OUR TEAM
Richard “Rick” Ecker
Founder, CEO
While serving over 38 years in public service, Rick had the opportunity to work at all levels within the Department of Defense, in roles where he could learn, advise, and help shed light on issues affecting our veteran community.
Having spent more than 22 years as a United States Marine, he primarily focused his career on Public Affairs, Community, and Media Relations, working not only with Marines but also with veterans from all branches of the military. Immediately after retiring from the Marine Corps, he served as the Executive Director of the United States Marines Youth Foundation, a nationally recognized, military-focused youth fitness organization.
He later worked as a government contractor, managing an Air Force Public Affairs contract supporting Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, and the Public Affairs Office at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Rick retired as the Director of Community Outreach for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after more than 13 years of service. Throughout his career, he has been a leading advocate for veteran issues. At a national level, he gained valuable insights and frequently supported various organizations dedicated to supporting veterans. From fighting homelessness to ensuring veterans can stay in their homes, he has witnessed firsthand the challenges veterans face today.
Always deeply concerned and compassionate towards veterans, first responders, and their families, Rick continuously seeks ways to give back. Today, the Vets on Track Foundation provides him with that opportunity. He founded the Foundation with his family to address critical needs and to offer support to our veterans and first responders. Alongside his wife, Lesley, and daughters Brittany and Rileigh, Rick is committed to honoring and supporting our servicemen, women, and first responders. Together, they aim to grow the Vets on Track Foundation into a nationally recognized organization that develops practical solutions for real issues affecting veterans, first responders, and their families.
Daniel Nelson
Executive Director
I served in the US Army from 1988 to 1992 as a 91A Combat Medic. I earned one of the most challenging military badges in 1990, the Expert Field Medical Badge, and was stationed in Germany with F Co, 703rd Spt Bn, 3rd Inf Div, from 1989 to 1991. During this time, I witnessed the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, which marked the end of the Cold War.
I have served for 15 years as a Legionnaire and was Commander of AL Post 496 in Kent, Ohio, from 2012 to 2013. I continue to serve the American Legion as a Lifetime member and still volunteer with the Honor Guard Team to honor those veterans who have passed away and are buried at our state’s national cemeteries.
I am still working full-time as a security consultant for John’s Brothers Security, based in Norfolk, VA, with a presence in Richmond, VA.
ALLEN GEORGE
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Allen George Jr. has served as a Retail Store Director for 31 years. He enjoys managing and developing people to succeed both on and off the job. His message is to help people realize that 90% of everything they do in life depends on their attitude toward what they are doing.
His love for motorsports grew when his son, Devin George, decided to pursue racing. Over the past two years, he has been working to build Devin George Racing into a competitive NASCAR Legend Series team. Allen enjoys working with Devin on the racetrack and is learning as much as he can about the racing industry.
Allen enjoys golfing and playing drums at Southside Church, which he has been involved with for the past 14 years.
VACANT
DIRECTOR, MEDIA RELATIONS
Jesse Settle
Director, Fallen Heroes Initiative
Jesse Settle currently serves as Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services for Governor Glenn Youngkin. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Media Arts & Design with a Minor in Criminal Justice in 2020. He completed his Master of Public Administration degree in 2022, both at James Madison University.
Growing up in a family involved in the military and law enforcement, Jesse understood early on the sacrifices made by first responders and veteran families to serve others. He recognized that veterans can never be fully repaid for the trauma and experiences they endure, but he felt a strong urge to serve them and their families in some way. That’s how the Fallen Heroes Initiative (FHI) program started.
The Fallen Heroes Initiative was founded to support widowed first responders and veteran families and to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
SONIA MIZELL
Director, Resiliency Among Warriors
From the Land of 10,000 Lakes to the decks of the USS Iwo Jima, Sonia has always been up for an adventure—and usually has a good story to show for it.
A proud Navy veteran (2012-2016) who navigated the worlds of electronics and Middle Eastern deployments, she caught the travel bug early, thanks to her mom’s travel agency. Deciding the Navy’s offer to “see the world” was too good to pass up, especially as it followed a proud family tradition of service spanning four generations, it felt like a natural next step.
When not charting courses, you might have found her on the ice; a hockey player since the age of three, she played through college and even spent years volunteer-coaching, demonstrating her knowledge of teamwork, hard work, how to check someone, and the power of a well-placed slapshot. Her journey has been more of an exciting slalom course of developing new skills rather than a straight line.
Before her military service, she was initially set on a medical career—earning a CNA through the Mayo Clinic during high school and completing two years of pre-med studies at the University of North Dakota—before deciding to switch from a future in scrubs to one involving circuits by becoming an Electronics Technician when she joined the Navy.
She has also effectively managed retail operations as a supervisor, handling everything from administration and customer service to merchandising. Beyond that, she energizes diverse groups as a NASM-certified group fitness instructor, leading dynamic classes such as boot camps, kickboxing, Zumba, and barbell strength.
This varied background isn’t just a list of roles; it shows Sonia’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life, think creatively under pressure, and bring a refreshingly multifaceted perspective to any challenge. She’s quick on her feet—whether in combat boots, go-fasters, skates, or stilettos—to step up and find a way to make things happen. Add to that her role as a resourceful single parent to two bright girls, one of whom navigates the world with autism. Her problem-solving skills are not just theoretical but a daily, lived experience that has profoundly shaped her outlook and strengthened her resilience, bringing empathy and innovative thinking to every situation.
BRANDI TAYLOR
Director, Community Connection Project
Brandi is a US Army Veteran. She served as a 93P, Aviation Operations Specialist, out of Fort Bragg, NC, and Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. She also deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina with the 18th Airborne Corps.
Brandi is a member of the VFW, American Legion, DAV, and the DAV Auxiliary. She served as the Treasurer of DAV, CH 50, from 2020 until 2025, and is currently a Chapter Service Officer, providing claims assistance to Veterans.
Currently, Brandi serves Veterans by working as a Registered Nurse at the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Brandi is the proud recipient of the 2023 “Community Hero Award” from the Vets on Track Foundation. Brandi is a lifelong learner and currently holds an associate’s degree in finance (Hawaii Pacific University), a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (University of Maryland), and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Virginia Commonwealth University).
DWAYNE HARDWICK
Director, Beyond the Streets
Dwayne is a Marine Corps veteran who served over 8 years from November 1996 to November 2004. As a Staff Sergeant, he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as a Platoon Sergeant for 3rd Light Armored Recon. He also worked as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, 1st Battalion, A Company.
A native of Kentucky, Dwayne is an active member of the Knuckle Draggerz Veterans Club, a non-profit motorcycle group that promotes brotherhood among veterans and enthusiasts of the past, while supporting veterans and local communities.
Dwayne moved to the Fredericksburg, Virginia area from Kentucky on June 1 and immediately started volunteering to assist veterans in need through the Vets on Track Foundation, where he now serves as the Director of Beyond the Streets. Dwayne expressed his excitement and enthusiasm about joining Vets on Track and being selected as the new Director of the Beyond the Streets Program.
CHARLIE CRENSHAW
Director, ARMED FORCES MOTORSPORTS
Charles Crenshaw is a proud Air Force Veteran who served as a General-Purpose Vehicle Mechanic. He is a Desert Storm Veteran and served in multiple countries and bases, both in the Middle East and stateside.
After leaving the military he continued his career as a Master Automotive Technician continuing his love for cars and racing.
Charlie is also a life member of the DAV and a Freemason.
