Board of Directors

Megan Buriak
President & Founder
Megan Buriak
As the Gold Star wife of James "Jimmy" Buriak and the President and Founder of The AWS1 James Buriak Foundation. Megan volunteers in the military community, serves as a California ambassador for Tunnels to Towers, has a Military Family Advocacy Consulting business, and is a tireless advocate for gold star families.

Rebecca Hardin
Director of Governance
Rebecca Hardin, PsyD
Rebecca joins us from Virginia, where she lives with her husband and child. She works as a clinical psychologist and has spent several years running the business operations of a multimillion-dollar company.

Theresa Jones
Director
Theresa Jones
Theresa is the Gold Star Spouse of LCDR Landon Jones, a US Navy Helicopter pilot who lost his life in service on 9/22/13. She is the mother of their 2 sons, an advocate for gold star families, a nonprofit professional, and an avid volunteer.

Matt Bettencourt
Director
Matt Bettencourt
Matt Bettencourt is a U.S. Navy Reserve MH-60S helicopter pilot and FRS instructor pilot. He currently instructs the MQ-8 Firescout as a contract simulator instructor for the U.S. Navy. Matt has extensive non-profit and advocacy experience based in his position as caregiver for his loving wife, a disabled military veteran. He is dedicated to serving our military members, past and present, and their families and the Naval aviation community.

Josh Bender
Director
Josh Bender
Josh Bender has over 18 years of experience taking care of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors , Marines Guardians and their families. Josh is a tested combat veteran who truly cares about service, sacrifice, and caring for gold star families
Officers

Brian Fellin
Director Growth & Development

Ron Hardin
Chief Financial Officer

Ryan Ferguson
Director Products & Merchandising

Hope Ferguson
Secretary

Nathan Reed
Director of Fundraising

Samantha Reed
Social Media

Vernette Smith
MidWest Team

Sam Earnhardt
East Coast Team

Amelia Cicarelli
East Coast Team

Dale Earnhardt
East Coast Team

Garrett Fineburg
East Coast Team