Our Board of Directors includes 11 experienced leaders to include Special Forces officers, non-commissioned officers and business professionals. Each Board Member is experienced, active, and constantly engaged in the strategies of the Green Beret Foundation.
Major General James G. “Greg” Champion began his military service in 1978. He was commissioned as an Infantry officer following completion of Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. General Champion has held every 18 series leadership position an officer can hold in a Special Forces Group including Battalion and Group command. He was the Assistant to the Director Army National Guard for Deployment Issues and was the Director’s principle advisor on deployment for the Army National Guard forces with emphasis on the Global War on Terrorism and Homeland Security. In that position, General Champion was responsible for Army National Guard issues related to the deployment of forces to the southwest border. While serving as Commander, 20th Special Forces Group, he commanded the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A), Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom III.
Subsequent to this first tour in Afghanistan, General Champion was Deputy Commanding General, Operations, Combined Joint Task Force 76, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, where he oversaw all aspects of the plans, operations and intelligence collection and managed the Afghanistan-Pakistan border security process.
His major Awards and Decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star (w/OLC) ; Meritorious Service Medal (w/OLC); Army Commendation Medal; Global War on Terrorism – Expeditionary Medal ; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Master Parachutist Badge; Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantryman Badge; Expert Infantryman Badge
Today MG Champion serves as the Joint Venture and Commercial Activities Manager, Pioneer Natural Resources, Eagle Ford Asset Team. He is responsible for partner interaction related to commercial activities and negotiations, and works closely with land, legal and marketing in negotiating and advising on commercial activities of the Eagle Ford Asset Team.
Gary Jones has 28 years military special operations experience with extensive operational expertise in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, the Caribbean, Central America and the Middle East. Some of the milestones of his exceptional military career include Commander 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne); Deputy Commanding General United States Army Special Operations Command; Deputy Director Central Intelligence Agency Counter-Terrorism Center, Deputy Commander Combined Joint Task Force-Mountain during Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan; Commanding General Special Operations Europe; and Commanding General U.S. Army Special Forces Command.
After his years of military service, General Jones served as Senior Vice President for Performance Materials, Inc., a company providing innovative armor solutions for the Department of Defense; as Senior Vice President of Saffron Technology, an innovative Software Company providing state of the art analytical support to the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community; and as President of Myrmidon Consulting, LLC, he has provided consulting support to U.S. Special Operations Command as a senior mentor to the Unified Quest series exercises, and to the Joint Chiefs of Staff J7 for Irregular Warfare doctrinal review. General Jones is an alumnus of Louisiana State University where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the Army War College and the Conflict Management and Negotiation programs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Gary “Mike” Jones currently serves as the President of Gryphon Group and is recognized as a proven, experienced-forged senior leader in military and international affairs.
Aaron Anderson enlisted in the Army following the events of September 11, 2001. He served in the U.S. Army Special Forces for 6 years as a detachment engineer. Due to traumatic wounds sustained during a deployment in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Aaron was medically retired in 2008. Aaron mentored fellow wounded Special Operation Forces personnel through the USSOCOM Care Coalition Recovery Program.
In 2009, Aaron founded the Green Beret Foundation and served as its President for two years. He currently serves on the GBF's Board of Directors.
Aaron's entrepreneurial spirit has led him to invest in a number of startup ventures and also provides businesses with strategic enterprising consultation.
He is currently seeking his bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of California, Irvine.
CSM Dennison began his military service as a Heavy Weapons Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division and since has served in a variety of assignments around the world, some of those being 8th Infantry Division as a Combat Engineer Squad Leader, and Atomic Demolition Team Chief.
In 1965 he was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group (Intel Sergeant), 5th Special Forces Group (Intel Sergeant), 7th Special Forces Group (Team Sergeant), and USA Special Forces Thailand (Military Freefall Detachment).
From 1976 to 1983 he served in the conventional Army at the unit and Battalion level, Reserve components Reserve Officer Instructor Group where he was selected as the first Enlisted Commandant of Cadets in the Second ROTC Region.
He returned to Special Forces as Team Sergeant, Military Freefall Detachment, 7th Special Forces Group, and later as Sergeant Major Company A, 2nd Battalion 7th Special Group. Other assignments, CSM 802nd Engineer Battalion, CSM 3rd Battalion, 4th ADA Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, CSM 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, and CSM 5th Special Forces Group during the Groups move to Fort Campbell Kentucky.
CSM Dennison returned to Fort Bragg and assumed the position of CSM 1st Special Operations Command which became United States Army Special Forces Command. CSM Dennison culminated his military career as the Command Sergeant Major, Special Operations Command Central during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Upon retirement CSM (R) Dennison continued to serve our country as a Contractor for the US Department of State Diplomatic Security Branch from 1994 to 2001.During his time with the State Department, CSM Dennison was a member of the Detail that repatriated President John Batrand Aristide back in office as President of Haiti. In 1996 CSM Dennison remained in Hati to provide protection for the new President of Haiti, Rene Proval. In 1997 CSM Dennison was selected to provide protection for US Ambassador Robert Frowick in Bosnia during the elections of the three warring factions.
In 2003 he returned to Special Operations as a Department of the Army civilian Training Specialist Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, United States Army Special Operations Command. CSM (R) Dennison recently ended his 45 years of service, retiring as Lead Force Protection Specialist, United States Army Special Operations Command.
CSM Dennison’s military education includes the Sergeants Major Academy, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Special Forces Qualification Course, Combat Engineer Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Airborne School, Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Military Freefall Course, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Course, Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course, Special Forces Weapons Sergeants Course, Atomic Demolitions Munitions Course, French and Chinese Language Courses.
CSM Dennison’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1OLC), Bronze Star with (“V” Device, 2nd OLC), Meritorious Service (3OLC), Army Commendation Medal (W4OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (10th Award), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry With Palm, Vietnam Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Special Forces Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Master Military Freefall Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Parachute Wings from ten countries.
CSM Dennison is presently serving as the Honorary Sergeant Major of the 1st Special Forces Regiment. CSM Dennison resides in Fayetteville NC.
Colonel (retired) Jim Holloway is a native of Ohio and a 1977 graduate of the United States Military Academy where he was commissioned in the Infantry. He served over 30 years in the US Army with 21 of those years as a Special Forces Officer. He served in the 10th and 5th Special Forces Groups, USSOCOM, JSOC and USASOC. He was the last SF Officer to command the Jungle School in Panama.
His combat experience included Somalia and Iraq. Jim is a Life Member of the Special Forces Association and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He also serves as a member of the Special Warfare Museum Advisory Council. He now resides in east Tennessee. COL(R) Holloway has two sons and a son-in-law currently serving in the US Army.
Bruce Parkman is the Chief Executive Officer of NEK Advanced Securities Group, a privately held, mid-size company with approximately $100 Million in revenues, supporting one of the most diverse bases of clients in the defense contracting industry.
Mr. Parkman was born in Massachusetts and entered the Army in 1980. He spent 21 years in the service, three years as an infantryman and 18 years in Special Forces serving in a variety of assignments in 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups and with the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, before retiring in 2001 as a Sergeant Major. During this time, he traveled to numerous countries in Europe and Latin America including serving in the El Salvadoran and Kosovo actions. After retirement he served as a contractor in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and used his experience as a contractor to start NEK Advanced Securities Group, Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico which was recently relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Under his and the co-owner’s leadership and guidance, the Company has grown to become the industry standard in the provision of training and support services to the government and commercial clients, to include technical training, specialized support services and aviation maintenance and support.
His military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Badge, SCUBA badge, and the Special Forces Tab as well as Honduran and Ecuadorian Airborne badges.
Mr. Parkman graduated from Methodist College with honors (Summa Cum Laude) receiving a B.S. in Business Administration and from Webster University with a M.A. in Security Administration.
John Terzian is a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant with over 22 years of service. His last active duty assignment was as an Operations Sergeant for a Special Forces Detachment, where he supervised the training, development, and world- wide operations of a Special Forces team. In this capacity, he led two team deployments to Afghanistan.
His awards include the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Afghanistan, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. MSG (Ret) Terzian is currently the CEO of Reservoir International, where he oversees the development of advanced methodology in regards to Unconventional Warfare and Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Operations. He has published several articles on these subjects and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in general education and business.
Amy L Kester, CPA is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 25 years experience in accounting, auditing and taxation. Currently, she prepares tax returns in her home office and advises individual and business clients in matters of taxation & accounting.
Ms. Kester began her career with KPMG Peat Marwick, one of the largest accounting firms in the world. She spent eight years at KPMG Peat Marwick; the first four years were spent in the Auditing Department and the last four years were in Taxation. During this time, she also attended Capital University Law School to expand her knowledge of tax laws.
Her auditing experience included reviewing business client’s financial statements and performing tests to ensure their accuracy and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Standards. As an Audit Supervisor in charge of field audits, Amy supervised a team of KPMG auditors as well as worked with all levels of management at the client’s business.
Ms. Kester transferred to the Tax Department to gain experience in business and individual taxation. She became a Tax Manager and worked closely with tax and auditing teams to prepare and review tax returns for clients. Her main focus was the banking industry and high wealth individuals. Amy was responsible for preparing complex tax returns as well as supervising and reviewing personnel’s work.
Over the years, Amy has been employed by smaller firms and a high wealth family where she performed audits, prepared tax returns, handled IRS matters and correspondence and provided tax advice and financial planning to clients.
Amy has been married to SGM (R) James A. Kester for over 20 years. SGM (R) Kester retired with over 25 years in Army Special Forces. SGM (R) and Mrs. Kester have a 13 year old daughter, Alexis. As a Special Forces wife, Amy understands the complexities of maintaining a family and managing a career all while supporting her husband’s military career.
For more than 10 years, the Kester’s have successfully owned and managed a small chain of coffee stores/cafes in North and South Carolina.
Amy is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio and attended Capital Law University in Columbus, Ohio. She is certified as a CPA under North Carolina jurisdiction.
Bob served with the 7th and 8th Special Forces Groups and with the Strategic Technical Directorate, Team 158, in the Republic of Vietnam, while on active duty. As a member of the USAR, he served with the 11th Special Forces Group, 1st SOCOM and the 80th Division. He commanded two Brigades in the 80th Division, served as the DCSOPS until his retirement with 31 years of service.
His major awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal w/3 OLC, Army Commendation Medal w/3 OLC, Air Medal, Army Achievement Medal w/OLC, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Special Forces tab, Parachutist badge, Vietnamese Ranger badge and the Physical Fitness Excellence badge.
Bob is a Life Member of the Special Operations Association and Chapter VI of the Special Forces Association.
As a civilian, Bob has 29 years experience in the financial services industry as a Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and operates a small horse farm in Virginia.
Scott Neil began his military service in 1986. He was trained as an Infantry Man and originally assigned to Fort Ord, CA. Scott joined the Special Forces in 1991 and was assigned the 5th Special Forces Group (A) at Fort Campbell, KY as an 18B. Scott continued to serve in the 5th Legion and was one of the first to deploy into Afghanistan following the tragic events of 9/11. Scott has lead multiple combat operations as a Split Team Cell Leader through Assault Force Sergeant Major in major combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa.
In 2006, Scott was selected to become the first Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Director of USSOCOM’s Interagency Task Force (IATF) at McDill AFB, FL, providing subject matter expertise to the Director and Commander USSOCOM on counter-terrorism activities supporting unique intelligence, operations, inter-agency planning and collaboration of U.S. government strategic, special operations, counter-terrorism missions. MSG (R) Neil assisted in the management of over 143 service members, federal agency representatives, and contract personnel engaged in strategic planning and coordination in support of the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). During his time in the ITAF, Scott Lead a cross sector economic development community of interest support SOF Forces in Afghanistan and continuously sought new interagency, non-governmental, and private sector partners with unique capabilities to integrate them into IATF’s global problem set. As a member of Board Member and Operational Advisor to the Director of SOCOM’s Science and Technology, Scott broadened USSOCOM’s technology outreach and brought rapid solutions to the battlefield. In 2010, MSG Neil was selected as the Tampa Bay Region’s Military Member of the Year for his tireless efforts support veterans issue both in Florida and abroad.
His major Awards and Decorations include: Legion of Merit; Bronze Star with “V” Device (w/OLC); Meritorious Service Medal (w2/OLC); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Commendation Medal (w4/OLC); Global War on Terrorism – Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign medal w/Star; National Defense Service Medal; Special Forces Tab; Ranger Tab; Combat Infantryman Badge; Expert Infantryman Badge; Master Parachutist Badge; Air Assault Wings.
Today Scott Neil serves as the Irregular Warfare Program Manager for Orbis Operations, a leading irregular warfare consulting firm focused on conflict and post-conflict zones with a particular expertise in Southwest Asia, the Middle East and Africa to USSOCOM.
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The Green Beret Foundation is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt, national non-profit charitable foundation.
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