Freedom Hunters Names New Board Members

ELIZABETH, Colo. - May 9, 2019 - PRLog -- Freedom Hunters has named two new directors and four new advisors to its boards. Joining the board of directors are Shanae Dix and Doug Lyons. Named to the advisory board are Kenn Blanchard, Brian Gliba, Jane Horton and Amy Ray.

Board of Directors

Shanae Dix is the vice president of CAM Services in Denver, Colorado and has served as a Freedom Hunters Outreach Coordinator for over 9 years. Shanae is a Colorado native and grew up in a house full of sportsmen. She was raised hunting, fishing and camping all over the US with her family. Shanae earned a B.A. in Business Marketing from the University of Hawaii. It was there she met her husband, Brandon Dix, who was active duty Air Force at Hickam AFB in 2003. Shanae moved to Washington D.C. in 2007 when her husband's orders took him to Andrews, AFB. They spent 3 years in the D.C. area exploring all the outdoors had to offer on the East Coast. Once Shanae's husband decided to transition out of active duty, the two moved back to the mountains of Colorado. Shanae and her husband's passion for Veteran Encouragement Programs led to the relationship with Freedom Hunters, starting in 2010. Their family hosts a water fowl and upland bird hunt on their Nebraska Ranch every year along with spring fishing events with help from the town of Oshkosh, Nebraska.

Shanae brings a background in event logistics and marketing strategy, along with a strong dedication to veterans' affairs to the board.

Doug Lyons is an ordained chaplain with United Association of Christian Chaplains and Counselors International. Doug is a Vietnam veteran who served 4 years in the Navy and 2 years in the reserves. Doug joined the Colorado Springs Fire Department in 1975, serving 32 years, and retiring as a Battalion Chief. Doug was a paramedic for 6 years and ran the CSFD Medical Division for 10 years. He headed the CISD (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing) team for Southern Colorado for 4 years and served as chaplain for the Colorado Springs Fire Department, 6 years. Doug is currently the chaplain for a nonprofit "Disabled Veterans" organization, where he now spends time mentoring veterans with PTSD and associated moral wounds. He is currently involved with "Soul Repair," dealing with invisible wounds for veterans and first responders and working on a related book with his wife, Linda.

Doug has served as mentor on Freedom Hunters outings from British Columbia to Florida since 2011. His passion for his brothers in arms is unmatched.

Advisory Board

Reverend Kenneth "Kenn" Blanchard, Sr., is the pastor of Speak Life Church, headquartered in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He has been in ministry since 2001. Comfortable outside the walls of a traditional church, he minsters mostly to outdoors people, veterans, bikers and law enforcement (all the categories which he belongs). He also is a chaplain for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 in Prince Georges County, Maryland and serves as a counselor, when needed, to Freedom Hunters. He has worked for the US government for more than 20 years in the Intelligence Community. The former sergeant of US Marines served for 5 years as a combat Heavy Equipment Operator, and American Embassy Guard. He is an author, speaker, avid podcaster and social media producer.  He is married and has two children, now adults.

Brian Gliba is often found at trade shows and Freedom Hunters outdoor adventures with his trusty companion, Zoey, by his side. With a background that includes a Certificate Program, Master Project Management, Villanova University; BA Biology, Virginia Military Institute: BFA Photography, Art Institute of Houston; MS Sport Psychology, Springfield College; and an MBA, Webster University, Brian brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role in shaping Freedom Hunters and its mission as the organization continues to move forward.

During his active duty service, Brian served 2 deployments in the US Army to Afghanistan, and was medically retired as a result of wartime injuries in 2009. His military history Combat Medic, Mental Health Specialist, Combat Medical Administrator, Company/Battalion Adjutant, Company / Battalion Operations Officer, Company Commander Army Hospital and Physician Assistant.

He has been onboard as an Outreach Coordinator with Freedom Hunters since 2013.

Jane Horton is currently employed as a Presidential Appointee at the Pentagon as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Personnel and Readiness. She is also a veteran, service member, and Gold Star family advocate, as well as a writer and commentator. In her last role, Jane was employed by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington D.C., as the Congressional and Military Liaison.

She is the proud Gold Star wife of SPC Christopher Horton, an Army sniper killed in action on September 9, 2011, in Paktia, Afghanistan.

As a past Freedom Hunters recipient, Jane has experienced the therapeutic powers of our outdoor adventures and now seeks to help us expand our reach to more Gold Star Families.

Amy Ray is the owner of The Sisterhood Of The Outdoors, an organization that creates opportunities for women to hunt, shoot and fish. Based in Georgia, Amy is a pro-staff shooting instructor with Shoot Like A Girl. Amy also is certified as an NRA pistol instructor and Refuse to Be A Victim instructor. As a member of the Freedom Hunters advisory board, she helps to expand hunting opportunities for servicewomen, Gold Star wives and daughters of fallen heroes. She also is an avid hunter and shooter and loves mentoring others in the outdoors.

"It is a true honor having such talented people on Freedom Hunters boards," said Anthony Pace, president of the board of directors and founder of Freedom Hunters. "The years of dedication to our military families will not only strengthen our organization's core, but also move our mission forward for years to come."

Learn more about Freedom Hunters (http://freedomhunters.org/).