Leadership – Operation Restored Warrior

Meet Our Men's Leadership Team

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.

Rev. Jordan Fulton, SGT, US Army, (Ret), MSc
Executive Director of Operations & Drop Zone Lead

Jordan is the Executive Director of Operations and Drop Zone Lead for Operation Restored Warrior. He served as an Infantryman at the 101st Airborne Air Assault Division and at the 3rd Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard. Jordan was a 240B gunner during his time at the 101st, and was a casket team leader responsible for rendering final honors at burials for both fallen active duty soldiers and veterans while standing stationed at The Old Guard.

Mike Daley, SgtMaj, USMC, (Ret.)
Director, Drop Zone & Event Administration.
Drop Zone Facilitator

Mike is the Director of Drop Zone-Event Administration and a Drop Zone Facilitator for Operation Restored Warrior. Mike enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January of 1989 and was assigned the MOS of Assault Amphibian Vehicle Crewman. Mike achieved several Marine and NCO of the quarter awards and was meritoriously promoted ahead of his peers on 3 different occasions. Mike also attended Drill Instructor School and served three years as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Chief
Drill Instructor. From beginning to end, Mike progressed from the rank of Private to Sergeant Major and retired in August of 2012. Mike was awarded over 20 personal and unit decorations over his 22 years of service. Before retiring, Mike achieved the title of Master Fitness Trainer through the International Sports Sciences Association. Since retiring from the Marine Corps, Mike has worked in management for a large box store chain, director of personal training for a worldwide fitness franchise and also worked
privately as a mental coach and fitness trainer for elite amateur and professional motocross racers, where he mentored young athletes as they were racing for local, regional and national championships. Additionally, Mike serves as a youth ministry facilitator at his church in Emporium Pennsylvania and is also involved in community service with Rotary Club International of Emporium.

During Mike’s enlistment, he deployed several times to the Mediterranean theatre and deployed for multiple combat tours which began with Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and also tours in Iraq for OIF in 2003 and 2005/2006. As a result of PTSD, friends who were KIA, a divorce and separation from his children, a need for escape developed and alcoholism set in. His depression was intensified by constant drunkenness, suicidal thoughts and a general lack of concern for living reared its ugly head and he knew he needed help. Mike sought out means of counseling through the military channels and even had called on the help of psychology professionals to include clergy. After inpatient and outpatient treatment, Mike thought the professionals had done their best to solve his problems and recovered to a place in life that was tolerable, but less than ideal. In 2018, a friend of his, also a retired Marine, attended a drop zone and then convinced Mike (who had a lukewarm relationship with Jesus) to attend a drop zone. Mike reluctantly agreed because he thought he “already had it figured out enough”. At the continued urging from his friend, Mike took the step and registered to attend; and what a step it was! While attending the drop zone in September of 2018, all the hurts of the past were vaporized and healed because his heart was pierced by the Lord like never before! Utilizing all of the tools he received through the healing power of Jesus, Mike was provided with a supernatural calmness and peace at a time when he needed it most. This would serve him in follow-on battles he would face in the future. Additionally, the restoration of Mike’s heart led to an amazing, God anointed marriage to his wife, Sarah who is a retired United States Marine First Sergeant, an ORW Alumni and a women’s program facilitator for ORW. This is all proof positive that it is never too late to receive the love and gifts from the Lord Jesus Christ! Mike’s restoration and resurrected heart instilled in him a desire to share Jesus with his fellow veterans and serve with ORW.

Stephane Ughetto
Master Chef

Stephane serves as a master chef for Operation Restored Warrior and has many years of culinary experience and training. His love for food began when he was young, having been raised by a French father who was an accomplished chef. He taught Stephane many things about the art of food.

Shane Sooter
Creative Director

Shane is a gifted creator and professional storyteller who is honored to have found a place in this community of warriors. Over the past two decades working as a writer and director for Christian television, Shane has produced more than 20 original series spanning the disciplines of drama, reality TV, and documentary, as well as two feature films. Now as part of the Operation Restored Warrior team, Shane uses his skills to share the ORW vision, showing people everywhere how they can find their place in this miraculous story of healing and restoration.

Daniel Strong, SSgt, USMC, (Ret)
Drop Zone Facilitator Lead

Daniel is a Drop Zone Facilitator for Operation Restored Warrior and a retired Staff Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps. He served as an infantryman with numerous deployments including combat tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom earning commendations and awards including medals for valor and a Purple Heart. Daniel was wounded in combat from an IED explosion during his last deployment in Iraq in 2008. He was medically evacuated back to the United States where he spent eighteen months recovering and then was medically retired from active duty. He currently serves as a Marine Instructor teaching Marine Corps Junior ROTC at his local high school.

Michael Elrod, Commander, USAF/USN, USNR, (Ret)
Drop Zone Facilitator

Mike is a Drop Zone Facilitator for Operation Restored Warrior and a retired military aviator having served 28 years collectively in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Navy Reserve. Mike’s time in the Air Force & Navy involved service to Pacific, Asian, and European theatres as well as support in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He was also a test pilot for Northrop Aircraft. In addition to his military service, Mike also retired with 21 years of service as a Captain at Northwest Airlines.

Meet Our Men's Leadership Team

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