Ryan is a hockey enthusiast who founded the Warrior for Life Fund, a 501(c) 3 public charity, in 2012.  WFLF provides programs to support active-duty service members, veterans, and their families in the Virginia Beach area by connecting them through hockey and community involvement.   He has an in-depth understanding of the challenges of combat, extended deployments, disabilities, and the long-lasting effects of war.  With a grant from USA Hockey, he began the adaptive program in the fall of 2012.

Ryan is a retired Navy Captain with 26 years assigned to the SEAL Teams.  He is the former Commanding Officer of five Special Operations units: SEAL Team FOUR, Special Operations Command-Forward East Africa, Task Force 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, Task Force 17 in Mosul, Iraq, and a Tactical Development Squadron at Naval Special Warfare Development Group.  He has a proven and distinguished record of developing and leading high performing teams while conducting our nation’s most sensitive missions, cultivating relationships, and executing dynamic plans worldwide.

Mike is a founding member of the Warrior For Life Fund and serves as the CFO and Director of Hockey Operations. Mike coordinates several Warrior For Life Fund programs, including the WFLF Developmental Hockey League and the WFLF Hockey Club. He coached youth teams for the Hampton Roads Youth Hockey Association (HRYHA) and is a Level 4 USA Hockey certified coach.

Mike is a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander, Naval Flight Officer with 23 years of service. Throughout his military career, he held various leadership roles, developing financial oversight, budgeting, and resource allocation skills. His strategic vision and meticulous attention to detail ensure that Warrior For Life Fund programs are managed effectively. He holds a B.S. in Business Management from Southern Illinois University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix and lives in Norfolk, VA, with his wife, Kelly.

Frank Simonetti is an accomplished executive and former professional athlete with a distinguished career spanning both the sports and technology sectors. A graduate of Norwich University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Frank began his professional journey as a defenseman for the Boston Bruins, where he played four seasons in the National Hockey League.

Following his time in professional sports, Frank transitioned into the data storage industry, bringing the same discipline and strategic mindset to business that he demonstrated on the ice. Since 1996, he has served as Vice President and co-owner of Avatek Corporation, a firm specializing in enterprise data storage solutions. Frank plans to retire from Avatek at the end of 2025 to focus on his philanthropic activities.

Frank currently serves as President of the Boston Bruins Alumni Association, where he oversees operations, strategic partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives. He has been a member of the Bruins Alumni Team for over 35 years, leveraging the power of hockey to support charitable organizations throughout New England and beyond.

Frank was introduced to the Warrior for Life Fund through his involvement with the Bruins Alumni, becoming a board member in 2019, allowing him to further his passion of supporting military families and veterans through community engagement and hockey-based programs.  In early 2025, Frank transitioned from his board role to take on a more hands-on leadership position as Program Manager, overseeing Face Off for Heroes, a multi city hockey series that brings together NHL alumni, active-duty military, veterans, and their families for experiences that foster camaraderie and build meaningful relationships.

Storytelling is at the heart of Jayme Pastoric’s work in media and public relations. He holds a Bachelor’s in photography/journalism and a Master’s in strategic communications. He recently completed 24 years of Naval service, deploying numerous times with Naval Special Operations Forces, including a combat tour in Iraq with SEAL Team Two.  He is one of a handful of Department of Defense underwater photographers and is a third-generation military artist. His work has appeared in national and international publications, including USA Hockey Magazine, Time Magazine, and National Geographic. He bunkers down in Millington, TN, with his beautiful wife, Erin, and their two boys.

Geoff has practiced in the firm’s Norfolk office since 1997 and in the Kitty Hawk office since 2019. He concentrates his law practice in taxation, ERISA, employee benefits, business transactions, real estate, and international business matters.  His taxation practice focuses on corporate taxation, limited liability company issues, and international tax as well as state and local tax.  Geoff’s employee benefits practice concentrates on qualified retirement plans, executive compensation, and welfare benefits including multiemployer plans and governmental plans.  His business transactions practice is geared toward closely held business issues and international transactions.  Geoff heads the firm’s real estate practice in the Kitty Hawk office.  Geoff served as a Law Clerk for Special Master Richard B. Abell of the United States Court of Federal Claims from 1995-97.  He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the United States Tax Court.  Geoff provides legal advice and consultation to the Warrior For Life Fund.

Dean is a native of Sault Ste. Marie, MI. He has been playing hockey since the age of 2.  He reached the level of Junior A tier II playing for the Flyers in Thessalon, Ontario, Canada.  Dean served in the United States Navy and retired after 20 years. Dean has not stopped playing hockey since he put on his first pair of skates.  His coaching experiences include various youth hockey teams and ODU’s hockey team before becoming the head coach for the WFLF sled team.  Dean is an excellent communicator and an outstanding instructor. His ability to inject humor at almost any time helps create a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment.