Executive Director

Mike served in time of peace for 3 years of training in preparation for possible combat. In 2001 Mike spent 6 months in the Pacific Ocean where he experienced building schools for children in Indonesia, training on islands of Japan, and preparing for non-lethal extraction of a U.S. Ambassador.

In 2002 Mike was meritoriously promoted for his dedication and duties as a Marine. Afterward, he deployed to Kuwait as a show of force leading to Operation Iraqi Freedom. He spent two months living in a hole he and his team dug in the desert, waiting for President George W. Bush to “declared war”. Mike and his unit were the first to cross the border into Iraq, spending his 21st birthday securing enemy prisoners of war near Al-Bashara. He returned from Iraq after 8 months overseas and was honorably discharged into civilian life.

Following the Marine Corps, Mike obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Managed Federal Buildings and U.S. Courthouses throughout the Midwest. Once he began to re-discover happiness, Mike returned to Purdue to learn Entrepreneurship through EBV, and created his life purpose in serving other veterans.

Special Events Manager

Brittney Becker came to 23rd Veteran with seven years of non-profit event and development experience. Brittney grew up in Wichita, Kansas and recognized her love for details and events from an early age. She attended college at Texas A&M University and graduated with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Business. After graduation, she was an Event Planner at the Alamodome. Searching for a deeper sense of purpose in her work, she became a Development Manager for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) where she got to plan and execute galas and walks that raised millions of dollars for the organization.

Brittney married her husband Kyle in November 2013. Kyle is a Captain in the Army and has the privilege of being the official "high-five guy" at our Nearly Naked Ruck March finish lines.

Programs Manager

Matt comes to 23rd Veteran after 18 years with the North Carolina Outward Bound School. In his time at NCOBS Matt was a student, Logistics Coordinator, Warehouse Manager, Student Services Representative and Veterans Program Manager. During his 10 years managing this program he helped over 1500 veterans prepare for and complete veteran tailored outdoor expeditions in North Carolina and Florida.

Matt met Mike Waldron when Mike attended an NCOBS veterans course in 2015. He partnered with Mike utilizing NCOBS to provide outdoor wellness adventures that have been the first phase of the 23V RECON Program.

Matt’s passion for working with the veterans community is rooted in the experience of losing his brother Mike, a Marine, to suicide in 1998. He is committed to working to ensure that every veteran has a smooth transition and lives a happy and healthy life.

Matt attended the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. He holds degrees in Political Science (BA) and Multimedia Technology (MS). He lives in Hendersonville, NC with his wife Kelly, Great Pyrenees Pup Chief and Ninja Cat Tucker.

CPA & Grant Writer

Jess comes to 23rd Veteran with eight years of experience in public accounting, most recently as a Manager with a focus on non-profits. Jess attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and graduated with a Bachelor of Accounting degree, a minor in Psychology and is a Certified Public Accountant.

In early 2018, Jess saw a group of people in long underwear and shorts carrying packs on the Lakewalk along Lake Superior. Intrigued, she discovered it was the Nearly Naked Ruck March put on by 23rd Veteran. Fast forward a few years she finds that same organization was looking for civilian volunteers for Group 8 of its 23V RECON Program and she signed up. Seeing the program first hand was so impactful it led to a career change! She looks forward to her career with 23rd Veteran.

Jess lives near 23rd Veteran’s headquarters in Duluth, MN with her husband TJ, and dog Winston.

Volunteer Coordinator

People say that serving brings you joy - and after working alongside 23rd Veteran volunteers at a Nearly Naked Ruck March, Shelah knew it was true. Volunteering with 23rd Veteran, Shelah felt at home with honest, authentic, passionate people - who were open and willing to build relationships for health and healing. After staying long past her volunteer shifts, Shelah decided this was a community where she belonged.

Shelah graduated from Bethel University with a double major in K-12 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Spanish Language & Cultures. Shelah brings ten years of teaching experience (internationally and locally), and years of involvement with local and international volunteer organizations. Her favorite aspect of volunteering is the camaraderie that is shared when people gather for the same purpose.

Shelah grew up in the Twin Cities and enjoys dancing, learning languages, and spontaneous travel. Her family embraces Minnesota by camping in the summers and trips Up North in the winter.

Secretary, Board of Directors

Nathan Helder is the Manager of Operational Technology at ALLETE, where he is responsible for leading the teams that support the various operational and control networks across ALLETE's subsidiaries, including ALLETE Clean Energies, Minnesota Power, and Superior Water, Light & Power. Nathan joined ALLETE as an intern in 2001 and has a background in application programming, enterprise integration, systems administration, and compliance. He grew up in the small country town of Mantorville, MN and moved to Duluth in 1998 to attend the University of Minnesota, Duluth, where he received Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Psychology in 2003. Nathan later attended the College of St. Scholastica where he earned Master's degrees in Management and Business Administration in 2016. He has a wife, Joanna, and two children, Xaria and Torin.

Nathan was introduced to 23rd Veteran while participating in the Leadership Duluth class of 2016-2017, where Mike Waldron was also a participant and gave a presentation on the 23V Recon program. Compelled by the notion of helping veterans to lead more successful lives, Nathan participated on the planning committee for the 2nd annual Nearly Naked Ruck March and later joined 23rd Veteran's board of directors. Nathan believes strongly in the vision for 23rd Veteran and is honored to help contribute towards its continued success.