The Clay Hunt Fellows Program (CHFP) was created in 2012 to increase volunteer engagement and to build leadership within Team Rubicon’s domestic disaster response initiatives. The program was inspired by Marine veteran and original TR member Clay Hunt (1982-2011), who embodied service, commitment, sacrifice, and loyalty.
There is no time wasted in the twelve months the Fellows serve with Team Rubicon. In the first 6 months, the CHFP helps veterans identify how to self-evaluate and dig deep within themselves to unravel the root of any struggles they may be experiencing. Outlooks, relationships, and life trajectories are changed. The program also encourages veterans to reflect on where they came from, who they are, and who they want to be.
In the latter half of the program, Fellows enhance their leadership skills, strengthen their professional capabilities, and build up their individual competency in the field of emergency management. From there, they unite their passions and work with Team Rubicon staff to create a capstone project that will bolster the nonprofit’s effectiveness as a disaster response organization.
Thanks to the continued generosity of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, we now introduce to you Cohort 19-2(N) of the CHFP.
Cohort 19-2(N):
Patrick Black
U.S. Army, 1999 – 2009
Patrick served as a Special Agent/Staff Sergeant for U.S Army Criminal Investigation Division conducting felony level investigations regarding violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and/or criminal laws of the United States affecting Army personnel and resources. In addition to investigations, Patrick was selected to serve in the U.S. Army Protective Services Battalion, assigned to the protection of the Secretary of Defense, as well as the Chairman and Vice Chairman to Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Resides in: San Antonio, TX
Currently: Patrick was recently hired by Team Rubicon’s Incident Management Team and is currently serving as Team Leader for Operation New Horizons in Guyana after leading TR’s EMT Type-1 Mobile Medical Teams during Operations Macuti Light and Bushbaby in Mozambique, South Africa.
Education: Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice; Police Administration from Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE.
“I have spent my entire adult life in service to others, whether it was federal law enforcement, structural firefighter, EMS, wildland firefighter, or disaster response. Helping others has always been what drives me to continue to put on a uniform, regardless of what the job may be. Even though I do love to go into communities and get dirty with a chainsaw, or muck out houses, I find my greatest sense of purpose serving other Greyshirts in whatever “Train, Teach, Mentor” position I’m asked to fill, because the work they do is critical, and their experiences matter. Sacrificing for the needs of others makes you human. Stay human.”
Jeff Burns
U.S. Marine Corps, 2005-2014
Once joining the Marine Corps, Jeff served as an electrician in Okinawa, Japan. He then spent three years as a Marine Security Guard at US Embassies in Cairo, Egypt; Yerevan, Armenia; and Nicosia, Cyprus. For his last four years he was a Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Specialist spending two summers in fabulous Sangin.
Resides in: Eureka, CA
Currently: Jeff is a Sr. Project Manager for CCI Systems, managing telecommunication and infrastructure projects.
Education: Jeff has a BS in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis from Norwich University, VT. He also has Master of Business Administration from Hult International Business School, London U.K.
“Service to a greater cause than myself has always been my lantern when the fog is thickest. Team Rubicon helps keep that lantern burning.”
Krysti Corbett
US Army, 1997-2005
Krysti served as a linguist and interrogator for eight years in the Army. Her first two years were spent in Chinese and interrogation school, followed by a two-year tour on mainland Japan. A month after 9/11, Krysti PCS’d to Fort Bragg, NC, worked in PSYOPs and 82nd Airborne Division, went back to language school to learn French, and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Resides in: Arlington, VA
Currently: Krysti is the Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Labor and Employee Relations Division, where she manages EPA’s union negotiations, employee accountability, and anti-harassment program.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Asian Studies, with a Chinese-Mandarin Concentration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“It is my sincere hope that when folks look back at my life, they reflect that I made a real difference, small or large. I hope that I am known for being kind, loving, hard-working, and willing to lend a hand. This type of reputation happens one small decision at a time – and in the long term, I hope to make enough small decisions to possibly leave a legacy, like Clay, of service, honor, commitment and spirit.”
Glen Hannaman
U.S. Army, Army Reserves, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, 1993-2012
Retired as an Intelligence Analyst from the Wisconsin Army National Guard after 17 years of service . He also served in the Army as an Electronic Warfare System Repairer and as a Ground Radio Communications Repair Journeyman in the Air National Guard.
Resides in: Pleasant Prairie, WI
Currently: Glen currently works in the bio-pharma industry as an IT Security and Risk Management systems analyst. He joined Team Rubicon in 2013 during Operation Starting Gun in Moore, Oklahoma and has served as WI State Planning Coordinator, Regional Planning Manager, Regional Technology Manager, and Region 5 Administrator (interim).
Education: Glen has an Associates of Applied Science, Microcomputer Specialist degree, and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems. He also recently completed his Masters of Business Administration with a focus in Homeland Security.
“It is hard for me to imagine a life without service; without the sense of purpose and usefulness. The military first provided that feeling for me and Team Rubicon has continued to provide that sense of purpose afterward.”
Luke Hundley
OK Army National Guard, 2000-2008
Luke was an Army Engineer in a vertical construction platoon with one deployment to Al Anbar Province, Iraq in 2004. His battalion was tasked with various construction projects such as construction of hard structures for troop billeting and prisoner detainment, route clearance, fortification of FOBs/outposts, and heavy equipment transportation.
Resides in: Owasso, OK
Currently: Luke has been a Registered Nurse in the emergency room (ER) at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, OK for just over ten years. This facility specifically serves the under served community primarily as a cardiac, stroke, and regional burn center. He has served in various roles throughout his career including charge nurse, preceptor to new graduate nurses, clinical resource, and trainer in ER specific interventions.
Education: Associates of Science in Nursing from Rogers State University, 2009.
“From my time in the military and throughout my nursing career, I have found that being in service to others is the most rewarding way to use my time. Through training, mentoring, and leadership, Team Rubicon has helped me to identify ways I can continue to effectively be of service in my community while embracing my own altruistic motivations.”
Charles Lacoste
U.S. Army, 2000-2004
Charles enlisted in the Army at the age of 17 and served as a Combat Engineer in the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, deploying to Iraq’s Anbar province in 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Resides in: Charlestown, RI
Currently: Firefighter/EMT in Narragansett, RI. He previously served as the Rhode Island State Administrator for Team Rubicon and a member of the Heavy Equipment Instructor cadre.
Education: Charles is a Fire Service Instructor and holds several certifications, including Surf Rescue Technician and Fast Boat Operator.
“Growing up on a small, isolated island, I learned the importance of service first-hand. Volunteerism is critical to the health and safety of the community. Whether serving as an EMT, on a board or committee, or cleaning up after a disaster, service to others benefits all parties involved. As long as there are people whose struggles outweigh their means, our service will continue to be vital.”
Cylissa Mowatt
U.S. Navy 2007-2011
Cylissa served as a Master at Arms and spent most her time working for harbor security. She was stationed for three years in Sasebo, Japan and spent her final year in Bahrain where she worked as a patrol supervisor.
Resides in: Portland, ME
Currently: Cylissa is a corrections officer at the Cumberland County Jail where she works in the intake department and process individuals into the jail.
Education: Graduated with her bachelors degree in history
“For me service is about giving back to the community and helping people when they need it. Since I can’t payback the people who helped my family as a kid, I give back to honor them through my actions.”
Jason Roberts
U.S. Army 2004-2010; U.S. Army Reserves, 2010-2013
While on active duty Jason served as an Interrogator with a special operations unit and completed two deployments to Afghanistan. In the reserves he developed scenarios for and instructed soldiers preparing to deploy on how to identify and defeat Improvised Explosive Devices, as well as instructing small arms qualification and tactics.
Resides in: Vacaville, CA
Currently: He is now serving as an Intelligence Officer in the California National Guard, a Chapter Captain for Team RWB, and the DA Cadre Lead for SW Territory. Jason joined Team Rubicon in June of 2014. His first operation was Hard Hustle in response to Hurricane Harvey.
Education: Holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Biology and a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from University of California – Davis.
“The teams I worked with in the military showed me the importance of community service both stateside and when deployed. After leaving active duty, I saw how continued service for veterans saved lives by providing community and a sense of purpose again. The communities we helped were given comfort, relief. If you have the means and ability to help others why not do it? What’s a little bit of your time to change or save someone’s life?”
Scott Seager
U.S. Army, 1996-1999
Montana National Guard, 1999-2004
Scott first served as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne and then transitioned to the Montana National Guard as a flight medic until 2004.
Resides in: Montana
Currently: Scott works as an emergency medicine Physician Assistant. He is also a flight medic for a helicopter search and rescue program.
Education: Scott graduated from the Physician Assistant program at University of Washington.
“I believe that serving something greater than yourself is a concept that’s hard wired into our psyche as humans. It provides a sense of purpose. When you boil it down, purpose is what we’re all looking for in life whether we’re aware of it or not. Many people struggle with losing that sense of purpose after their military service. I was drawn to Team Rubicon because it not only helps provide that purpose, but also provides the camaraderie of working with like-minded people serving others in need.”
Sledge Simmons
U.S. Coast Guard, 1998-2002
Sledge served as small boat engineer and boarding team member in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Following his time in Mississippi, he served on Shoreside Detachment and USCGC Kanawha, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Resides in: D’Iberville, Mississippi.
Currently: Enjoying the last few weeks of a career break before transitioning into government service.
Education: Holds a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences from Mississippi State University in addition to taking extensive coursework in geology, GIS, and archaeology.
“I joined Team Rubicon in 2015, but wasn’t able to deploy until Op Hard Hustle, in Rockport, Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. It wasn’t the first time I’d been in an area impacted by a hurricane, but it was the first time I’d been in one to help. From minute one, I knew that I’d finally found where I was supposed to be. I belonged again, and I could make a difference. Service is one of the key elements that makes my life feel whole.”
Adam Sosa
U.S. Marine Corps, 2012-2017
Served in the Marine Corps as a radio operator for an artillery unit.
Resides in: Connecticut
Currently: Adam is focused on starting and running an online sales business.
Education: Earning his degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Manchester Community College.
“Service is the fundamental obligation that all people must help each other to ensure that our world becomes a better place. I find that with our fast paced, always-on-the-move lifestyles, a small act of kindness can have untold effects on the people around us. Serving keeps us grounded and helps us become better versions of ourselves.”
Melanie Verdin
U.S. Navy, 2007-2011
Melanie was an aviation machinist mate on F-18’s. She ran training and was also a troubleshooter for our power plants shop.
Resides in: Waxahachie, TX
Currently: Melanie is as an elementary teacher for grades ranging from third to fifth. She concentrates on Math and Science.
Education: Earned Bachelor’s of Science at the University of Texas, Arlington.
“I choose to continue to serve because I want others to be able to draw strength from me when they are struggling to move forward, so their day even for just a moment is brighter, and so my future children have a community to depend on as they forge their way through life.”
Thank you to the Bob Woodruff Foundation for supporting the Clay Hunt Fellows Program.
