Board of Directors / Officers:
Cabot Benton, President
Bryon Kelly, Vice President
Rod Lowell Sr., Secretary
David Allard, Treasurer
Staff:
Cabot Benton, Founder and CEO
Rod Lowell Sr., Executive Director of Community, Corporate and Military Relations
David Allard, Director of Marketing and Planning
Dr. Stan McGowan, National Outreach Director
LT. Col. Lew Deal, National Programs Director
Bryon Kelly, Executive Director of Operations, Programs, and Special Events
Advisory Council:
Gilda Jackson
Kenny Vaughan
Cabot Benton Founder, President, Board of Directors / Founder and CEO
Cabot has been involved in the outdoors his whole life. His fondest memories were with his father, who was disabled, who taught him to hunt and fish with a respect to nature and the outdoor lifestyle, and then later by giving back to his father helping him enjoy it even with his disability.
He considers his greatest achievement his family, with wife Shelly and three girls Taylor, Carley, and Cacey. He is an experienced hunting guide, professional cameraman, hunter safety instructor, and a National outdoor TV personality. Cabot is involved with several organizations creating quality hunting education and experiences to our nation’s youth and is a representative for Mossy Oak Properties. Cabot is humbled at the mission of Friends of American Heroes, and the opportunity to share this with outdoor enthusiasts all across our great nation.
Dr. Stanley McGowen, National Outreach Director
Dr. McGowen spent over twenty-one years in the U.S. Army. He served with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in South Vietnam as well as several tours of duty including Panama, Germany, and Alaska. His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, the Distinguished Flying Cross and Soldier's Medal.
He has over 5,000 hours flying helicopters and 1,000 hours of fixed wing time. In addition to service in Infantry and Aviation, he spent several years as a Military Intelligence officer, concentrating on Middle Eastern conflicts.
Medically retired after losing his sight in a 1990 airplane crash, McGowen returned to collegiate life, earning a MA and PhD in American History. He taught university classes in American History and Military History. His publications include three books, over thirty articles in the historical genre, and articles highlighting disabled hunters in various national outdoor publications including Petersen's Hunting Magazine, and Sports Afield.
During the last three years as a volunteer, Dr. McGowen organized activities that allowed over 200 wounded and injured Vets and family members to participate in hunting, target shooting, and fishing events. Dr. Stan is married to Jolene, and their son Travis is an Army veteran of Iraq, an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) instructor, and is scheduled for Afghanistan deployment in late 2009-early 2010.
Lt. Col. Lew Deal, USMC (ret), National Programs Director
Lew Deal is the Director of Outdoor Programs and Support Services with Robison International, Inc. Lew served 24 years on active duty in the U. S. Marine Corps. His military tours covered a wide variety of assignments around the world. He flew AH-1 Cobras and also has extensive experience in operational planning, joint doctrine, training, and small arms weaponry.
Lew began working with disabled veterans and veterans’ service organizations while still on active duty. From these experiences he developed the concept of and then spearheaded the passage of the Disabled Sportsmen’s Access Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-261).
Lew’s background also includes Director of Outdoor Sports Development, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Director of the Military Severely Injured Center; Director of Outreach, Virginia Department of Veterans Services and Director of the Armed Forces Foundation’s Classic Outdoor Sports Program. He is married to Jodie, and have two children; Kaitlan and Forrest.
Bryon Kelly, Executive Director of Operations, Programs, and Special Events
Bryon is an avid outdoorsman, who sets his calendar for the year based on hunting seasons. He learned his love of the outdoors from his Grandfather, Father and Uncles and their frequent trips to hunting camp. He is particularly enthusiastic in the pursuit of Whitetail Deer, Hogs and Turkeys. Bryon is retired from U.S. Army and while on Active Duty saw firsthand what it meant to be a Wounded Warrior, both as CADRE and as a Wounded Warrior himself. He contributes some of his recovery to being able to be outdoors on hunting and fishing events with his family. With that in mind, he started seeking like minded folks for opportunities to get some Wounded Warriors out to participate in outdoor events to assist in their recovery, and to help maintain a positive attitude.
Bryon is married to Bethany and they have one daughter, Lauren.
“I am elated to be given the opportunity to be a part of an organization that will be giving back to the men and women that have given so much of their life to ensure each and every one of us can enjoy the freedoms of this great country that so many take for granted. Taking one of them out for an event is a great way for them to have a relaxing day and recover mentally and spiritually.”
Gilda Jackson, Advisory Council
Gilda (DJ Cajunlady) owns and DJ’s at America’s Freedom Broadcast Radio (www.afbradio.us). America’s Freedom Broadcast Radio started with the sole mission of giving something back to those people who protect us and keep us free. It is composed of men and women through out the United States and Australia who are willing to join forces and bring a piece of home to those who we support, one tune at a time. They join forces with other organizations to help those returning home from this war, and coordinate projects with organizations to help our Veterans who have protected us in the past. Her daughter-in-law is currently a Captain serving in the United States Air Force.
Gilda’s strongest message on- and off-the-air is that of being “PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN—IN A COUNTRY THAT IS ONE NATION UNDER GOD WITH FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!” She feels a deep honor to support our Military and Veterans along with Friends of American Heroes.
Kenny Vaughan, Advisory Council
A national water-ski jump champion, Kenny founded “Shields of Strength” as a way to inspire and encourage other athletes who fought similar spiritual battles he had while competing physically. When U.S. troops were first deployed to Afghanistan, shortly after Sept 11, 2001, a military officer requested them for his troops. Since then, soldiers in every branch and of every rank wear the necklaces alongside their military issue dog tags. They also have become a wonderful reminder for families of lost servicemen and woman who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq. Kenny now shares his story across the nation to military, athletic, and Christian gatherings. He considers his story like so many others today, a struggle of faith over fear, victory over defeat, and considers it an honor in sharing it with others. Kenny lives in Beaumont, Texas with his wife and daughters.
