Ryan Del Grosso is a veteran Special Tactics Officer in Air Force Special Operations Command, with deployments to Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. Ryan graduated from the US Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. He also served as a strategy fellow at the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. A passionate adventurer, Ryan spends his free time paragliding and speed flying off mountains across the United States. Ryan is eager to share the beauty of Colorado’s wilderness with fellow veterans, while continuing his work in destigmatizing and advocating for mental health.

Don Stuber believed he could fly. Given his background in aviation, his Marine Corps recruiter seemed to agree. Don soon found himself in the air. Not in the cockpit, but in the air; a Marine Infantryman, jumping out of the open doors and ramps of perfectly good aircraft and landing, with luck, boots first on a hot L.Z. or forlorn O.P. during the opening salvos of Vietnam’s 1968 Tet Offensive. Later, Don attended the University of Minnesota studying Studio Art and South Asian Studies. In 1975, on walk-about, tracing the spine of the Rocky Mountains north to south, Don stumbled into the Roaring Fork Valley and found, among the hills, streams, and wilderness, a community that felt like home. A recovering adrenaline junky, Don has worked as an artist, photojournalist, furniture maker and building contractor and volunteers with arts and veterans organizations. Don looks forward to his time spent with fellow veterans and welcomes the opportunity to share stories and solace among returning brother and sister warriors.

Erik is an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now a husband and father of two, he serves as the Executive Director for Huts For Vets. He takes ownership of the Huts For Vets mission in shaping the organization to best serve his fellow veterans and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Erik is an avid mountain biker, serving as President of RAMBO (Rifle Area Mountain Bike Organization.) He enjoys hiking, climbing, trail building, hunting, and literature.

Chris was born in San Diego and raised in Denver. He served in the Marine Corps between 2007-2011 as a Radio Operator with VMU-3 and 1st ANGLICO. Upon leaving the service Chris obtained a BS in Sociology and began a career in finance. He married in 2019 and spends his time sharing his story, hiking and camping, or with family. He believes you should see as much as you can while you can.

Since getting sober in 2016 Chris has been looking for ways to help and connect with the veteran community and continue his efforts to advocate for veterans and raise mental health awareness. Chris relies heavily on a holistic healing approach for his own sobriety and believes we can all retrain our brains how to think and overcome our battles.

“After going on my first trip in 2022 something clicked and I finally felt like I found a home. I look forward to sharing this great organization with the world and to changing lives one service member at a time.”

Chris Joyce is a Marine Corps veteran, serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He is a functional medicine health coach focusing on having veterans take control of their health with a holistic approach. His mission is to prepare future participants physically and mentally for their trip and motivates them to continue the positive momentum post-trip. Chris is a Huts For Vets alumni, staff, and board member.

Erin Walker is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served between 2001-2005 as an ammunition and explosive technician. She was part of the 22 nd Marine Expeditionary Unit 2003-2004, which led to a tour in Afghanistan. While in country she was attached to Marine and Army combat units in a cultural support role and assisted with operations and humanitarian missions.

After the Marine Corps she attended Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas and graduated in 2008 with her B.S. in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She received her MSW degree in 2014 from Colorado State University – Fort Collins and is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Erin has worked in case management and clinical settings for over 10 years, specializing in mental health treatment. She currently works for the State of Colorado as a program manager for treatment courts, assisting justice-involved individuals and helping ensure victim and community safety.

Erin is also alumni of HFV and has been a women’s trip co-moderator. She has a special passion for working with military and veterans in clinical and other various holistic settings to facilitate healing and recovery. She and her German Shepherd enjoy all the outdoor adventures that Colorado has to offer!

Tait Andersen, Hut Master, and Base Camp Manager was born in Aspen and raised in these mountains. Regardless of how far he’s wandered, these mountains have always been home. He is excited to be able to share his love of these incredible places with veterans. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Prescott College, with a minor in Adventure Education. His master’s degree is in Environmental Governance from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

Justin Lincoln, Psy.D, RYT, Staff Psychologist, is a licensed clinical psychologist. He is currently working with the Family Care Center in Colorado Springs, providing behavioral health services to veterans and military families. Though he is a civilian psychologist, several of Dr. Lincoln’s family members are veterans or active duty service members. While practicing some traditional psychotherapy, he also recognizes the power offered by experiential modalities of treatment. He believes strongly that experiences such as those offered by “Huts for Vets” can facilitate significant transformations.

Jen Patronas retired from the Air Force in 2019 after serving for 20 years. She was a medic and later became a technical training master instructor for the Community College of the Air Force and a military training instructor (a.k.a. ‘drill sergeant’) for basic military training. Upon retiring from the USAF, Jen developed a passion for providing support to families in under-served communities. Currently, she serves as the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs-Alaska.

In 2019, Jen was looking for ways to connect to other female veterans when she discovered Hut for Vets. She believes the trip allowed her space to reconnect with nature and other women with similar experiences.

“In Aspen, I learned that shared suffering leads to unbreakable connections. We all found a secret joy and sense of pride that we were in this together.”, Jen reminisces. She wants to help others find healing through nature and human connection. In her free time, Jen enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, duck hunting, and reading. She resides in Eagle River, Alaska with her husband and 3 children.

Mike Greenwood is an Army Veteran living in Colorado Springs, CO by way of Webster, NY, with his wife, Demetria, their daughter, Crisanna, and their dog Vinny. Mike served as an Infantry soldier with the modern-day 10th Mountain Division in both Afghanistan and Iraq. After leaving active duty, Mike served in the storied Fighting 69th out of New York City until late 2008, where he had the privilege of “Walking the Dogs” during the 2007 St. Patrick’s Day parade. Using the Post 9–11 GI-Bill, Mike obtained his BBA from Pace University in late 2011, becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college.

He attended a Huts For Vets trip during their inception year of 2013 and frequently writes or speaks about his life-changing experience. Mike has since participated in outdoor moderating training classes held by members of the Aspen Institute and has gone on to implement this training with hundreds of veterans across the country with Team Red, White & Blue, and Huts for Vets. He currently works as a Director of Veteran Services with The COMMIT Foundations, where he assists veterans as they transition from the Military. Mike has been a leader in the veteran nonprofit space for over 10 years and knows first-hand the challenges veterans face when they hang up their uniforms for the last time. With this knowledge, he has devoted much of his post-military life to assisting other veterans in defining their purpose in life post-service.

Anjanette is an educator, wilderness guide, and an artist. Her facilitation style nurtures connection, creativity, and resilience. After years guiding in many different wilderness areas across the United States and the world she now resides in Colorado where she enjoys cooking amazing meals and exploring the mountains. Originally from California she completed her BA in English & Art from Whittier College.

Jessica Bryant is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 2012-2017 as an aviation electronics technician, repairing helicopters in San Diego. She is originally from New Hampshire and grew up hiking in the White Mountains. Jessica is now a Registered Dietitian, helping others fuel properly for their activities and eat healthy for longevity. She likes to spend her free time hiking, trail running, paddle boarding, reading or just exploring nature. Jessica is a Wilderness First Responder and volunteers on her local Search and Rescue Team. Prior to Huts for Vets, Jessica lead veteran group hikes in New Hampshire, where she realized the importance of connecting with others who have served. She is looking forward to her first summer hiking in Colorado.