Team Members
Meet the Team, and Read their Why
National Director
Account Executive
Hero Success Manager
Account Executive
VP of Marketing and Business Intelligence
Transaction Processing Specialist
BI Analyst
Full Stack Developer
Hero Rewards Coordinator
Hero Success Representative
Hero Success Representative
Affiliate Success Representative
Account Executive
Legal Assistant
Foundation Director
Technical Architect
Director of Hero Success
Accounting Manager
Hero Success Representative
Hero Success Representative
Marketing Project Manager
AR/AP Specialist
Affiliate Success Representative
Senior Marketing Manager
Marketing Specialist
Legal Director
Senior Marketing Manager
Owner / Human Resources
Chief Operating Officer
CFO
Account Executive
Senior Project Manager
CEO/President
Transaction Processing Specialist
Lead Developer
Director of Affiliate Memberships
Emerging Media Manager
Full Stack Developer
Assistant National Director
National Director
Abby Waltz
I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the first responders that saved my life in a horrific car accident as a teenager. Now, it is my mission to be a strong positive force in the world. To inspire others to live life to the fullest by helping them realize their true purpose (their WHY) and full potential. I fulfill that mission through my commitment to saying Thank You to every hero for their selflessness, compassion and courage they display and inspiring others to do the same. I would not have the opportunity to live the life I live without our heroes continued commitment to serve and better our communities each and every day and for that I am incredibly grateful. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU to each and every hero, for all you do.
Account Executive
Annie Conde
My dad served in the Unites States Marine Corps. I grew up learning all about his service and the crazy different things he did while serving. He raised a little mini-marine soldier 😊! He continued to live a life of service and gave back well after he was out of the service. He was a bridge; he intently listened to peoples needs and would do whatever he could to connect or help that person. I am here at Homes For Heroes to honor my dad (and all those who served) and live out what he taught me by example and pay it forward. God bless America!
Hero Success Manager
Audrey Sykowski-Brisiel
My husband served in the Army and I am proud to be a veteran’s spouse. I have always wanted to find a company that helps serve our heroes. It is a true blessing to become part of a company that is doing positive things for Heroes.
Account Executive
Benjamin Citron
I come from a lineage of heroes whose contributions have directly paved the way for my freedom, health, and education. This heritage fuels my passion for making a meaningful impact. This is why Homes for Heroes resonates deeply with me—it’s a platform to amplify our initiatives and extend support to often overlooked heroes in our society.
Over the past 12 years, my journey at Zillow has been closely intertwined with real estate agents. In this partnership, I’ve seen lives transformed as we connected agents with consumers, shaping the American dream of homeownership. This experience solidified my belief in the power of connections and making a significant impact on lives.
VP of Marketing and Business Intelligence
Bob Stanke
All my life, I have been surrounded by educators. My dad has been a school administrator for 40 years, so growing up I always heard stories at the dinner table about the importance of teachers and the hard work involved in educating our children. I have been married to a teacher for the last 18 years, and see first hand the difference my wife and her co-workers make through their hard work and sacrifices to make sure every child gets the time and attention they need to be successful. Joining Homes for Heroes was my small way to give back to not only teachers, but all of those community heroes around us who help make the United States of America the best country in the world.
Transaction Processing Specialist
Cassidy Madsen
I am forever grateful for those who put their lives on the line to give us freedom and safety, just as many of my family members have. We should thank our veterans every day, not only on Veterans Day. Also, we need to thank our everyday heroes; those who work in the medical field, law enforcement, first responders, fire fighters, and teachers. I am extremely fortunate to be able to work with a company that makes a difference in the lives of our heroes every day.
BI Analyst
Chase Schaffter
I am very honored to be working for a company that cares so much about our nation’s heroes. I have several members of my family that have served in the military and I am very grateful to each service member. Also, I am very thankful to all of the heroic first responders, healthcare workers, and everyone dedicated to the education systems.
Since college I have worked in IT, Business Intelligence, and Data Analytics.
I plan to use my technical experience and skills to further Homes for Heroes company’s mission.
Together as a team, we will thank every hero in the nation!
Full Stack Developer
Emily Hoang
In 1975 when South Vietnam fell into communist hands, being that my father served in the South Vietnamese army, our family was rounded up and sent to reeducation camps. These were essentially forced labor camps in desolate areas. Some were detained without a trial for up to decades. After being released, our family faced significant oppression from the communist government. My father served in the South Vietnamese army along with American troops – we consider him a hero in the front lines fighting for the freedom. As a consequence, getting treated unfairly afterwards was heartbreaking. Coming from that experience growing up, it is an honor for me to work at Homes For Heroes. Our main value is to serve our heroes, who have sacrificed so much to give us the freedoms we have today. Something that my father fought so hard to have. My father passed away a couple years ago, but I know he would very proud of me for doing what I do everyday to serve our heroes. They deserve the best from society for the service they have given unconditionally.
Hero Rewards Coordinator
Emmy Young
My mom was in the healthcare field, and she gave her life in the line of duty. Inspired by her, a great deal of my adult life was dedicated to medicine. One thing I learned from my own experiences and from my family in military, education, first responders, and law enforcement- the ones that serve us rarely see themselves as heroes. Thinking back to my time in the hospital, I don’t remember feeling like a hero. I remember the exhaustion, the sadness for those suffering, and the fear that I would not be good enough, smart enough, or fast enough to help. When my life situation changed and I could no longer practice medicine, I still felt the drive to make the world around me a better place. My job as the Hero Reward Coordinator at Homes for Heroes allows me the privilege of thanking our heroes. In a small way, I hope to support their efforts and to brighten their day, if even for a moment.
Hero Success Representative
Gabriel Rodriguez
My wife is a teacher. She teaches important subjects and inspires students’ creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while instilling important values. When hearing about the day-to-day experience of teachers I am glad to be working with a company that shows recognition to many different types of heroes including my wife, my hero.
Hero Success Representative
Genna Sallack
My father, Navy, and my husband, Army, both served their time diligently with our armed forces during active war. along with my training in the medical field as a Paramedic. The deep appreciation I have for our armed forces and other heroic professions led me to this company. A company that listens to the needs of others, makes our heroes a priority, and gives back to the community is what makes this a fulfilling career. Giving back and serving others is a strong value, rooted deep within and I am thankful to be a part of something that does just that. For all those who sacrifice, I am grateful to serve.
Affiliate Success Representative
Heather Campbell
I couldn’t be prouder to work for Homes for Heroes! Being able to give back and serve others is not only something I strongly value but I actually get to do every day through my career, for that I am truly blessed. I have many family members who are my heroes; everyone from my mother being a special education teacher for over 35 years, my sister a pediatric speech pathologist, my brother a school district psychologist, to my beautiful daughter being a military child. It’s incredible how much they give! I know many of us can say this, the service members in my life have done so much for me personally and they deserve to be thanked every day for what they do, who they are and what they represent.
Account Executive
Holly Derrick
I am thrilled to be part of this team; I’m dedicated to making a compassionate impact. My global travels as a flight attendant cultivated a deep appreciation for the essence of home. Aligned with Home for Heroes’ mission, I’m committed to ensuring our community heroes find the comfort and recognition they deserve in their own home. With Homes for Heroes, I’ve found a purposeful career and a way to say thank you!
Legal Assistant
Jasmine Bridgett
As a former military brat, I was raised by my heroes. It was an honor to be a member of a military family, and I know firsthand just how important home is to our heroes. Home is what keeps us working towards the mission, and keeps families strong. I look forward to giving back to heroes that serve, those who have served, and those that will in the future. We are a better community because of their selfless sacrifice and I am inspired everyday to thank them for all they do.
Foundation Director
Jay Flynn
James “Jay” Flynn, Chief of the Denver Fire Department, started his fire service career in 1992 as a volunteer firefighter at the Ore Bank-Pumpkin Center Fire Department. In 2003, he transitioned to the career fire service with Denver Fire Department in Denver, North Carolina. Jay has spent the last 16 years serving the Denver community as a firefighter, captain, and fire chief.
Chief Flynn has an associate’s degree in Fire Protection Management from the Cleveland Community College. He also has completed the Fire & Rescue Management Institute and Public Management Academy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has attended many courses at the National Fire Academy and through the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission.
Chief Flynn is well respected among the firefighters, Lincoln County government and the region for his professionalism and his ability to build strong relationships. During his time as Fire Chief, Chief Flynn has served as the President of the Lincoln County Fire-Rescue Association, as a member of Lincoln County Emergency Planning Committee and the Lincoln County Emergency Services Committee. Additionally, Chief Flynn is a member of several professional organizations including the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs as well as the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Technical Architect
Jeff Bullert
I am proud to work at Homes for Heroes because it lets me give back to those who have helped me and my family. Without our local police, EMS and healthcare workers my mom wouldn’t be here today. She has lived with some serious medical conditions since she was a kid and wasn’t supposed to make it past 20 years old and she is now in her mid 60’s. This is why I choose to give back and Thank those who are out there every day saving someone’s family member.
Director of Hero Success
Jesse Salomon
I have always felt a very deep appreciation for the men and women who serve others. I have members of my family that have served in various capacities. This has given me the healthy respect for what these folks do. I am honored to be able to do my part to thank these individuals.
Accounting Manager
Jessie Henry
Finance has always been my passion when it comes to the type of work I enjoy. The problem with working in this area of business is that is hard to feel as if you are really contributing. At Homes for Heroes I have the opportunity to work with the best group of individuals, doing what I love, all while supporting Heroes in communities around America get rewarded for their service.
Hero Success Representative
Joanna Mora Avila
My first job in a hospital kitchen office allowed me to provide care not only through meals but also by offering support to both patients and the entire healthcare staff.
I chose Home for Heroes because of my unwavering dedication to serving others and my passion to make a strong impact. Spreading kindness remains at the core of who I am, and this organization gives me an opportunity to give back to the heroes who give their all everyday.
Hero Success Representative
Kaitlyn McAulay
Growing up I have always had such a great appreciation of all our nation’s heroes. All of the sacrifices they make everyday to make our country better is something I really admire. I have been lucky to grow up with a family that respects all of the heroes this great nation has. I am also so grateful to have a job to help them on this journey that they are about to take. I am a new mother to a handsome baby boy and my husband and I feel blessed that he will grow up hearing stories from both his Papa John who was in the navy and his Opa Greg who was in the army.
Marketing Project Manager
Karen Battist
I have the highest respect and admiration for those who serve in the armed forces, first responders, health care professionals, and teachers. My Mom was a teacher for 30 years and my cousin was a firefighter in NYC during 9/11. I am honored and blessed to be working with Homes for Heroes to give back to those that give so much everyday.
AR/AP Specialist
Kathy Yang
The opportunity to work at Homes for Heroes allows me to serve and impact the lives of heroes. I would not be able to enjoy the life I live, if it wasn’t for the heroes. When I was born, I weighed only 2lbs and was hospitalized for 4 months. Everyday, I am reminded to be THANKFUL because there is a hero out there serving, saving lives and keeping our country safe.
Affiliate Success Representative
Leslie Huckaby
I am excited to work for Homes for Heroes and be a part of a team that is united with a common goal. To be able to assist in the process of helping Heroes, show them the respect and appreciation they deserve is extremely rewarding. A letter to my father dated 11/29/1945 from The Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal says “I want the Navy’s pride in you, which it is my privilege to express, to reach into your civil life and remain with you always.” The sacrifices and courage heroes show in service and after, inspire me to do my best to help and support them in any way possible. This platform will allow me to utilize the skills I have learned in Real Estate the past 20 years to maximize the positive impact we can have on the community of Heroes nationwide.
Senior Marketing Manager
Luke Feldbrugge
Back in 2012 I was laid off. During this time I realized I was chasing the wrong things professionally, so I chose to only pursue work where I could positively impact the lives of others. No exceptions. Looking back it made sense. When I was 3, I wanted to be a fireman. When I was 17, I planned to serve in the Army (but I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes). My first declared college major was education and I wanted to be a teacher/coach. Serving others was clearly important to me, but how could I do it professionally? Enter Homes for Heroes. I realized I will spend 125,000 hours working in my lifetime. If I live to 75, that’s 20% of my life. At Homes for Heroes, my work helps to positively impact the lives of people who chose to serve the rest of us.
Marketing Specialist
Mackenzie Bintner
Helping others is in my nature and it is a part of who I am. Working at Homes for Heroes provides me an opportunity to make a difference in someones life everyday. Serving those who serve our community is rewarding and it continues to open my heart and mind to how I can learn, grow and improve everyday.
Legal Director
Maggie Farley
I am grateful to work for an organization that has a common mission of serving the heroes that take care of our communities. From the teachers that inspire us, to the members of our military that defend our freedom, we have so many reasons to be grateful for these selfless individuals. The path to homeownership can be stressful, and having the opportunity to provide a service that helps to alleviate some of that burden for our heroes is what excites me about my job.
Senior Marketing Manager
Maggie Looker
I have several family members who are heroes, including my dad who was a teacher. I am lucky enough to know these heroes and the unique challenges they face daily. Being able to help those who least expect it, but certainly deserve it, makes me proud to be a part of this team and thank every hero in the nation. It is the least we can do to thank them for everything they have done for us. As part of the marketing team, I not only get to do a job that I love, but I also get to spread the word about Homes for Heroes so that every hero has a chance to achieve their dream of homeownership.
Owner / Human Resources
Kacy Mlenar
I’ve been blessed, yet spoiled to be born on U.S. soil. It wasn’t until I got older and traveled abroad did I come to the realization that not everyone had the opportunities and the freedom that I had. It gave me a profound appreciation for those that fight for our freedom and opportunity that I unknowingly had taken for granted. Then after seeing the events of 911, my family and I started the Homes for Heroes program to say “thank you” to all who serve our nation and its communities. Creating this program made me feel like I was part of the recovery efforts by coming together and strengthening our communities.
Chief Operating Officer
Rebecca Martin
I believe that everyone deserves a place to call home where they can retreat, relax, and refresh. A home is even more meaningful when you own it! Working for Homes for Heroes has allowed me to combine my passion for homeownership with thanking and giving back to the heroes who are the backbone of our nation. Our nation’s heroes work tirelessly every day to serve others and being able to thank them with rewards when they buy and sell their homes provides me with tremendous pride. After these heroes spend a day in service to others, I like to think of them returning to their own home to recharge.
“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
~Maya Angelou
CFO
Robert J. Specht
Bob has had the pleasure of advising HFH since the early formation years and continues to provide financial expertise to the HFH team, drawing from an extensive career in varied financial leadership positions. He currently is the VP Finance for AWireless, a billion retailer of wireless services. He has leadership experience in the retail, software and hospitality industries, with both public and private companies, including high growth start-up ventures and private-equity backed investments. He enjoys the entrepreneurial environment and what the HFH team has accomplished thus far.
During Bob’s 12-year tenure at Gander Mountain Company he was an integral part of the leadership team that grew this IPO-company to over $1.3 billion in sales with profitability. Bob began his career in public accounting and enjoyed 6 years in public accounting with D&T and PWC.
He is a certified public accountant and holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota.
Account Executive
Ron Dove
There is nothing more satisfying to me than helping people. After being an Affiliated Lender with Homes For Heroes for close to three years I feel very blessed to work with this amazing company and wonderful people. Who better to help than those who help so many others? These professionals are selfless and deserve to be recognized in a special way. HFH does an excellent job of doing so.
I reside in a small rural town in Southern Arizona called Vail with my soulmate of 27 years, our two horses and three Standard Poodles.
Senior Project Manager
Rovshan Safarov
I joined the Homes for Heroes team in 2021 to be a part of this incredible initiative helping those who are on the front line to make our lives safe. Having IT project management background enables me to participate in great programs supporting Heroes in our communities across the country.
CEO/President
Ruth Johnson
Our family started the Homes for Heroes program to say “thank you” to all who serve our nation and its communities. Those who show up, every day, to help make our communities better and safer places to live. The strength of our nation depends on the strength of our communities. The strength of our communities often falls on the backs of those who serve. Our WHY centers around the tragic events of 9/11/2001 and the many heroes involved in the rescue and recovery efforts.Those whose service often goes unnoticed until we need them. Our ‘rally cry’ is: Together a team, we will thank every hero in the nation. It is so rewarding to know that we are making progress on our goal and a difference in the lives of the heroes we serve.
Transaction Processing Specialist
Ruth Oke
I have a deep sense of compassion, which is why with my career as a relationship officer over the years, I have been able to put a smile on people’s faces by meeting their needs and leaving them with an unforgettable experience. It brings me great joy to serve these heroes. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute in my own small way to those who have made significant sacrifices for our nation. I am genuinely excited to continue pursuing the work that brings me the greatest joy.
Lead Developer
Sai Yang
I would have probably been one of those faces you see on the news. I was born in a refugee camp. I have heard the sad stories that war produces. However, today there’s breath in lungs and a beat in my heart. Today, I have the opportunity to give back and say, “Thank you. I am here because you gave. God bless you!”
Director of Affiliate Memberships
Sandra Kramer
I have been in a sales role most of my life and I was attracted to Homes for Heroes to provide more meaning to what I do. I not only get to consult with real estate agents and lenders who are considering our program, I know that by bringing in the right people more heroes will be honored and rewarded. I am especially grateful this program includes teachers. It was my 9th grade teacher who pulled me aside one day because he noticed I was not myself. His interest in me changed my life and helped me to get through a tough time in my family. I will never forget his kindness and concern.
Emerging Media Manager
Seth Jeska
My career at Homes for Heroes happened through a very indirect and unexpected path. While pursuing my degree in entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas, I discovered my passion for business analysis and consulting. My professional goal was to carve out a successful career in management consulting. That professional goal changed after a summer with Homes for Heroes. After working with this company for three short months, my perspective on what defines my success changed. I realized that I could have a far more successful career by applying my skills and knowledge to help grow a national program and make sure every hero that serves their community receives the recognition they deserve. Equally as important, my career at Homes for Heroes is my way of honoring the work my mother dedicated to her community as a teacher, and my grandfather’s service to this country as a WWII Navy veteran.
Full Stack Developer
Steve Simonson
As a mental health professional, hearing stories of Veterans struggling with mental health issues upon returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan post-9/11, I wanted to figure out how I could apply myself personally and professionally to a solution. This lead me to a position at The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center on a grant from the VA to provide transitional housing for homeless veterans, working to get veterans off the street while removing barriers to secure permanent housing. It was in this role that I first learned of the Homes For Heroes Foundation.
From there, I moved to the position of Coordinated Entry Planner, managing the distribution of homeless housing resources for the 5-county Twin Cities suburban metro area. In that role, I drafted and advocated for policy changes to improve representation of veterans through the homeless housing system.
After making a career change into software development, I wanted to continue working for that greater purpose. Working for Homes For Heroes, I can continue to apply myself toward Hero advocacy and support those in achieving their housing goals!
Assistant National Director
Vicki Czech
I work at Homes for Heroes so I can be a part of something impactful and hopefully help make a difference in someone’s life. Heroes are a big part of my family and being given the opportunity to honor them and what they do is rewarding everyday!
