Casey Brewster (Founder, Field Staff) Casey is finishing his Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas. His research focuses on using ecology and physiology principles to answer conservation-based questions. Casey is a Tillman Military Scholar, served 16 years in the 39th INF BCT, Purple Heart Recipient, and CIB.
Kelley Woods (Board, Advisory-Fundraising) Kelley is Casey’s younger sister and an Army veteran with several tours overseas. She holds an M.A. in Forensic Psychology and currently resides in Northern VA, working full-time for the Wexford Group International.
Dustin Green (Board, Field Staff) Dustin served in the Marine Corps and USARNG 39th INF BCT, serving two tours to Iraq. Dustin was raised in the Ouachita Mountains and Mountain Fork river valley of Oklahoma and grew up fishing, hunting, canoeing, and hiking in the mountains.
Cory Woods (Media Productions, Field Staff) Cory is the younger brother of Casey and Kelley and a long-time outdoor enthusiast. Casey and Cory spent countless hours in the woods as kids, either playing Army or catching various lizards, snakes, and frogs. As an adult, Cory also enlisted in the Army – following in his siblings’ footsteps, but was unfortunately injured soon after and was medically discharged. He has an amazing talent as a vocalist and has served as a lead vocalist for several bands, even recording many songs available online.
Josh Loar (Army Liaison, Field Staff) Josh Loar spent his teenage years in the Ouachita Mountains around Mena, AR, where his passion for tree dogs started. He spent his younger life training tree dogs and competing in hunts before joining the military shortly after High School. He retired from the Army National Guard, where he served 2 combat deployments to Iraq, was awarded the Purple Heart, two Army Commendation Medals with Valor, and many other decorations. He currently resides on the eastern edge of the Ouachita Mountains near Hot Springs, AR, with his wife, four daughters, and son. Josh enjoys sharing his love for the outdoors with his kids, other Veterans, and their families.
Brian Jaynes (Camp Chef, Field Staff) Brian Jaynes, aka “Doc”, spent approximately 6 years in the military (US Army Active Duty 2006-2010; US Army WA National Guard 2010-2012) as a Combat Medic. He has 2x Iraq deployments with an Infantry Unit out of JBLM/Ft Lewis. He is a Husband, chef, civilian/military medic, volunteer, disabled veteran, and bourbon enthusiast!
Bernie Bernholz (Veteran Liaison, Field Staff) Bernie is a 20-year retiree as an Army Paratrooper and decorated Combat Veteran. After serving on active duty, he worked as a weapons and tactics instructor in the private security sector. Some of his hobbies include being a hunting and fishing enthusiast (a lot of Trad Archery and Black powder), kayaking, and canoeing. He has “seen a lot of sh!t, 100% Pro Veteran, old as dirt”.
Max Carnes (Volunteer Lead, Field Staff) Max is a rattlesnake biologist pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas. He met Casey (Founder of SMPG) in graduate school and began volunteering with SMPG to help get veterans back out into nature. He’s an avid hiker, camper, and snake wrangler. As one of the few civilians in the organization, he enjoys learning more about the veteran experience and getting to know all the amazing people who share his love of the outdoors.
Ti Augustine (Advisory-LEO & 1st responders) Ti has been in law enforcement for over 25 years. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (session 274) and has extensive experience in ATV/UTV, hiking, bicycling, kayaking, fishing, and camping in the Ozarks.
Adam Beck (Advisory-Field Operations) Adam is the most experienced hunter, fisherman, and field guide on the SMPG board and grew up in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas.
Kaleb Brewster (Board, Field Staff) Son of Casey and DeeJae, Kaleb served three years of active duty in the Army in the 4th Infantry Division. Kaleb is an avid fisherman and a major contributor in guiding and leading field operations for SMPG.
