Our management team includes Ms. Jennifer Paquette, Executive Director; Mr. Jeff Falkel, Director of Gold Star Programs; Mr. Brian Richardson, Vice President and Military Liaison Officer; Mr. Jason McCarthy, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer; Mr. Ronnie Medina, Event Coordinator; and Ms. Rose Sturk, Director of Steel Magnolias. Working closely in cooperation with our Board of Directors, we are fully committed to building an effective and enduring foundation that provides increasingly valuable support to the Green Beret community.
Ms. Paquette has served as Executive Director of the Green Beret Foundation since 1 August 2011. Prior to that she served as Vice-President of the Foundation since January 2010.
She manages critical aspects of day-to-day operations including strategic planning, building and maintaining donor relationships, coordination of services with USSOCOM Care Coalition, and delivering those services to Green Berets and their families.
Ms Paquette has worked for Intel Corporation and Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc holding various positions: Supply Chain Analyst, Commodity Specialist, Commodity Analyst and Production Planner to name a few. She has extensive experience in managing high profile multi-million dollar projects, managing people, and writing and negotiating multi-million dollar contracts. In addition to her private sector experience, Ms Paquette has over five years of not-for-profit experience while working as a project manager at USSOCOM Care Coalition.
Ms Paquette partnered with COL(R) Scott Heintz to start the USSOCOM Care Coalition Recovery Program, where she concurrently developed operational metrics to fulfill the contract's requirements, was the lead project manager, mentored wounded and their spouses, and was the mentor coordinator. This program is still in place and is considered the cornerstone for traumatically wounded SOF warriors and their families' long term recovery and support system.
Ms. Paquette has acted as the Chief Operating Officer for the Green Beret Foundation for almost two years. She has identified and developed programs and services, planned and executed GBF's initial Gala in San Antonio, and fostered business relationships with other not-for-profits and corporate sponsorships.
Ms. Paquette earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Arizona State University, and her Master's in Public Administration with a concentration in Not-for-Profits from St. Mary's University.
Mr McCarthy has advised the Green Beret Foundation since May 2010 and became Director of Marketing for the Foundation in November 2011. He is responsible for managing marketing materials, public relations, and strategic fundraisers including the annual Green Beret Foundation Gala.
Mr McCarthy is currently CEO of GORUCK LLC and GORUCK Events LLC, which manufacture military-grade gear in the United States and put on events inspired by Special Forces training, respectively. The Green Beret Foundation is the non-profit of choice for both companies. Through GORUCK and GORUCK Challenges, Mr McCarthy has spearheaded fundraising efforts that have greatly impacted the Green Beret Foundation’s operating budget and ability to provide unconventional aid to Green Berets. In addition, GORUCK donates all rucks for the GBF GORUCK Program.
Mr McCarthy enlisted in the United States Army in response to 9/11. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, serving as a Green Beret with 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) until 2008 when he founded GORUCK.
Mr McCarthy earned his B.A. in Economics from Emory University in Atlanta and his MBA from Georgetown University in Washington DC.
Mr. Richardson has been an outreach ambassador on behalf of the Green Beret Foundation since October 2010 and became the Chief Military Liaison for the Green Beret Foundation in November 2011.
He is responsible for establishing and managing a network of contacts at the company level within the active and national guard Special Forces Groups and provides guidance on military outreach efforts.
Brian is the Lead Cadre at GORUCK Challenge LLC, and is responsible for event operations and management of all cadre. He is also responsible for the conceptualization and development of GORUCK Challenge events. Prior to joining GORUCK Brian Richardson was a security contractor for Triple Canopy working in the New Embassy Compound in Baghdad for the Department of State.
Brian Richardson is currently a member of 19thSFG(A) in Ft. Carson, Colorado, and previously served in A/2/10thSFG(A) on ODA 0212 as an 18D. Before attending the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course, Brian Richardson was a 0311 Marine Rifleman in G/2/25 who was deployed for OEF in the Balkans, and invasion for OIF.
Brian attended Norwich University studying International Relations and is from Northern Wisconsin.
Jeff Falkel serves as the Director of Gold Star Programs for the Green Beret Foundation. He is the father of SSG. Chris Falkel, 3rd SFG(A), who was killed in action in Afghanistan on 8 August 2005 during the Battle of Mari Ghar.
As both a Green Beret parent and a Gold Star Dad, Jeff brings unique skill sets to the Green Beret Foundation which enable him to work effectively in a dual capacity. A retired Army Major, himself, he has built a solid reputation in the SF and Gold Star communities for understanding and getting things done.
During his career Jeff has taught in the Health Sciences at the collegiate level, both as an Associate Professor and Professor, at universities including the University of Pittsburgh, Boston University, Ohio University, and the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. His particular expertise in Sports Medicine has resulted in notable research and papers which have formed the basis for valuable preventative and therapeutic practices, nationally and internationally.
Jeff also serves as President of Junior's Bullet Pen Company, manufacturing some of the world's greatest writing instruments from pre-fired 7.62 shell casings.
Jeff earned his B.S. in Physical Education from S.U.N.Y., his Master's in Physical Therapy from Duke University, and his PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Medina entered the Army in 1974, completed the Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned as an 18D Medical Sergeant. Ronnie's career included service with the 3rd SFG(A), 7th SFG(A), 10th SFG(A), 20th SFG(A), as well as SFOD-D.
He retired with 18 years honorable service if the Special Forces community.