Meet Our Board of Advisors
General (Ret.) Paul Funk
General Funk retired in 2022 after a distinguished 42-year career in the United States Army. He recently served as Commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). In that role, he guided the development of citizens into professional soldiers and leaders committed to the selfless service of our nation. He oversaw 32 Army schools organized under 10 Centers of Excellence that recruit, train, and educate more than 800,000 soldiers and service members annually. Previously, he served as Commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, and Operations Inherent Resolve (OIR), where he deployed and led a 72-nation coalition in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Funk holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from Montana State University and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and completed his Senior Service College as a fellow attending the Institute of Advanced Technology at the University of Texas Austin. He was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal – the nation’s 4th highest honor – for outstanding leadership in combat.
CW4 (Ret.) Michael Durant
Michael Durant is a CW4 (retired). Michael entered the United States Army in August 1979. Upon appointment to W0I in November 1983 he completed the UH60 Blackhawk Qualifications Course and was assigned to 377th Medical Evacuation Company, Seoul Korea. His next assignment was the 101st Aviation Bn, Fort Campbell. Michael joined the 160th Special Operations Group on August 1, 1988. Assigned to D Company, Michael performed duties as Flight Lead and Standardization Instructor Pilot. Michael participated in combat operations Prime Chance, Just Cause (Panama invasion December 1989), Desert Storm (Liberation of Kuwait in January – March 1991) A Master Aviator qualified in the UH-1 Huey, MH-6 Loach, and MH-60a, L, and K models of the Blackhawk, he has a total of 3,700 flight hours with over 1,400 under Night Vision Goggles. On October 3, 1993, while piloting an MH-60 Blackhawk in Mogadishu, Somalia, he was shot down and held captive by hostile forces. He was released eleven days later. Michael Durant recently shared his experience as a featured guest on Shawn Ryan Show. Michael Durant is a highly decorated hero, among his many awards he holds the POW/MIA ribbon. Michael is the author of, “In The Company Of Heroes” and “The Night Stalkers”, and he is the inspiration for the movie, “Black Hawk Down”. Michael Durant’s position on the TOURS OF DUTY Advisory Board represents the POW/MIA voice of our mission to Leave No One Behind. For more on Mike Durant, visit his recent guest appearance on Shawn Ryan Show: https://youtu.be/oHvPjnAder0?si=q3FDlxcmowSRnsUu
MACV-SOG “Dynamite” Dick Thompson
Henry (Dick) Thompson, Ph.D., is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and legendary MACV-SOG Operator known by the codename, “Dynamite.” Serving as a recon team leader from 1968-1970, he led over 20 high-risk black operations deep into enemy territory in Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam during the Vietnam War’s secret campaigns, earning a reputation for bravery in brutal firefights and hand-to-hand combat. After 21 years of military service, including roles in Special Forces, Airborne, and Ranger units, Thompson founded High Performing Systems Inc. in 1984, where he serves as President and CEO, providing leadership solutions, training, and assessments for corporate, military, law enforcement, and firefighters in high-stress decision-making. A psychologist, Mensa member, and Ironman triathlete, he authored, among other books, the bestselling, “SOG Codename Dynamite” series including “A MACV-SOG 1-0’s Personal Journal” (2023), sharing firsthand accounts of combat psychology and spiritual warfare. Thompson advocates for mental resilience, veteran support, and applying combat lessons to everyday leadership. To learn more about ”Dynamite” Dick Thompson, visit his recent guest appearance on Shawn Ryan Show: https://youtu.be/Uc3BzzUObMk?si=5E1o74dbrnK0pL7a
Colonel (Ret.)Lee Ellis
A native of Commerce, Georgia, Lee Ellis is a University of Georgia graduate (1965) and retired United States Air Force Colonel whose distinguished career was forged under extraordinary circumstances. An Air Force fighter pilot flying fifty-three combat missions over North Vietnam, in 1967 his aircraft crashed over enemy territory, and he endured more than five years as a Prisoner Of War during the Vietnam War in Son Tay, Camp Faith, and Hanoi Hilton. Those experiences shaped his lifelong focus on leadership and human performance under extreme conditions, informing both his operational command and academic pursuits.
After experiencing the historic Son Tay Raid on November 20, 1970 Lee Ellis and the Son Tay POW’s were moved to Hanoi Hilton until he returned home three years later on March 14, 1973 during Operation Homecoming. After repatriation, Lee returned to flight duty and rose through increasingly senior leadership roles, including squadron command and higher education supervision. His valor and service have been recognized with two Silver Stars, the Legion Of Merit, Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Prisoner Of War Medal, and numerous additional decorations. He was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall Of Fame in 2014 and received the DAR Medal Of Honor in 2015 for a lifetime of patriotic service and leadership with honor.Today Lee Ellis is Founder and President of Leadership Freedom LLC and FreedomStar Media. He is an award-winning author, leadership coach, and expert presenter in the areas of leadership, teambuilding, and human performance.
Richard Fitts Jr
MACV-SOG Gold Star Son Richard Fitts Jr, son of United States Army Special Forces Green Beret , Staff Sergeant Richard Allen Fitts, MACV-SOG, who was classified Missing In Action on November 30, 1968 when his CH-34 “King Bee” helicopter was shot down during a classified mission, “Project Eldest Son.” Over two decades later, SSGT Fitts remains were found in Laos, and returned to his hometown of Abington, MA in 1990 where he rests in honor.
Rich’s role on the team represents the families of the Missing In Action (MIA’s), the Killed In Action (KIA), and the Gold Star families. WHen one family member serves, the whole family serves. The generational impact left on the families of America’s MIA, POW, KIA, Gold Star families is an important voice at our table, as Tours Of Duty is a humanitarian NGO serving families seeking answers regarding their missing loved one.
When families serve our nation, they live two lives. The “Lore” of authentic accounts experienced only with those they serve with, and “The Legacy” they leave behind in civilian life. Gold Star son Richard Fitts Jr., honors his father’s Lore, and his Legacy, well. Fitts serves as an honorary member of the AMERICAN LEGION U.S.V.V.E. SSGT. RICHARD A. FITTS POST 2, representing his father’s namesake and legacy when marching and attending events with the Post. Fitts is present at the annual Memorial Day ceremony which takes place in the cemetery where his father rests, donning his dad’s Green Beret and dressed in fatigues as a visual to Never Forget. He has forged relationships with those that served with his dad, and actively keeps his father’s story alive to be shared throughout time via multi-media channels to include this documentary in which he was the director, narrator, co-writer, and soundtrack producer: 21 Years: A Folded Flag (2018) – IMDb
Chef Andre Rush
Decorated Army veteran, celebrated WHITE HOUSE CHEF for four United States Presidents, celebrity chef, and internationally recognized advocate for veteran suicide prevention, has joined the Tours Of Duty Advisory Board.
Chef Andre Rush is renown as one of the top chefs in the United States military, and retired as a Master Sergeant. He has represented the United States Army resulting in over 100 new soldiers joining the forces. He was also a member of the United States Culinary Arts Team, where he competed and won 150 medals and trophies. He is regarded as the United States Army’s strongest chef by lifting over 700 lbs as well as being a Master Ice Carver.
Chef Andre Rush was the Senior Enlisted Aide to the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy. In this capacity, he served as Senior Aide and advisor for DVQ’s, dignitaries, and high profile VIPs. He joined the military as a reservist where he would later switch over to active Army in July of 1993. He has spent time at Fort Stewart, 503 Infantry at Camp Casey Korea, Fort Campbell Kentucky, and Fort Bragg North Carolina.
In September 1996 he served as the Joint Vice Chief of Staff for eight General Officers and four Chief Of Staff of the Army, over the next three years. Moving to West Point soon after, Chef Rush had the opportunity to work for four Superintendents as well as ASI Finance CMD GO Washington DC. He has also worked in the White House and the Presidential Guest House.
Chef Rush has deployed multiple times and has held a variety of leadership positions to include Senior Advisor, Enlisted Aides, Operational Manager, and Foodservice Manager. He has served as a hand-to-hand combat trainer to over 1,000 cadets, airmen, soldiers, marines, and civilians. He trained over 10,000 troops in the art of culinary and was called upon Army wide to assist in teaching other senior and junior aides. He has volunteered his entire career and rendered his services for the Core of cadets for the last 10 years. Chef Andre Rush holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management from TUI, Associates degree from Culinary Stafford University, and Associates degree in Hotel Restaurant Management from Central Texas. He is also certified in Household/Estate Management from Starkey International; Sommelier Course from Denver Colorado; CCNA; ACF, and is a Certified Ice Carver.
Colonel (Ret.) Keith Nightingale
Colonel (Ret.) Keith Nightingale is one of America’s most distinguished special operations leaders, serving nearly three decades in the U.S. Army with command assignments spanning the 82nd Airborne Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and U.S. Special Operations Command. A two-tour Vietnam combat veteran, he was a founding member of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and later commanded both the battalion and the Ranger Training Brigade.
Throughout his career, Colonel Nightingale played pivotal roles in some of the nation’s most significant military and special operations missions, including Operation Eagle Claw, the pursuit of Pablo Escobar, the liberation of Grenada and Panama, and the development of modern Ranger training. He also led the return of the 82nd Airborne Division to Normandy for the 40th anniversary of D-Day, beginning a decades-long commitment to preserving the legacy of those who served.
A graduate of the U.S. Army War College and recipient of numerous distinguished military honors—including the French Legion of Honor, four Bronze Stars with Valor, and induction into both the Ranger Regiment and 82nd Airborne Halls of Fame—Colonel Nightingale brings unparalleled operational expertise, strategic leadership, and a lifelong commitment to honoring America’s military history.ma
Brad Nietfeldt
With over three decades of experience in digital strategy, web development, and emerging technologies, Brad Nietfeldt is the visionary force behind Monstrous Media Group. As Managing Partner and Founder, Brad has led the agency through its evolution into a powerhouse of SEO, AI, and full-scale digital marketing—serving as a trusted partner to clients nationwide.
A multi-award-winning technologist and entrepreneur, Brad’s career spans 35+ years across internet infrastructure, marketing automation, and AI systems integration. His leadership has shaped MMG’s reputation for dependable execution, innovative solutions, and long-term client partnerships for Mom-and-Pop Start-ups to Fortune 500 C-Suites.
Brad also serves as Non-Executive Chairman of Monster Creative and is widely recognized for his thought leadership in national defense, AI, and information warfare. His strategic mindset, relentless drive, and deep technical fluency continue to position MMG at the forefront of digital transformation.
Kimberly Snuck
Kimberly Snuck is an Operations Manager at Citadel, where she manages strategic operational initiatives that support the firm’s operational capacity and drive scalable, high-impact solutions across complex financial markets. She brings nearly 20 years of experience spanning hedge funds, institutional asset management, digital assets, and global financial services.
Before joining Citadel, Kimberly has held several leadership positions across the industry building expertise across product management, risk, operations, and business development, enabling her to bridge strategy and execution, lead cross-functional initiatives, and deliver operational excellence in highly regulated, fast-paced financial environments.