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TRIBE  |  UNIFY  |  FORTIFY

We are a Tribe focused on each other's wellness and dedicated to building camaraderie. We focus on the recipient's home Tribe as importantly, assisting their focus on the Tribe that supported them.

We help unify our Veteran recipients with the families and communities they spent their professional lives protecting. As an organization, we are unified behind this one effort.

We fortify our Veterans as they transition from service, both in a physical and a physiological sense. We guide our business decisions to also fortify our ability to help, above all else.

NODENS OUTDOORS CADRE

Nodens Outdoors Cadre is made up of an all Volunteer staff from varied backgrounds that all believe deeply in supporting the Nodens mission to aide our Nation's warriors.

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JAMES PHILLIPS "PHIL"

Program Director | Board President - Navy/Marines

Phil is a former MARSOC Raider of 12 years, and now serves as the Nodens Program Director and Board President. He spends most of his time building and running his family ranch in the Western US. During his remaining free time, he enjoys his time with his family and working as a freelance photographer. Phil is passionate about ranching and the western way of life. He has a strong belief in the power of getting outside and remaining active, attributing both to his continued effort in his own transition back to normalcy as a Veteran. 

 

“Nodens Outdoors is more than just another Non-Profit for Veterans, it is a family, and a tribe. It fortifies SOF Veterans to become better husbands, fathers, and friends as well as brings them renewed functionality in their daily lives after their transition from years of faithful service to this country.”

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DEREK RUGGIERO

Board Member | Treasurer

Derek is a former Officer of the CIA's Directorate of Operations, an outdoors and overlanding enthusiast, and a certified AML/CFT professional who, after working as an Anti-Money Laundering Analyst with the world’s foremost money transfer service, is currently working as a counter-fraud intelligence analyst. Derek has witnessed the incredible sacrifices that American men and women have made in the name of our safety and security, and the impact that those sacrifices had on both our nation and those who defend it. Derek will serve as Treasurer for Nodens Outdoors to ensure that Nodens Outdoors can continue to give back to those who have given so much.

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MATTHEW WISWESSER

Board Member | Chief of Operations | Human Performance Lead

Matthew is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer who has worked with international and professional sports teams with focus on injury prevention and strength training. As an independent contractor for a government human performance lab, he coaches human performance optimization; and has worked with DOE, DIA, DHS, DOJ US Marshals and DoD USSOCOM elements. Matthew holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and is an avid bow hunter. An incredible coach and educator with cross discipline expertise, "Wis" will drive education, training, and coaching to Nodens Outdoors recipients both in-person during immersions as well as virtually.

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AJ IAQUINTA

Archery Education Lead | Media

AJ has worked in Counter Financial Crimes for nearly ten years. When he is not busy looking for money launderers during his nine to five, he is the creator behind the social media bowhunting brand; Knights of the Apex (A.K.A KOTA). AJ creates  photo and video content designed to educate shooters about bowhunting gear, its setup and maintenance. AJ will drive these same efforts for program recipients to ensure they are capable of maintaining their equipment both at home and in the field. 

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CELESTE JONES

Chief Financial Officer | Marketing

Celeste is a highly experienced non-profit fundraiser, donor manager, and marketing director. Driven by a passion for Veteran outreach, her goal is to help raise funding and donor awareness for Nodens Outdoors. Celeste brings a much needed ability to the Nodens team by working closely with donors who believe in our mission. Celeste is from Arizona and loves spending time outdoors with her horses and believes in the value of outdoor therapy. 

 

“Pairing my passion as a Veteran advocate with my financial advising experience, I appreciate the opportunity to help Nodens connect more Veterans to a meaningful experience through smart bookkeeping, donor management, and marketing to be successful.” 

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MARCUS BACAHUI

Veteran Mentor

Marcus Bacahui is a highly decorated 25 year retired USMC Commando. His years of service have taken him on multiple deployments in various areas around the globe. Marcus currently owns a successful business where he instructs and develops tactics, techniques, and procedures for Special Mission Units within the United States. Outside of work and family, Marcus is passionate about new activities that present a challenge, create a spark, and gives him drive. These activities include, snowboarding, Skydiving, and experiences smoking on his smoker grill. Marcus recently picked up bowhunting as a recipient of the Nodens Class of 2023.

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