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OUR team

This team is supported by DOZENS of volunteers who work behind the scenes to contribute to our mission of improving the lives of deserving warriors.

THE BOARD

Board

David Deep

FOUNDER

Wake for Warriors was founded in 2012 by Dave (LtCol. US Marines). Dave served for over 28 years of active and reserve service and flew over 250 combat missions in the AH-1W.

As a water sports enthusiast, Dave experienced the healing properties of water and knew how it could help veterans returning from war. Thanks to the love and support of friends and family, 2024 marks 12 years of spreading the shred in service to our veteran community.

Bill Rich

VICE PRESIDENT

Bill has been in the watersports industry for over 30 years and was hooked when he witnessed the transformation of the participant veterans over the course of 3 days. Now Bill is an iconic figure at Wake for Warriors events and has driven several hundred hours to support events all across the nation. Bill is an amazing teacher, coach, mentor, and all around great guy to have on your team. 

He also rocks an extensive and impressive suspenders collection that’s worth mentioning and asking about the next time you see him.

CHRIS TOWNSEND

SECRETARY

Chris began his 22-year United States Navy career as a P-3C Pilot/Mission Commander aboard NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. During his three overseas deployments, he conducted post-Desert Storm operations and extensive anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare missions around the globe. He also spent extensive time with DESRON 7 aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64), over 15 years as a Navy Instructor Pilot on various Navy aircraft and finished his career as the Commanding Officer of Operational Support Unit 0355 in Orlando, Florida.

Chris brings his leadership and vision to the Wake for Warriors board 

LATREVA THOMPSON

TREASURER

LaTreva has been a part of the Wake for Warriors leadership team since 2016.  Her role as Treasurer continues to help Wake for Warriors manage the financial resources required to support this critical effort on behalf of the veterans we serve.  LaTreva has her Masters in Accounting and for the last fifteen years has been teaching Accounting at the university level.  Her passion for watersports started when she was five and continues to this day. LaTreva is also an avid runner and has completed multiple marathons including the Disney series. 

TONY MULLIS

BOARD MEMBER

On April 6, 2011, the day after the birth of his first child, Tony was on his second deployment in Southern Afghanistan when he sustained serious injuries to his right arm and lost both his legs in an explosion. Tony was on a mission to clear abandoned compounds when he saw wires indicative of an improvised explosive device (IED) and started moving his teammates out of the area.

Tony was the first Wake for Warriors rider in 2013 and has been instrumental in creating the core values and principals that guide our organization today. 

KYLE CARPENTER

BOARD MEMBER

In July 2010, Lance Corporal Carpenter deployed to Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On November 21, 2010, while joining his team to fight off a Taliban attack in a small village, he suffered severe injuries to his face and right arm from the blast of an enemy hand grenade. Along with multiple shrapnel wounds Carpenter sustained a complete loss of his right eye. After-action reports state that he threw himself in front of the grenade to protect a fellow Marine, Lance Cpl. Nick Eufrazio.

Kyle guides our future growth and is instrumental in keeping our organization focused on supporting our nations warriors.

TYLER DENSFORD

BOARD MEMBER

After sustaining injuries from a combat training exercise in 2016, Tyler was left paralyzed from the chest down. He spent 5 months hospitalized and in rehabilitation and struggled accepting his new way of life. Tyler participated in his first WFW event in 2018.

"The independence, comradery, and freedom I felt after that weekend changed my life. I wanted to share that experience with other people facing similar challenges.”

Tyler now coaches and drives during several events each year. He also has competed in the Nautique Wakesurf Nationals and The Nautique Wakesurf Masters competitions.

STEFAN LEROY

BOARD MEMBER

In June of 2012 while deployed in Afghanistan, Stefan and his platoon were clearing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Suddenly, two IEDs exploded and Stefan rushed to aid those injured by the blast. While carrying an injured soldier to a MEDEVAC helicopter, Stefan was struck by a third explosion. He lost both of his legs immediately. He spent the following two years learning to walk again in prosthetics. It hasn't stop him from running the Boston Marathon several times since 2016.

Stefan has been a part of the Wake for Warriors family since March of 2016. Over the years, Stefan has been a guiding force in the way our events are run and how we care for our riders.  Stefan has competed in the Nautique Wakesurf series since it's inception in 2018 and is the current Wakesurf Masters Adaptive sitting champion. 

TERRY KNIGHT

BOARD MEMBER

TK served as an aircrewman on a C-9, was a Combat Engineer, and retired as a Combat Medic/LPN.  He served in Iraq with a Forward Surgical Team at Camp Delta, Al Kut.

TK medically retired in 2013 with 18 years of active duty and reserve service after being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). 

TK attended a Wake for Warriors event in 2018 in Austin, TX and was so profoundly impacted by the healing he experienced that he wanted to bring events to the Pacific Northwest.  Since that first event on American Lake, Terry has grown the PNW chapter to 12 events on 5 different lakes and 3 rivers around Washington and Idaho.

REGIONAL

TEAMS

Regions

Midwest

Midwest RegionAL Leader: Lori Keeton

  • The raccoon of course - which is known for their resourcefulness, adaptability, and curiosity.

  • We're honored to give back to veterans and first responders, expressing our gratitude for their sacrifices.

  • We've got six exciting events lined up across the Midwest this summer, gearing up for another season of thrilling adventures with veterans and first responders. Our latest addition will be at Norris Lake in Tennessee, boasting over 33,000 acres of breathtaking scenery!

“We live for lake life and water sports and sharing our passion with others is our favorite! Nothing better than the smiles on their faces as they shred the waves!”
— Lori Keeton

Southwest

southwest RegionAL Leader: Crystal Bartos

  • A Beaver!

  • Saying “Thank You” is not enough in my mind so being a part of Wake for Warriors gives the opportunity show show our veterans how much respect we have for their service.

  • We have so much great local support. We’re grateful for Sun County Marin Group, Hyperlite Southwest, Parker VFW, AZ Raptor Runs, Parker Elks, Spanky’s RV & Marin, La Piazza Pizza, Concord General contractors, David Plunkett Realty, Sandbar Restaurant, RGR Realty, Tammie & Troy Ward, Russ & Rose Bartos, Judy Robinson and many local families that donate their homes to our local events.

Pacific Northwest

PACIFIC NORTHWEST Regional Leader: Alyssa Phillips

  • I guess I would say a dolphin. Because I started out in the water helping all the sit down riders.

  • Allowing the Veterans to come out connect, heal, make new friends and engage with the community. It’s all worth it.

  • We have had 4 snow ski events and 8 wake surf events this summer!

  • We’re grateful to have the support of many people who donate regularly on behalf of their businesses. Here are just a few: Boats Lifts International, Lake Life LLC, Justin Nimick, Union Marine Nautique, and Lifestyle Marine.

Texas

TEXAS Regional Leader: Kyle “Nelly” Nelson

  • That would be a turtle.

  • I love seeing the smiles on vets faces when they think they couldn’t actually do something. Plus I know that all of the money actually goes to where it’s supposed to go.

  • We’re grateful to have the support of Marinemax in Austin TX, Long Cove on Cedar Creek, Stumpy’s in Granbury TX, & August Lakes in Katy Tx

CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA Regional Leader: Jason Grossman

  • The Buffalo

  • I like to see veterans smile! Its not often you get to see the tough exterior come off of a veteran and I like to be a part of making that happen. We all deserve to act like we are 18 again!

  • On the local level we have major support from Bob Bense at Superior Boat Repair and Sales out of Rancho Cordova CA. He provides us with fresh Nautique G23 at our local events. He even provides a professional driver - which is a huge help. JR, our driver, is skilled and knowledgeable when it comes to our chosen sport AND he fits right in with the crew.

    We’re grateful for everything these guys bring to the mission!

GET INVOLVED

GET INVOLVED

Volunteer

Volunteer
Opportunities

We welcome volunteers who share our passion for improving the lives and well being of these deserving warriors. Tap the link below to fill out a quick Volunteer application and we’ll be in touch shortly!