Board Members
Directors & Advisors
Currently, every member serving on the Board of Directors is a current or former member of the United States Armed Forces. From the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Army, Operation ReConnect is deeply rooted in service to our great nation.
We understand building a network of professionals from many diverse backgrounds will be key to our success. As Operation ReConnect continues to grow, we will expand the total number of Directors & Advisors.
Rob is not afraid to take on the tough challenges, in life or on the battle field. In 2003 under the 18th Airborne Corp, he deployed to Iraq as a Paratrooper with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. Rob and his team led the charge into Baghdad to secure Iraqi military strong holds, including Saddam Hussein's War College. His dedication to executing the mission and deep sense of responsibility for his troops, is a truly valuable resource for our Organization. Not only does Rob possess strong military values, he also brings his creative and design capabilities. You can see this by simply viewing our Organizational Logo that he created. It is a clear, yet simple representation of our Mission to ReConnect Combat Veterans and their Family.
Matthew is a perfect fit for the Board of Directors. His ongoing 19+ year military career will serve as a guide in directing the organization in a manner that ensures we can meet the needs of military families, no matter the phase of their career. His list of military accomplishments is long and distinguished, from being a Commander for multiple Units to earning a Bronze Star, Air Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medal and many more. Matthew brings a vast knowledge of logistical structures while maintaining a direct attention to detail. His extraordinary and proven leadership skills remain sharp even in the toughest of moments.
Originally from Buffalo, New York Jim Fisher retired from the Navy as a Captain in 2014 after a 28 year career as a Helicopter Pilot. A 1987 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Jim currently works as a Senior Consultant for ConOps Advisors LLC, a Pensacola based Consulting firm that specializes in all aspects of Defense acquisition.
Since his retirement from Active Duty, Jim has had the pleasure and privilege to work with several Veteran related service organizations on the Gulf Cost including the Panhandle Warrior Partnership and The Fisher House of the Emerald Coast. He looks forward to contributing and building upon the foundation Operation ReConnect has established in its youthful existence. Beyond his distinguished military service and executive experience, Jim has quickly become an invaluable team member whose primary focus will be in the sustainability & scalability arenas. Furthermore, the entire ReConnect Team openly welcomes Jim to his new position of Advisory Board - Chairman.
Major General Hubert C. Hegtvedt is the Deputy Director for Global Policy and Partnerships (GPP) on the Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He is the principal advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy on global and functional matters. Major areas of responsibilities include: Develop DoD, USG, and international partner capabilities, plans, and programs; Oversee all DoD security cooperation activities; Supervise the Chairman’s mission to the United Nations; Oversee policy synchronization for Cyberspace, Space and Missile Defense, and Maritime portfolios.
Major General Hegtvedt is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Industrial Technology/Manufacturing Engineering. He was commissioned in the Active Duty Air Force in 1988 through Officer Training School and transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in 1998. He served as a T-37 first assignment instructor pilot followed by operational assignments in the F-16, F-22 and A-10, as well as serving on the Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command staff and the Joint Staff. Major General Hegtvedt is a command pilot with 4,185 hours of flying time, which includes combat time in support of Operations Deliberate Guard, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom
Beth is a Vice President/Senior Audit Manager for the Financial Crimes Audit Team at Wells Fargo. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Beth has worked in the financial sector for the past 15 years specializing in Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)/Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Sanctions, and USA PATRIOT Act regulatory requirements. Beth has a unique insight into the regulatory and compliance environment this country works within each day. Furthermore, her 7 years of management experience has taught her the importance of building a strong team of motivated, diverse, and talented individuals who bring different views to a situation. Beth is passionate about the mission of Operation ReConnect and has served on the board since 2016.
Diego is in the Advisory Services and serves as a Subject Matter Advisor for Sanctions and BSA/AML Matters, focusing on LATAM and the Middle East. In this role, Diego provides independent assessments to Compliance and Financial Crimes/Audit groups. His specialized experience includes Global and Regulatory Sanctions, procedure writing and documentation, internal audit, lookback assessments and Capital Markets AML Monitoring Implementations. Diego joined the firm after more than 9 years with the US Army including an assignment as Senior Advisor for Logistics and Operations Support in Afghanistan and various project management and lessons learned positions within various government and military offices. In this role, Diego worked alongside Afghan partners in a specialized unit focused on AML to fight financial crime and corruption, drug trade, human trafficking and contract fraud and providing feedback and lessons learned to regional commanders. Diego also served as an Assistant Contracting Officer Representative for Regional Command South, where he played a key role in auditing US and NATO security, operations, and logistical contracts. Additionally, Diego was the Deputy Director of Logistics and Operations projects under Joint Force Headquarters for the State of Pennsylvania, where he served as the Advisor to the Group Commander on Logistics, Sustainment and Future Operations/Plans. His responsibilities included the management of special projects, unit logistics and support, and unit auditing.
He currently lives in NYC and helps co-lead Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS); and is the Co-Founder of Women Veterans on Wall Street and Previous Advisory Co-Chair of Operation ReConnect.
About Team ReConnect
As a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, managed and operated by Combat Veterans, we have a unique understanding and perspective when it comes to the sacrifices members of the Armed Forces encounter before, during and after deployments.
Operation ReConnect was established to assist in reducing the disconnect that comes from multiple-month deployments. Balancing military responsibilities along with daily family situations can be tough for both the deployed member and the Family/Support System who remained behind. This is why providing this Program not only to Veterans but the Family Members/Support System is our main focus. It is Operation ReConnect's mission to provide the gift of TIME to our service-members and their Families by providing COMPLIMENTARY ACCOMMODATIONS along the beaches of the Gulf Coast. The gift of time that Operation ReConnect and it's Partners provide, allows for an uninterrupted week for families to ReConnect.
As the Founder & President of Operation ReConnect, Ryan has made it his life mission to ReConnect Combat Veterans and their Families after an overseas deployment. The concept of this Organization originated during first deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. "A fellow service member brought to my attention that he and his family had never been on a true family vacation. With that information, I brought in a network of incredible people from Coastal Alabama and together we provided this family a free vacation to the Gulf Coast. At that moment, I realized it was my responsibility to take on the much neglected opportunity to help ALL Combat Veterans returning from a deployed environment. Operation ReConnect was born. I am honored to serve those who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so we may all enjoy FREEDOM."