CEO
Chris Holcombe was raised on a ranch in Montana where he grew up working with horses, poultry, and cattle. As a young adult, he supplemented his agricultural experience raising cattle and growing barley for Klick Angus Inc. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from University of Providence. Chris became an avid outdoorsman, spending much of his time hunting and fishing, while also honing his backcountry horsemanship skills on trips into Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Whether riding for summertime adventure or on arduous hunting excursions, Chris tends to feel most at home while in his saddle.
Chris’s military career began in 2010, as a Blackhawk mechanic. He soon trained as a Crew Chief and quickly developed aspirations to become an Aviator. Immediately following his first tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he attended Flight School in Fort Rucker, Alabama. Chris was soon introduced to MEDEVAC operations, as a Medical Evacuation Pilot. While serving his second tour in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, he discovered an even stronger devotion of servitude to fellow soldiers and veterans, alike. His passion to serve has led him to volunteer with Heroes and Horses and 31 Heroes Project.

CFO/Co-Founder
Dave has always had an interest in the military and military history. Having been an ROTC Member at the University of Notre Dame, Dave hoped to have made the military a career. Witnessing how the Vietnam War affected his classmates and peers and watching the changes in his younger son upon his return from Iraq, Dave knows the needs of our veterans. Dave was active in Boy Scouts for 34 years starting as a Cub Scout and his continued involvement in adult leadership. He was a Hunter Education Master Instructor for the State of Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife for 27 years. Each year that he draws a tag, he returns to the Colorado Rockies with his older son for the annual hunt. Dave also has equine experience, gentling his own yearling colt, an Arabian stallion, and continuing to train him over the following 16 years. Dave holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Accountancy. Through his accounting practice and as an Enrolled Agent, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in budget and fiscal management.

Member-at-Large
Paul Roege is a partner in Creative Erg, LLC, where he works with technology developers, communities, and national security leaders to build resilience with energy as a central focus. He has over 35 years of experience as an engineer and leader in engineering, construction, and research, primarily in the energy field. As a US Army engineer officer, Colonel Roege built military infrastructure and led combat engineering capabilities in Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America. He planned and coordinated reconstruction of Iraqi oil production systems in 2003; later, he developed energy requirements and strategies for military operations, and was an early advocate within the Department of Defense for resilience as a guiding principle for community and national security. In his civilian career, Colonel Roege led engineering efforts associated with management and decommissioning of US nuclear weapons production facilities, and disposition of plutonium from US and former Soviet weapons programs. He remains active in development of disruptive energy concepts, nuclear energy innovation, and resilience. Partnering with his wife, Colonel Roege is active in youth STEAM and leadership programs. He is a registered professional engineer and a West Point alumnus with graduate degrees from Boston University (MBA) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (SM and Nuclear Engineer). He is active in energy and resilience research and speaking, and has authored 15 papers, articles, and book chapters.

Member-at-Large
Doc served in Vietnam in 1972. He was assigned to Bien Hoa Air Base with Detachment 1, 377th Air Base Wind, 7th Air Force and was attached to the 1st Marine Air Wing, 12th Marine Air Group as a Composite Unit during the 1972 Easter Offensive. Doc was wounded during the Siege of An Loc. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, USAF Outstanding Unit Award with “V Device” for Combat Operations, Vietnam Campaign Medal with One Bronze Battle Star, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Award, Good Conduct Award, and Air Force Longevity Award. He is a disabled Veteran.

Member At-large
Gracie Nethery was born and raised in Northern California. Gracie grew up riding horses, raising, showing and selling market lambs, and spending most of her time outdoors or playing sports. Upon graduating from California State University, Chico with her Bachelor of Arts in 2020, she moved to Helena to be closer to her family. Gracie is a Child Protection Specialist for the State of Montana, working with the Department of Public Health and Human Services, as well as a Licensed Realtor with Integrity & Impact Realty.

Jeri is a seasoned social worker with 15 years of clinical and administrative experience. She enjoys opportunities to enhance the social service field and those working in it, so that the lives of the individuals and families being served are truly impacted, to the betterment of our communities. She currently serves as the Veteran Justice Outreach Social Worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Billings.

Ben Kurppenbacher was raised in Upstate New York on his family’s educational farm. Ben came to Montana in 2013 to pursue a degree in agricultural education at Montana State University. Upon graduation he began working at Three Forks High School where Ben teaches agriculture and shop classes as well as being the FFA advisor. Ben grew up with a passion for agriculture and enjoys teaching the next generation about the importance of agriculture. Ben enjoys time in the mountains - hunting, fishing or hiking, and when he is not working at the school he works for a local red Angus ranch.

Brenton is a native of central Montana where he was raised on his family’s farm and ranch. He started banking in 2009 after completing his degree in Agriculture Business and is now employed with Stockman Bank as the southwestern ag market manager and Manhattan branch manager. Brenton enjoys spending time with his family, flower gardening, and serving at his church.

Troy Miller is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional and a 30-year veteran of the financial services industry. Troy is a member of Trinity Church in Bozeman and a founding of Northern California’s Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He was recognized as Volunteer of the Year by Rescue School District and twice received the Paul Harris Award for his involvement in Rotary. In the late 90s, Troy’s passion for golf led him to chair two senior PGA tour events. He volunteers his time as an emcee and auctioneer and is a 2006 graduate of the FBI Citizen Academy. Currently Troy serves as co-chair of the Greater Bozeman Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

Denny Nelson was born in St. cloud, MN graduating second in his class of 58 students. He attended St. Cloud State College and earned a business management degree. Denny worked in the medical sales field for seven years before returning to his first passion, the construction industry. He moved to the Gallatin Valley in 1976 taking on a sales and public relations position with a log home manufacturer in the area. He moved to Three Forks in 1985 and finished up his career in a variety of constructions areas including a ten-year stent with Bridger Mountain Log Homes in Belgrade from 1998 to 2008. He “officially” retired in 2010.

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Ann grew up among the dairy farms, oak prairies, and marshes there. At age 26, she moved to Montana and continued her work with community groups as an organizer, administrator, and director. Along the way, she took a detour and spent 17 years working as a nursery manager gaining competence with growing plants both in and out of greenhouses. She is a Certified Plant Professional and Certified Integrated Pest Management Practitioner. Ann currently works for Rural Employment Opportunities, a statewide non-profit dedicated to providing career and job training for seasonal agricultural workers.

Colonel Anthony J. White, USMC (ret.), is a 32 year career Veteran with extensive active and reserve service to our Nation. Early in his career he commanded infantry units and later served on staffs at all levels. In the private sector, Tony has pursued successful career within the medical and defense industries. Since retiring from military service, Tony has served as the President of a Veteran Service Organization, assisting transitioning veterans and their spouses, and is on the USO Pathfinder Leadership Council, in San Antonio, TX.

C. Wilson Smith was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and resides in Bozeman, Montana with his wife and daughter. He works in wealth management with Northwestern Mutual in Bozeman, Montana. After law school and prior to working with Northwestern Mutual, he prosecuted white collar crimes for the Attorney General’s office, and later entered private practice as a civil litigator. He has a passion for serving his community, and volunteers his time with various non-profits in the Gallatin Valley.

Jolene is a native Montanan that grew up on the Hi-Line. Following her graduation from Malta High School, she attended and graduated from Carroll College where she had an illustrious basketball career, setting national records. Jolene is now a real estate agent with Century 21 where she runs her own Homes of the Brave program benefiting service members from the military, veterans, police & fire department, educators, and health care.
Kyle grew up in Climbing Hill, Iowa and joined the U.S. Army in 2009. While serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was severely wounded by an IED. Prior to his discharge he met his wife Jolene in Missoula Montana. Kyle currently works for the State of Montana, continuing his service to the amazing citizens of Montana.
Kyle and Jolene have three beautiful children and currently reside in Helena Montana

Originally from Red Lodge, Montana, Rob grew in northwestern Wyoming and southern Montana before attending college at Norwich University in Vermont, majoring in Russian Language and International Relations. Following college, Rob served 24 years in the US Army as a commissioned officer with assignments in Arizona, Kansas, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Korea, Maryland, Texas, and Kentucky as well as two tours to the Middle East. Originally planning to retire to his condo in Big Sky and joining the Gallatin Valley semi-professional fly fishing circuit, life had other plans to include marrying his wife Amber and having two wonderful children, Tyler (5) and Sadee Ann (3) and coaching youth sports to include soccer and rugby. After retiring from the military, Rob traveled and camped with his family throughout the Rockies for two months and spent a year in Iowa before accepting a position in Bozeman MT. His hobbies include wind surfing, kayaking, fly fishing, reading, traveling and spending time with his children.