The AFF Officers and Program Directors
Arkansas Freedom Fund Officers
Chief Executive Officer
Rae Brown served in two branches Army and Air Force is taking the Organizational Lead. Rae was the West Central Director. For Conway, Russelleville and surrounding areas. She is the Lake Dardanelle Fishing with Heroes Chairman and all around good cook.
Rae brings exceptional fundraising and organizational skills that will continue the growth and progress of the AFF. Rae handles day to day operations of the AFF programs and reports to our Board of Directors. Program directors fall under the CEO and should be contacted for their respective programs as appropriate. Reception is poor in Hector so please text her at (479) 206-2485 or e-mail. |
Chief Organizational Officer
- Open
The AFF Chaplain
AFF Chaplain - Rev.Odette Woods, JD, M.Div., SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Senior Human Resources Director of Immigration, Title IX and Affirmative Action Compliance at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where her responsibilities include the development of programs, training, community outreach and compliance efforts to enhance the university’s commitment to a diverse, inclusive, welcoming and equitable campus and she also leads the UAMS Veterans Committee. Odette maintains a part-time private law practice,, where she specializes in family law. She is an ordained minister and received her Master of Divinity degree from Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary. Odette has served as a short term missionary on seven trips to Haiti and currently volunteers as a chaplain at a local hospital. She is a member of Mt. Sinai Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where she serves as an associate minister. Odette is the proud mother of three children and the extremely proud grandmother of five grandchildren. Her love for veterans and her fathers service in The USAF has drawn her to want to help AFF members needing someone to lend an ear or help with prayer request.
Call Odette at 501-612-6817 with a motto of Serving God and Loving People she is ready to assist where she can. |
Program Directors
Program managers develop and implement organizational planning specific to their programs. Directors plan, organize, and execute fundraiser events that are within the overall vision and mission of the Arkansas Freedom Fund. This includes but is not limited to setting achievable goals, budgeting, managing event deadlines and using best practices. Organizational transparency must be managed and is a vital part of the AFF's relationship with its members and community partners. Program managers must be strategic thinkers able to lead and develop a team that is dedicated to the veterans and the communities they operate in.
Bike Program Manager Central Arkansas
Cycling Program Manager Northwest & River Valley Arkansas
Ashley Moss US Army Retired. Located in Fort Smith Arkansas. Ashley is the Northwest Arkansas and River Valley Cycling Program Manager. Ashley manages the AFF competitive cycling and organized ride teams. Ashley has worked with several other national nonprofit organization prior to coming to the AFF.
Ashley received his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Southwestern College (Winfield, Kansas-2013), specializing in executive quality management and executive leadership, and his Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) with an International Business Concentration from Baker University (Baldwin City, Kansas-2008). Ashley has many deployments and combat tours as a military leader and Army Ranger. Contact Ashley at 913-940-5642 http://www.affnwa.org/ |
Hunting Program Manager
Carl Struble USAF Veteran - He manages the Hunting Program and the FIS/AFF Lease. To set up your date call 501-940-1840.
CO Chairs Chris Archer US Army Veteran - A duck and bird specialist at 870-384-0419. Great opportunities for fowl. Works at West Fork Outfitters. Helping to provide great hunt experiences. The 650 acre hunting lease, in Beardon, Arkansas, has 7 deer stands available on a first come first serve basis. Qualifying veterans also have access to 2 Crossbows. There is often a waiting list for our hunts so please contact us ASAP to set up your date. |
Fishing Program
Director - Chad Burns
Contact Chad Burns 501-944-0692 for all Fishing with Heroes questions or to sign out the AFF Bass Boat. Co Director - David Brown. David Brown to check out the AFF Bass Boat. Also for Fishing wanting a guide for the boat. There are restrictions so contact them for the details. Rae Brown - Fishing with Heroes questions Chris Short - Lobo Landing John Pickell Memorial Trout Day and Central Arkansas Fishing Opportunities for Veterans: Contact Bob Elliot and Darryl Morris, US Air Force Veterans for fishing trips on Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. This is discounted when you say you are a AFF Member. Contact through FamiliyFishingTrips.com Roger Goodwin at Hooked on Heroes provides fishing opportunities through tournaments in the state. Call Roger at (501) 249-2386 or Email rwgoodwin1974@yahoo.com. The United Methodist Mens Group leads the Summer John Pickell Memorial Red River Fishing Day at Lobo Landing. |
Small Group Leaders
Northeast Arkansas Martial Arts Program
US Army Major retired Anthony A-Train Smith has the reigns in Northeast Arkansas. From Blytheville AR, Anthony has been an AFF since its inception. Anthony is a 7th degree black belt and certified Grand Master in Karate.
Anthony provides motivational speaking engagements and demonstrations for schools, civic groups and travels extensively throughout the US defending his world championships. Anthony is making things happen in Jonesboro, West Memphis and all of Eastern AR. To work with Anthony and volunteer in this area contact him at 870-740-5055. |
Hiking & Trail Program - Open
Hiking & Trail Program Leader Position
If you are interested in filling this position you must be willing to organize hikes that accommodate a broad range of physical abilities and experience. The Hiking & trail program director must be able to fill the position of director as defined above. AFF waivers must be on file for each hike. |
Golf Program - Open
The Golf Program Director must be able to fill the position of director as defined above.
The Golf Program is a great way to come together with the community and Arkansas Veterans. The golf program offers equipment that can be checked out by members on a first come first serve basis. The AFF as relies heavily on your volunteer hours to facilitate these annual events. Please Volunteer or checkout equipment by contacting the golf points of contact below. Annual Freedom Scramble - Jonathan Wheeler Contact Jonathan 210-540-9407 for sign up and sponsorship opportunities. Freedom Fall Scramble - Open, We want to Thank Jack and Mark Ramer for two years of this event they combined over 26000.00 for the AFF. Red White and Blue Century or a Half - Mickey Spillane |
Diving Program
Diving Program Chairman - Joshua Blockburger
Beginner to Open Water. Handicapped accessible and more. One on one or group dive instruction. Trains out of Ricks Dive Shop in Little Rock. Get with Joshua at (501) 860-2213 Charles Jay (CJ) at Dive 4 Warriors D4W Contact CJ at 661-492-3079 for his dive classes and trips to dive. Beginner to Open Water. Handicapped accessible and more. Trains in the NW Arkansas Area. D4W is a separate entity from the AFF but we list him for the Veterans to contact based on demand. His programs are not affiliated with the AFF. |
Southwest Arkansas Cycling Event Volunteer

Mark Ross US Army Veteran stationed in Hope Arkansas works the Southwest Arkansas Area including Hope, Texarkana, Prescott, Magnolia, Camden areas.
Mark is working the Hope Train Days Festival Bike Ride in Hope. Come ride with us and members in this area contact mark at (870) 703-5136. Lets start getting active in Southwest Arkansas.
Mark is working the Hope Train Days Festival Bike Ride in Hope. Come ride with us and members in this area contact mark at (870) 703-5136. Lets start getting active in Southwest Arkansas.