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 supporting our veterans, borders are no barrier. We’re creating a global network of members and partners, built by a strong Board of Directors and Advisors 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.

Søren Gade is a Danish politician and former military officer who has served as Speaker of the Folketing, Denmark’s Parliament, since 2022. A member of Venstre, the Danish Liberal Party, he was Minister of Defence from 2004 to 2010 and a Member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2022. Before entering politics, he served in the Danish military and worked in business. His career spans national defense, European affairs and parliamentary leadership.

Nikolaj Frederiksen

Director

John “mick” Nicholson

Board Member

Cary Harbaugh

Director

Soren Gade

Vice Chairman

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.

General Nicholson (U.S. Army, Ret.) is a former four-star general whose career combined military leadership with diplomacy. As commander of U.S. Forces–Afghanistan and NATO’s Resolute Support mission, he became the longest-serving U.S. commander in the Afghan theater. After retiring from the Army, he served as chief executive of Lockheed Martin Middle East. He now co-leads the Nicholson MacDonald Group, advising on defense and technology projects and is a strategic advisor to RAINCLOUD Group.

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

Advisory Board Members

John "Mick" Nicholson

General Nicholson (U.S. Army, Ret.) is a former four-star general whose career combined military leadership with diplomacy. As commander of U.S. Forces–Afghanistan and NATO’s Resolute Support mission, he became the longest-serving U.S. commander in the Afghan theater. After retiring from the Army, he served as chief executive of Lockheed Martin Middle East. He now co-leads the Nicholson MacDonald Group, advising on defense and technology projects and is a strategic advisor to RAINCLOUD Group.
Søren Gade

Søren Gade is a Danish politician and former military officer who has served as Speaker of the Folketing, Denmark’s Parliament, since 2022. A member of Venstre, the Danish Liberal Party, he was Minister of Defence from 2004 to 2010 and a Member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2022. Before entering politics, he served in the Danish military and worked in business. His career spans national defense, European affairs and parliamentary leadership.
Dennis Luyt

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Dennis Luyt served as Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force from 2016 until his retirement in 2023. During a military career spanning more than four decades, he led the Air Force’s transition to fifth-generation capabilities, including the introduction of the F-35. He now advises organizations across the defense and aerospace sectors and serves on supervisory boards, bringing his experience in military leadership and international cooperation to his work beyond uniform
Jacob Panton

Jacob Panton is a Danish Army veteran, entrepreneur and advocate for those who have served. During a military career that included deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, he was seriously wounded in Afghanistan in 2012. His recovery led him to found Veteranskytterne, also known as Danish Wounded Warriors, in 2014. The organization helps veterans rebuild connection and purpose through shared experiences and peer support.
Jeff Welsh

Jeff Welsh is a businessman and philanthropist who has supported veterans and charitable causes on both sides of the Atlantic for many years. As one of VCI’s founders and earliest supporters, he has helped bring wounded veterans from the United States and Europe together through retreats and events at his facilities in Alabama. Jeff has founded and led several businesses in agriculture, agri-chemicals, real estate, and homebuilding.

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.

Camilla is a military child, Army spouse and RAF veteran. Having lived in Europe, the US, and the UK, and having managed international corporate portfolios, she brings both personal and professional experience of the defense community to VCI. She currently serves as a VCI Regional Director, advising on veteran support, forces family policies, and employment pathways.

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.

Andy Cox is a retired US Air Force Colonel with extensive international experience including multiple NATO posts. After retirement, he spent 16 years in international business development with multiple companies. His passion is helping veterans realize their continuing value to society. He serves as one of VCI Regional Directors.