Wounded Nature-Working Veterans is always on the lookout for new board members who can help raise the money necessary to carry out our mission.
If interested, please contact Rudy Socha.
BOARD MEMBERS
Tom Hargett, Board Member
Tom recently relocated to Charleston from the Washington, DC area, where for the last several years he has focused on selling technology solutions to the public sector. He has worked with small companies and startups trying to land accounts in the federal and public sector markets. He has also worked at a larger company or two that have significant DC operations.
Prior to landing in DC, Tom worked for Dish Network in various sales and management roles, where his tenure took him to Denver, Charlotte, and the Washington area.
Some other non-profits Tom has worked with and supported are The Carolina Raptor Center, The Nutter Run, The National Kidney Foundation, and The Red Cross. As a newer resident, he is enjoying investigating the robust restaurant options in Charleston and hopes to re-engage his old fishing habit.
Tom is originally from NJ, a graduate of UNC-Charlotte, and happy to be back in the Carolinas.
You can reach him at: cthargett@hotmail.com
Walter Lewis, Vice-Chairman – Board of Directors
Walt Lewis is a Project Manager for Turner Construction with over 17 years of experience in the construction industry. Walt and his family relocated to the Low Country in 2011. His past Charleston area projects include Boeing’s Final Assembly Building, Boeing’s Flight Line Expansion Project, and Trident Technical College: SC Aeronautical Training Facility. Walt is currently working on the International African American Museum project.
A proud dad of two, Walt likes spending family time on their boat, Reel Sweet, enjoying the Charleston waterways. Walt is excited to help preserve the beauty of our country’s coastal areas for future generations along with Wounded Nature-Working Veterans.
You can reach Lewis at: wlewis@tcco.com
Brianne Stasiak, Board Member
Bri Stasiak is a native of Buffalo, NY but recently made Mount Pleasant home in search for warmer weather and new experiences. She is an engineer for Turner Construction Company and will be helping build the International African American Museum in downtown Charleston. Bri earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University at Buffalo in 2016.
Wounded Nature-Working Veterans has become an important non-profit in Bri’s life. She attends marsh cleanups, outreach events, and monthly meetings, and runs the Instagram account. She wants to do her part in keeping her new home clean, healthy, and beautiful.
Aside from work and Wounded Nature-Working Veterans, Bri stays involved by being a board member of the UB Engineering Young Alumni Board, volunteering at the Charleston Animal Society, and being a member of the Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals.
Bri likes to spend her time baking, crafting, reading, beaching at Isle Of Palms, and DIY-renovating her first home.
You can reach Bri at: briannestasiak@gmail.com.
Chris Owen, Board Member
Chris retired from the Army after 22 years of service. Having grown up in Manhattan Beach, California and growing up surfing and fishing he developed a love of the ocean. Since retirement from the Army Chris has worked in the construction and marine industries. He currently has his own marine engine repair business and is a Yamaha Engine Technician. 
Chris continues his love of the ocean and has been involved in removing derelict/abandoned boats, installing oyster reefs and removing large debris items from tidal marshes. In his spare time, Chris is an avid fisherman and occasional shark tooth hunter.
You can reach Chris at: fishingyum@yahoo.com
Chad Taylor, Board Member
Chad retired after serving in the Air Force for 22 and a half years, Since that time he has worked a number of interesting jobs including Pool Boy, Pool Maintenance, and as a Boat Captain for Charleston Water Taxi. Currently Chad is the owner operator of Charleston Harbor Excursions. Charlestonharborexcursions.com
As a native of South Carolina, Chad has a deep appreciation for returning its coastal areas and waterways to their original pristine condition. Chad has participated in boat removals, tidal marsh cleanups, laying oyster beds and many other environmental activities that benefit his home state. Chad lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC with his wife Amanda and their two daughters.
Chad can be contacted directly at chadtaylor1981@gmail.com
OPERATIONS – EXECUTIVE TEAM
Captain Whit Jones, (USCG Licensed Boat Captain) SC Operations Director
Whit is the Wounded Nature-Working Veterans, South Carolina Operations Director. He recently retired from active duty with the U.S. Army, serving 28 years. He is a former Wounded Nature-Working Veterans Volunteer and Board Member and has participated in cleanups and disposal of abandoned boats.
Whit has an extensive background in operations, personnel development, and management. He started his Army career as a rotary wing pilot after graduating from The Citadel. Though
serving continuously on active duty since 1994, he was fortunate to spend over a dozen of those years stationed in South Carolina at various duty locations. Whit and his family reside in Mount Pleasant.
You can reach Whit at: whit.jones@woundednature.org.
Captain Rudy Socha, (USCG Licensed Boat Captain) CEO
Rudy Socha has more than 20 years of management experience in launching successful companies. His launches occur on or ahead of schedule, and under budget. He is an entrepreneur capable of getting the job done.
In 1979 – 1980 Rudy was hired by Nuclear Metals to clean up a massive amount of depleted uranium machine turnings. Byproducts of this cleanup included thorium and similar radioactive materials. At the time a radioactive waste cleanup of this size had never been completed.
While he was responsible for total P&L and management, this project was completed two years ahead of schedule and 2.7 million dollars under budget.
Rudy also has 20-plus years of assisting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland with fundraising, corporate relations, and working with underprivileged children. For 5 years, he served as President of the Boys and Girls Clubs Alumni Association.
In 2003, Rudy Socha and Carolyn Butler Darrow co-authored a book titled Above & Beyond profiling 88 former Marines
who are successful in the civilian world. Royalties from the book’s sales were paid directly to seven Marine Corps-related non-profit organizations. Rudy is also a veteran, having served with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Rudy is passionate about cleaning up rural and hard-to-access beaches, tidal marshes, and coastlines in wildlife-critical areas. He works hard to keep Wounded Nature-Working Veterans focused on making a REAL difference in increasing America’s seafood stocks and coastal wildlife populations. He is a USCG Licensed Boat Captain with a Master’s rating.
You reach Rudy at rudy@woundednature.org or on LinkedIn.
USCG Licensed Volunteer Boat Captains:
 |
 |
 |
| Captain Steve Brammer | Captain Eric Dirtrich | Captain John Kupsch |
 |
 |
 |
| Captain Keith Dairymple | Captain Adrian Sawczuk | Captain Rudy Socha |
 |
|
|
| Captain Chad Taylor | Captain Whit Jones |