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.

Jacqueline Gale

Executive Director

Ms. Jacki Gale served as a cryptologist with the US Army INSCOM for 6 years.  She completed a CO-OP with the Department of Veterans Affairs and University of Maryland culminating with the dedication of the Korean Veterans Memorial touch screen database that was unveiled on the National Mall in 1995.   Jacki later earned a master’s degree in cryptography and is currently a cybersecurity expert in the DoD.  Among her awards, Jacki is the proud recipient of the 2023 Secretary of Defense Spirit of Service Award, recognizing her most recent 10 years of exemplary civilian service. 

Jacki is the daughter of a WWII Veteran who worked tirelessly with the US Congress to advocate for veterans’ rights and benefits on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and her ambition is fueled by her father’s legacy to ensure that America keeps its promise to our veterans who honorably served our great country.    

In her spare time, Jacki volunteers with the Stafford County Sheriff Office Search & Rescue Division, she designs and builds exotic wood furniture, and she is a certified SCUBA diver who enjoys life underwater even more than she does above it!  

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, and completed his Master of Public Administration degree in 2022, both at James Madison University.

Growing up in a military and law enforcement family, Jesse understood from an early age the sacrifices that first responder and veteran families make to serve others. He knew that veterans can never be repaid for the trauma and experiences they endure, but he felt compelled to serve them and their families somehow. That is where the Fallen Heroes Initiative (FHI) program began.

With a focus on serving widowed first responder and veteran families, FHI was established to serve the families and honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

VACANT

Director, Resiliency Among Warriors

VACANT

Director, Community Connection Project

DANIEL NELSON

Director, Beyond the Streets

I served in the US Army from 1988 – 1992 as a 91A Combat Medic.  I earned one of the hardest 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 and witnessed the taking down of the Berlin Wall which put the end to the Cold War. 

I have served for 15 years as a Legionaire and was Commander of AL Post 496 Kent Ohio from 2012 – 2013. I continue to serve the American Legion as a Lifetime member and still volunteer with the Honor Guard Team to honor those veterans in passing and buried at our State’s National Cemeteries.

I am still working full time as a security consultant for John’s Brothers Security out of Norfolk, VA based in Richmond, Va.

ALLEN GEORGE

Director, ARMED FORCES MOTORSPORTS

Allen George Jr. has served as a Retail Store Director for 31yrs. He’s enjoyed managing and developing people to be successful on and off the job. His message is to help people understand that 90% of everything they do in life has to do with one’s attitude towards what it is they are doing.

His love for motorsports racing developed when his son, Devin George decided he wanted to race, and for the last two years has been working to develop Devin George Racing into a competitive NASCAR Legend Series team. Allen enjoys working with Devin on the race circuit and is learning what he can about the racing industry.

It’s his drive and enthusiasm towards Devin’s racing that make Allen a perfect fit for Armed Forces Motorsports. Off the race track, Allen enjoys golfing and playing drums at Southside Church, which he has done for the past 14 years.

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.

With a dynamic and innovative approach to media coordination, Eric is a seasoned Media Coordinator Director with a rich history of success since 2015. Specializing in the entertainment industry, Eric has garnered extensive experience working with a diverse range of music festivals, renowned record labels, PR firms, and directly with Influential recording artists.

Eric adds to VoTF with his exceptional ability to establish and nurture relationships with mainstream media outlets, ensuring maximum exposure for our Mission in today’s competitive landscape. His strategic vision and keen understanding of both traditional and social media platforms have been instrumental in shaping successful campaigns that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Driven by a passion for Veteran Suicide awareness and his own mental health support philanthropy, Eric continues to push boundaries and set new standards in media coordination. With a proven track record of delivering results and fostering collaborations that drive impact, Eric is a trusted partner for Communities seeking to elevate their presence in the ever-evolving media landscape.

Eric, his wife Sherry, and their dog Peanut, reside in Western Powhatan County where they provide in home elder care for his aging parents. Eric is a former United States Marine with a background in electronics and Cryptotechnology. Eric discovered his passion for photography while immersed in the local music scene and quickly elevated his talents to a International level.

A year long battle with Squemous Cell Carcinoma in late 2017-2018 led to Eric’s discovery of Mortality, at an early age and he realized then, he had a Purpose, to help touch Other’s lives and hearts.