Meet the Team
Jim Lorraine
President & CEO
Jim Lorraine, the president and CEO of America’s Warrior Partnership, served in the U.S. Air Force as a Flight Nurse with nine combat deployments and retired as the Deputy Command Surgeon for the United States Special Operations Command after 22 years of service. He became the founding director of the United States Special Operations Command Care Coalition and served as Special Assistant for Warrior and Family Support to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Chief of Programs and Initiatives
Cheree Tham LCSW
As the Chief of Programs and Initiatives, Cheree Tham is responsible for the planning, oversight, management, and supervision of all programs and services provided to the organization at a strategic and tactical level to develop and maintain initiatives consistent with AWP’s mission and model of Community Integration. Her experience has been in program development and administration of programs with a wide range of populations, targets, and services. She is the Principal Investigator (PI) with AWP’s Operation Deep Dive ™ (OpDD). Cheree holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Administration
William Galinat
Salesforce Administrator
Darby Bowen
Operations Manager
Darrell Owens
Director of Government Relations
Prior to joining AWP, Darrell Owens graduated from American University in Washington, D.C., and was a staffer in Congress for nearly 14 years. Until recently, Darrell was the National Security Advisor & Military Legislative Assistant for Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA), handling the Senator's military, veterans, foreign affairs, homeland security, and intelligence issue portfolio.
In his military career, Darrell has been deployed overseas to South Korea, Poland, and Germany with the Army Reserves. Some of Darrell’s accreditations include graduating from the Air Force Air Command & Staff College in 2012, graduating from the U.S. Army War College with a master’s degree in strategic studies in 2016, and being a 2019 Marshall Memorial Fellow at the German Marshall Fund. In addition to his current role at AWP, Darrell continues to serve as an Army Reserve officer.
Marketing & Development
Michelle High
Director of Marketing
Michelle High has spent her career in sales and marketing leadership roles in small business, global manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors. Michelle’s experience is heavily weighted in loyalty program management, multi and omnichannel marketing, and business development. As the Director of Marketing, she is responsible for leading the marketing team and driving the overarching communications strategies for the organization. She has a bachelor’s in corporate communications from Central Pennsylvania College.
Tyler Carnahan
Strategic Communications Manager
Megan McParland
Content Specialist
Kaitlin Cashwell
Director of Development
Kaitlin Cashwell has been with AWP since its inception in 2013, holding various roles to support the organization’s mission and providing her with a decade of experience in leadership, business development, finance, and project management. Currently, she is responsible for the design and implementation of long-term strategies related to fund development and maximizing program impact. Kaitlin obtained her bachelor’s in mathematics and her master’s in business administration from Augusta University.
Sara Kinser
Corporate & Foundation Giving Manager
Tara Weed
Events & Corporate Veteran Initiatives Program Manager
The AWP Network
Jeanette Gilles LCSW
Director of The AWP Network
Jeanette Gilles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Georgia, and joined the AWP team in 2016. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of addictions and mental health, medical social work, abuse prevention and military/veteran issues.
Steve Smutak LSW
Deputy Director of The AWP Network
Steve Smutak is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) from Ohio, and joined the AWP Team in 2024. He holds a master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and and more than 25 years of experience in military/veterans rehabilitation, mental health therapy, medical social work, and addiction & recovery. A Certified Adaptive Recreation & Sports Specialist (CARSS) and subject matter expert in adaptive sports, Steve has extensive experience in military transition and community reintegration. He is an active member, player, and certified referee of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) and won a National Championship in 2010 with the Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers. Steve, who comes from a large family of eight, is also active in his Christian community.
Kendra Boles
Network Advocate,
The AWP Network
Ryan Blue
Network Advocate,
The AWP Network
Elizabeth Timmreck
Network Advocate,
The AWP Network
Jerome Birt
Intake Specialist,
The AWP Network
Dee Ingram
Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator
The AWP Network
Programs & Initiatives
Allison Williams
Training Manager
Terra Schrader
Programs & Initiatives Manager
Krystal Garcia
Program Specialist,
Operation Deep Dive™
Community Branches
Missy Meyer, LBSW
Director of Community Integration
Missy Meyer holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Texas Christian University and has over 20 years of experience in primary prevention, trauma informed care, and community engagement. As Director of Community Integration, Missy oversees five community branches throughout the country ensuring implementation of best practices for service to veterans. She is the daughter of a Navy veteran that served in Vietnam and is married to an Air Force combat veteran that served during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Jessy Lakin
Program Lead
Alaska Warrior Partnership
As a veteran of the United States Army, Jessy Lakin served as a Forward Observer with two combat tours to Sadr City Iraq (06-08, 08-10) with the 1st Brigade Combat Team 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas. He has spent his civilian career giving back to veterans in Alaska, volunteering with multiple veteran organizations and creating opportunities for Alaska warriors to thrive.
Tiana Freeman
Case Coordinator
Alaska Warrior Partnership
Bambi Brewington
Case Coordinator
Alaska Warrior Partnership
Bob Foster
Program Lead
Panhandle Warrior Partnership
Robert Foster serves as Community Program Lead, and as Past President of the Association of the US Army - Big Ben-Emerald Coast Florida, Foster has been active in the North Florida Military Community for almost a decade. Foster is active on the Boards of multiple Veteran-Related Non-Profits: The Gulf Coast Veterans Advocacy Council as Florida Coordinator of Infrastructure and Resources; The Blue Angels Armed Forces and Electronics Association as VP-PR; The West Florida Defense Alliance; and The Santa Rosa-Okaloosa Counties' Military Affairs Committee.
In addition, Foster was Program Director of the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurial Program at the University of West Florida where over a three-year period he helped scores of Veterans launch their own Company. Foster served in the USAR from 1965-1971.
Rufus Neely
Case Coordinator,
Panhandle Warrior Partnership
Azzie Rogers
Case Coordinator,
Permian Warrior Partnership
Breanna Durner
Case Coordinator,
Permian Warrior Partnership
Gina Laub
Outreach Coordinator,
Permian Warrior Partnership
Aaron Bacon
Program Lead
Indy Warrior Partnership
Aaron currently serves as the Program Lead at Indy Warrior Partnership. In his previous role, he served as the Engagement Manager at the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. His experiences include positions such as Membership Manager at the Indiana Department of the American Legion, Director of Strategic Operations at the Indiana War Memorial Commission, Deputy Director of the Indiana Board of Depositories, Operations Manager for the Indiana Education Savings Authority and Indiana ABLE Authority, and Assistant Communication Director and Scheduler for the Indiana Treasurer of State. As a U.S. Army veteran, he served as an Infantryman in the US, Germany, and Iraq. Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife, 7-year-old daughter, and 1-year-old son.
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Cassandra Morgan
Program Lead
Diné Naazbaa Partnership
Cassandra proudly embodies her Navajo heritage as a member of the Two-waters-that-follow-together clan, born for the Red House People. Her Maternal grandfather is the Towering House People, and her Paternal grandfather is the Waters Edge People.
Cassandra advocates tirelessly for all veterans, being a Marine Corps Veteran herself, with a special focus on Navajo and women veterans. With experience as an accredited National Service Officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA, and leadership roles in local veterans organizations, including Wide Ruins Veterans Organization and Ft. Defiance Agency Veterans Organization, Cassandra's dedication to her fellow Warriors is unwavering. Through her work, Cassandra strives to help Warriors achieve true HOZHO—a balanced and harmonious life in Navajo culture.
Karen Shirley
Case Coordinator,
Diné Naazbaa Partnership