The Medical and Therapeutic Component of the retreat focuses on both the mental and physical health of the wounded warrior. First, the game of golf is a highly rated adaptive sport that can play a significant role in helping a wounded warrior deal with physical issues and handicaps resulting from his injuries. The PGA instructors while teaching the game will help the injured warrior make necessary adaptations. If adaption in the form of prosthetics or specialized equipment is required, then SOWGF will look to its Partners such as US Adaptive Care or PGA Cares for assistance. Second, golf is a social game by nature and promotes the development of personal connections between the wounded warrior and the PGA instructors/coaches as well as the other warriors on the retreat. This relationship-building aspect plays a significant role in helping a wounded warrior deal with emotional injuries such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Third, the game demands focus, routine, and repetition. These are all facets that assist warriors dealing with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) which is one of the most persuasive injuries occurring in the special operations community.
In addition to the benefits of the game of golf, SOWGF will have physical and behavioral health professionals on-site to provide evaluation and short-term therapy. The short-term therapy is designed to not only treat short-term issues but to introduce the warrior to therapies that can be continued after the retreat. In addition, an assessment for long-term therapeutic needs will be made and a post-retreat plan provided to each warrior under the Supervision of our Program Quality Committee. In providing these services, SOWGF will look to its Partners such as Operation Healing Forces, Homes Fit for Heroes, Brian Bill Foundation, and others.
The Career Transition Component of each retreat is promoted by the SOWGF Mentor Program that includes having each of our wounded warriors sponsored by benefactors/mentors from the business community who accompany them on the retreat, develop direct and personal relationships with them, and serve as warrior’s career transition mentor during the reintegration process from military service to civilian life. More specifically, the mentors will aid the wounded warriors in understanding how their military skills and leadership experience translate to the civilian business community and will serve as a post-retreat personal guide as they select and move to their new careers.
SOWGF is a Florida Not for Profit Corporation qualified as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the lnternal Revenue Code. Under the SOWGF By-Laws the property and affairs of SOWGF are managed by the Board of Directors. The officers of the Board of Directors are the Chairman of the Board, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, the Secretary, and the Treasurer. The Board has delegated to the Executive Committee the authority to manage daily affairs of SOWGF, has formed an Advisory Board to provide additional assistance and expertise, and has appointed Ambassadors to serve as representatives and spokespersons for the Corporation.
Colonel Cary Harbaugh, US Army (ret) served 41 years in the military with much of his career with SOF. His last six years were as the Director of SOCOM WCP-Care Coalition culminating with his position as Director of the 2019 DoD Warrior Games.
Colonel Cary C. Harbaugh is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began his career in the Army serving as an enlisted soldier and noncommissioned officer in Airborne and Special Operations units from 1978-1987. His enlisted assignments included the 101st Pathfinders, the 1/509th Airborne Battalion Combat Team, Task Force 160 (Special Operations Aviation), and the 11th Special Forces Group. He was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate through the ROTC program at The Ohio State University in 1987. He retired in August of 2019 after over 41 years of military service.
His military education includes the Primary and Basic Noncommissioned Officer Courses; the 101st RECONDO School; the Special Operations Training Course; the Military Intelligence Officer Basic and Advanced Courses; the Combined Arms Staff Service School; the Post Graduate Intelligence Program; the Italian War College (Foreign Staff College Exchange); and the Joint Forces Staff College. Colonel Harbaugh attended the Army War College in Fellowship at the Central Intelligence Agency where he also completed the National Clandestine Service's Graduate Studies Program. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Ashland College (Ohio) and a Master of Science degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University at the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Colonel Harbaugh has served in a variety of assignments to include Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Brigade S2, CI/HUMINT Instructor, Aide-de-Camp, Assignment Officer, and OPMS Task Force Team Chief. His service has included deployments from Operations Just Cause and Desert Shield/Storm to Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Trans Sahel) and countless other small missions in Africa, the Caucuses, the Balkans, and former Soviet republics. From August 2001-August 2004 he served as the Director of Intelligence (J2) at US Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) (which also had responsibility for the African continent) headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. From 2007 to 2009 he served as liaison officer to the US Congress representing the Joint Special Operations Command. In July 2009 he assumed duties as the first Director/Commander of the Joint Intelligence Center (JICSOC), US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). From July 2011 to January 2013 he served as the US Senior National Representative and Corps G2 for the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps in Italy. In January 2013, he returned to USSOCOM where he served as the Director of USSOCOM’s Care Coalition that supports Special Operations wounded, ill, and injured service-members and their families until July of 2019. From 2017-2019 he additionally had the responsibility as the Director of the Department of Defense 2019 Warrior Games – the Nation’s largest Olympic-style sporting event for wounded warriors.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Italian War College Badge, and the British, Italian, and Czech Republic Parachutist Badges.
Arthur R. Welhoelter served as a Marine Corps JAG officer followed by a career as a practicing attorney, restaurant owner/developer, and business leader. He has been legal advisor to and board member of numerous charitable organizations (including The March of Dimes, Birdies for the Brave, Vanderbilt Rebounders Club, Veterans Alternative, etc.).
Family: Born November 25, 1948 in St. Louis, MO
Raised in Webster Groves MO
Attended Webster Groves High School (Captain of the Baseball team and All State First Team in Basketball). At Webster I met my future wife, Judith A. Mannion. We were married in June of 1968 and will be celebrating our 52nd wedding anniversary later this year. We have 2 children: Amy Stevens, J.D. and Robert Welhoelter, J.D. We also have 5 grandchildren.
Education: Attended Vanderbilt University on a basketball scholarship (1966-1970) and graduated in 1970 with a B.A. Degree in Economics.
Attended Vanderbilt Law School graduating in May 1973 with a J.D. Degree.
Military: Captain (JAG Officer), U.S. Marine Corps (1970-1978)
After graduating in May, 1970 I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps under the PLC law program. After completing the 10 week PLC Combined Course, at Quantico, VA. I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and returned to Vanderbilt to attend Vanderbilt Law School. During law school I was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and then Captain. In 1973 I attended and completed Officer Basic School in Quantico and Naval Justice School in Newport, RI.
1974-75 Force Troops, Camp Lejeune, NC
1975 -1978 Naval Legal Service Office, Yokosuka, Japan
Business: 1970-1973 Law Clerk, Bailey Ewing Dale & Connor, Nashville, TN
1970-1973 Vanderbilt University Graduate Assistant Basketball Coach, Nashville, TN
1973-1978 JAG Officer, USMC (Camp Lejeune, NC Defense Counsel and Prosecutor; NLSO Yokosuka , Base Prosecutor, Military Judge and Liaison Officer under SOFA between Japan Civil Authorities and US Military
1974-1975 Head High School Basketball Coach, Kinnick High School, Yokosuka, Japan 1978-1991 Dearborn & Ewing, Nashville, TN (Associate 1978-1983; Partner 1984-1991; Managing Partner 1988-1991)
1991-2001 Systems Management, Inc., Corporate Secretary and Director of Legal Affairs (Holding Company for Landman Radiology, LLC - Diagnostic Center Nashville, TN; Faz-Nash No. 1, LLC -Franchise Development of 10 Fazoli’s Italian Cafes in Middle Tennessee; Tumbleweed, LLC- Franchise Development of 5 Tumbleweed Southwest Restaurants; and other various companies)
2001-2018 Q’s Restaurant Group, LLC, Owner, President and CEO (Franchise Developer and operator Cheddar’s Casual Cafes in Central Florida); SRG Holdings, Inc., Owner and Corporate Secretary (Franchise Development of Krystal restaurants in Florida)
Organizations: American Bar Association (1973); Nashville Bar Association (1973) Chairman of the Real Estate Committee (1988); Vanderbilt Commodore Rebounders- Club for Former Vanderbilt basketball players (President 1980-83); President, Fathers’ Club Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville, TN (1984); Florida Restaurant Association (1991); Chairman, The Krystal Company Franchise Association (2003); Marine Corps Scholarship Association; Birdies for the Brave (TPC Tampa Bay); Veterans Alternative; TPC Tampa Bay member
Board Member: Systems Management, Inc.; Faz-Nash No. 1, LLC; Medcon Services, Inc.; Q’s Restaurant Group, LLC (Chairman); Veterans Alternative (2017-2020); Special Operations Quiet Professionals Foundation, Inc
Colleen Harbaugh, MD, currently serves as the Chief of Staff of the Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Harbaugh has years of experience treating wounded warriors and overseeing the PREP care at Haley (the rehabilitation program that assists wounded SOF warriors).
Dr. Colleen E. Harbaugh was named Chief of Staff at James. A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in May 2018 after having been the acting Chief of Staff since the previous November. She has served at JAHVH since July 2013 as the assistant chief of surgery and section chief for general surgery, and as the Associate Chief of Staff for Education and Deputy Chief of Staff. She is also an Associate Professor of Surgery and the Associate Program Director in Surgery for the General Surgery residency in the Department of Surgery at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. Harbaugh is Board Certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Harbaugh earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, Philadelphia, PA in 1991 and her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD in 1995. In 2002, she completed General
Surgery residency with an integrated, two-year research fellowship studying inflammatory mediators in acute pancreatitis at the University of South Florida. After finishing residency, she was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the USF Department of Surgery, practicing Trauma, Critical Care, and General Surgery at Tampa General Hospital. She began her VA career at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System as a General Surgeon and Co-Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit in November 2004 and in June 2010 was appointed Assistant Chief of Surgery at Bay Pines. Dr. Harbaugh is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is currently on staff as a General Surgeon at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Clinics.
Jan Stephenson is a World Golf Hall of Fame Member and the founder of the Crossroads Foundation (which provides golf instruction to wounded warriors and injured first responders)
Jan Stephenson World Golf Hall of Fame Player Founder, Jan’s Crossroads Foundation Board Member Jan Lynn Stephenson (born 22 December 1951) is an Australian professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1974 and won three major championships and 16 LPGA Tour events. She has 41 worldwide victories including (10) LPGA Legends Tour wins and 8 worldwide major championships. She has 15 holes-in-one with (9) in competition. She was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame, class of 2019. Stephenson was born in Sydney. While a teenager, she won five consecutive New South Wales Schoolgirl Championships in Australia, beginning in 1964, and followed that up with three straight wins in the New South Wales Junior Championship. She turned professional in 1973 and won the Wills Australian Ladies Open that year. Stephenson joined the LPGA Tour in 1974 and was named LPGA Rookie of the Year. Stephenson's first LPGA victory was the 1976 Sarah Coventry Naples Classic. Her most productive period was the early 1980s, when she won all of her majors in consecutive years: 1981 Peter Jackson Classic, the 1982 LPGA Championship and the 1983 U.S. Women's Open. Stephenson was one of the first LPGA stars to openly embrace and champion a sex-sells approach to marketing. Stephenson became as famous for her sex appeal as her golf during the early to mid-1980s, when she posed in a bathtub – covered up only by the golf balls filling the tub – and later in a pinup calendar. She urged the LPGA Tour to fully embrace her approach to marketing.
On the golf course, Stephenson won three times each in 1981, 1983 and 1987, those wins in 1987 being her final ones on the LPGA. Stephenson continued playing LPGA events throughout the 1990s, but was hampered by an injury incurred during a mugging in Miami in 1990. Her left ring finger was broken in two places, an injury that still bothers her play in cold or wet weather.
Stephenson went on to win on the Women's Senior Golf Tour, a tour she helped found. In 2003, she became the first woman to play on the Champions Tour at the Turtle Bay Championship, where she finished in last place. Stephenson is among the few women in the course design business,and produced an exercise video for people with arthritis. Her many charitable efforts include being an honorary chairman of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Stephenson was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. She was a contestant in the 2011 season of Dancing with the Stars on Channel Seven.
Stephenson is an Ambassador for blind and disabled golf through ISPS Handa and has acquired Tarpon Woods Golf Club in Palm Harbor through her Foundation (Jan Stephenson's Crossroads Foundation) www.jscrossroads.com. The golf course provides initiatives for blind/disabled and wounded veterans and first responders. Her mission is, "Giving to Those that have Given so Much". She has been recognized for her philanthropic work by the Government of Australia and other charitable organizations. She was awarded recognition by the Military Order of the Purple Heart in October 2017 for her service to combat wounded/disabled/blind veterans and first responders. Her Foundation was awarded the Charity of the Year by the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce in September 2018.
In the 2018 Australia Day Honours, Stephenson was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) ‘for service to golf, and to not-for-profit organizations.
Samuel Raia is a New Jersey business leader (Raia Capital Management) and a co-founder of Homes Fit for Heroes (which provides nocost housing for OF wounded warriors in transition activities or in extended medical care). He is also a recipient of the SOCUM Patriot Award.
Samuel Raia Co-Founder, Homes Fit for Heroes USSOCOM Patriot Award Recipient Board Member Samuel is a Co-President of RCM, Co-Manager of RPM and a Managing Director and Vice President of RPC and along with Lawrence C. Raia, co-manages the day to day operations of the firm. He also is a member of the RPC Board of Directors. Samuel has over 20-years of experience in the real estate industry and has completed more than $1.5 billion in real estate transactions. Prior to joining RPC, he was a Director of Asset Management for Prudential Real Estate Investors, the real estate investment management business of Prudential Financial. In this capacity Samuel had primary asset management responsibility for the Real Property Partnership; a mixed asset portfolio consisting of 20 properties valued in excess of $220 million. Prior to joining Prudential he was a Senior Associate in the New York office of PricewaterhouseCoopers' Real Estate Group providing audit and business advisory services. Samuel holds a B.S. in Management with a focus on Accounting and a B.A. in Theology from Boston College as well as an M.S. in Real Estate Development, Renovation and Rehabilitation from the Schack (formerly Silverstein) Real Estate Institute at New York University. Samuel was a member of the Boston College Track and Field team all four years and holds the all-time school record in the Javelin throw. He serves his community as President and co-founder of Homes Fit For Heroes. HFFH provides free, furnished apartments to wounded U.S. Special Operations service members and their families while they are recovering from severe injuries.
Larry Raia is a New Jersey business leader (Raia Capital Management) and a co-founder of Homes Fit for Heroes (which provides nocost housing for SOF
ounded warriors in transition activities or in extended medical care). He is also a recipient of the SOCUM Patriot Award.
Lawrence Raia Co-Founder, Homes Fit for Heroes USSOCOM Patriot Award Recipient Board Member Lawrence is a Co-President of RCM, Co-Manager of RPM and is a Managing Director and Vice President of RPC and along with Samuel A. Raia, co-manages the day to day operations of the firm. He also is a member of the RPC Board of Directors. Previously, he was the Director of Self Storage for RPC leading the overall marketing, operations, and financial management of the selfstorage business. Lawrence has over 21-years of operations, sales, service, and marketing experience. Prior to joining Raia, Lawrence was Executive Vice President and Global Managing Director of Client Development for Risk Management Solutions (RMS), a leader in catastrophe risk management software and services. Prior to RMS, Lawrence was a Senior Manager with Deloitte Consulting. Lawrence has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University. Along with Samuel A. Raia, Lawrence co-founded Homes Fit For Heroes, Inc. in 2009. HFFH provides free, furnished apartments to wounded U.S. Special Operations service members and their families while they are recovering from severe injuries. Lawrence also serves his local community by serving as President of the Board of Directors at The Saddle River Day School.
Bill Purdy is a New York based business leader and owner of Spry Therapeutics (which is a medical supply company)
Mark Rosenthal is a Florida based business leader and founder of SOCOM Transition Assistance Resource (which provides networking
David Spirk, after an active-duty career in the USMC, entered civilian service with the ODNI that included serving as Associate Director of USSOCOM
Intelligence Directorate, and the USSOCOM first generation Chief Data Officer (CDO).
In August 2018, Dave rejoined United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as its first-generation Chief Data Officer (CDO).
In this role, he is responsible to the Commander for the creation of a data-driven decision-making culture while leading the integration of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning/automation across the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) enterprise.
Prior to this assignment, Dave was the Associate Director of Technology Investment at the Secretary of the Air Force’s (SECAF) Concept Development and Management Office for Advanced Analytics and Technology Investment (CDMA). Since 2016, Dave was responsible for advising the SECAF and Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USDI) leadership on industry leading technology required to advance the Defense Intelligence Enterprise mission across operational and functional requirements.
In March 2015, Dave assumed the position of Associate Director of the USSOCOM Intelligence Directorate (J2), where he was responsible for advising USSOCOM leadership and the Director of Intelligence on operational activities associated with the provision of intelligence to support the SOF Enterprise.
Before the shift to USSOCOM, Dave served as the Deputy Director of Intelligence at United States Central Command (USCENTCOM). In this role, Dave led the USCENTCOM J2’s Divisions for Operations, Plans, Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Foreign Disclosure/Special Security Office.
In 2009, he was selected by the Director of National Intelligence to stand up the Associate Director of National Intelligence for Afghanistan and Pakistan (ADNI Af/Pak) and was retained to serve as its Deputy and Chief of Operations. In 2010, he served as the International Security Assistance Force Commander’s Senior Intelligence
Dave joined the ODNI in June 2007 to be the Chief of Operations for the Cuba/Venezuela Mission Manager where he also took the lead role in developing and implementing the U.S. Intelligence Community’s strategy to support U.S. Inter-agency and Government of Mexico efforts against the expanding influence and violence of drug cartels.
Prior to becoming a civilian, Dave served across echelons at various United States Marine Corps (USMC) elements that set the stage for many deployments throughout Africa, the Balkans, and South Asia. He was the first USMC Intelligence Specialist in Afghanistan after the attacks on September 11, 2001. As a member of Task Force-58, he participated in the seizure of Kandahar Airfield and the reopening of the American Embassy in Kabul.
Command Sergeant Major Patrick McCauley, US Army (ret) Former Senior Enlisted Leader, USSOCOM Board Member Command Sergeant Major Patrick L. McCauley is the former Command Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida on July 7, 2016. USSOCOM is one of nine combatant commands within the Department of Defense unified command structure.
CSM McCauley initially enlisted in The United States Marine Corps in 1986, attending boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of his training, CSM McCauley was trained as an Armor Crewman at Ft. Knox, KY and subsequently assigned to A Company, 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division.
In 1988, CSM McCauley transferred to the U.S. Army as an Intelligence Analyst, serving tours with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. In the summer of 1989, CSM McCauley volunteered for and successfully completed the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course, graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in OCT 1990. He was then assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, where he served as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant. In 1995 CSM McCauley successfully assessed for a Special Mission Unit where he would go on to serve as a Team Member, Assistant Team Sergeant, Team Sergeant, K-9 Troop SGM, Assault Troop Sergeant Major, Operations Sergeant Major, Squadron Command Sergeant Major, and Unit Command Sergeant Major.
In June 2015, CSM McCauley was assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader and was subsequently selected for his current position at US SOCOM. CSM McCauley has deployed multiple times throughout his career, supporting Operations JOINT ENDEAVOR, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE. CSM McCauley has completed the following military courses: Intelligence Analysis Course, Warrior Leader's Course, Special Forces Assessment and Selection, Special Forces Qualification Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Ranger Course, Basic Airborne Course, Arabic Course, French Course, Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Advanced Land Navigation Course, Free Fall Parachutist Course, Free Fall Jumpmaster Course, Senior Leaders Course, United States Army Sergeant Major Academy, the Summit Course and the Keystone Course at the National Defense University. CSM McCauley's awards and decorations include the following: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with V-Device and 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantry Badge, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and Danish Parachutist Badge.
CSM McCauley graduated Suma Cum Laude from Norwich University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Strategic Studies.
Scott Bill is a Gold Star father of a fallen SOF soldier (Seal Senior Chief Brian Bill) and founder of the Brian Bill Foundation (which provides PTSD and TBI focused retreats for SOF warriors. He is also a SOCOM Patriot Award recipient.
Scott Bill Founder & CEO, Brian Bill Foundation Special Operations Gold Star Father USSOCOM Patriot Award Recipient Board Member Scott leads The Brian Bill Foundation which was established to provide support to Special Operations Forces, active duty, veterans and their spouses who have been deployed since 911 and as a result have mild traumatic brain injuries, combat post traumatic stress and chronic pain. Our Warrior Healing Program includes the opportunity to learn about and try cutting edge therapeutic modalities such as Equine Assisted Learning, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, iRest, nutrition and team building. Our Warrior Healing Program begins with four day retreats that are for eight warriors or six couples focused on a team-centric approach, made up of those who share common backgrounds and experiences.
The therapeutic program employed by The Brian Bill Foundation is endorsed by the United States Special Operations Command “Care Coalition” based at SOCOM headquarters at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida.
A key to the effectiveness of the four day program is that it is confidential. The program also takes a “special operations” approach. It is intensive, quick-hitting, highly effective, and is composed of small teams that work together…an approach that fits the mindset of special operators. Follow up, individual therapy is provided for all participants.
The Brian Bill Foundation covers all expenses of the program for each participant, including airfare, food, lodging, and the costs of all the therapies employed. The foundation is a 501-c-3 non-profit.
Gary Markel is a Florida based business leader and founder of Operation Healing Forces (which provides couples therapy retreats for SOF warriors and spouses). He is also a SOCOM Patriot Award recipient.
Gary Markel Founder & CEO, Operation Healing Forces USSOCOM Patriot Award Recipient Board Member Gary Markel, a grandson of the founder of Henrico County-based Markel Corp., decided in 2011 to use his 150-foot yacht to send wounded special operations troops from all branches of the military on all-expenses-paid luxurious couples retreats. The initiative, initially called Operation Cruise, began with a moment of serendipity.
Gary Markel was channel-surfing one evening when a show featuring Navy SEALs, many who had lost one or both legs in war, being retrained to scuba dive caught his attention.
“They were scooching down the beach to get to the water,” Markel said. “It really hit my heartstrings.”
As a third-generation leader of Markel Corp., the Innsbrook-based specialty insurance firm founded by his grandfather that has become one of the largest of its kind in the country, Markel had the means to turn that moment of motivation into a similar operation.
And with his brother, Anthony Markel, now on board, the pair are working to increase the operation with a goal of sponsoring 100 retreats, with at least four couples on each weeklong trip, during the next three years.
They learned that their connections were much more likely to offer time in a luxury vacation home than a yacht, so Operation Cruise became Operation Healing Forces.
Gary and Tony Markel have pledged to continue paying all of the overhead and administrative costs of the operation so 100 percent of all donations will go directly toward paying for the trips.
“Our program is to get these couples in a setting they’ve never experienced before. ... Our focus is on bonding and healing,”
James Regan is a New York based business leader and gold star father of a fallen SOF soldier (Ranger SGT Jimmy Regan) and founder of Army Ranger
ead the Way (which provides need-based support to SOF’s wounded, ill, or injured Rangers). He is also a SOCOM Patriot Award recipient.
James P. Regan Founder, Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund Board Member James P. Regan is the Chairman and CEO of Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund. In October of 2007, Mr. Regan co-founded the organization in honor of his son, Sgt. James J. Regan, who was killed in action in Iraq on February 9, 2007 while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. The Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund was created as a way to give back to those Jimmy served alongside and meant so much to him.
Through health, wellness and financial aid programs, Lead The Way Fund provides support to the families of Rangers who have died, have been disabled or who are currently serving in harm’s way around the world. After seeing first-hand the tremendous need, Mr. Regan has made it his mission to fill the gaps for these Rangers that the government is unable to.
In 2015, Mr. Regan was inducted as an Honorary Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment Hall of Fame for his dedication to the Rangers and families of this elite unit.
In 2017, Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund was honored with the prestigious Patriot Award, established by the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command in 2007, which recognizes individuals who greatly support SOF wounded warriors, their families, or surviving family members by providing significant and enduring contributions.
Mr. Regan graduated from the University of Miami, Coral Gables Florida with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. Mr. Regan who retired in 2009, has over three decades of experience in the financial services industry, with extensive experience in interest rate trading and capital market credit. Prior to co-founding Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund, Mr. Regan was Senior Vice President of Capital Markets at Keefe, Bruyette and Woods specializing in investment portfolio and balance sheet management.
Mr. Regan and his wife Mary reside in Naples, FL. They have three daughters and six beautiful grandchildren.
Mike, DoD Warrior Games and INVICTUS Games Athlete Board Member, was deployed to Afghanistan while serving in the Marine Corps. On July 6, 2011, while on a combat foot patrol, he was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED). Mike lost both legs and his left arm in the blast. He also suffered a severe brain injury.
Eight months after arriving at Naval Medical Center San Diego, Mike returned home to Tampa, Florida. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by thousands of cheering supporters. “I’m truly blessed that the Tampa community and organizations have joined together,” Mike told an interviewer, adding, “Please pray for the guys still in Afghanistan right now and for the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines recovering in Bethesda, San Antonio and Balboa. Pray for the ones who did not make it back.”
David Windsor is a PGA Founder who received the PGA of America Patriot Award for his work as one of the foremost experts in teaching golf to individuals with physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities. He has specifically worked closely with the Haley VA Hospital in Tampa FL to incorporate golf as one of the VA’s adaptive therapies and continues his work with one of our Partner, PGA HOPE.
David Windsor, PGA Founder, Adaptive Golf Academy PGA of America Patriot Award Recipient Board Member David Windsor is a PGA of America Class A Golf Professional and considered one of our country’s foremost experts in teaching individuals of any ability or adaptive need. In 1999, David began developing and instructing adaptive golf clinics and lessons on a weekly basis in Sarasota, FL for physically, cognitively and/or sensory impaired individuals. Working alongside physical therapists learning an array of approaches and adaptive techniques for a students’ best potential, Windsor developed the Adaptive Golf Academy™ in 2006 (www.AdaptiveGolfAcademy.com), as the education platform to train fellow PGA/LPGA Teaching Professionals, Physical/Occupational and Recreational Therapists, other Health/Wellness Professionals and volunteer mentors to become comfortable and confident helping anyone of any adaptive need. Hundreds of Professionals each year attend AGA Coach Training Workshops© sharing best practices from coaching to program development where thousands are now using adaptive golf as a means of therapy, accelerating both their recovery and community re-integration.
In 2007, recognizing the need for VA hospitals to integrate adaptive golf into their therapy programs, David cofounded the Adaptive Golf Tampa Friday Veterans program with fellow PGA Professional, Ken Juhn, amazingly just two weeks following a meeting with the Director of Rehabilitation and Therapists of the James A. Haley VA Hospital. Gaining merit each and every week through countless success stories of recovery, David was afforded the opportunity from the Department of VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program in partnership with the Adaptive Golf Association and the PGA of America to take his Coach Training Workshop to 32 other VA hospitals across the U.S. to teach VA Therapists and local Golf Professionals on the inherently positive benefits and impact the game of golf has on our nations heroes.
Often referred as the CEO of Adaptive Golf, meaning, “Chief Encouragement Officer,” for his tireless efforts inspiring and motivating others, David was presented by his college fraternity brotherhood during their 2018 International Conference, with the Delta Chi Fraternity “Humanitarian Award” in recognition of his work with disabled Veterans.
David's overall dedication to teaching “Adaptive Golfers” of all ages and abilities is apparent, having been recognized by his peers with seven PGA Section Awards across the North Florida & Georgia PGA Sections to include multiple "Junior Golf Leader," "Teacher of the Year," and "PGA Patriot” awards. In 2015, David’s most cherished PGA honor was receiving the NATIONAL PGA OF AMERICA PATRIOT AWARD in recognition of his personification of Patriotism through the game and demonstrating unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who so valiantly served and protected The United States of America.
David resides in Atlanta, GA proudly serving full-time as the Adaptive Golf Director for the Georgia State Golf Association and as either a board member and/or facilitator with the Adaptive Golf Association, Department of VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program, United States Adaptive Golf Alliance, National Alliance of Accessible Golf, Golf Supports Our Troops/Heroes to Ireland ’15, ’17, ’19 and the PGA of America’s HOPE "Helping Our Patriots Everywhere," program.
Todd Keirstead is one of the leading golf entertainers and trick shot artists. He has been active in both the Invictus Games and Warrior Games events promoting the benefits of the game of golf for our wounded
veterans.
“Golf is more than a game, golf has the power to open the mind to what is possible.”
Todd Keirstead is one of the world best golf entertainers in the game. Todd Keirstead has been voted Trick Shot of the Year on the Golf Channel and has been on CTV Sports Plays of the Year. With the amazing shots that Todd is able to execute he has also been featured on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, TSN and TMZ.
Throughout the years he has had the wonderful opportunity of performing his Instructional Entertainment Demonstration all over the world including Asia, Europe, deep inside the Arctic Circle, to most of the Caribbean, United States and Canada. He has entertained and have helped raise millions of dollars for different corporate, charity and celebrity golf tournaments and the response has been overwhelming.
Through golf entertainment, Todd has become one of the world leaders in the inclusion and diversity. He has inspired thousands with his vision that anyone can play golf, no matter what their circumstance. He has spoken to 32 National PGA’s on the importance of the involvement of individuals of all abilities to the game of golf.
Todd has shown that the great game of golf can be a valuable tool in building confidence and self-esteem where it has wavered or disappeared for individuals who have suffered not only physical injuries but also psychological injuries in the theatre of war.
As a long-standing PGA Member, Todd provides the proper mechanics and techniques needed to play the game in an adaptive way, showcasing an individual’s abilities rather than focusing of their disabilities.
In 2017, Toronto was awarded the Invictus Games. It was here that Todd was asked to be the Competition Supervisor. Todd had the opportunity to be immersed with 550 ill and injured soldiers from 17 countries. At these games Todd had the privilege of spending time with Prince Harry discussing the benefits of the sport of golf for our wounded warriors. Todd was later chosen to have a supervisor role in the 2019 Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida.
“My vision is to ignite the passion in individuals and to transcend personal boundaries both on and off the fairway”, says Keirstead.
Staff Physician, Compensation and Pension, Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, FL.
Sergeant First Class Jose Miguel Morales III enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2007 as a Special Forces Candidate. He spent his entire career with 7th Special Forces Group Airborne, serving as an Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant and then as an Intelligence and Operations Sergeant.
During his career, Morales deployed eight times. His deployments included four deployments to Afghanistan and four to Central and South America for Counter Narco-Terrorism missions. Morales was injured in combat in June 2017, when a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) exploded one foot’s distance from his head. Thirty percent of Morales’ skull shattered with severe penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and a gunshot wound to the leg. He was in a medicated coma for three weeks, suffered paralysis to his left side with over 100 pieces of shrapnel in his head and face, chest, back, and neck.
During his 11-year career, Morales earned numerous awards and attended many different Special Forces and military schools. In May 2019, he was medically retired from the Army.
Morales uses the game of golf to help with cognitive rehabilitation and memory related issues. He enjoys traveling for veteran golf tournaments and playing with other warriors. Morales was featured on the Golf Channel during the British Open Championship held at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland. He is the Ambassador for the Special Operations Warrior Golf Foundation (SOWGF), a military nonprofit located in Tampa Florida. Morales is a law enforcement officer. He is active in fundraisers for military nonprofit organizations.
SFC U.S. Army Ranger, Medal of Honor Recipient.
