Meet the Team
Our talented and dedicated team is passionate about empowering Veterans as they transition from military service to civilian life.
BJ Ganem
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
BJ Ganem
BJ Ganem leads the organization and coordination of all administrative functions for Sierra Delta. BJ is a natural leader whose personal experience with military-to-civilian transition influences his insight into what support veterans need when returning home.
Prior to becoming CEO of Sierra Delta in 2017, BJ's journey led him from the United States Marine Corps to nonprofit organizations such as the Semper Fi Fund. BJ joined the Marine Corps in 1996. At the end of his first enlistment, BJ left active duty but stayed in the ready reserves. While on active duty, BJ worked as a District Sales Manager for Kraft Foods. In May 2004, BJ's unit was called to serve in support of operations in Iraq.
On November 25, 2004, the vehicle BJ was driving was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (I.E.D.). The attack left BJ with an amputated left leg, mild brain injury, and shrapnel wounds. Above all, the attack left BJ with the unprepared realization he would no longer be a Marine Infantryman in the fight for freedom.
After navigating the landscape of transition, BJ found his purpose in helping other men and women transition into society. He became an outspoken advocate for veterans and left a 10-year career at Kraft Foods to pursue helping veterans. BJ worked for Semper Fi Fund as an accredited Veteran Service Officer. This role allowed him to assist veterans by helping secure their federal and state benefits. BJ also ensured veterans received accurate discharges.
BJ graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Social Work with an emphasis on military life. Apart from his duties at Sierra Delta, he is captain of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football team (WWAFT). The father of four children, BJ and his wife Sarah live in Reedsburg, WI with their family and English bulldog.
Adam Howarth
Executive Director
Adam Howarth
Adam Howarth serves as the Executive Director of Sierra Delta. He is responsible for operations and strategic planning while also working in more specific capacities on project teams that coordinate events, raise funds, and collaborate with our community partners.
Adam served his four-year enlistment with the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment as a medic to include a 12-month deployment to Iraq in 2005 earning the combat medical badge. After service, Adam utilized his benefits to earn his education culminating in a Masters in Social Work where he applied his skills working for the Veterans Health Administration for 8 years prior to joining Sierra Delta. Adam has worked as a clinical case manager for homeless services, a therapist in a dual diagnosis clinic, and coordinating community suicide prevention services.
Adam holds as Associates Degree from Barstow College in Allied Health, a Bachelors Degree in Health Promotions from UW-Platteville, and his MSW from Loyola University Chicago. Adam also continues to hold his credential as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provides trainings and gives conference speaking engagements on the topics of Veterans and Mental Health.
Adam resides in Madison, WI with his family and his Life Buddy, Etta.
Mick Gillitzer
Director of Veteran Programs
Mick Gillitzer
Mick Gillitzer is the Director of Veteran Programs for Sierra Delta. He is responsible for program management and strategic growth for Sierra Delta’s Alumni and Veteran Resource Development Programs. Mick retired from the Marine Corps after two decades of service and is passionate about empowering veterans to attain success.
Throughout his service, Mick has participated in five overseas deployments including two combat tours in Iraq. Later in his career, he provided non-clinical case management for wounded, ill, and injured service members since 2010 where he served as a District Injured Support Coordinator for the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment. Mick continued to strengthen the Veteran Community as a Veteran Lead with Semper Fi & America’s Fund and now with Sierra Delta.
Mick graduated from the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse with a B.S. in History and an M.S. in Organizational Development from Edgewood College. He also has an M.S. in Military History from the American Military University. Mick lives in Wisconsin with his two children and his Doberman named Nia.
Stefanie Marvin-Miller
Human Resource and Veteran Manager
Stefanie Marvin-Miller
Stefanie serves as Sierra Delta’s Human Resource and Veteran Manager. She is responsible for the Human Resource aspects of Sierra Delta and helps Veterans complete their initial applications, get uploaded into the Life Buddy App, and complete their pet passports.
Prior to her involvement with Sierra Delta, Stefanie served as a Human Resource Specialist in the military for 5 and ½ years. After getting out of the military, she received her own service dog, Leland, from one of Sierra Delta’s partner providers, Southeastern Guide Dogs, in June of 2018.
Stefanie is currently studying for her undergraduate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Middle Tennessee State University. She is heavily involved with her sorority and serves as the Veteran Student Senator for the Student Government Association.
Ivan Winder
Logistical Manager & Master Trainer
Ivan Winder
Ivan Winder serves Sierra Delta as a Logistical Manager and Trainer.
Ivan is from Delaware, with a family history of working with animals. His father worked for Harness Horses and his mother had a big heart for stray animals. He grew up never knowing if he were to come home to a new cat or dog calling their house home. Ivan too began having a passion for animals regardless if it were a stray living at the house or a new one showing up at the stables.
Ivan joined the US Navy under the delayed entry program in July 1990. He spent the first 2 years deciding which career path was best. That path was realized when he inquired about the dog teams that were used to do inspections. In 04/1993 Ivan became Master-At-Arms and in 05/1996 he added the MWD NEC and never looked back.
After 20years of service, Ivan retired and signed on with a DOD Contract working abroad for 7 years in the K9 Field before returning to his family in the US.
Donna Kimbler
Development Coordinator
Donna Kimbler
Donna Kimbler is Sierra Delta’s Development Coordinator.
As an avid pet lover, Donna has been involved in rescue most of her life. She never met a dog or a cat she did not like.
Although Donna is not a veteran, she is the wife of an Army veteran and the daughter of a Navy pilot.
Donna pursued a degree in education from Houston Baptist University and then realized that she liked 4 legged children over 2 legged children, then deciding to attend the University of Georgia and work on a Masters of Animal Science.
She has been married for 34 years (he is an animal lover too) and has 3 grown children, who are also animal lovers.
Most recently, Donna worked at Blue Buffalo for 12 years and has a pet sitting business with her daughter. In addition to sitting dogs and cats they also sit reptiles and farm animals as well as exotics.
Derrick Tillman
Director of Training
Derrick Tillman
Derrick Tillman is the Director of Training for Sierra Delta. He is responsible for all Canine Training programs. Derrick ensures Veterans' needs, in regard to the pairing and training of their dogs, are met. He also provides Veterans with resources for encouragement at every stage of the training process. His goal is to ensure all Veterans in the program take advantage of the opportunity to be a part of a large community created to provide support and lifelong relationships.
Derrick served as the Program Manager and National Dog Trainer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD research study. He was responsible for evaluating and approving each dog before it was matched with a Veteran. He also ensured all VA trainers and dogs met or exceeded the standard set forth by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Upon completion of a twenty-year military career in the United States Army, Derrick realized his true passion was in being of service to the country and the Veterans who have served it. He graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Education and a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.
Anthony Smith
Master Trainer
Anthony Smith
Tony worked for 24 years as a Miltary Police Officer in the Army. He has been on numerous deployments to South East Asia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
During that period he worked as the Training Manager for the US Army Dog Teams deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. His training consisted of attack training for the Army and becoming an explosive and narcotics detection Dog Trainer.
Tony also helped The Secret Service with explosive sweeps for the President(s) of the United States.
