Board of Directors

Tim Swenson has worked for the Boy Scouts of America for 11 years. Tim has an extensive background in fundraising and youth development through outdoor high adventure activities. He served as the director of a backpacking high adventure base for four years and has worked on the National BSA Camp School Staff as a trainer for the Camp Director and Trek Leadership courses. Tim was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He is the proud father of three sons, Brandon, Ryan and Logan and husband to Kacey.

Steve created Knights of Heroes in November of 2006 after his friend, Major Troy Gilbert, was killed while serving in Iraq. Major Gilbert was an incredible Christian, husband, and father of five beautiful young children. Following his death, Steve developed the program as a way to honor Troy and provide mentorship to Troy's two young boys. Steve has 16 years of active duty military service, and a master's degree in counseling and leadership. Steve's wife Suzanne runs the program for the mothers and siblings that travel to Colorado with the campers.

Chad is the Battle Buddy program manager for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Chad has extensive experience working with grieving youth and adults, and has served as a group leader for numerous TAPS' Good Grief Camps. Chad is a proud Gold Star Survivor; his brother, CPT Ian Weikel, was killed in Iraq in 2006.

Chris served for seven years as an Air Force civil engineering officer before separating from active duty in 2000. Since then, Chris has worked for Alltel Communications and is currently building schools for Academy District 20 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Chris enjoys coaching his son and daughter, working in the yard, and staying active. Chris's wife Sandi helps with the program for the mothers and siblings and assists with the bookkeeping for the Knight of Heroes Foundation.

Eric is the pastor of Journey Chapel in Monument, CO. Prior to becoming a pastor, Eric served several years in the business world as a consultant and project manager for many Fortune 500 companies. He has a passion for seeing lives transformed and for everyone to get onto their own journey with God. He has worked many camps throughout the years and is involved in many high adventure outdoor activities, as a way of teaching people that they too can do more than they ever imagined.

Eric has served 16 years in the U.S. Army as an aviator and is currently a Space Operations officer at Peterson A.F.B. He has three children, and has a passion for coaching soccer and baseball. Eric has served on the Knights of Heroes board of directors since its inception three years ago and has served as a mentor during the last two camps. In addition, Eric has volunteered as a mentor with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

Dylan graduated from West Point in 2000 and served five years in the infantry to include one tour in Iraq. He moved to New Orleans after separating from the military and helped rebuild the city following Hurricane Katrina as a construction superintendent. Dylan worked with a non-profit called Helmets to Hardhats helping military veterans start new careers in the construction industry. He recently took a job with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.