MEET THE JOEL FUND TEAM
BROOKE DICKHART
Executive Director
Brooke is the daughter of a former Navy SEAL who suffered from PTSD, depression, and substance abuse. Brooke channeled her strong desire to help others like her dad and her frustration with the lack of treatment options available to veterans into creating The Joel Fund. Brooke brings her knowledge of entrepreneurship and personal experience to TJF in an effort to educate others about the hardships faced by our veterans. Brooke leads the TJF team and oversees fundraising, community involvement, and partnership development. Brooke is married and has three children. Brooke holds a B.S. from Virginia Tech.
LANDREY YOUNG
MARKETING & OUTREACH MANAGER
Landrey is a dedicated community relations professional, with a background in marketing, event-planning, and strategic partnerships. She moved to North Carolina from Texas in 2021 to be with her husband, stationed at Fort Liberty, and she has since prioritized serving her new community. Landrey currently volunteers and serves as the Co-Chairperson of the Fayetteville Area Community Cohesion Committee, and on the Board of Directors of Off-Road Outreach, a Fayetteville-based nonprofit serving and advocating for homeless Veterans. She received her BBA in Business Management from Angelo State University and is currently pursuing an MSM in Leadership from Troy University. Landrey is honored to use her skills and unique perspective to continue supporting the Veteran and Military community with The Joel Fund.
STEPHANIE URSONE
Operation Art Program Assistant
Stephanie is a North Carolina native from a family of military veterans. She is the daughter, granddaughter, niece, and wife to Marine Corps veterans. Stephanie grew up with a love for the arts learning embroidery and weaving and eventually learning to sew. In previous roles at NC State University, she worked closely with a diverse community of people connecting them to the community around them and encouraging participation from newly transplanted employees and students from outside NC and the US. As a mother of two young men, art has always been an important part of emotional and mental growth for her family, allowing her to work through art to connect with her children and encourage growth. She is excited and honored to work with and support our veteran community.
ISABELLA BREZENSKI
Operation ART Program Manager
Isabella was raised in Durham, NC by a Dutch mother and an American Army Veteran dad. They both supported her desire to perform and create art. She holds a BA in Drama with a minor in Psychology from UNC Greensboro and is fascinated by the intersection of art and healing. Isabella has been an acting teaching artist with the Town of Carrboro, Portland Stage in Maine, North Carolina Theatre, North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre, and Raleigh Little Theatre. Because Isabella was raised in a military family and her father deployed when she was young, she is honored to have the opportunity to support the Veteran community through the arts in her native North Carolina.
ALLIE ANDERSON
COMMUNITY CARE MANAGER
Allie is the proud daughter of two Air Force veterans, sister to an Air Force officer, and wife to an active duty Army soldier who also comes from an extensive military background. She obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Auburn University in 2020. Since then she has worked with several nonprofit organizations assisting vulnerable populations in various capacities, but has always felt called back to the military community. She is eager to serve The Triangle Area by connecting veterans to available resources and encouraging the community to get involved with The Joel Fund.
LISA BLAIR KRUMM
Grants Manager
Lisa’s military connection runs deep and wide. As the granddaughter, daughter and wife of Air Force retirees, she is also an Air Force veteran and the mother of active duty servicemembers. Over the years she has consistently advocated for military families and worked at several military affiliated nonprofits. She received her Bachelor’s degree and commissioning from the University of Kentucky and her Master’s degree in educational leadership from Troy University. She loves spending time with her family- especially her grandson, traveling and gardening.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RICK BOWERS
Chairman of the Board
After a successful 36-year executive career at IBM, Rick decided it was time to step back to spend more time with his family, tune up his golf game, and give back to his community and others. Most recently, Rick served as an active board member for the United Way of the Greater Triangle. He is currently working as a fractional CTO with small companies transforming and implementing their business processes and systems. Rick’s grandfather was a veteran of WWI and his father was a Navy veteran. Rick is looking forward to working with The Joel Fund to serve our military community.
Rick currently lives in Raleigh, NC, with his wife Barbara and daughter Sabrina.
THOMAS LINDGREN
Board Member
Tom is the son of a Marine Veteran who served during the Korean War.
He has also been on the Board of Oak City Cares since 2019 and is currently the Vice Chairman. He has been practicing law since 1982. He and his wife Maureen moved from New York to Raleigh in 2006 and have 3 children 2 of whom live in North Carolina. They are also the proud grandparents to Patrick and Marcus Lindgren.
DERRICK WARE
Board Member
Derrick Ware is the Head of Technology at inquirED, where he leads efforts to create secure, accessible, and innovative digital tools that enhance educational success for students, teachers, and schools. Derrick’s leadership brings together technology and education to make a meaningful impact in learning environments.
Originally from Moncure, North Carolina, Derrick earned degrees in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration from North Carolina Wesleyan College, building a strong foundation for his career in technology and business.
Derrick began his professional journey as an F-15E “Strike Eagle” crew chief in the United States Air Force, gaining invaluable experience in precision and teamwork. He continued to grow his expertise at IBM, where he specialized in hardware and software solutions.
A passionate advocate for community impact, Derrick has founded mission-driven technology initiatives and served as a founding board member for a public-private partnership focused on expanding employment opportunities for military veterans in North Carolina.
Derrick lives in Wake Forest, NC, with his wife, Jenna, and their four children. His commitment to balancing family life and professional excellence highlights his dedication to leading with integrity and fostering positive change in both his career and community.
BRANT IRELAND
Board Member
SFC Brant Ireland is currently serving at 3rd Special Forces Group as the lead of their Human Performance and Wellness Program. These efforts are focused primarily on Human, Spiritual, Social, and Behavioral Performance of the soldiers and their families, working to promote resilience as they navigate through the peaks and Valleys of a Special Operations Career, and to best prepare them for success after they take off the uniform. Prior to this ,Ireland had spent the previous 18 years as a Special Forces Medic and Intelligence Sergeant in 3rd Special Forces Group. During his time there, he completed Seven Combat Deployments to Afghanistan in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
During his Sixth Deployment, while on a night combat operation in the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan, Ireland suffered a severe injury to his left leg. He was medically evacuated back to the United States where he underwent nearly 20 surgeries over the next two years trying to salvage the leg. Unfortunately, despite everyone’s best efforts, Ireland made the difficult decision to have his leg amputated above the knee almost two years to the day of the original injury. With the support of his family, friends, and unit, Ireland was able to return to work for 3rd SFG as the unit’s Wounded Warrior Liaison to the Command. In this role, he was able to use his past experiences to support and advocate for other wounded warriors and their families as they faced life altering injuries, both visible and invisible.
Prior to joining the military, Ireland earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Indiana Tech University, where he also played four years of Varsity Baseball. Athletics had always played a huge role in his life, so after the amputation, Ireland had a hard time adjusting to life without it. Adaptive Sports became a huge part of his rehabilitation. Recently, he had the honor of being named Captain of Team USA in the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia and has competed in the Department of Defense Warrior Games.
Ireland and his wife of 19 years, Tanya, have two beautiful daughters, Reece and Mackenna. They currently reside in Willow Spring, NC.
JULIE ADAMSON
Board Member
Julie (Dickhart) Adamson is the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran. Her dad served during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Ft. Liberty (formally Ft. Bragg). Julie grew up in Central New Jersey and graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She currently lives in Spring, Texas, a suburb of Houston. She has spent countless hours volunteering her time with various organizations in and around Houston. Her passion is with children and families and she has a unique perspective on the challenges faced by today’s youth.
DAN SANDEROFF
Vice Chairman of the Board
After a unique childhood that included 5 sets of legal guardians, Dan knew the Military was the right path for him. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 through the delayed entry program. In the Navy, Dan served on the FFG 27 USS M.S. Tisdale and the DDG 56 USS John Paul Jones. He separated from the USN as a Gunner’s Mate 2nd class in 1999. After separation, Dan started working in the Security/Access Control industry as a construction assistant. After over 17 years with the same company, he manages the company’s regional markets’ installation and service. Dan finds time to keep in touch with his fellow Navy alums. Dan is excited to be involved in TJF, and this is his first Board Member position within a charity. He is a husband and proud father of two boys and loves the Redskins and his country.
JES AVERHART
Board Member
Her time spent immersed in the startup scene also inspired her to co-found Black Wall Street Homecoming, a nonprofit aimed at closing the funding gap for Black and Brown tech founders. Earlier in her career, Jes launched a boutique production and marketing company specializing in providing professional management services for the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals & Cleveland Browns (NFL), Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), the Procter & Gamble Company and Pepsi Cola North America.
Jes is also the host of the Reinvention Road Trip® Podcast and a frequently-requested speaker
MICHAEL MARTIN
Board Member
Michael Martin is a Producing Branch Manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in Raleigh, North Carolina. Michael grew up in Alexandria, VA but moved to Sunset Beach in 1990. He graduated from East Carolina University in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Business. Shortly after, he decided that the mortgage industry is where he was meant to be and has been a loan officer for the past 21 years.
Michael has won several awards since beginning his career in the mortgage industry, beginning in 2002 when he won “Rookie of the Year.” The following three years he was fortunate to be named “Top Producer” before he began to learn more about his passion to lead people and got into Sales Management. Michael has been a President’s Club winner each year from 2008-2021, during an unprecedented time in the industry.
In 2017, Michael opened his own branch within Fairway Mortgage and is now able to follow both passions of working directly with clients while leading a customer-focused sales team. Martin Mortgage Group (MMG) strives for excellence in customer service in order to turn every client into a Raving Fan. MMG also regularly enjoys giving back to the community; from team volunteer days to donating to one of three charities (The Joel Fund, LLS, or Habitat of Wake Co) after every closing, Michael is truly grateful for the opportunity to serve others.
Michael’s family military connection includes his dad (army), grandad (Army), uncle (Navy), aunt (Navy), cousin (Army Ranger), and another uncle (Army). Michael “feels very grateful for what the folks in the military do every day.” He serves Veterans nearly every month by helping them purchase homes, many using their VA benefits.Michael lives in Raleigh with his wife Tonya, and daughter Finley and their boxer, Riggins.
JAMES McROY
Board Member
James McRoy is a seasoned business leader with a distinguished career spanning over two decades in both the military and private sectors. He began his professional journey as a Nuclear Electrician in the United States Navy, where he gained extensive experience in operating and maintaining equipment associated with the propulsion of nuclear aircraft carriers and cruisers During his tenure, he served on the USS South Carolina (CGN-37), USS Virginia (CGN-38) and the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).
After transitioning to the private sector, James joined Intelligent Switchgear Organization LLC, a joint venture with Eaton and Caterpillar, where he held several key positions, including Director of Aftermarket Engineering and Service, Regional Director, and Engineering Manager. After over 23 years with the company, he currently serves as the Federal Sales Director at Eaton Corporation.
James is also passionate about supporting veterans and their families, especially in the areas of education, employment, and wellness. He leads the Raleigh area veterans resource group at Eaton, where he mentors and advocates for veteran employees and recruits. He is an avid student of the game of baseball and enjoys watching and analyzing games. He also loves camping and hiking in the outdoors with his family and friends.
James and his wife of 29 years, Stacy, have two handsome sons, Jacob and Caleb. They currently reside in Raleigh, NC.