Your Passion. Our Mission.

As the board of directors of Hero Haven, we understand what it’s like to walk in our HEROES’ shoes. Many of us have served in the military or in law enforcement, and all of us are patriots who believe in giving back to the men and women who make great sacrifices to protect our country and communities.

Our Call to Duty

We believe in the power of Mother Nature, adrenaline, exercise, accomplishment and lasting friendships—and we believe very much in what we do.

Leadership Team

Matt Jamison

President

Matthew is a retired Air Force brigadier general. He started his military career as a crew chief and ended as a fighter pilot with combat experience, call sign Jammer. He has vast strategic planning skills developed over the years in the Air Force, making him a perfect fit to lead Hero Haven as we continue to grow and expand. He always knew that after retirement he would give back to the community. With a passion for hunting and fishing, Hero Haven is a perfect fit. Matthew has board experience in the Air National Guard Strategic Planning System, and as a military advisor to Starbase. He is married with 3 adult children. His hobbies are hunting, fishing, golfing, and restoring old cars.

Matt Bye

Vice President

Matt is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Sergeant with Bravo Company, 2-136 Infantry, completing two deployments to Bosnia as part of SFOR and to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His time in service shaped a lifelong commitment to leadership, teamwork, and showing up for others.

An avid outdoorsman, Matt is passionate about hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, and camping, and believes the outdoors plays a powerful role in helping veterans reconnect and heal. He has organized and led everything from fishing tournaments to large-scale company events, bringing people together with purpose and intention.

Through Hero Haven, Matt is building more than just a place—he’s creating a community where veterans can reconnect, rediscover purpose, and remember they are never alone. At home, he is a devoted husband and father of two, grounded in family and service.

Board of Directors

Alexis Stukel

Administrative Chair

Alexis Stukel is a former 88M and newly commissioned 2LT in the South Dakota National Guard. She commissioned as an engineer officer and graduated with a degree in exercise science from South Dakota State University in May 2025. She is deeply passionate about serving and giving back to others as she works in healthcare and serves as the Hero Haven Administrative Chair. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, lake/river days, reading a good book, pickleball, and traveling.

Joe Jares

Finance Chair

Joe Jares works in a local family-owned business and believes in working hard. He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids and helping coach their teams. When he’s not at work, you’ll probably find him enjoying the outdoors or hunting—and telling his family, “This will be my last trip of the season.”

Mike Rollag

Fishing Chair

Mike is a seasoned U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard aircraft maintainer with over 32 years of experience in aviation operations and leadership. Throughout his career, he has served as an AC-130U Gunship and F-16C Crew Chief and currently holds the position of Production Superintendent with the South Dakota Air National Guard. He has deployed on four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with multiple overseas assignments including Italy, South Korea, and Japan.

Outside of his military service, Mike is an outdoorsman with a passion for fishing, particularly for walleye on Lake Francis Case and Lake Oahe along the Missouri River in South Dakota. He values time spent on the water with family and friends and uses those experiences to build lasting connections.

Mike has been an active volunteer with Hero Haven since 2021, guiding fishing trips out of Platte Creek. In 2023, he was selected to serve as a board member, where he manages fishing operations. He is also a dedicated supporter of veteran-focused organizations, including the VFW, and serves as Treasurer for the South Dakota Air National Guard Enlisted Association.

Known for his leadership, professionalism, and commitment to service, Mike continues to make a meaningful impact both in uniform and within his community.

Wade Blomgren

Fundraising Chair

Wade was born and raised in southwest Minnesota in a family with a strong line of military service. He spent 13 years in the United States Army and Army National Guard, enlisting in 1996 as a Private and being commissioned in 2003 as an Armor Officer finishing his service as a Captain.

After being commissioned he met his wife Heather, they married and he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2005 to July 2007. During that deployment his unit supported the United States Marine Corp at Camp Fallujah and the surrounding area of the Al Anbar Province.

He has a passion for people and a passion for supporting our nations hero’s to provide a well deserved ‘Thank You’ to those who have served their country.

Wade loves hunting pheasant and deer and enjoys all things outdoors.

Casey Schultz

Media/Brand Chair

Casey Schultz is a partner and co-founder of Caliber, a marketing agency in Sioux Falls. He spends his free time hunting in the Fall, playing golf in the Summer, or spending time outdoors with his wife and two kids. As part of the Hero Haven board, Casey is helping strengthen the Hero Haven brand and promote the mission of Hero Haven both locally and nationally through marketing efforts, strategic partnerships, and Hero Haven events.

Ned Hodgson

Outdoor Adventure Chair