Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
To honor, support, and promote healing of the mind and spirit by providing a relaxed setting, special programs and to be a resource for any Military Service Member, Veteran, Fire Fighter, Law Enforcement Officer (active or retired), Blue Star, Silver Star or Gold Star Family Member whose life has been touched and forever changed due to a tragic event and/or the death of a Fallen Warrior while in service to our country.
To provide a safe refuge and bring about healing and hope to all Veterans and Military Service Members who have returned from the battlefield.
Our Vision
To be the most desired refuge for all Veterans, Military Service Members, Law Enforcement Officers, Fire Fighters, Blue Star, Silver Star & Gold Star Families. Additionally, in the future, to have other “My Warrior’s Place” facilities and programs throughout the United States wherever there is a Military Base and a large population of Veterans.
Board of Directors
Kelly Kowall - President & Founder CLC, GSP, CFI
Kelly is the Gold Star Mother of SPC. Corey Kowall. Her experiences as a Certified Life Coach, 10+ years as Business Owner and over 30 years in Sales & Marketing have proven to be very beneficial to this non-profit organizations and the programs it provides.
In 2012 she completed her training and became certified as a Grief Support Provider from the American Grief Academy. In 2020 she became a certified Fire-walking Instructor.
Kelly is an active member of the American Gold Star Mothers Association, VFW Ladies Aux and the American Legion Ladies Aux.
She is also a published author and an very accomplished speaker.
Her creativity and drive is priceless.
David Haggerty -
Vice President
Sergeant David Haggerty USA, Retired.
As a US Army Infantryman David learned the value of teamwork and the methods and tactics to build effective teams. As an Operations Sergeant he organized and directed 700+ service members and worked with company leaders to tailor events to their needs.
With a BS in Construction Science from Texas A&M, David currently is a Construction Superintendent with JE Charlotte Construction Corp.
His experience and knowledge of OSHA along with construction and site logistics planning and the ability to build positive relationships with contractors and coworkers, as well as, being able to overcome obstacles and generate solutions will be invaluable to the future and growth of My Warrior's Place.
Kari Sanborn -
Secretary
Keri is a US Army Veteran, FL 620-All Lines Adjuster & Certified Project Manager with 7+ years of insurance ADR experience.
She is a strategic General Operations Manager who leads by example, builds strong relationships and influences frontline staff to drive results.
Keri also has an extensive background in the fundraising arena. She has created and promoted many fundraising events helping nonprofits to raise funding successfully.
She is a dedicated professional with demonstrated strengths in customer service, time management and trend tracking. She is also very good at troubleshooting problems and building successful solutions.
Keri's vast experience, excellent verbal and written communication skills along with her strong background cultivating positive relationships makes her a perfect candidate as a Board Member and our Secretary.
Dalton Wells -
Treasurer
Dalton earned a degree in Business Management as well as a Business Specialist certification from Valencia College in 2022.
Dalton is very intelligent, highly motivated and has experience successfully leading work teams of all ages.
He has been the My Warrior's Place Property Manager since 2023 and his extensive background in landscaping has improved the grounds at My Warrior's Place immensely.
Dalton brings a youthful outlook to our board and we are excited to have him as Treasurer.
Looking for the perfect fit
My Warrior's Place is always on the lookout for people who want to get involved and have strong leadership skills as well as work experience.
If you would like to be a key piece of the board to help make a positive difference in the lives of others, please reach out to us and submit your resume.
Those who are serving or have served in the armed forces, as a first responder or if you are a Gold Star Family member we would really like to interview you.
Steven J. Collins, Esq - Board Member
Attorney Steven J. Collins joined the Law Office of Rory Weiner in August 2023.
Prior to entering private practice Steve retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army in July 2022 serving as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
During his 22-year career in the military Steve practiced an extremely diverse legal portfolio working across multiple disciplines. Steven’s expertise and experience as an attorney, as well as his experience serving in the military will ensure MWP's success!
About our board members
My Warrior’s Place has a hard-working board of directors. They are invested in providing proper financial over site and assist with acquiring adequate resources.
They are committed to ensure legal and ethical integrity maintaining accountability and effective organizational planning.
Most importantly they all believe in the mission and programs that My Warrior’s Place provides and support them both financially and with hands-on volunteer hours of service.
Henry Hartzner
- Board Member
Henry is an entrepreneur and has a knack for turning a vision into reality.
He was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area and grew up frequenting the waters in and around Tampa Bay and is a Licensed Boat Captain.
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Henry worked at the fire department for 31 years and retired in 2011. He was also an electrical contractor on the side.
Henry truly believes that having a heart for others and giving back is critical to an enriching life so his vast experience makes him a perfect fit for our board but also Program Director for our FAVE Boating Expeditions Program.
Advisory Board
Irene Burkett LMHC
Program Director - Project Corregidor
A United States Army Veteran with a combat tour in Iraq, Irene began her counseling career in Fort Benning, Georgia, working with veterans and their families and specializing in addressing trauma through EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
Irene embraces each individual’s unique experiences and offers a holistic and alternative approach to integrate mind, body and spirit for personal growth and healing.
Irene facilitates our Forever A Warrior seminars and is the ideal Program Director for our Project Corregidor Program.
Courtney Robinson
Courtney anchors 10News This Evening.
She was born and raised in Fort Bragg, NC. Her father served as a member of our elite Special Operations Command for the Army. He died in 1994 while serving in South Korea.
Courtney is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. She uses her voice and knowledge of social media to bring awareness to My Warrior’s Place and the needs facing our active-duty military, veterans, and their families.
Coralease "Cora" Ruff
Cora DNSc, RN, FNP, is a bereaved parent and an Associate Professor, Division of Nursing, at Howard University.
Cora is the author of several books. She has served on the board of several other non-profit organizations including Compassionate Friends.
Cora was one of the founding board members of My Warrior's Place and was also instrumental in creating our Project Corregidor. Her knowledge has been invaluable.
Louise Sutherland-Hoyt LMHC, CCMHC, MAC
Project Corregidor Program Advisor
Louise is a United States Army Veteran, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Life Coach.
Louise Sutherland-Hoyt provides powerful and insightful coaching strategies, workshops, and seminars for individuals and groups, Gold Star Families, Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress, and Survivors of Military Suicide.
Louise is well-known for the passion and enthusiasm she brings to all endeavors.
She also is a polished public speaker.
Philip Luoma
Philip served 24 years in the Army as an IT Specialist.
He is now retired and living a retired life.
In his free time, he does volunteer work particularly for any organization that supports Active Duty Service members and Veterans.
He is responsible for the MWP volunteer database and is the key volunteer to process the reservations for the cottages. Additionally, he helps out with other projects when needed.
John T Connelly
Besides currently being a brilliant professor at Lenoir Rhyne University, John was Program Director/Assistant Professor OTD Program with Gannon University. John was responsible for the start up operations of the entry level OT Doctorate program. His current experience as well as his past experience as a consultant to Bayer Material Science and Administrative Director at Heritage Valley Health System is invaluable to My Warrior’s Place.
Terry Buckler
Program Dir. - My Service Dog's Place
Terry Buckler was the youngest member of a joint group of volunteers from the Army Green Berets and Air Force Special Operations who carried out one of the most daring missions in spec ops history: The raid on the Son Tay prison camp in North Vietnam.
After his enlistment, Terry attended Moberly Junior College and graduated from Columbia College, Missouri earning a BA in Business.
Terry grew up on a farm near Clark, Missouri. He can’t remember not having a dog or dogs in his life and currently enjoys working with his Belgian Malinois.
Tyson Schoeff
Tyson became a SCUBA instructor in college, enhanced with an EMT certification before a 30 year career in business consulting that includes clients such as Dollar General, HCA, Cracker Barrel, AIG, FMCC, Sony BMG and many others bringing vast experience from the business world.
Although his current career with Heartland Payment Systems keeps him extremely busy, he still finds time to strategize with MWP on day to day operations and promote MWP with his business connections while also serving as a first-mate for our FAVE boating program.
Tyson is a strong supporter of MWP!
Nicholas Caris
Nicholas is a Marine veteran and a yoga teacher.
Nicholas has a background in website development and non-profit management.
Nicholas assists MWP and other nonprofits with technology enhancements for websites, donation software, and security.
Honoring our Program Founders
Darcie Sims, Ph.D., CHT, CT, GMS
Darcie was a grief management specialist, a nationally certified thanatologist, a certified pastoral bereavement specialist, and a licensed psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. She was an author and an internationally recognized speaker. Darcie received The Compassionate Friends Professional Award in 1999. She co-chaired the 1991, 1996 and 2005 World Gathering on Bereavement, and delivered the keynote address at all 4 World Gatherings. Darcie was instrumental in creating our Project Corregidor Grief & Peer Mentoring Program prior to her death in February 2014.
Tony Sims, Ph.D.
Robert A. (Tony) Sims, served honorable in three branches of the US Military (Army, Navy & Air Force) for over 30 years in both combat and peacetime operations. Tony served in a variety of leadership roles for both public and private corporations, including VA hospitals. As a co-founder of Big A and Company Publishing, Tony helped produce books, tapes and other grief programs to help the corporate world accommodate the needs of grieving employees. He also helped to create our Project Corregidor Grief Program prior to his death in 2017.
Martha Schoeff
Known as Marty to her family and friends she is also the Grandmother of SPC. Corey Kowall. Marty was instrumental in the founding and start up phases of both FAVE Boating Expeditions and Project Corregidor Grief & Peer Mentoring Program. Her experiences as a Stephens Minister Leader, 10+ years as Business Owner and 33+ years teaching in the Education Field were a huge asset to the organization when we were first getting started. Her education includes a BA in English and a MA in Physical Education from IU. She still volunteers when she can.
Corey's Story
SPC. Corey Kowall and SPC. Damon Winkleman (a US Army Medic) were killed on September 20, 2009, in the Zabul province of Afghanistan. The incident occurred while they were driving to assist a convoy that encountered an improvised explosive device (IED) not too far from their Forward Operating Base (FOB).
Corey was only 20 years old when he died, but he made a lasting impression on all those who knew him. As a child, Corey always wanted to be an Army Paratrooper. Corey was a World War II and Vietnam history buff so his grandfather nicknamed him “Corregidor”. Corey was always bringing home war memorabilia to showcase in his room. When asked where he got the items, he would usually say, “I found it”. When he started bringing home large items such as a helicopter door we often joked that we wouldn’t be surprised to one day find a whole tank or plane parked in the yard with Corey giving us his pat answer of, “I found it”.
Corey always felt that he was suppose to serve his country; it was what he was born to do, and he lived his dream from an early age. Corey joined the TN Wing of the Civil Air Patrol when he was 10 years of age and rose quickly through the ranks to Cadet Commander during his 7 years in CAPS. He was also in JROTC and active in the Raiders Program in High School. Corey was so committed to enlisting in the military that he went to summer school so he could graduate a year early. His father and I had to sign his enlistment papers because Corey was only 17 when he joined the Army.
Corey served with the Alpha Company, Second Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army, based at Fort Bragg, NC. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantry Badge and the Parachutists Badge. A Combat Outpost in Afghanistan has been named COP KOWALL in his honor.
Corey carried himself with a deep love for God, country and family, as well as, a sense of honor and humor. Corey understood what being an American was truly all about. Corey’s Commanding Officer, Captain Paul W. Pena, stated “Specialist Kowall was an extremely competent soldier and an extraordinary individual. His death leaves a tear in our formation and in our hearts. Though sorely missed, Corey will continue to be a source of inspiration and strength throughout Alpha Company.” (Captain Pena was KIA in 2010.)
So, to honor my son and the Army values that he stood for, Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage, I was compelled to find a way to assist those who were mentally and emotionally affected by some of the complex grief issues that arise when the one who died served in the military. Thus My Warrior’s Place, Inc. (a 501 (c) (3)) was founded in his memory.
Although Corey is no longer here on earth, he continues to be a source of inspiration and strength to many more than just those who served with him in Alpha Company.
Written by: Kelly Kowall (Proud Gold Star Mother of Spc. Corey Kowall)
President and Founder of My Warrior’s Place
Financial Information
We have NO paid staff. Proceeds are utilized mostly by My Warrior's Place in our programs, improvement/upkeep of the retreat center & amenities.
* The Program Expenses (dollars and percentages) shown below do NOT reflect true program costs as ALL labor was donated by volunteers.
