VA Crisis Line: 1.800.273.8255
Meet Our Board of Directors
John C. Williams, CWO4, USCG, (Ret)
President
John C. Williams, CWO4, USCG (Ret) is the President of Operation Restored Warrior (ORW), a ministry founded in 2008, dedicated to stopping the veteran suicide epidemic gripping our nation. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer of the United States Coast Guard having served as a member of the Presidential Honor Guard, conducting various ceremonies to include full honors, funerals, and Presidential Inaugurations. John became an Aviation Survival Technician (Helicopter Rescue Swimmer) with numerous rescues during the most challenging conditions such as Hurricane Katrina earning commendations and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The last fourteen years of his active duty career were spent as a Criminal Investigator before retiring over 30 years of service in 2021.
During John’s time as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer, he continually struggled with PTS resulting from recovery missions. While serving as a Criminal Investigator many of the investigations opened wounds from his childhood which he was unable to address due to the nature of his job. He reached a breaking point after years of suppressing these scars out of fear and having suicidal thoughts while dealing with the aftermath of active duty members taking their own lives. Another fellow rescue swimmer who had dealt with similar struggles attended an ORW Drop Zone and shared with John how Jesus healed his heart. Although John had a relationship with Jesus, he realized the need to address deep rooted issues that caused great separation and pain in his life. After hearing the freedom and joy experienced, John decided to attend a Drop Zone and encountered Jesus’ healing and restoration in a very profound way. John’s heart to help veterans and military service members has led him to serve with ORW.
Jon Iadonisi, PhD
CEO, Vizsense, Inc.
Dr. Jon Iadonisi designs and builds new types of technology businesses that tackle antiquated methods and legacy thinking. He’s successfully founded, scaled, and exited two profitable technology companies that spanned public safety and cyber security industries. Currently, he is the Founder and CEO of VizSense (also known as Viz), a Dallas-based Influencer Marketing and Sales Intelligence Firm that works with Fortune 500 clients, delivering highly specialized marketing and sales campaigns engineered to a specific brand’s DNA. Jon is a computer scientist and former Navy SEAL, who invented new capabilities for the Special Operations Community and Central Intelligence Agency. He is a combat-wounded and decorated veteran who earned a B.S. in Computer Science from the US Naval Academy, and M.S. in Homeland Security from San Diego State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of New Haven, with a focus on Cyber-Crime. Jon is also a frequent contributor to national news outlets and conference venues.
Paul Lavelle, CMSgt, USAF, (Ret), MSC
Founder and Advisory Board
Paul Lavelle, CMSgt, USAF (Ret), MSC is the Founder of Operation Restored Warrior (ORW), a ministry dedicated to stopping the veteran suicide epidemic gripping our nation. Serving for 26 years on active duty in the United States Air Force Medical/Dental Service, Paul served in major commands and senior leadership positions, culminating his career at the 10th Medical Group at the United States Air Force Academy, where he retired in 2001.
He is the recipient of several military decorations and medals and earned a Masters Degree in Counseling, from the University of Phoenix.
While attending a Wild at Heart event in Colorado in 2003, this former atheist had an amazing encounter on the side of a mountain and as a result, invited Jesus into his life. About a year later, Paul began a four year learning experience working with bestselling author, John Eldredge and the Wild at Heart ministry team as a member of their team. During that amazing time, he developed a deep desire to see healing and freedom come to his fellow military veterans.
In 2008, Paul founded ORW with fellow military veterans representing each of the services. Over the past 15 years he has helped to heal and restore our nation’s warriors struggling with the ongoing suicide epidemic. National and international leaders from politics, business, education, professional football, entertainment, and ministry have also attended the ORW Drop Zone programs and received restoration. Paul has been honored to participate in the healing and restoration of Gold Star Fathers who have lost their sons and daughters in combat.
He has appeared on several national television, radio, and podcasts programs to share the miraculous impact of ORW. ORW has been highlighted in three documentaries and six books.
