Our leadership

Welcome our new President

Heather Dodgins

Heather Dodgins became the President of the Patriot Foundation in August 2024, bringing extensive experience in public relations and fundraising. Prior to joining the foundation, she led her own consulting business, providing strategic fundraising services to both political campaigns and nonprofit organizations. Heather’s passion for nonprofit work was sparked during her time as Director of the Charlotte Heart Ball at the American Heart Association, where she helped achieve record-breaking success. Her dedication to veterans and their families grew while working with veterans running for office, whose stories deeply inspired her path to the Patriot Foundation. A proud graduate of the University of South Carolina and an alum of The Fund for American Studies, Heather, her husband Bryan, their son, and three dogs live in North Raleigh.

PATRIOT FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP

We are backed by decades of military experience. Our advisory board is comprised of retired General Officers and standout senior enlisted leaders, and some of our board members also have successful military backgrounds.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ed Broyhill,
Chairman of the Board
BG Ferd Irizarry, USA Ret. Chairman Military Advisory Board
– Read Bio Here
CSM Matt Majuri, USA Ret.
Whit McCrary
LTC Chris Morris, USA Ret.
Mike Piscetelli
Bailey Vaughan

EMERITUS

Spike Smith, Founder
CAPT Chuck Deleot, USN Ret. Chairman of the Board and Founding Board Member Read Bio Here
Mike Girimont
Founding Board Member
Vince Nelson
Founding Board Member

OFFICERS

Ed Broyhill
Chairman of the Board
BG Ferd Irizarry, USA Ret. Chairman Military Advisory Board – Read Bio Here
Heather O. Dodgins, President / CEO
Kim Gilley, Exec. VP Read Bio Here
Bailey Vaughan, Treasurer
COL Barry Huggins, USA Ret., VP NC Funding
LTC Vallie Rosner, USA Ret. VP Administration
Tom Deleot, VP of Corporate Engagement

OPERATIONS VOLUNTEERS

Stan Bradshaw
Bob Lloyd
CW4 Monica Turk, USA Ret.
SGM Eric Turk, USA Ret.
Chris Slade – Asst. for Knowledge Management
CW4 Sean McCormick, USA Ret.
SGM Todd Adams, USA Ret.
Joyce Sacolick

MILITARY BOARD OF ADVISORS

Read Bios HERE

BG Ferd Irizarry, USA Ret. Chairman Military Advisory Board
GEN Buck Kernan, USA Ret.
Gen Lance Smith, USAF Ret.
GEN Curtis M. Scaparrotti, USA Ret.
GEN Dan Allyn, USA Ret.
GEN Dan McNeill, USA Ret.
SEAC John W. Troxell, USA Ret.
LTG John R. Vines, USA Ret.
LTG Mike Ferriter, USA Ret.
LTG Bennet S. Sacolick, USA Ret.
LTG Ken Tovo, USA Ret.
LTG Francis Beaudette, USA Ret.
MG Zannie Smith, USA Ret.
MG Chuck Swannack, USA Ret.
MG Al Aycock, USA Ret.
MajGen Steve Busby, USMC Ret.
MG Mark O’Neil, USA Ret.
MG Kurt Sonntag, USA Ret.
MG Brian Winski, USA Ret.
RDML Cliff Sharpe, USN Ret.
BG Scott Brower, USA Ret.
CSM Steven England, USA Ret.
CSM Bill Thetford, USA Ret.

PATRIOT HONOREES

2022 SGM Matthew O. Williams
2019 GEN Curtis M. Scaparrotti
2018 GEN R. Anthony Thomas
2017 GEN Dan K. McNeill
2016 Families of Fallen,
Wounded and Injured
2015 LTG Joseph Anderson
2014 LTG John F. Mulholland
2013 GEN Daniel B. Allyn
2012 GEN David M. Rodriguez
2011 GEN Raymond T. Odierno
2010 John McHugh
2009 GEN Lloyd Austin
2008 ADM Michael G. Mullen
2007 GEN George Casey, Jr.
2006 GEN William F. Kernan
2005 MG Charles H. Swannack

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION OFFICERS

COL Paul Bricker, USA Ret. – VP National Capital Region
LTC Mike Millward, USA Ret. – VP National Capital Region

FT. CARSON, COLORADO REGION OFFICER

LTC Chris Morris, USA Ret.,-VP for Fort Carson, CO

TENNESSEE - KENTUCKY REGION OFFICERS

Whit McCrary, – VP Tennessee – Fort Campbell
Land Deleot, – VP Tennessee – Fort Campbell

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP.

When you donate to Patriot Foundation you’re not only showing your support for our service members and their families, you’re helping them reclaim opportunities lost to consequences from the battlefields and training grounds.

Ready to show members of our armed forces they’re not forgotten, while making a difference in a life touched by loss?

DONATE