Board of Directors & Executive Leadership
Children of Fallen Heroes is guided by a committed Board of Directors and executive leadership team that provides governance, financial oversight, and strategic direction. Together, they ensure accountability, transparency, and long-term sustainability while advancing the organization’s mission to serve children and families impacted by loss.
Ken Wasley
President & Founder | Board Member
Ken Wasley is the founder and president of Children of Fallen Heroes, leading the organization’s national mission to support children and families impacted by loss. With more than a decade of nonprofit leadership, Ken has built CFH into a multi-program organization serving over 15,000 children through education, wellness, aviation, STEM+Arts, and community development initiatives.
He has spearheaded the development of CFH’s permanent 82-acre Retreat and STEM+Arts Campus in Moore County, North Carolina—creating a protected, mission-driven environment that ensures long-term access to healing, education, and opportunity for future generations.
Ken’s leadership focuses on long-term sustainability, strategic partnerships, and building infrastructure that safeguards the organization’s impact for decades to come.
Linda Plummer
Vice President | Board Member
Linda Plummer serves as Vice President of Children of Fallen Heroes, providing strategic leadership, organizational oversight, and long-term operational support. She plays a central role in program development, partner relations, and internal governance, helping ensure that CFH’s mission is carried out with integrity, consistency, and accountability.
With deep institutional knowledge and a strong commitment to families and communities served, Linda works closely with the executive team to strengthen systems, expand outreach, and support sustainable growth. Her leadership helps translate vision into action and ensures that programs remain responsive, ethical, and mission-driven.
Jane Therrien
Financial Advisor | Board Member
Jane Therrien serves as Financial Advisor to Children of Fallen Heroes, providing oversight and strategic guidance in financial planning, compliance, and long-term sustainability. She supports the organization’s fiscal integrity by advising on budgeting, reporting, and responsible growth strategies that protect donor trust and ensure mission accountability.
Her expertise strengthens CFH’s financial framework, helping the organization scale responsibly while maintaining transparency, regulatory compliance, and disciplined stewardship of resources.
Aldo Rovito
Senior Advisor | Board Member
Aldo Rovito serves as a senior advisor to Children of Fallen Heroes, providing strategic counsel, operational guidance, and leadership support across the organization’s initiatives. With experience in New York law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, he brings deep insight into public service, veteran support systems, and institutional accountability.
He advises on program development, organizational strategy, and risk management, helping ensure that CFH’s work remains effective, ethical, and aligned with its long-term mission. His guidance supports informed decision-making and strengthens the organization’s leadership foundation.
Destiny Flynn
Gold Star Wellness & Mentorship Director
Destiny Flynn serves as the Gold Star Wellness & Mentorship Director for Children of Fallen Heroes, leading programs that support the emotional health, personal growth, and long-term resilience of children and families impacted by loss.
She develops and oversees mentorship, wellness, and peer-support initiatives that create safe, supportive environments where youth can heal, build confidence, and discover their strengths. Her work ensures that families receive consistent, compassionate care grounded in best practices and lived understanding.
Through her leadership, CFH strengthens its commitment to holistic support—addressing not only immediate needs, but lifelong well-being.
Kayla Fournier
Director of Beauty & Weddings
Kayla Fournier serves as Director of Beauty & Weddings for Children of Fallen Heroes, leading mission-aligned partnerships and event-based initiatives that blend creativity, service, and community impact.
She oversees programs that connect the beauty and wedding industries to CFH’s broader vision, helping create meaningful experiences while supporting fundraising and outreach efforts. Her work expands community engagement, builds new partnerships, and strengthens mission sustainability through innovative event strategy.
Through her leadership, CFH continues to develop creative revenue pathways that support children and families while deepening relationships within the community.
Jamie Talavera
Advocacy Director
Jamie Talavera serves as Advocacy Director for Children of Fallen Heroes, leading efforts to elevate the voices of families, protect their interests, and strengthen community and institutional support systems.
She works to ensure that policies, partnerships, and public engagement initiatives reflect the real needs of children and caregivers impacted by loss. Through education, outreach, and collaboration, Jamie helps build awareness, access, and long-term solutions for the families CFH serves.
Her leadership strengthens CFH’s role as a trusted advocate and partner across community, nonprofit, and public service networks.
Paul Beckman
Director of Drone Innovations & Strategies
Paul Beckman serves as Director of Drone Innovations & Strategies for Children of Fallen Heroes, leading the organization’s advanced drone education, public safety training, and technology integration initiatives.
He oversees program development in aerial systems, mapping, emergency response support, and STEM-based aviation learning. His work helps prepare youth and first responders with practical, real-world skills while strengthening CFH’s capacity for innovation and community service.
Through his leadership, CFH continues to expand responsible drone operations, workforce pathways, and technology-driven solutions that support both education and public safety.
Melanie Witte
Business Operations Officer
Melanie Witte serves as Business Operations Officer for Children of Fallen Heroes, overseeing internal systems, administrative processes, and organizational workflow that support daily operations and long-term growth.
She manages coordination across programs, finance, compliance, and partner engagement to ensure efficiency, consistency, and accountability. Her work helps strengthen internal infrastructure, improve service delivery, and support responsible expansion.
Through her leadership, CFH maintains strong operational standards that enable the mission to function with clarity, reliability, and professionalism.
Sebastian Medina
Drone R&D Development Director
Sebastian Medina serves as Drone R&D Development Director for Children of Fallen Heroes, leading research, development, and innovation initiatives within the organization’s aviation and technology programs.
He focuses on advancing drone systems, testing new applications, and supporting STEM+Arts learning pathways that prepare youth for careers in aerospace, engineering, and emerging technologies. His work helps ensure CFH remains at the forefront of responsible, forward-looking innovation.
Through his leadership, CFH strengthens its commitment to hands-on learning, technical excellence, and workforce development.
Tom Beckman
Drone Education Director
Tom Beckman serves as Drone Education Director for Children of Fallen Heroes, leading curriculum development, instruction, and certification pathways within the organization’s aviation and STEM+Arts programs.
He designs and delivers hands-on training that builds technical skills, safety awareness, and professional readiness for youth and adult participants. His work helps create clear pathways from learning to certification, employment, and service.
Through his leadership, CFH expands access to high-quality aviation education while maintaining rigorous standards and mission alignment.
Amanda Smith Jones
Culinary Director of Events
Amanda Smith Jones serves as Culinary Director of Events for Children of Fallen Heroes, leading food and hospitality coordination across mission-driven gatherings, community events, and fundraising initiatives.
She oversees culinary planning and execution to ensure events reflect the organization’s values of care, quality, and connection. Her work supports community engagement, strengthens donor relationships, and enhances the overall experience for families and partners.
Through her leadership, CFH integrates hospitality and service into every event, reinforcing a culture of excellence and intentional impact.
Gene Saurez
Law Enforcement Liaison
Gene Saurez serves as Law Enforcement Liaison for Children of Fallen Heroes, strengthening relationships between the organization and local, state, and federal public safety agencies.
He supports collaboration, coordination, and program alignment with law enforcement partners, helping ensure CFH initiatives reflect best practices in safety, community engagement, and service. His role enhances communication, trust, and joint outreach efforts that benefit families and youth served by the organization.
Through his leadership, CFH continues to build strong partnerships within the public safety community while expanding mission-driven support for children and families impacted by loss.
Trent Nesmith
Corporate Construction Advisor
Trent Nesmith serves as Corporate Construction Advisor for Children of Fallen Heroes, providing strategic guidance on facility development, infrastructure planning, and long-term campus expansion.
He advises on construction standards, project coordination, vendor partnerships, and cost-effective development practices that support CFH’s permanent campus and program facilities. His expertise helps ensure projects are executed with quality, accountability, and sustainability.
Through his leadership, CFH strengthens its capacity to build and maintain mission-driven spaces that serve families and communities for generations.
