OUR TEAM

Richard “Rick” Ecker

Founder, CEO

While serving more than 38 years in public service, Rick has been fortunate to have worked at all levels within the Department of Defense, serving in positions where he was able to learn, advice, and help bring attention to problems which surround our veteran community.

Spending more than 22 years as a United States Marine, he focused most of his career in Public Affairs / Community and Media Relations, working not only with the Marines, but veterans from all branches of the service.

Right after retirement from the Marine Corps, he worked as the Executive Director of the United States Marines Youth Foundation, a nationally based, military focused, youth fitness foundation. He later worked as a government contractor, managing an Air Force Public Affairs contract supporting Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, as well as the Public Affairs Office at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Rick retired as Director of Community Outreach, for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after serving for more than 13-years. Rick has continually been at the forefront of veteran issues. From a national level, he was able to learn; and many times, offer support to an array of organizations focused on veteran issues. From fighting homelessness to keeping a veteran in his home, he was able to experience first-hand “the need” that our veterans face today.

Throughout his career, Rick has always had a concern and a big heart for our veterans, our first responders and their families; and looked for ways where he could give back…Today, the Vets on Track Foundation gives him that opportunity. He created the Foundation with his family to help address critical needs and give our veterans and first responders the support they need!

Together with his wife Lesley, and daughters Brittany and Rileigh, they are helping to honor and support our servicemen and women and first responders. Together, they look to build the Vets on Track Foundation into a nationally focused organization that develops “real” solutions for “real” issues surrounding our veterans, first responders and their families.

Jason Mueller

Executive Director

As an active-duty Marine, a veteran, and throughout my pastorship, I have felt a calling to serve.  As a Marine, my calling was to serve our country and to protect our freedoms.  This level of service and commitment involves sacrifices in all aspects of life – both as an individual and as a family.  Devastatingly, it could also involve the ultimate sacrifice of one’s life to protect these freedoms.  

After being honorably discharged in May of 2001, I followed God’s calling to continue to serve others by becoming a pastor.  The calling came to me during my deployment in 1998 while in the deserts of Kuwait.  My passion was to faithfully serve a community and to spread God’s Word, but I had a more deeply rooted passion to serve and support those who have worn the uniform in defense of our country and freedoms.  

In 2021, God provided me the opportunity to meet Steve Wingfield, evangelist and CEO of Wingfield Ministries, Inc.   Steve challenged me to step out in faith and fulfill my passion to serve and support active and Reserve military service members, veterans, and their families (spouses, children, parents, and siblings).  Collectively, they can be best described as our “warriors.”  I started R.A.W. as a way to fulfill my calling.  After meeting Rick, we decided that R.A.W. could be better served as a program within the Vets on Track Foundation. It is my desire that through R.A.W. everyone will discover hope, healing, and their individual purpose.  

Justin Kay

Director, Business Development

 Justin served 7 years active duty before entering the guard.  Justin continued serving his country for more than 22 years. While as an active-duty guardsman Justin followed his passion to serve his local community as a firefighter for the City of Richmond.  Justin was medically retired from the fire department with 17 years of service. Justin served as the Assistant Chief of Training for the Guard Fire Rescue before they moved to Langley AFB.  Justin went on to be the NCOIC of Public Health while also helping in the medical Squadron. Justin also served as one of the NCOIC of CERFP (chemical emergency Response Force Package) team and help Create it’s program. Justin’s passion has now shifted to help the Homeless Veterans community.

EDWIN TALBOT

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Edwin has served in the homeless arena for the past several years.  After experiencing homelessness himself for more than five years, he understands the toll that homelessness can take on an individual.  Edwin was rescued from the streets by Micah Ministries, an agency in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

For the last several years, Edwin worked as manager of Micah’s furniture warehouse, delivering household items to people moving out of homelessness.  Edwin has an incredible sense of urgency, attention to detail and works hard to ensure that the clients he supports has everything they needed to make a successful transition from the streets back into society.

In 2021, Edwin joined the Vets on Track Foundation as their Operations Manager and has helped furnish more than 100 homes since his arrival.  

A native of Stafford, Virginia, Logan graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in May 2015 before commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. After completing his first assignment with the 62nd Medical Brigade at Fort Lewis, WA, Logan was reassigned to Fort Stewart, GA to join the 3rd Infantry Division as a senior medical planner. Logan deployed to both South Korea and Germany in support of allied countries before leaving active duty in the Summer of 2022 at the rank of Captain.

After leaving active duty, Logan joined the Vets on Track Foundation as the Assistant Director of Operations. As the descendant of a World War II veteran, Logan is passionate about supporting our local Heroes through the work of the foundation.

Growing up in El Paso, Texas, my roots within the military community and passion for community service grew deep. Father was a WWII Navy Vet, one of the first Hispanic Divers, helped liberate Guam. Mom was a domestic Engineer. Together, they organized little league football and baseball teams, and were involved in the local Boy Scouts as leaders. I was immersed in scouting and sports, as a Brownie and Girl Scout, playing Softball, Volleyball, and Basketball. Graduated from Austin High School in 1983 and made the move to Burke, VA in November 1985. Married my childhood sweetheart Rigoberto “Chuggy” Cruz in December 1985. Together we have two beautiful, successful daughters – Bianca Hamilton, an accomplished CPA in Austin, Texas and Victoria, a graduate student at James Madison University, Elementary Education – and a brand-new baby grandson.

Currently, the Assistant Deli Manager for Weis Grocer. Spent 15 years in government service, serving the Field Artillery Branch, Pentagon and U.S. Army Materiel Command. From 2009-2014, owned a Curves, woman’s exercise business. Managed 12 stores for Little Caesars. While working for Lowe’s where I coordinated a multitude of community events supporting local first responders, military members, and veterans.

Passionately volunteering, serving the community over the years at Hampton Oaks Elementary School,
HH Poole Middle School & North Stafford High School – Band Booster and donation coordinator, Operation Care, Aid our Vets, and currently Director, Community Outreach & Fundraising for Vets on Track Foundation, as well as Stafford County Sherriff’s office.