Adam Butler – President
Adam grew up in Monticello, Utah as the youngest of the eight Butler children, including the name ABMF’s namesake, Aaron Butler. Adam learned to honor sacrifice and service from a young age due to his immersion in a patriotic family and small town. Adam currently lives and works in Utah where he serves as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician in the rural communities of Summit County and San Juan County. He also works in Emergency Departments in Heber City, Park City, and Salt Lake City. Adam enjoys spending time outdoors with his 2 dogs and loves camping with his family.
Derek Robb: ABMF Board Member
Derek was born and raised in Idaho, where he excelled as a young athlete and eventually earned a scholarship to play football at Arizona Western College. After graduating from Boise State University, Derek began working in the insurance field. He currently serves as a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter for Hallmark Financial. Derek is a patriot who has a deep passion for giving back to the veteran community. Derek, his wife, and two children live in Meridian, Idaho.
Andrew Nakashima: ABMF Board Member
Andrew graduated from Meridian High School in 1994 and joined the US Marine Corps 1995. After 12 years serving as a Signals Intelligence Collector/Analyst in the Marines, he left the military and joined the Idaho State Police. Andrew has held numerous positions while serving the communities of Idaho as a State Trooper, he currently works as an ISP Patrol Sergeant. He and his family live and work in the Pocatello, Idaho area.
Thomas Daggett: ABMF Board Member
Tom is an officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and serves as a civilian Firefighter for the City of San Francisco. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Environmental Science, Tom joined the active-duty Marine Corps and held positions as a rotary wing aviator, Marine Air Ground Task Force fire supporter, multinational liaison, Supporting Arms Liaison Team Leader, and flight instructor. Tom continues to serve his civilian and combat veteran community through multiple professional and volunteer positions. Tom lives in Meridian with his wife and exceptionally athletic children.
Sam Boyd: ABMF Board Member / Treasurer
The ABMF is lucky to have Sam as a Board Member and Treasurer. He is a CPA and partner of Shirts Motz and Boyd, CPAs. Sam was born and raised in Eagle, Idaho and is a proud University of Idaho alum (Go Vandals). A family centric man, Sam is a fourth-generation lamb broker and executive manager of the family restaurant, The Refuge Restaurant and Lounge located in Boise. In his free time Sam enjoys hunting, fishing, shooting, and backpacking. He is the father of two young boys, and he is proud to serve the veteran community as part of the ABMF.
Dan Nelson: Founder
Dan is a retired US Army Special Forces Officer (Green Beret) who had the privilege of serving as Aaron Butler’s teammate on SFODA 9121 in Africa and SFODA 9522 in Afghanistan. Dan was the team captain of the UCLA Football Team (’05-’06) and is a former Idaho State Police Trooper. After being injured in the same incident that killed Aaron Butler in 2017, he founded the original Aaron Butler Memorial Purple Heart Run and later the Aaron Butler Memorial Foundation. Dan is the recipient of multiple military awards including the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Dan is passionate about public service and apolitical patriotism. Dan lives in Eagle, Idaho with his wife and two young sons.
Mike Kish
Mike served over 27 years in the United States Army and retired in 2015 as a Command Sergeant Major and veteran of OIF and OEF. In 2016 he joined the Idaho State Police and currently serves as the Executive Protection Detail Sergeant. Mike holds an advanced degree from Northcentral University and has received numerous military and civilian awards. He has a passion for public service and the veteran community and is proud to continue serving his country, state and community. Mike lives in Meridian with his wife and three of his four fantastic kids.
Craig Hoyt
Craig is a retired US Navy Senior Chief who entered service during the Vietnam War and retired after the Gulf War. He spent the first six years of his career as an avionics specialist forward deployed to combat zones with F-4 and F-14 aircraft. After transitioning to cryptology, he spent 14 years performing highly classified SIGINT missions for the military branch of the National Security Agency including the Naval Security Group’s Crisis Response Force. After retiring from the Navy, he spent 28 years as a senior engineering manager/global strategist with HP. Craig also serves as President of the Vietnam Veterans of America in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, embracing & living their motto that “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”
Kacey Nelson: ABMF Logistics Coordinator
Born and raised in Idaho, Kacey graduated from the University of Idaho and worked as a mechanical engineer at HP before dedicating her time to raising two young warriors/dictators full time. In true Special Forces Shield Maiden (military spouses) fashion, she maintains that brave mamas raise brave boys. Kacey is currently a Boise High School Girls Soccer coach and is passionate about imparting lessons of service and sacrifice onto future generations. Kacey is the recipient of numerous awards for her community work, including the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal and the 2019 Idaho Spirit of Freedom Award.