veteran population. Dan has served in the capacity of leadership on fly fishing trips, and now joins the board to help steer the organization for further successes.
PAST BOARD MEMBERS
Thank you for the vision, dedication, and service of our past board members. WWA is grateful for all your effort, leadership, guidance, and mentorship you have offered to make WWA what it is today…
