Daniel P. Mead, Chairman of the Board & Treasurer
Dan was born in Baltimore, Maryland on May 31, 1966. He joined the military at the onset of Operation Desert Storm and served in C Co. 1/75th from 1991-1994. His professional activities include over 35 years of experience in the construction industry, working in all positions of planning, placement, procurement, estimating, and management. He is a Senior Estimator for Consigli Construction in Washington, DC. Dan spends much of his free time working for the Irish community. He is President of Irish Charities of Maryland. Dan has served on the board of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick since 1994; serving in every volunteer activity, and finally, as the Friendly Sons’ president in 2006 and 2013 and is currently on the Friendly Sons Board of Stewards. He served on the Board of Directors for the Police Emerald Society of Maryland as Director of Fundraising. He has also served on the Board of Directors for United for Blue. He is currently on the Board of Directors for Wreaths Across America Committee and serves as the Director of Operations for the Arlington Wreath Project for Arlington National Cemetery. Reach Dan at [email protected].

Brendan “Duke” Durkan, President
Immediately upon the creation of Hardrock Charlie Foundation, Inc. in 2021, Duke was chosen for the position of President by the Board of Directors. With over 35 years of Military Service, 19 of which were with the 75th Ranger Regiment. Duke is well known throughout the Ranger and Special Operations communities as a caring and passionate leader of the men and families entrusted with under his various leadership positions. As a co-founder of the Hardrock Charlie Foundation, Inc., Duke is passionate about working tenaciously on ways the organization can best take care of Rangers and families in a different capacity, yet mirroring what was accomplished while on Active Duty. Reach Duke at [email protected].

William Henderson, Secretary
William served 12 years in the United States Army, initially at 3rd Platoon, C Co. 1/75th. Additionally, he served as Pathfinder in the ROK as well as a Pathfinder and AAS Instructor at Ft. Rucker. Additionally, he served as a Squad Leader and PSG with the 101st. He also served as a Drill Sergeant. William received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from FIU, Miami and is a Master Electrician and owns and operates his own business. William was instrumental in logistics and support for the first Jump and Reunion at Orlando and was selected to serve as the Foundations Secretary. Reach William at [email protected].

Dirk Horwedel, Director
Dirk Horwedel joined the United States Army and served with C Co. 1/75th Ranger Battalion from 1988-95. Dirk has spent time in every platoon in Charlie Company except for 2nd. After leaving the Army, Dirk has been working on the shore of Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio. Dirk has been a Longshoreman for the last 23 years. Reach Dirk at [email protected].

Wesley Jurena, Director
A native Houstonian, who enlisted in the Army in 1987, Wesley served 10.5 years in the Army with 6.5 being in C Co. 1/75th, 2nd Platoon. Wesley also served as a 6th RTB Instructor and a Team Leader at XVIII Airborne Corp LRS. After leaving the Army he began a career in corporate America achieving success in the network and dark fiber sales business. He has traveled extensively in Romania, Jordan, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador while working in the 3D and simulation industry. A passion for competition and cooking led Wesley to BBQ. After success on the BBQ Circuit, he would start Pappa Charlies BBQ named after his dad. Pappa Charlies has received much acclaim across Texas since its inception. Recently, Wesley became a partner in Crew Ventures HTX, LLC a real estate investment company in Houston. He is a lifetime member of the 75th RRA where he served as secretary and 2nd Vice President. He is also a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Wesley is married to his Ranger wife of 33 years and they reside in Sugar Land, Texas with their two mini dachshunds. They have two children and one grandchild. They are die-hard Astro Fans, the 2017 World Champions. Any successes above can be attributed to “Growing Up Ranger” while roaming the halls of the 2 Charlie. Reach Wes at [email protected].

Nason Miner, Sergeant at Arms
Nason served 24 years in the U.S. Army retiring in 2015, serving with 193rd INF (Panama), 2/325 INF 82nd Airborne, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as a Team Leader and as an 18B (Special Forces Weapons SGT) with 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group and 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group serving as the Senior Weapons/Tactics specialist on a Special Forces A-Team. He completed several combat deployments to Afghanistan and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), Bronze Star, Purple Heart and a multitude of U.S. military and foreign awards and decorations. In 2003 he worked as a team member on a Protection/Security Detail (DynCorp WPPS) moving U.S. Diplomats from the Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel to/throughout the Palestinian, Gaza Strip. Nason currently works for the Federal Government (DHS) as a Special Agent.