WQW Announces New Board of Directors to Support Next Chapter of Growth as a National VSO

New board members bring extensive operations, strategic planning, and leadership expertise to oversee organization’s impact growth and strengthen its capabilities in serving post-9/11 combat veterans

Warriors & Quiet Waters (WQW), a growing national veteran services organization that equips post-9/11 combat veterans to thrive announced its new Executive Board of Directors. WQW’s new Board leadership is comprised of a diverse mix of national industry leaders that will help guide the organization’s capacity building and strategy to maximize its impact on post-9/11 combat veterans.

The Board announcement follows the organization’s recently developed five-year strategic plan. The new Board will leverage its deep expertise to help WQW further enhance its mission.

“As an organization that was founded on a volunteer ethic of selfless service in 2007, WQW’s greatest strength has always been our people and their unwavering commitment to our mission. That ethic and commitment endures today in the service of our Board,” said WQW’s CEO, Brian Gilman, Colonel, USMC (Ret). “Our Board leadership has worked tirelessly to strengthen our Board with volunteers who bring extensive expertise, experience, and diversity of thought to WQW’s mission. The addition of our newest directors and the ascension of our new officers to leadership of the Board have accelerated that trajectory. WQW is in very good hands under this Board’s leadership and stewardship.”

Additional information on the WQW’s Board of Directors and individual Board members can be found here.

New Executive members on the WQW Board include:

• Sandy Stash, Board Chair: Stash, who has ties to Montana back to the 1990s when she led Anaconda Company’s cleanup of the Clark Fork Basin, boasts over 35 years of international board experience, primarily in leadership roles spanning general management, ESG, major projects, and more. With a background in petroleum engineering, she made history as one of the first women drilling engineers across North America. Currently, Stash holds advisory and director roles, including Independent Advisor at EDF Energy Thermal Generation Limited and a position on the Board of First Montana Bank, contributing her expertise to diverse industries.
• Mark C. Schwartz, Vice Chair, LTG, U.S. Army (Ret): The son of an Anaconda, Mont. native, Schwartz is a seasoned leader with a 33-year U.S. Army career. He possesses extensive global experience heading multinational teams, particularly in Special Operations Forces. He led strategic planning and operations for prestigious organizations like NATO, the UN, EU, State Department, and USAID. He contributes as an Advisory Board Member at Scale Facilitation Partners Global, an Adjunct at RAND Corporation and a Defense Consultant for Aerospace and Defense Firms.
• Aaron Demro, Secretary, U.S. Army Veteran: Demro, currently a Managing Director at commonFont, continues his long service on WQW’s Board and his service as Secretary. Aaron brings a wealth of experience from his U.S. Army career as an Infantry Officer. With five years of active duty, he led soldiers in Airborne Infantry Units and the elite 75th Ranger Regiment.
• Rob Fox, Treasurer: Fox serves as a Wealth Manager and Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley, managing clients nationwide since establishing his business in 1987. His extensive background includes serving on various charitable boards in Northwest Ohio, such as The Epilepsy Center, The American Cancer Society, and Rotary. His financial expertise, combined with board service, provides a well-rounded understanding of nonprofit financial needs.
• Jim McCray, Development Chair: McCray, the CEO of Highwood Capital, is a seasoned professional in national fundraising. With a rich background advising political figures, nonprofits, and corporations, including The PGA Tour and the National Eisenhower Memorial, McCray brings extensive expertise. Originally from a Montana cattle ranch, he holds a B.A. in Political Science from Montana State University and a Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt University School of Law. Actively engaged in community service, he served as Chairman of St. Vincent Hospital’s Foundation Board and is a Trustee on the Museum of the Rockies Board.

New members on the WQW Board include:

• Bob King: With over 40 years of executive leadership experience, King has consulted for diverse organizations, from Fortune 100 companies to smaller enterprises and nonprofits. Formerly President of a national office supplies manufacturer, he served in executive roles for Georgia-Pacific and Unisource Worldwide in the 1990s. Currently, King is Vice Chair on the Boards of Warm Beach Christian Camp & Conference Center and a Board member for CPRS, Inc., WE Trust Company, and Wesmar, Inc. He also serves as a coach and faculty member for Murdock Charitable Trust’s Board Leadership Initiative.
• Mark Mummert: Mummert co-founded the national design/build construction company, ARCO Design/Build in Atlanta, GA. With 26 years of service, he retired as CEO in 2021 and moved to Big Sky, Mont., where he continues as Co-Chairman of the Board for ARCO.