About us
SOF Missions was established in 2011 as a non-profit 501c3 organization by Dr. Damon and Dayna Friedman. Damon, a retired Lt Colonel, within the Special Operations community, served for 20 years. He knows firsthand the challenges warriors face, having served on four combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. Our team believes we are called to be Freedom Fighters. Our mission is to combat the veteran suicide crisis.
“Here I am, send me!” Isa.6.8
WANT TO HELP A WARRIOR FIND FREEDOM?
Our team
F. Damon Friedman, DIS
President, Founder
Dr. Damon Friedman received his commission in 2000 as a United States Marine Corps Officer and later transferred into the Air Forces elite as a Special Warfare Officer.
He retired after 20 years, having served four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terrorism. His personal decorations include three Bronze Stars (one with Valor) and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. His new book, Igniting Movements, provides a model for building effective movements, inspiring people to come together under a singular vision to make the world a better place. Damon is the president of SOF Missions, which helps at risk veterans by providing whole health care plans that support wellness and resiliency. He is also the co-chair of the Veteran Service Alliance, which serves around 1 million veterans each year. Dr. Friedman holds a Doctorate in Intercultural Studies and is attending Harvard University.
Dayna Friedman, MED
Vice President
Dayna Friedman serves as the Vice-President of SOF Missions.
She grew up in a military home, stationed in bases across the country. She is the wife of a retired special operations Lieutenant Colonel and has seen first-hand the struggles our veterans coming home from combat are facing. She is dedicated to helping heal warriors and their families who are struggling with the visible and invisible scars of war. Dayna is a native of Alaska and holds a master’s degree in Education from Liberty University. She spent 10 years teaching elementary school before moving into the non-profit sector. She was an All-American NCAA Track and Field Athlete at Virginia Tech during her college years. Dayna, her husband, and two children live in Florida.
Angela Whitener
Executive Assistant
Mrs. Angela Whitener was appointed to serve at an Executive Assistant for Dr. Damon Friedman (SOF Missions and Friedman Force) in December 2022. In prior VA positions, she served many Veterans administratively over her 37 Year Career in the US Department of Veterans Affairs, retiring in 2018 from an Executive Career Field position as the Program Manager of the SE Region, Polytrauma System of Care, James A. Haley VA, Tampa, FL.
Dr. Tom Piazza, MD
Lead Physician
Jack Ratliff, MSN, APRN
Nurse Practitioner
Miriam Mitchell
Clinic Manager
Miriam Mitchell retired Chief Master Sergeant with 30 years of Air Force service. She has a master’s degree In Exercise Science & Nutrition, an undergraduate degree in Public Health (Wellness Concentration), from the University of Tampa. She began her career as an aeromedical technician crewmember on the C-130 and retired as the 6th Medical Group superintendent, MacDill AFB, FL. Miriam previously served as the director of Preservation of the Force & Family (POTFF), at Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT). She will always be a woman of duty and says God has put too much in her to lay it down.
Camellia Simmons
Case Manager
Camellia Simmons served 5 years in the United States Marine Corps and is a Combat Veteran. She has spent the last 5 years assisting Veterans with overcoming significant barriers with the end goal of obtaining and maintaining employment. She now works as Veteran Case Manager at SOF Missions using her experience and knowledge learned by networking and engaging with local, regional, and national organizations that assist with Veteran Support. Her passion for serving in the Veteran Community is apparent. She volunteers her time to connect with local Veterans providing resources and support. Camellia believes in living through every day with purpose and intention. Striving for daily, personal growth, leaving a mark of positive exchange.
Megan James
Case Manager
Megan is a Licensed Nurse Assistant with certifications in Phlebotomy (PTC), Electrocardiogram (CET) and Medication Tech (CMT). She has 10 years of experience in the Healthcare industry ensuring patients and veterans are moved within the healthcare system to receive treatment and rehabilitation so that she could improve the lives and quality of care. She loves being the healthcare advocate that patients and veterans can depend on in their time of need. Megan is passionate about the field of case management and always looks to gain more experience in her chosen field. She finds it rewarding to provide our veteran population with ongoing support in obtaining an overall better quality of life. She is a sister of a US Army Veteran and loves her family, sports and the opportunity to give back. Lives by the Lord’s hand daily!
Victor D Diaz
Creative Manager
Victor is a multimedia specialist with over a decade of successful experience in visual design and videography.
Victor has worked 5+ years in the tv industry within the spanish culture at CNN Latino, Mira Tv, Mega Tv. Victor specializes from videography, web development to company branding. He is the master mind behind SOF Missions’ branding look and feel. Prior Victor working for the local TV stations he also worked 7+ years for the DHS USCIS. A strong believer in the power of positive thinking in the workplace. Victor is the son, nephew and grandson of US Army veterans.
Renee Constantine
Event Manager
Nate Roberts
Lead Mentor
Stewart Stancil
Humanitarian Missions
Stewart Stancil is a former Firefighter and Certified Landscape Contractor from Wilmington, NC. He and his wife Katrina have served as missionaries with SOF Missions in the Philippines, Peru and Mexico for over 8 years, specializing in logistics for disaster relief efforts and leading over 5,000 people to faith in Jesus Christ. Stewart has been a part of planting 5 churches, pastoring 1 in Cajamarca, Peru and 1 in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico with more planned for the upcoming year. Alongside these missions efforts, Stewart is also a website developer for Christian ministries including Ark Of Noah Ministries that has projects in Peru, Mexico, Italy and Kenya. Stewart studied Biblical Studies at Liberty University and Intercultural Studies and Missions with Perspectives On The World Christian Movement at UNC Wilmington.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Lemay, MD
NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB Consultant
Dr. Lemay is a Performance Medicine Consultant for the NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL. Dr. LeMay graduated from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in 1996 and completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2000 at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is the founder of Regenesis LLC which incorporates physical medicine and performance medicine for health and wellness. Dr. LeMay is Board Certified in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.
He is a consultant for the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), and Oakland Raiders (NFL). He is the medical director for the EXOS NFL mobile retirement combine program through the NFL Players Association. Dr. LeMay is married to an encouraging wife and has 5 children that span the ages 2 through 22.
Sherri Hayes, MBA
FMR Executive Director, Manpower, Personnel and Services, AFSOC
GS-15 (Ret) Mrs Sherri J. Hayes retired from the Department of the Air Force on 3 April 2018 after 37 years of federal civil service. She received her BS degree in Business Administration from Troy State University and an MBA in Human Resource Management from Southern Columbia University, AL.
Annette Beard, MSM
FMR Director Financial Management and Comptroller, AFSOC
GS-15 (Ret) Mrs. Annette Beard retired from the Department of the Air Force on 3 January 2019 after 36 years of federal civil service in Financial Management. She earned her BS degree in Computer Science from the University of South Alabama and her MS in Management from Troy University.
Kishima Garcia
US Airforce (Ret)
Kishima Garica is an entrepreneur, U.S. Air Force veteran, military spouse, and executive tier human capital professional. She has 15+ years of experience as a senior leader and corporate strategic partner. Kishima has a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management and is pursuing a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership.
Kishima currently serves and supports local non-profit boards supporting military veterans nationwide. She has held various speaking platforms highlighting the benefits of hiring qualified veterans, supporting veteran-owned businesses, and motivating those transitioning out of the military.
Throughout Kishima’s career, she has been recognized as a dynamic leader and strategic visionary. Her affiliation with non-profits nationwide is a testament to her commitment to her military family.
Ray Friedman, MACC
Cybersecurity Expert, Business Development
Raymond Friedman has been the President & CEO for Mile2 since his procurement of the IP in 2009. Raymond has been in the Cyber Security space since 2002 in both the INFOSEC and instructional field. While in this industry, he has been actively engaged in consulting for global financial and government institutions, performing security audits, penetration tests, disaster recovery, and business continuity services. Raymond spearheaded the development of the present series of Mile2 certifications which have become globally recognized by military agencies worldwide. Presently, Raymond carries several certifications and an advanced degree: Master of Science in Accounting – Controller, the Certified Information Systems Security Officer, Certified Penetration Testing Engineer, Certified Disaster Recovery Engineer and Certified Digital Forensics Examiner. He and his wife Marie have three beautiful daughters.
Advisory Board
Rick Olson
Business Development
Rick Olson is the president of Olson Land Partners, which focuses on real estate acquisitions and development. While Rick has a personal passion for the senior living sector, he has developed a wide variety of projects, including retail shopping centers, restaurants, award-winning master-planned communities, high-end waterfront condominiums, resorts for luxury motor coaches, and other development projects over the past 35 years. Rick continues to raise the bar of excellence while expanding his real estate portfolio of highly successful communities and projects. Rick and his lovely wife Elaine have a loving son, Ricky.
Norman Brozenick, MMA
MajGen (Ret), USAF FMR Vice Commander, AFSOC
Jeremy Slaughter, MAFM
Finance Executive
Jeremy Slaughter began his career working in business lending as an analyst. After developing a strong background in analytics and risk, he moved to consulting, accounting and tax becoming an accountant for entrepreneurs. From there he moved into financial executive roles in strong middle market organizations. In his roles he balances his entrepreneurial talents and passions with his finance, accounting and analytical skills to produce actionable intelligence; the relevant information to forge great execution. Jeremy advises both for-profit and non-profit organizations in strategy and execution and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and a Master’s Degree in Accounting and Financial Management.
Charlie Keebaugh, MBA
Business Development
Charlie Keebaugh is an executive leader with a proven record of success. He is a business growth expert whose clients named him to the Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies in the US on 5 Separate Occasions. He is skilled in pipeline development, business capture, contracts management, recruiting & staffing, operations management, and compliance. Charlie is an Air Force veteran who served in special forces. He attended Harvard Business School Executive Education and earned MBA from Northcentral University.
Amelia Beard, JD
Legal Counsel
Thomas May
Donor Development
William Markham
Command CMSgt (Ret) USAF
William Markham, Command Chief Master Sergeant US Air Force (retired), joined The Patriot Fund as the Executive Director on December 1st, 2020. Will served for 30 years in the United States Air Force and has received numerous decorations and awards for his courageous duties. As a retired Veteran, he continues to serve the military community through mentorship, charitable actions, and patriotic leadership. Will started a 501(c)3 non-profit, Project OVAT (One Veteran @ A Time), which is a charitable organization that was established to help Veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military. Will has recently joined The Patriot Fund team as the Executive Director. A constant professional since his retirement, he has been inducted into the 2018 USAF, Gathering of Eagles, and 2021 U.S. Special Operations Command, Commando Hall of Honor.
Michael Berry, JD
Legal Counsel
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There is hope and there is purpose. I thank SOF Missions for giving me a second chance!!