Stronger together

Our story

In 2014, Jacob Panton, one of Denmark’s most decorated combat veterans, started Veteranskytterne, a veteran-led organization for Danish and US veterans committed to mental and physical recovery. In 2018, Gold Star families joined the effort. In 2023, we started camps for children of veterans.

Since the war in Ukraine began, we have made veterans in this country a special focus for our efforts. In 2023, VCI visited Warsaw to expand our network of Danish, German, Polish and US wounded veterans to Ukraine. We visited treatment facilities across Ukraine, and brought Ukrainian veterans to Denmark for a “Warrior Week” experience with US and Danish veterans.

Our work continues to evolve as the VCI network grows and we pursue our mission on behlaf of veterans with ambition and enthusiasm.

SERVING NATO ALLIES AND PARTNERS

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance of 32 member nations, including 30 in Europe and two in North America.
NATO also maintains relations with more than 40 non-member countries and international organisations, as NATO partners. VCI aspires to serve the veterans across the borders of all alliance and partner nations.

Our Board

When it comes to our supporting our veterans, borders are no barrier. We’re creating a global network of members and partners, built by a strong Board of Directors to realize our mission.

Steve Williams

Board Chairman

Steve is an experienced CEO and global business executive with over 30 years in defense and aerospace. As a Lockheed Martin Regional President, he helped consummate multi-billion-dollar F-35 aircraft and defense sales, and led multinational teams across three regions.
As a political-military advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he led collaborative bilateral national partnerships. As a veteran, he is passionate about service to country, community and especially veterans through his leadership at VCI.

EJ Herold

President & COO

Retired as a US Army Colonel after 26 years of service, E.J. has gone on to work in industry and research institutions and serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Defense Investment at NATO. His career is characterized by international service having worked and lived in Europe over 21 years.
As part of his duties, he has worked with Ukraine since 2012 to advance their aspirations for NATO membership and now works to help them address the impact of the current war on those who serve.
As VCI’s COO, he is focused on building the grass roots exchanges between veterans that help the healing process and creating the network of veteran support resources that can lead to opportunities for those who wish to continue to serve their nation.

Soren Gade

Vice Chairman

Soren is a Danish politician and Minister of Defense from 2004 to 2010. Since 2022, he has been speaker of the “Folketing,” the Danish Parliament, representing the liberal party. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament. Before entering politics, he was a military officer and businessman.

Jeff Welsh

Vice chairman

Jeff is a philanthropist and businessman who has long-supported charities and veterans across the Atlantic. He was one of the founders and first contributors to VCI and has hosted wounded warriors from the US and Europe at retreats and events at his facilities in Alabama.
He has been integral in the creation and development of several businesses in agriculture, agri-chemicals, real estate, and homebuilding. Jeff and his wife Hayley are devoted to the First United Methodist Church of Opelika where they live with their three children.

Jacob Panton

vice chairman

During his last deployment in Afghanistan 2012, Jacob was shot five times and hit by RPG shrapnel. After years of surgeries and rehab, he realized he couldn’t return to the battlefield and founded an association for Danish veterans - The Danish Wounded Warriors (Veteranskytterne). He started several companies to support veterans run by veterans. He was elected to his municipal council and regional council. He also works as a Business Development Director for Danish Radar company Weibel Scientific.

Nikolaj Frederiksen

Director

Wounded warrior and former Frogman (or as known in the US as a “SEAL”) in the Danish Navy, Nikolaj is a founding member of Veteranskytterne (Danish Wounded Warriors).
He is currently a city council member for Hillerød municipality of the Conservative People's Party with over 30 years of public service.

John “mick” Nicholson

Board Member

Mick is a retired US Army four-star general who last commanded U.S. and NATO Forces in Afghanistan. He is a combat veteran with years of combined deployments and service overseas.

Cary Harbaugh

Director

Colonel Harbaugh retired from the US Army in 2019 after 41 years of military service. Prior to retirement, he served as Director of US Special Operations Command Care Coalition. He was Director of the 2019 DoD Warrior Games held in Tampa and is Chairman of the Special Operation Warrior Golf Foundation.

Honorary Board Director

Her Royal Highness Princess Marie of Denmark

Learn more HRH Princess Marie

ADVISORS & TEAM

As Chief Strategy Officer, Professor López advocates for VCI’s vision and mission in the EU from its capital in Brussels. She is a lecturer at various European universities as well as a consultant on complex economic and financial matters. She is the daughter of a Spanish Air Force veteran.

Meg Stringer realized her gift for communication when drafting speeches for then Senator Hillary Clinton's engagements with 9/11 families. The experience showed her the power of words to move people and influence policies that shape our world. She has worked in public affairs agencies in Washington, Brussels and Geneva where she currently lives.

Following a successful 30-year active duty and reserve career in the Army, including time served in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as intelligence support for special ops, Sam Hartwell retired as a colonel. He currently serves as VCI Regional Director, Kyiv where he advises VCI on veteran support for soldiers in Ukraine in addition to general network building.

Ellen is communications Swiss Army knife living in Oslo with her military spouse after years of consulting in government affairs in Washington, DC. Wherever the road takes her, Ellen is a passionate advocate for military families.

Ava is a Marine Corps veteran with fiscal and logistical experience spanning across several branches of DOD. She works with VCI to realize our mission and expand opportunities for veterans in the NATO community.

Philippe Lefevre is an academic and policy advisor in the field of security and defense with a focus on European and Transatlantic affairs. Since 2024 he has been the Associate Director of the Centre for Britain and Europe, and previously worked in the EU and NATO. He currently serves as VCI Regional Director, London where he works with Veterans charities and Government to support VCI'