Executive Director & Co-Founder

U.S. Marine Corps, 8.5 years. Scout Sniper. Summer and Winter Mountain Leader. Mountain Scout Sniper Instructor. Served in Operation Phantom Fury — the second clearing of Fallujah — earning a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, a Purple Heart, and a combat meritorious promotion to Corporal. Holds a BA in Psychology and an MS in Organizational Management. Nine years building MVP from the ground up. Husband for 21 years. Father of three — one Marine so far.

SHINE WILD AND SUFFER WELL.

Deputy Director

U.S. Army, 4 years. Infantry Squad Leader. Bronze Star — OIF III. E-6 in under 4 years. Mini Sniper Course graduate. Combat Lifesaver. BNCOC/ANCOC. Former pastor for 10 years and nonprofit strategist — Nonprofit social media since 2011 across YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Producer of two podcasts. BS in Religion. Currently pursuing a Master's degree. 150+ days a year in the field — hunting, fishing, and behind a camera capturing MVP's story.

Vision, leadership, and relentless drive — connecting veterans with the healing power of Montana's backcountry, usually with a camera in hand.

Wellness Coordinator & Co-Founder

U.S. Marine Corps, 8 years. Scout Sniper. Mountain Scout Sniper and Survival Instructor. Three tours to Iraq. CrossFit Level 2 Coach. Burgener Strength and Weightlifting certified. Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in integrative physiology with a minor in nonprofit administration. Joe brings survival skills, fitness coaching, big game hunting, technical rope systems, and — critically — laughter to every trip.

Through my own struggles I found my path through camaraderie, hard work, and time in the wilderness. That's what I want to give to other veterans.

Operations Coordinator & Co-Founder

U.S. Marine Corps, 12 years. Infantry. Scout Sniper. Mountain Warfare Instructor. OIF 2 Fallujah. OIF 3 Ramadi. Summer and Winter Mountain Leader. Wilderness First Responder. SERE C. Assault Climber Instructor. Tactical Tracking Operations. Scott didn't just help build MVP — he started it. He brings backcountry travel, rafting, fishing, route reconnaissance, and gear preparation to every mission.

I find time in nature essential to balancing all things in life. I want to help others find their version of that — and help protect it for the future.

Administrative Specialist

U.S. Air Force, 6 years. Security Forces. Bachelor's in Social Psychology. Currently pursuing a Master's in Social Work with a concentration on veteran mental health and trauma. Psych Armor certified. Peer-to-peer veteran mentor. Kaitlyn brings the clinical knowledge and the lived experience — she's always outside with her family, expanding her skills in land stewardship, plant identification, and animal husbandry.

Healing can be found in nature, in shared challenge, and in community. I give my time to create that space for the veterans I care about.

STRENGTH IS BUILT BY OVERCOMING THE VERY THINGS MEANT TO BREAK YOU.

Team Leader / Medic

U.S. Air Force, 11 years. Pararescueman (PJ). NREMT Paramedic. Advanced Austere Emergency Care Provider. Swiftwater Rescue Technician. Military Freefall Jumpmaster. SOCOM Dive Supervisor. NAUI Master Diver. SOCOM Senior Mountaineer. AIARE Avalanche Rescue. Team Leader Instructor at the Special Operations Combat Medic course. Natural disaster SAR volunteer. Carson is the most credentialed person in the room on any MVP trip — and he shows up every time.

Veterans thrive when connected to each other. We hold each other accountable, challenge each other to be better, and keep exemplifying warrior qualities in everything we do.

BETTER HABITS, BRIGHTER DAYS.

Team Leader

U.S. Marine Corps, 4 years. Infantry Rifleman. Wildland Firefighter. James is a man of few words and considerable capability. He keeps the team sharp, the fire going, and the morale high.

The working knife needs sharpening often.

Team Leader/ Medic

U.S. Air Force, 9 years. Firefighter. Flight Paramedic (FP-C). Benny rows boats, cooks real food on trail, and has been known to convince grown men and women that kale actually tastes good. He brings wilderness medicine, river skills, and camp cooking that keeps participants from living on freeze-dried meals.

The wilderness is the only church I want to be in. I'm here to help others find their peace in it.

Team Leader

U.S. Marine Corps, 8 years. Motor Transport Platoon Sergeant. Combat Lifesaver. Eight MVP trips as a participant before becoming a Team Leader. Cameron grew up in the outdoors and brought that into MVP — and MVP helped him through a dark period of his own life. That's why he stays.

A good life requires service to others. This program helped me. Now I'm here to help someone else.

THE PRICE OF ANYTHING IS THE AMOUNT OF LIFE YOU EXCHANGE FOR IT.

Team Leader

U.S. Marine Corps, 8 years. Amphibious Reconnaissance. Basic Reconnaissance Course. Airborne. Combat Diver. Navy SERE. Master's in Forensic Accounting. Nonprofit and government accounting. Shad brings river navigation, whitewater experience, backcountry navigation, and big game hunting to every MVP trip.

MVP uses Montana's natural resources to achieve a natural, holistic approach to mental, physical, and emotional healing. I've seen it work firsthand.

Team Leader / Medic

U.S. Army, 7 years. Infantry. Special Forces. Physician Assistant. Search and rescue volunteer. Big game hunter. Fly fisherman. Aaron's combination of Special Forces background and medical expertise makes him one of the most capable people in the field on any MVP trip.

Finding peace through intentional hardship and honoring the warrior mindset. Hell yeah I want to be part of that

Team Leader

U.S. Air Force, 20 years. Vehicle Maintenance and Facility Management. Army Land Navigation. Combat Lifesaver. Wilderness First Responder. Airman Leadership School. NCO Academy. Backcountry navigator, big game hunter, trapper, backcountry fisherman. Chris recently transitioned from the military and jumped straight into MVP — because once you understand what happens miles from the truck with a group of like-minded people, you don't need much more convincing.

There is something that happens out there regardless of where someone came from. That's why I'm her

Honorary Team Leader

Primitive Skills and Survival Expert. 20+ years living and teaching wilderness skills across the world. Known from Discovery Channel's Naked and Afraid and Naked and Afraid XL. Co-creator and lead instructor for MVP's Backcountry Immersion. Expertise in shelter building, firecraft, foraging, tracking, primitive tool-making, and remote navigation. Laura doesn't just teach survival — she lives it.

The wild is the ultimate teacher. It strips away everything but who you truly are.

Board President

17 years in employee benefits. Nationally recognized leader in pharmacy benefit strategy. Business owner and entrepreneur. Named his company after Granite Peak — because Montana isn't just where he lives, it's how he thinks. Trevor brings nonprofit board experience, fundraising strategy, and marketing expertise to MVP's leadership.

If you can't give time, give money. If you can't give money, give time. If you're blessed to give both — do that.

Vice President

Nearly 20 years practicing dentistry in Eastern Montana. Built and ran a business through every kind of adversity that comes with it. Chase brings the discipline of someone who has ground forward through the hard seasons and come out sharper on the other side.

The outdoors is where I find neutral. There is nothing more pure — and I can't find it anywhere else.

Treasurer

U.S. Marine Corps, 8 years. Amphibious Reconnaissance. 10+ years in military and private military operations in high-threat environments. Over 12 years in public accounting, nonprofit organization, and auditing. Master's in Forensic Accounting. Shad manages MVP's finances with the same precision he brings to the backcountry.

We belong to the land and the land belongs to us.

Board Secretary

U.S. Air Force veteran. MVP Team Leader. BS Social Psychology. BS Criminal Justice. Pursuing an MSW focused on veteran mental health and addiction. Trauma-informed care certified. Kaitlyn brings clinical knowledge, lived military experience, and a deep commitment to the veterans MVP serves.

Healing is found in nature, in shared challenge, and in community.

Board Member

U.S. Army, 30 years — 25 in Special Operations. Combat Medic. Recognized for valor while providing care under fire as a Diplomatic Security Service medic. Former corporate giving manager. Former nonprofit executive director. Published writer. Marketing consultant. Outspoken advocate for veteran mental health. Tyr has vetted more veteran nonprofits than almost anyone alive — and he chose MVP.

There are over 40,000 registered veteran nonprofits competing for the same dollars and the same veterans. MVP is different. That's why I'm here.

BIO COMING SOON