Who We Are

President

RDML, USN (Ret.), Chaplain Corps

Mobile, AL

As a Navy Chaplain having completed multiple deployments, Rear Admiral Lee has supported many of our military heroes during the recent years of fighting since 9/11. He has extensive experience in strategic planning and ministry development and is integrated into a network that includes numerous Christian organizations seeking to support our military population and their loved ones. Rear Admiral Lee has a personal passion for caring for the spiritual needs of our veterans, particularly those impacted by combat experiences, and wants to see them not only survive but thrive as they recalibrate life in light of their encounters with the challenges of war.

Board Member

CAPT, USN (Ret.), SEAL

Addy, WA

Captain Pittelkow dedicated his “working years” to the military and continues to do so after retiring from active duty. Following retirement from active military service, Captain Pittelkow moved with his family to rural Northeast Washington State to operate a small farm. He serves as a volunteer firefighter and a consultant to military and civilian entities. He finds fulfillment and purpose in serving alongside and assisting active and veteran military members and their families. These are “his people.” His passion in personal ministry is through leadership mentoring. He believes in sharing what he learned from a lifetime of service to the Nation with others. He genuinely appreciates the service and sacrifices, particularly of post-9/11 combat wounded veterans, and he will enhance the outreach of Cross the Divide through his network amongst the Marine Corps and Special Operations communities. He is enthusiastic about serving veterans in rugged, outdoor environments and in seeing the benefits derived by them from time spent there.

Secretary

Yeoman Chief Petty Officer, USN (Ret.)

Woodbridge, VA

A devout follower of Christ, husband, and girl dad.

JaRon served 24 years as a Submarine Yeoman Chief Petty Officer. He continues to serve as a military spouse to a Naval Officer and as a government contractor. He is an active member in his church participating in the worship team playing rhythm guitar, drums and adding occasional vocals. His entire family volunteers many hours performing janitorial services and various other outreach opportunities in their local church. His running joke is that if you find him outside of church, home or work…take him back to one of those three places because he’s obviously lost…

Unless you see him in the woods, because in his spare time he enjoys being an outdoorsman and camper. His favorite part about being an outdoorsman is waking up and getting to his “spot” in the cover of darkness in complete silence and eventually watching God’s creation come to life right in front of him. When camping, he enjoys sharing with his family anything and everything he can about nature and the beauty of it all.

He and his wife Lynn have dedicated their lives in service to Christ and country. They met because yearly she invited various people to her home for Thanksgiving dinner, because her belief is “nobody deserves to be alone on Thanksgiving.” For over 20 years, this is something they continue to offer together. JaRon’s favorite scripture is Psalm 23.

Treasurer

CDR, USN (Ret.), PE, PMP

Bremerton, WA

Steve Vonheeder retired from active duty and the US Navy Submarine Service in 2013 after a 23-year career. Following retirement Steve has continued to work for Defense contractors supporting and serving his country and the Submarine community as a civilian. He and his family settled in Bremerton, WA and find ways to serve God and the community.

Towards the end of his career and on into retirement, Steve dedicated much of his time in non-profit volunteer efforts supporting youth soccer on the Kitsap Peninsula with various Board positions for Bremerton Soccer Club and Northwest Sound Youth Soccer Association. He strongly believes that every child should have opportunities to explore all life has to offer, in a safe and caring environment, whether it be through sports or other outdoor activities. Additionally, he is currently serving the Gateway Christian Schools Foundation as an Investment Committee member. His divine gifts are in administration and management; and he tries to use these gifts to help others, individuals, and organizations alike, to thrive in their pursuits.

He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and probably has way too many hobbies. Additionally, he loves the outdoors and all things that come with God’s creation. As a participant of Cross The Divide’s inaugural backpacking trip, Steve believes in the mission of Cross the Divide and what it brings to the veteran community.

Board Member

Col., USA (Ret.), Chaplain Corps

DuPont, WA

Chaplain Gauthier served as an Army Chaplain for 26 years, including eleven years with Army Special Operations, two deployments to Iraq, one to Afghanistan, and one to Kuwait. He is the Pastor for Mentoring and Leadership Development at Lake City Community Church in Lakewood, WA. He travels regularly to developing nations within the global south to train pastors and develop leaders. He is the Cohort Director of the WA State South Sound Colson Fellows. He serves as the Chaplain Endorser for his denominational faith group. Chaplain Gauthier overseas a Reboot Combat Recovery ministry within his local church and believes that caring for our veterans is a sacred honor.

Board Member

Maj., USAF (Ret.)

Major Tammy Ortung retired in 2011 after 25 years in the United States Air Force, serving in both the enlisted and officer corps. Tammy has a passion for serving others and sharing the transforming, renewing, and healing power of Jesus Christ. Since retirement, she has served on the Stonecroft Military Team (Beauties and Boots) as a National Consultant – partnering with Chaplains and parachurch ministries to serve female veterans and their families. She is actively involved in her local church and community, and mentors our nation’s future leaders while chaperoning JROTC drill meets and curriculum-in-action field trips. Tammy joined the Cross the Divide team in the summer of 2023 and is excited to begin this new journey. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, sewing, crafting, and taking leisurely hikes, immersing herself in God’s amazing creation. She resides with her husband, Tim (MSgt, USAF retired), and Newfie, Koda, in South Carolina, and spends summers in the incomparable beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Senior Master Sergeant, USAFR (Ret.)

Beaverton, OR

David's life is a testament to unwavering dedication both in service to others and in his love for the great outdoors. Having served in the USAFR 304th Rescue Squadron as a Pararescueman for an impressive 25 years, alongside a concurrent 25-year tenure as a full-time Firefighter Paramedic with the Portland Airport Fire and Rescue, David has embodied a commitment to aiding those in need.

Throughout his career, David's deployments spanned across the globe, from Kuwait and Turkey for Southern and Northern Watch, to Kosovo for Operation Allied Force, and to Iraq for OIF. He also played pivotal roles in disaster relief efforts during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, in addition to numerous mountain rescues in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. His acts of service and compassion have impacted countless lives in times of crisis.

David's passion for service and the outdoors was sparked during his formative years in the Boy Scouts, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and later served as an Explorer Scout and camp counselor. This early exposure laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to helping others and exploring the natural world.

In recent years, David has embarked on transformative journeys with Cross The Divide, leading veteran llama packing trips in the rugged landscapes of the Cascade Mountains of Washington state. Alongside our volunteer "llama wrangler", Charley Rosenberry, David has facilitated unforgettable experiences for both active duty personnel and veterans, blending his extensive medical, military, and outdoor expertise with a genuine love for people and faith in God.

Outside of his adventures and service, David found love and companionship with his wife, Virginia, whom he married in 2021. Though both are widowed, together they embrace a blended family dynamic, cherishing the bond they share with their two adult sons and one adult daughter. Their shared faith is a cornerstone of their lives, as they actively participate in their local Baptist church in Beaverton, Oregon. Through their collective journey, David and Virginia embody the spirit of resilience, compassion, and unwavering devotion to both each other and their community.

CDR, USN (Ret.)

Commander Ben Cook served in the Navy for 20 years. A veteran of multiple combat deployments to Iraq and the Persian Gulf, he has over 3000 flight hours. Upon retirement, Ben went to work for Eaton corporation, leading their program management function for one of their product groups, running a plant, and ultimately running their strategic platform program management for their Aerospace Group. Ben left Eaton in 2022 to become the Vice President of Launch and Recovery Operations for Sierra Space, where he served until 2024.

Currently Ben lives in Orlando with his wife and two of their children, while the other two attend the US Air Force Academy. He has been actively involved in the church in every location he has lived throughout his carrer, and views Military ministries as one of the biggest gaps in churches across the US. He is very excited to be a part of this ministry and giving back to those who have given so much. During his spare time, you will find him either on the water or on a golf course - maybe in the water there too.