The AFF Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer
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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 now handles day to day operations of the AFF Programs and reports to our Board of Directors. Program Chairmen fall under the CEO and should be contacted for their respective programs needs or inquiries.
She would much rather text so contact her at (479) 206-2485
Rae brings exceptional fundraising and organizational skills that will continue the growth and progress of the AFF.
Rae now handles day to day operations of the AFF Programs and reports to our Board of Directors. Program Chairmen fall under the CEO and should be contacted for their respective programs needs or inquiries.
She would much rather text so contact her at (479) 206-2485
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Chief Organizational Officer
Charlene Ort |
Charlene is employed by Fidelity Information Services (FIS) in Little Rock as a Program Manager. Charlene became the COO on July 1, 2018. She is the one who helps get things done and on track. Assigned to helping Mark with the program areas she also assists in corporate funding allocations for AFF, coordinating sponsorship of events and donations. She also serves as an Auxiliary member for Arkansas Enterprises for Developmentally Disabled (AEDD), Auxiliary member for Beyond Boundaries, and serves as an Ambassador for Methodist Family Health. Charlene brings a network of connectivity throughout Central Arkansas and a wealth of technical experience.
Northwest Arkansas Director - Vacant
West Central Director
Southwest Arkansas Director
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. |
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West Arkansas Directors
Jason Lentz US Army (left) is one contact in Fort Smith. If you have questions and want to help work something the Fort Smith area, Contact Jason at 479-418-2336
Nathan Varnell US Army (right) also in Fort Smith with a desire to help Veterans get active. Contact Nathan if you like to assist at 479-459-4457 |
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Program Chairmen Contacts
Bike Program Manager Central Arkansas - When you need a bike or repairs or a riding partner. Mike Otts is here to help. Contact Mike for your bike questions. 501-840-4482
Bike Program West and NW Arkansas Ashley Moss in Fort Smith an Army Veteran does all AFF biking in West Arkansas. Road Trail and Mountain Biking team competition. Also check out the West Arkansas Website
Contact Ashley at 913-940-5642 Email him here. |
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Arkansas Challenge Coordinator - Earl Wright. To sponsor or be a part of the largest AFF Annual event contact Earl.
Hunting Program Chairman - Gary Wynn US Air Force Veteran. Contact Gary for all Hunt program Ideas or suggestions at 501-837-0247
CO Chairs Carl Struble USAF Veteran - Helping Gary manage the FIS/AFF Lease to set up your date call 501-940-1840. 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. |
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Fishing Program Chairman - Chad Burns
Co Chair - David Brown. Rae Brown - Fishing with Heroes Chairman Chris Short - Lobo Landing and Central Arkansas Contact Chad Burns or David Brown to check out the AFF Bass Boat. There are restrictions so contact them for the details. Opportunities for Veterans: Contact Bob Elliot and Darryl Morris, US Air Force Veterans for fishing trips on Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. 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. Golf Program - Open
Annual Freedom Scramble at Diamante - Jonathan Wheeler and Mark Leonard The 9th Year at Diamante. Contact Jonathan 210-540-9407 or Mark 501-517-5338 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. 100 Holes Golf a Thon - Mickey Spillane 
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. 
Hiking Program Chairman - Jonah Flores in Ft Smith
Jonah US Army Veteran helps get out into the trails. No Veteran is Alone... in the Arkansas wilderness. Jonah lists hikes available for member participation. If you want more information get with him at (479) 461-1636. 
Kayak Program Chairman - Marc Ford
Marc US Marine Corp and adventurer wants to show you some rivers and streams in the Natural State. |
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Martial Arts Program Chairman - Anthony Smith Sr. US Army Veteran. 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. Contact Anthony at 870-740-5055. |
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The AFF Chaplains - for all your spiritual needs or just someone to listen.
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.
Mark Leonard - US Air Force Veteran with Security Police and a C-130 Loadmaster background. Mark has participated in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, Operation Deep Freeze Mid Winter Airdrop over Antarctica, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Has worked with the Wounded Warrior Project in support of Rides in Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville from 2005-2009. He is also a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mark was a founding member of the Arkansas Freedom Fund and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors from its inception till 2015. Our reorganization in Oct of 2015 Mark stepped down from the board to take the AFF on a new direction of service to Arkansas Veterans. Mark passed the reigns to Rae in Sept of 2019. Here is a good article on Mark and the AFF from the Dem Gaz Nov 19, 2017. |
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