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About us

About Us

A Mother’s Love
That Started a Movement

Our late founder, Shari Duval, believed in the healing power of dogs. Her vision paved the way for K9s For Warriors to become a leading provider of trained Service Dogs to military Veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma.

In 2011, Shari made her vision to train shelter dogs as Service Dogs for Veterans in need a reality. When her son returned from Iraq with PTSD, she realized he was only himself around his dog. Shari put all her time and resources into restoring the lives of Veterans through the use of highly trained Service Dogs.

For Shari, it wasn’t only about assisting those who had sacrificed for our freedom anymore — it was about fighting to save their lives. She started the organization with her own money, in her garage, and watched it grow into a national non-profit, serving Veterans from across the country.

“The military teaches our Veterans how to go to war, but these kids are not being taught how to come home,” said Shari. “Our mission is to save their lives. Our mission is to get them back into civilian life with dignity and independence. They deserve that.”

Sadly, we lost Shari in February 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. She may no longer be with us, but her legacy remains with every Veteran and dog saved by K9s For Warriors. 

K9s For Warriors Founder Shari Duval

Locations

SHARI DUVAL NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS PONTE VEDRA, FL

114 CAMP K9 RD,
PONTE VEDRA, FL 32081

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DAVIS FAMILY MEGA KENNEL PONTE VEDRA, FL

70 WARRIOR WAY, 

PONTE VEDRA, FL 32081

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WARRIOR RANCH
HELOTES, TEXAS

20144 HIGH BLUFF ROAD, 

HELOTES, TX 78023

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Leadership

Daniel Bean

DANIEL BEAN

Chief Executive Officer

Lindsay Grayson

LINDSAY GRAYSON

Chief Revenue Officer

Wyatt Haynes

WYATT HAYNES

Chief K9 & Business Officer

ALEX LOTT

Chief Operating & Information Officer

Jonathan Krepinevich

JONATHAN KREPINEVICH

Chief Financial Officer

Kevin Steele

KEVIN STEELE

Chief Program Officer

Shannon Wiedaur

SHANNON WEIDAUER

Chief Human Resources Officer

DANIEL BEAN

CEO & Board Chair, US Navy (RET), K9s For Warriors

JUDGE RONALD V. SWANSON

Governor-Appointed Florida First District Court of Appeal, Judge (Retired)

DAPHNE NEVERAS LUPFER

Board Secretary, Information Technology Director, DuPont (Retired)

BILL TAYLOR

Weather Chief, KENS5 Television San Antonio

CHERYA CAVANAUGH

Board Treasurer, Keller Williams Atlantic Partners, Team Owner

GENERAL MICHAEL FLEMING

Brigadier General (RET) Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic, Outreach Director

ED WEINBERG

President and CEO, Optum Serve

MACM (SW/AW) CHARLES W DAVIS US NAVY (RET)

K9s For Warriors Graduate and Organization Ambassador

COMMISSIONER BEN MIRANDA

CMSgt (ret-USAF), Corporate External Affairs Officer - Endeavors & Commissioner - Texas Military Preparedness Commission

AMANDA BALIONIS

Sports Announcer, Founder/President of Puppies & Golf

PETE T. KRAINIK

The CMO Club, Founder and Chief Executive Officer

DOUG LONG

Vice President Industry Relations IQVIA

Bill Inhkin

Bob Duval

Bob Fleckenstein

Captain Jason Haag

Charlie Crozier

Chipper Hall

Dan Blanks

Dane Grey

David Duval

General Craig McKinley

Hugh Harris

Janet Burnside

Joe Swoboda

John Loosen

Leander Hines

Matt Wotiz

MJ Jacobs

MJ Smith

Pat Delaney

Ray Dallman

Rob Mennie

Rory Diamond

Shari Duval

Steve Gold

Tina Jaeckle

Tony Goland

Wayne Galloway

Richard Burke

Daniel Bean

DANIEL BEAN

Chief Executive Officer

Daniel is a retired Navy Veteran who received the Legion of Merit, among other awards, during his 25-year career. He has
proudly been with K9s For Warriors since its inception in 2011. Bean was awarded the Jacksonville Bar Association’s 2024
Lawyer of the Year.

Bean is currently President of the USS ORLECK/Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association, Chair of the Jacksonville Port
Authority Board of Directors, Chair of the N.E. Fla Mission United Advisory Board and Chair of the FreshMinistries Board. He is
the Treasurer of the Five Star Veterans Center and Vice-Chair of the Florida College Prepaid Foundation.

Bean received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from the University of San Diego. He and his wife, Annie, have five adult children and have adopted four dogs from K9s For Warriors.

Lindsay Grayson

LINDSAY GRAYSON

Chief Revenue Officer

Lindsay’s Chief Development Officer position has transitioned to Chief Revenue Officer. This combined position strategically aligns both the Development and Marketing Teams and will be responsible for optimizing K9s brand and visibility — while expanding the donor base and increasing revenue generation in alignment with the organizational strategic plan. 

Prior to serving as K9s For Warriors’ Chief Revenue Officer, Lindsay led the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts as Director of Development, fostering meaningful relationships with donors and expanding the organization’s reach exponentially. In under one year, she increased revenue by 70%.

In 2023, under Lindsay’s leadership as Chief Development Officer, the organization hit a record year of fundraising. She additionally received Jacksonville Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award.

Before joining the K9s team, Lindsay worked as a team financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, aiding and advising clients with financial future and retirement planning. She holds her Series 7 General Securities License.

As a Jacksonville native, in her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, traveling, going to concerts, and cheering on her favorite football teams.

Wyatt Haynes

Wyatt Haynes

Chief K9 and Business Officer

As Chief K9 and Business Officer, Wyatt supports the senior leadership team in enhancing and expanding K9s For Warriors and its mission. He also oversees the K9 training program, ensuring every dog is provided the best care and training that meets the strict standards of the organization.

Whether our dogs become a Service Dog, therapy dog, or are adopted by a loving family, Wyatt will ensure every dog fulfills its purpose.

Before K9s, Wyatt worked at UPS for over 26 years, most recently as the Florida Director of Transportation. He also served four years in the United States Navy as a Gas Turbine Mechanic on the USS Hue City (CG-66).

Wyatt earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University and is currently completing a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Divinity from Liberty University.

Wyatt volunteers and serves on the Board of Directors for the Blessings in a Backpack Program, providing food to thousands of children in Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. He is married to Bridgette and has three children. Wyatt enjoys spending time with his family, riding bikes, and watching sports. 

Alex Lott

ALEX LOTT

Chief Operating & Information Officer

Alex has transitioned from her most recent position of Chief Operating and Program Officer to Chief Operating and Information Officer. This expanded role will direct all aspects of organizational logistics, spearhead strategies designed to conduct day-to-day operations, and oversee the optimization of computer systems, technology resources, data, and analytics in alignment with the organizational strategic plan.

Alex most recently worked at UPS, serving in various Industrial Engineering roles within the state of Florida and UPS’ Corporate Industrial Engineering department. Prior to joining UPS, Alex worked at The Citadel Graduate College, assisting veteran and civilian students through the application process all the way to graduation.

Alex earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she specialized in banking and financial institutions, a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Tampa with a concentration in non-profit management, and a Graduate Certificate in Military Leadership from The Citadel Military College.

She is a native to Jacksonville, FL, is active in her parish, Assumption Catholic Church, and serves as Secretary for Haven Retreats, a local non-profit that provides support for foster and adoptive families. She is married to William, an Air Force Veteran, they are proud parents of their two boys. Alex enjoys spending time outside with her family, reading, competitive sports, and cheering on the Huskers.

Jonathan Krepinevich

JONATHAN KREPINEVICH

Chief Financial Officer

Jon serves as the Chief Financial Officer of K9s For Warriors and is responsible for all things finance related, from internal controls and financial processes to internal and external financial reporting.  He is passionate about the mission and enjoys working with numbers. 

Jon started his professional accounting career as an auditor with Deloitte, and also led audits at national and local accounting firms, working with clients across all industries and sizes.  He then transitioned to serving non-profits directly as part of internal and outsourced finance teams with global and local non-profits. 

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Evangel University double majoring in accounting and business management and has been a CPA since 2008. 

Jon enjoys spending time with family, being outside in nice weather, woodworking, hockey, and returning library books on time.  His favorite beans to count are coffee beans. 

Kevin Steele

KEVIN STEELE

Chief Program Officer

As the Chief Program Officer (CPO) at K9s For Warriors, Kevin is responsible for all program-related matters across all campuses, including — Procurement and Placement, Station Dog Program, Puppy Program, Kennel Operations, Enrichment Activities, Veterinary Care, K9 Training, and Warrior Operations.

Before joining the K9s For Warriors team, Kevin served over 20 years of honorable and faithful service in the United States Marine Corps in the Communications Field — retiring as a Master Sergeant (E-8) in 2016.

Upon retiring, Kevin began volunteering at K9s For Warriors in the kennels, caring for the dogs in training.

In October 2019, Kevin returned to K9s For Warriors as a staff member — where he has served in various roles such as Warrior Relations Specialist, Warrior Relations Assistant Manager, Warrior Operations Manager, Deputy Director of Warrior Operations, and his current role as Chief Program Officer. Additionally, Kevin received the highly coveted Shari Duval Honor Award in 2021.

Born and raised in Yukon, Oklahoma, Kevin is a huge fan of the Oklahoma Sooners! His wife, Susan, retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2014 as a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7). They are incredibly proud parents of three boys, Dylan, Brayden, and Caleb. Kevin enjoys attending church, spending quality time with family, and cheering on the OU Sooners!

Shannon Wiedaur

SHANNON WEIDAUER

Chief Human Resources Officer

As Chief Human Resources Officer of K9s For Warriors, Shannon is responsible for developing and executing human resources strategy to support the organization’s overall business plan — including strategic direction, specifically in succession planning, talent management, change management, and organizational and performance management. 

Shannon is a seasoned Human Resources professional who earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has worked in the Human Resources field in the private and public sectors, including health care, tribal government, public government, and nonprofit organizations — as a member of the executive teams in partnership with varying governing boards.

Shannon was born and raised in the military — her father was a career Air Force B52 pilot who committed his adult life to serving this country. Shannon and her husband have been married for 38 years. They have one daughter who recently graduated from Baylor University in Texas and will attend Regent School of Law in Virginia Beach.

Shannon and her family recently moved to Florida from Texas. She has spent most of her adult life living in Southern California in the Temecula Valley area, just north of San Diego. She loves the beach, concerts/theatre, traveling, fun gatherings with friends, and quality family time.

She is an avid dog lover and has been fortunate to have dog(s) throughout her childhood and adulthood — including River and Clyde, who were adopted and rescued from local organizations. Today, Shannon and her family have Baron, a 13-year-old Standard Poodle, Wyatt, a 2-year-old Golden Doodle, and “grand-dog” Bean, a 3-year-old mini–Golden Doodle. 

Shannon is honored to be a part of the K9s For Warriors family and feels extremely fortunate to work within an organization with such a meaningful mission and a dedicated and committed team. She looks forward to getting to know more of the K9s team members and continuing to develop and implement engagement program initiatives this coming year!

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