Board
Dwayne Eury, Veteran, US Coast Guard
Take a Warrior Fishing, Inc was founded in 2022 by Dwayne Eury, US Coast Guard Veteran. Dwayne is a lifelong resident of North Carolina. Growing up on the lakes and coast of North Carolina has given Dwayne experience in all areas of North Carolina waters. Dwayne’s love of the water led him to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). From the USCG, Dwayne gained valuable navigational and boating experience. He is currently a member of the USCG Auxiliary and holds a USCG-approved Captain’s License. His goal is to provide our servicemen and women opportunities to enjoy the waters while fishing.
Ken Wells, 1SG (Ret), US Army
Ken Wells, originally from Vermont, has made North Carolina his home. Following 24 years of active-duty service in the United States Army, he retired from Fort Bragg. Ken is dedicated to facilitating meaningful experiences on the water for members of the Warrior Nation and assisting in the organization’s growth. His interests also encompass spending time with family and friends, as well as fishing—an activity he frequently enjoys on local lakes. As a combat veteran, Ken recognizes the value of empowerment through fishing and appreciates the transformative effects that outdoor experience can have on one’s well-being.
Don Tylecki
Don is originally from New Jersey but has been residing in North Carolina for close to 20 years. He is an original member of the Warrior Fishing Board and he is an avid supporter of our Military Community and is from an Air Force family. In his free time, Don enjoys all the outdoors, including hunting and fishing.
Rick Naylor
Rick is a retired Fleet Manager from the City of Clinton, NC. and s a lifelong North Carolinian. Rick has cooked in State Whole Hog competitions for 10 years and has enjoyed cooking for charities for over 30 years. Rick has always had a great appreciation for our Military and has had the opportunity to meet some great friends by taking Warriors Fishing on his boat.
Chelsea Shandrick
Chelsea Shandrick has a passion for the outdoors and a heart for serving others, which is what drew her to learn more about Warrior Fishing. As an angler, she understands the benefits of fishing and fellowshipping – simply put, they are truly life altering in the best way possible! With 10 plus years’ experience in Recreation Therapy, event planning, and volunteer work, it is an honor for Chelsea to put her skills to good use by getting our service men and women on the water!
Pete Shandrick
Pete Shandrick is a bass fisherman who resides in North Carolina but is originally from Pennsylvania. Pete spent the first 10 years of his adult life serving his local communities as a Paramedic before changing career paths. Owner and Host of The OneCast Podcast Pete along with his partners work to cultivate a culture of Anglers helping Anglers OneCast at a time. Pete lives in the Raleigh area and loves fishing the local lakes as well as the river systems of Eastern NC. Pete is excited to continue to help Take a Warrior Fishing Inc. grow and to get more folks engaged and helping to save lives through outdoor therapy.
Trey Thompson, 1SG (Ret), US Army
Trey Thompson grew up hunting and fishing in the clear waters of Southwest Michigan, where his days were spent chasing giant whitetail deer, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and trophy king salmon. These early experiences shaped his lifelong passion for the outdoors and his deep commitment to wildlife conservation.
Trey went on to serve more than 20 years on Active Duty in the United States Army, proudly wearing the uniform and dedicating himself to protecting the American way of life. After retiring from service, he found a renewed purpose in continuing to support the military community.
Today, Trey represents Take a Warrior Fishing (TAWF), where he carries forward the mission of getting warriors on the water to build meaningful relationships, foster respect for the outdoors, and, most importantly, promote healing from the visible and invisible wounds of service.
Virgil Allen, Veteran, US Army
As the dedicated chaplain for take a warrior fishing, I am honored to cast my line with veterans across the beautiful waters of North Carolina while showing the love of Christ together we can tackle challenges and find peace on the water.
“ fishing and the outdoors has always restored my spirit”
Here for you always #FishingHeals
Directors
Kayleigh Fidler Ramsamooj
Kayleigh is the Director of Community Outreach and Partner Relations for Take a Warrior Fishing, helping bring together volunteers, boaters, and Warriors for unforgettable days on the water. Coming from a Military family deeply rooted in service, she feels a strong responsibility to give back, and show up for the men and women who serve our country. With a background in forensic mental health, she knows that time outdoors isn’t just recreation, it’s a proven therapeutic tool that can be a powerful catalyst for healing and mental well-being. Kayleigh is often out in the coastal community building partnerships and representing TAWF at fishing events, markets, pint nights, and local expos. Kayleigh’s heart is in creating spaces where Warriors feel seen, supported, and connected—one lake, one boat, one conversation, and one bad fishing joke at a time.
Chris Hightower, Veteran, US Marines
Chris Hightower is a North Carolina native who resides in Burlington, NC with his wife Genia of 19 years and their five children. Originally from Prospect Hill in rural Caswell County, Chris grew up spending his time outdoors fishing and hunting, developing a lifelong love for the water.
After high school, Chris served in the United States Marine Corps, an experience that shaped his discipline and deep respect for those who serve. Later in life, he became a boat owner and tournament angler, competing in events including the MLF Phoenix League.
Chris was introduced to Take A Warrior Fishing in 2024 and quickly connected with the mission of serving veterans through fishing and outdoor therapy. As Director of Boater Relations, he is focused on supporting volunteer boaters, strengthening event operations, and helping TAWF continue to grow while creating meaningful experiences for the veterans it serves.
Joe Palazzo, SGT, US Army Veteran
Joe Palazzo is an Army Veteran for 5.5 years at Fort Hood, TX. Deployed in Operation Bright Star, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He grew up in Northern IL and Southern WI. He has always had a passion for fishing since he was a kid and loves spending time with his family. After being very fortunate during his military days, Take a Warrior Fishing, Inc is a way for him to give back and relate with fellow warriors who may not have been as fortunate during their service. Fishing helped Joe get through tough times after some of the events while deployed. Joe’s goal with TAWF is to help Warriors get away from the stressors of life and service, even if only for a day, to help them heal from whatever wounds they may have endured.
Chris Montgomery, ASC (Ret), US Navy
Chris Montgomery is a retired U.S. Navy Chief who honorably served from 2004 to 2024 and is a native of Atlanta, Georgia.
During his Navy career, Chris served as a Aviation Support Equipment Technician and was stationed in the following areas: AIMD at NAS Atsugi, Japan, USS George Washington (CVN-73), Fleet Readiness Center Northwest at NAS Whidbey Island, USS Wasp (LHD-1) and CNATTU Jacksonville, Fl where he advanced to Chief Petty Officer and retired in 2024.
Since retiring, Chris has embraced his lifelong love for the outdoors. He enjoys hunting and fishing, whether it’s casting netting for shrimp, bow hunting for deer, reeling in largemouth bass, or heading offshore for red snapper he is always seeking his next adventure on the water or in the woods. He is an active member of the North Florida Bass Masters and the St John’s Bass Angler’s Club.
Gina Tandarich
Gina Ann is a NC native who was born, raised and still calls Duncan, NC home. Gina’s dad is a retired US Army veteran as well as her Uncle who was in the US Navy.
Gina developed a love of fishing early on in life thanks to her Godfather and her Uncle who were avid offshore commercial fishermen. She grew up watching them compete in, and win, multiple SKA kingfish tournaments. Gina, along with her mom and her Aunt, hold the record for the Long Bay Lady Angler OKI Kingfish tournament.
You can find Gina on her Camo Avid at her home lakes pretty much any semi-decent day, which is where she met Dwayne Eury. Dwayne introduced Gina to TAWF and invited her to participate in the upcoming tournament as the first female boat captain for TAWF, and the only female freshwater captain. Since then, Gina and her female veterans have been tearing the lakes up showing that girls really can do it all!
Gina is a pharmacist by trade, an avid Carolina Hurricanes fan, and when she isn’t fishing she can be found volunteering or trying to give back to her community.
Seth Myco
Seth is originally from Laurens, South Carolina where he grew up fishing in jon boats on numerous ponds throughout the county. He attended Clemson University where he was a member of the collegiate bass fishing team for 4 years. He eventually made his way to Central NC to start his career after completing both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology at Clemson University. Seth is not a military veteran; however, he and his wife have many family members who have served overseas. He has been a part of bass fishing clubs since he moved to NC in 2017. Seth is passionate about natural resources conservation. He is eager to help Take a Warrior Fishing Inc. save lives through outdoor therapy and teach anglers how to take the best care of their local lakes and rivers.
Director, Warrior Relations
Director, Events & Volunteers
Ambassadors
Robert Whatley, Veteran, US Army
Robert Whatley is Veteran of the US Army. He served from 1992-1996 in the 82nd Airborne Division. His father is a 2 tour Vietnam Veteran that instilled in him at a young age, a love for the outdoors and a strong support of all the military. For the past few years I have worked with different organizations to help get Warriors into the outdoors. His goal is to help get as many Warriors outside to enjoy what God has provided. Peace can be found while watching a cork float on the water.
Rich Hastings, Veteran, US Navy
Rich Hastings, a US Navy Veteran, has lived in North Carolina for 9 years and has made it his permanent home. He especially enjoys Trout fishing in the NC mountains along with kayak and surf fishing. Rich is an outdoor enthusiast who often combines kayaking, camping, and fishing. He knows how fishing can wash away the daily stress and wants to share that experience with our warriors.
Edwin Aristizabal, Veteran, US Marines
Edwin Aristizabal is a Marine Corps Veteran whose passion for serving others continues well beyond his time in uniform. He now currently serves as a Veteran Service Officer for the State of North Carolina. His love for bass fishing didn’t start in childhood, but grew later in life through the friendships and camaraderie he found in the USMC, where days on the water became a way to connect, unwind, and build brotherhood.
As a Warrior Ambassador for Take a Warrior Fishing, Edwin brings that same spirit of community to every event, helping fellow Warriors find connection, purpose, and peace through time outdoors. Whether he’s chasing bass at dawn or coordinating meaningful experiences for veterans, Edwin is dedicated to lifting others up and making sure no Warrior ever navigates life alone. When he’s not fishing, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, soaking up the moments that matter most.
Eric Clink, GySgt (Ret), US Marines
Eric Clink grew up fishing the piers and beaches in the Clearwater, FL area with my grandfather. After graduating high school it was straight into the Marine Corps as an F-18 Avionics Technician traveling the world by land and sea, to include a stint with the Blue Angels and Instructor Duty. After my Marine Corps career, Eric and his wife relocated to New Bern, NC to be close to her family and focus on starting our own family in a place that we love. It was moving to eastern NC that reignited that passion for fishing that I had as a youth! It has also made me realize how much the Marine Corps (and all military) has done for me and made me want to find a way to give back.
Kevin Barbour, SSG (Ret), US Army
Kevin grew up in South Florida where fishing has always been a passion. After 20 years of active-duty service Kevin retired from the US Army. He currently resides in the Roseboro area of Sampson County. Kevin has worked with other organizations to get Warriors on the water, and my goal is to get as many Warriors out into the outdoors because fishing heals.
Andy King, Veteran, US Marines
Andy King is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served from 2000 to 2004. He was born and raised in southwest Michigan and after returning in 2004, now shares his love of the outdoors with his wife, son, and dogs.
“After returning home I often felt lost, bored, empty, and disoriented. I began adventuring out to fish local rivers and ponds. The more time I spent out fishing, the more I realized that I was searching for something inside of myself. With every cast I gained something, a sliver of something. It’s almost impossible to describe, but it feels like I’m meditating and the whole world around me melts away. I learned that fishing and being outdoors is truly a form of therapy and comfort. In 2005 I bought my first boat, a 14-foot Jon boat with a 15 hp Merc and began fishing every weekend and most days after work. It truly felt like I was healing myself with every cast.
As a Warrior Ambassador my goal and hope is to provide veterans and active-duty service members opportunities to experience those same moments of adventure, comfort, and healing as I did.”
Fishing truly is healing!
Mike Powers (Ret) US Navy
Mike Powers grew up in Colfax NC outside of Oak Ridge, NC and joined the US Navy at the age of 17. Went to Great Lakes for boot camp and then to Millington, TN for A school . Stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, WA in 1990 then Deployed during the Gulf War 91-93. While living in Washington state he fell in love with fishing and hunting and many other outdoor activities that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
After being medically retired from his service in Iraq, Mike and his young family returned to NC in 2000. He brought his first bass boat in 2016 and has been broke due to buying fishing gear and tackle ever since. He’s been involved in fishing tournaments since 2018, anywhere from club tournaments to Carolina Anglers Team Trail, 5 Alive Team Trail, and all the way to fishing the MLF Phoenix BassFishing League. But he’s recently discovered a true passion for taking other people fishing. Whether it’s a friend, a family member , and sometimes a complete stranger. That’s why he decided to be part of TAWF, to be able to give back to other veterans like himsel.