Board of Directors
100% Volunteer-Led. Mission-Driven
Each member of our board brings lived experience, professional leadership, and an unwavering commitment to healing the invisible wounds of war. Together, we stand for restoration, service, and purpose.
TONY MEROLA
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Tony Merola is a combat-decorated Army Ranger who served with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment from 2001 to 2005. He deployed five times to Afghanistan and Iraq, including Operation Rhino in October 2001—one of the first missions of the Global War on Terror.
After leaving the military, Tony faced a long, personal battle with the invisible wounds of war: traumatic brain injury, PTSD, addiction, and suicidal ideation. In 2023, everything changed when he connected with Defenders of Freedom and entered Resiliency Brain Health’s intensive TBI treatment program. That healing experience was a turning point—and a new beginning.
With DOF’s support, Tony launched the Oklahoma chapter to bring that same hope to other veterans. His recovery journey is rooted in a holistic lifestyle: gardening, fitness, breathwork, journaling, nutrition, and mental discipline. Now, he’s building a healing retreat where veterans can recover from trauma, reconnect with purpose, and rediscover the joy of family, community, and service.
BRANDON BUNTEN
VICE-PRESIDENT
LIZZ PINCHEIRA
SECRETARY
“For me, DOFOK is more than service—it’s family.”
Brandon Bunten served with honor in the U.S. Army as part of Easy Company, 2-506 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), deploying to Iraq (2005–2006) and Afghanistan (2008–2009). After active duty, he continued supporting national security as a contractor in Iraq, then transitioned into the oil and natural gas industry. He now works for ONEOK.
Brandon’s journey with Defenders of Freedom began in 2011, when DOF’s founder helped his family during a difficult time. That support lit a fire in him to give back. Over the years, he has become a committed volunteer and advocate, helping expand DOFOK’s impact across the state.
For Brandon, serving with DOFOK is personal. It’s about standing beside fellow veterans, offering real healing for PTSD and TBI, and being part of a brotherhood that never stops serving.
“Every veteran deserves a space to feel safe, seen, and supported.”
Lizz Pincheira proudly served in the U.S. Army’s Military Police Corps, stationed at Guantánamo Bay. After transitioning from the military, she found renewed purpose through Defenders of Freedom—volunteering for over a decade before helping launch the Oklahoma chapter.
Lizz brings nearly 10 years of leadership experience in property management and financial technology, with a focus on operations, systems optimization, and client service. She’s also a devoted advocate for veteran healing, inspired by the transformation she’s seen in her own family and fellow warriors.
At DOFOK, Lizz helps foster a community where veterans feel safe, seen, and supported. As a proud mom of two, she lives a life rooted in love, service, and connection—whether it’s on the water, around the table, or in the heart of the DOFOK mission.
MICHAEL HALL
OUTREACH DIRECTOR
KEITH CLARK-HOYOS
TREASURER
“The mission continues—shoulder to shoulder.”
Michael Hall is a proud Air Force veteran who served ten years in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, including two overseas deployments. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and spent seven years as a full-time technician—experiences that shaped his discipline and drive.
Today, Michael continues serving his country as a Department of Defense civilian at Tinker Air Force Base, working as an engineering technician to support aircraft readiness. He’s also a maker at heart, often designing custom parts through 3D modeling and printing.
A longtime volunteer with DOFOK, Michael believes in serving beyond the battlefield—whether coordinating events or simply showing up to help a fellow vet. His mission is to continue building a community where warriors feel purpose, healing, and belonging.
“It’s an honor to serve an organization helping those who served.”
Keith Clark-Hoyos brings a depth of financial and nonprofit leadership to his role as Treasurer of DOFOK. As the founder and CEO of Church Training Center, he works with churches and nonprofits across the U.S. to align leadership, finances, and mission.
With experience in church governance, accounting, and board development, Keith provides DOFOK with sound fiscal oversight and strategic vision. He approaches his role as both steward and advocate, helping ensure the organization remains strong and mission-driven.
Keith holds a Master’s in Ministry, Leadership & Service from Claremont School of Theology and a B.A. in Business Administration and Church Ministries from Simpson University. He lives in Topeka, Kansas, with his wife and business partner, Zulima.
BRANDON BUNTEN
VICE-PRESIDENT
“For me, DOFOK is more than service—it’s family.”
Brandon Bunten served with honor in the U.S. Army as part of Easy Company, 2-506 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), deploying to Iraq (2005–2006) and Afghanistan (2008–2009). After active duty, he continued supporting national security as a contractor in Iraq, then transitioned into the oil and natural gas industry. He now works for ONEOK.
Brandon’s journey with Defenders of Freedom began in 2011, when DOF’s founder helped his family during a difficult time. That support lit a fire in him to give back. Over the years, he has become a committed volunteer and advocate, helping expand DOFOK’s impact across the state.
For Brandon, serving with DOFOK is personal. It’s about standing beside fellow veterans, offering real healing for PTSD and TBI, and being part of a brotherhood that never stops serving.
LIZZ PINCHEIRA
SECRETARY
“Every veteran deserves a space to feel safe, seen, and supported.”
Lizz Pincheira proudly served in the U.S. Army’s Military Police Corps, stationed at Guantánamo Bay. After transitioning from the military, she found renewed purpose through Defenders of Freedom—volunteering for over a decade before helping launch the Oklahoma chapter.
Lizz brings nearly 10 years of leadership experience in property management and financial technology, with a focus on operations, systems optimization, and client service. She’s also a devoted advocate for veteran healing, inspired by the transformation she’s seen in her own family and fellow warriors.
At DOFOK, Lizz helps foster a community where veterans feel safe, seen, and supported. As a proud mom of two, she lives a life rooted in love, service, and connection—whether it’s on the water, around the table, or in the heart of the DOFOK mission.
MICHAEL HALL
OUTREACH DIRECTOR
“The mission continues—shoulder to shoulder.”
Michael Hall is a proud Air Force veteran who served ten years in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, including two overseas deployments. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and spent seven years as a full-time technician—experiences that shaped his discipline and drive.
Today, Michael continues serving his country as a Department of Defense civilian at Tinker Air Force Base, working as an engineering technician to support aircraft readiness. He’s also a maker at heart, often designing custom parts through 3D modeling and printing.
A longtime volunteer with DOFOK, Michael believes in serving beyond the battlefield—whether coordinating events or simply showing up to help a fellow vet. His mission is to continue building a community where warriors feel purpose, healing, and belonging.
KEITH CLARK-HOYOS
TREASURER
“It’s an honor to serve an organization helping those who served.”
Keith Clark-Hoyos brings a depth of financial and nonprofit leadership to his role as Treasurer of DOFOK. As the founder and CEO of Church Training Center, he works with churches and nonprofits across the U.S. to align leadership, finances, and mission.
With experience in church governance, accounting, and board development, Keith provides DOFOK with sound fiscal oversight and strategic vision. He approaches his role as both steward and advocate, helping ensure the organization remains strong and mission-driven.
Keith holds a Master’s in Ministry, Leadership & Service from Claremont School of Theology and a B.A. in Business Administration and Church Ministries from Simpson University. He lives in Topeka, Kansas, with his wife and business partner, Zulima.
