ABOUT US

THE POINTE DU HOC FOUNDATION

Serving the Rangers and Families of 2nd Battalion

All Volunteer Organization.
One-hundred percent, and then some.

In the Spring of 2011, a small group of retired Army Rangers living in the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington area formed a non-profit organization. It’s mission: provide charitable and benevolent support to 2nd Battalion Rangers and families, those directly impacted by multiple mid-east combat deployments. Thus, the Pointe du Hoc Foundation was formed.

Today, the Foundation serves as a conduit connecting enthusiastic military supporters, primarily from civilian communities in the Puget Sound region, with our special operations Ranger family based at JBLM. An all-volunteer organization of Ranger retirees, spouses, business men and women, and friends of the Battalion, the PDHF endeavors to generate and financially support activities that enrich the lives of Rangers and family members.

Since our founding, more than

has been raised to benefit 2d Battalion Ranger families through academic scholarships, financial planning and investment training, morale and welfare support events, and, most notably, the building of a memorial honoring Rangers who died protecting our freedom.

On behalf of the Rangers of 2nd Battalion, I am deeply appreciative of the incredible efforts of the Pointe Du Hoc Foundation to support Rangers and their families. Ten years after 9/11, I reached out to the founding members of the Pointe Du Hoc Foundation to help me in communicating perspective to Rangers and families who sadly became accustomed to ‘routine’ deployments to war. History reveals that an Army at war is always at risk of losing perspective…

Together, the Battalion’s leadership and the Pointe Du Hoc Foundation simply sought to communicate, ‘who they are, what they do, and why they do it…is important.’

This sounds cliche to the uninitiated. To the giants of men who who committed everything to turning to and from combat, however, maintaining perspective is not something to be taken lightly…

To those who have fought…and to those who know loss…perspective is everything.

Years later, I cannot help but pause every time I look at the Memorial built by the Pointe Du Hoc Foundation. Similarly, I cannot help but pause in admiring the generations of Rangers who built, and continue to build, a legacy of courage, camaraderie, and commitment to excellence. The Pointe Du Hoc Foundation honors these Rangers, their families, and these values in every respect. More importantly, the Foundation’s ongoing efforts ensure we will pass these values on to the next generation…honorably and intact.

Rangers Lead the Way!

MG Dave Hodne

U.S. Army & Former 2/75 Battalion Commander

MEMBERS

OUR ORGANIZATION

Randy Inman

Chairman - 2023-present

Former Vice Chairman 2011-2023

Command Sergeant Major (r) Randall K. Inman is from Greenville Maine. He entered the United States Army in March,1985. He was assigned to Alpha Company 2/75th Rangers and served in every Infantry position from machine gunner to CSM (including four years of Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant rated time). He has also served in numerous staff positions, including the Battalion Assistant Operations NCO, BN Operations Sergeant, S2 NCO, and as a liaison NCO. CSM Inman has served on numerous contingency missions and participated in Operation SAFE HAVEN, Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, and Operation JUST CAUSE. He was assigned as the CSM of 2/75th Rangers in June 2002 where he served in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In March 2005, he was selected as the Regimental Sergeant Major for the 75th Ranger Regiment (11TH RSM). He retired from Military Service in March 2007 and now resides in Steilacoom Washington. He continues to serve the 2/75 Ranger BN and the Federal Government as the General Supply Specialist/Assistant PBO for 2/75 Ranger BN Property Book Office. CSM (r) Inman is married to the former Patty Havrilesko and they have three sons, Joshua 25, twins Gage and Cash 19.

Paul Oczkewicz

Vice Chairman (Interim) 2023-present

Former Member-At-Large 2018-2022

A member of this community since 1995, I am a graduate of Saint Martin’s College with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. A Real Estate Agent since 2002, I have consistently been in the top 5% of Real Estate sales in Thurston County. In my early life, I graduated from cooking school & spent 10 years as an Executive Chef in local area restaurants. I am extremely involved in the local community. I volunteered on the Board of Directors for the Washington Center of the Performing Arts (2007-2010), Board of Directors for the Thurston County Association -of Realtors, Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Litter sponsorship program (2004-2011) & the Chair of the Beer & Wine committee for the Capital Food & Wine Festival (2010-2012), & I am currently working with the USO "No Dough" dinner program (2014-2018). In 2009 I won the Realtor “Volunteer of the Year” award. I am happily married to my wife Megan and enjoy cooking, watching sports, & sea kayaking

Nicole McKeown

Secretary 2021-present

Born and raised in the state of Michigan, Nicole graduated from Cornerstone University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. There she worked as student manager in the campus mailroom, led campus worship, and conducted several research studies with the psychology staff. In 2016 she married her husband, Luke, who joined the army in 2017 and was stationed at JBLM in 2018 with 2d Ranger Battalion. She currently is a stay-at-home mom with two wonderful boys, and is expecting a baby girl fall of 2022.

Nicole has always had a heart to help others and has greatly enjoyed her time volunteering with the Pointe du Hoc Foundation.

Patty Pich

Treasurer - 2012-present

Originally from Cincinnati Ohio, Patty Pich, has served on the Pointe Du Hoc Foundation as a board member and member of the finance committee since December 2012. Patty graduated from Saint Martin University with a degree in Accounting. She is a CPA in the Olympia area with over 19 years of experience in public accounting. Patty is married to CSM (R) Philip Pich. Phil spent 17 years within the Ranger Regiment between 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalion and 6th Ranger Training Battalion. Patty supported Phil's military career as a Family Readiness Group member and leader. Patty was actively involved with each unit from fundraising, holiday events and welcome home ceremonies in addition to raising their family. Phil and Patty have two grown children Matthew and Jennifer, and three grandchildren. Patty enjoys spending time with her husband, family along with growing her firm and her commitment to the Olympia Rotary and the Pointe Du Hoc Foundation.

Rich Knoth

Marketing Officer - 2019-present

Rich’s first assignment in the Army was 2d Ranger Battalion in 1989. Serving in all squad positions through squad leader he decided to try his hand at flying and departed Battalion with his wife Jenny for flight school in 1995. After graduating the Warrant Officer Candidate course and Flight School he spent a short stint in the 82nd before successfully assessing for the 160th SOAR(A). Richard and his family spent the next 14 years in the 160th and in the hot humid South until finally finding their way back home to the Pacific Northwest in order to stand up 4/160th in 2008. Following his retirement in 2013 the family moved overseas but always came back to the community and friends of the PNW. An active part of the community and Scouting, Rich was asked to help with the PDHF gala in 2019 when reminiscing about the misery of south Rainier with another PDHF member (and Ranger buddy) at a Boy Scout Campout in the pouring cold rain. The rest is history.

Richard and Jenny still live local in Lacey with their two children Conner and Ruby.

Kevin Smith

Member 2023-present

Kevin grew up locally in Lakewood, Washington. After graduating from the United States Military Academy in 2001, his first assignment was in the 2nd Infantry Division at JBLM. Kevin went on to serve in the 2nd Ranger Battalion from 2003-2006. He then changed course and completed dental school in New Jersey, followed by Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Kevin still serves in the Army as an Oral Surgeon today. He lives with his wife and three kids in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Mike Opitz

Member - 2012-present

Mike Opitz, a local business man, served as an Army Infantry Officer in the early 1990’s. After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike served in the 1st of the 501st Airborne Infantry Battalion in Alaska. He then moved here to Ft. Lewis and took a job with the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Mike served as a platoon leader and then as the Battalion Training Officer while here with the Rangers. After leaving the Army Mike took a job as a Project Engineer working on the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Several years later Mike moved back to Washington State and started his own construction company, Trans Northwest Construction, Inc. Additionally, in 2005 Mike built the first Wave Car Wash. The car wash is where Mike focuses his energy today. The Wave currently has 5 locations. Mike is married to Katie Opitz, who herself served 24 years in the United States Army. Mike and Katie now reside with their 3 children in Olympia, Washington. Board and Community Service: Olympia Masters Builders – Board Member Puget Sound Carwash Association – President Pointe Du Hoc Foundation – Board Member Boy Scout Troop 222 – Committee Chair

Scott Wagner

Member- 2023-present

Born and raised in Tacoma, WA, Scott attended Bellarmine HS, and attended the University of

Washington where he competed on their Heavyweight 8 Crew. Being part of a commercial fishing

family, he fished in Alaska and Washington for 10-Seasons. After graduating with a degree in Business

Management, Scott began a career in construction and development. He has built homes in Oregon,

California, Washington, Alaska, and Japan, and has developed land in California, Washington, and

Alaska.

Scott and his partner purchased the Narrows Marina in 2006, a 26-acre waterfront property with

250,000 sf of dilapidated buildings. They embarked on a redevelopment plan which included building

Boathouse 19 Restaurant, Narrows Brewing Company, and the Waterfront Venue. One night in the early

summer of 2015, at the Brewery, Scott met Brian and Mel Miletich who were on a date the night before

Brian deployed to Afghanistan as Commander of C Co, 2/75. Post deployment they met up again and

Mel introduced Scott to Mike Okita. A friendship was formed, and they developed Lead The Way IPA as

a fundraiser for PDHF. Since that time there have been 5 other Ranger beers, Horse (Josh Horsager),

Bear Crawl (Brian Peterson), Padre Paul (Paul Handelman), Lima Bravo 3 7 (Mitchell Mancini), and El

Zero Tres (Julian Chavez).

Scott has been a constant supporter of the PDHF and 2 nd Battalion since being introduced to the

community. Scott and his wife Sue have opened their home to multiple Rangers. In April of 2018 Scott

was made an Honorary Member of 2/75 and in June of 2023 Scott was made an Honorary Member of

Ranger Regiment. Scott has been happily married to Sue for 33-years and they have two boys.

Melissa Miletich

Website Manager - 2011-present

Originally from West Chester, PA, Mel graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management and Global Business, and later completed a Master of International Management. Mel has served as a faculty member at the Virginia Tech Business Technology Center providing business planning and marketing research to entrepreneurs and high-tech companies in Southwest Virginia. Mel contributes to marketing, waste tracking technology and food safety initiatives at Feed Commodities LLC. She serves in ministries across the Archdiocese for the Military Services and readily supports Army programs, along with her active-duty husband and three children on their ninth PCS. Awards include the Commander’s Award for Public Service, Shield of Sparta- Heroine of the Infantry and Honorary Member of 2d Ranger Battalion.

Mike Okita

Advisor- 2023-present

Chairman 2011-2023


Michael C. Okita left active military service in 2010, completing a career in Army infantry, airborne and special operations units. After graduating from the University of Dayton ROTC program, Mike joined the 82d Airborne Division where he commanded and later in his career, served as Division Chief of Staff. For more than two decades, he was fortunate to serve in Infantry units, most notably in Alaska as Commander, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry and as Brigade Commander, Joint Task Force Bravo, Honduras. Blessed with the privilege of command, there would be no greater honor than leading America's finest as Commander, 2d Ranger Battalion. Staff assignments along the way included duty as Chief of Strategy, Multinational Forces Iraq, Chief of Staff, I Corps and his final Army assignment as the Executive Officer to the Multi-National Corps Commander, Iraq. In addition to two Operation Iraqi Freedom deployments, Mike led companies in combat with the 82d Airborne Division in Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury, with 2/75 in Panama during Operation Just Cause, and deployed again with the Rangers during Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. Today, Colonel (Retired) Okita works in the defense industry providing training services and solutions to the Department of Defense. Mike and his wife Lynn live in DuPont, Washington.

Mariano Leon-Guerrero

Advisor - 2012-present

CSM (R) Mariano Roy C. Leon-Guerrero (LG), served as Assistant Operations Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and First Sergeant, Headquarters and Company A, 2 nd Ranger Battalion, 75 th Infantry and Command Sergeant Major of the 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. To conclude military service that span from Vietnam through Desert Storm, LG served and retired from the Army as Regimental Command Sergeant Major, 75 th Ranger Regiment on February 1993. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame on June 19, 1997 at Fort Benning, Georgia. This award was formed to honor and preserve the spirit and contributions of America’s most extraordinary Rangers. In pursuit of another dream vocation, LG earned teaching certification, Bachelor, and Master of Education degrees in Educational Technology and School Guidance and Counseling upon retirement. He taught Social Studies at Governor John R. Rogers High School, Puyallup School District, and currently serves as school counselor at Emerald Ridge High School. LG and his wife Jayne live in DuPont, WA.

Jim Seley

Advisor - 2012-present

Jim Seley joined the 2nd Ranger Battalion in the fall of 1991 as a grenadier on a fireteam in B Company. Jim also served as a machine gunner until he joined the sniper section after Ranger and Sniper Schools in 1992. Jim served with the snipers until he left the Army in 1995. During his time at the 2nd Ranger Battalion, Jim won the Regimental Soldier of the Year Award, placed 3rd in the Army’s Best Ranger Competition in 1994, and participated in Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti and Operation Safe Haven in Panama. Jim received his undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross, and his MBA from the University of Washington. Jim is an accomplished business leader with 20+ years of experience. Currently the President/Owner of Feed Commodities, LLC in Tacoma, WA, his business focuses on recycling various food by-products and working with food processors in designing custom system applications. Inspired to capture real-time data and improved waste stream tracking, Jim founded Normandy Waste Management Systems in 2008. Jim’s exemplary leadership and innovative approach were recognized in 2017 by Seattle Business Magazine when presented the honor of Washington’s Sustainability Manufacturer of the Year. In addition to coaching local youth sports, Jim is a contributing board member on the Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance Political Action Committee. Jim and his wife Kathy have three boys, Hal, Will, and Jack.

Past Board Members & Volunteers

Rebecca Warfle
Lisa Mizumoto
Myriam Boyer
George Tatarinow
Wesley King
Janet Daly
Justin Shine

Corinne Steinlage
Ralph Rocco
Jim Seley
Lorri Wright
Taryn Yandell

Becky Lucas
Frank Magana
Neil Markey
Kaitlyn Staidle

Mark Lisi
Toni Byrne
Mariano Roy C. Leon-Guerrero
Deb Lubas

Lace Up

We are always looking for reliable volunteers to share their skills and help us continue our mission to support 2nd Battalion Rangers and Families.

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