ABOUT
GROUND FORCE HUMANITARIAN AID
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be a data-driven action oriented 501c3 non-profit that swiftly intervenes to protect and stabilize elderly and disabled victims living in communities impacted by natural disaster.
NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY
Ground Force Humanitarian Aid is committed to equal employment, volunteer opportunity, and assistance provision without regard to age, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status.
This policy applies to all areas of employment and volunteer participation, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy also applies to all response and relief recipients.
OUR HISTORY
In South Louisiana, in August 2016 a rare, tragic rain storm lasted a full three days and dropped the equivalent of 7.1 trillion gallons of water or enough to fill Lake Pontchartrain about four times. Hurricane Katrina, by comparison, dumped about 2.3 trillion gallons of rainwater in the state (though more in other states)
This horrific event left over 150,000 homes across South Louisiana submerged by flood waters over a 10 day period. The great flood was a 500-year event that left dozens of towns and cities in 21 parishes across south Louisiana under tens of feet of water.
The floodwaters fell in the mid-central region of the state, then wound their way southward towards the Gulf of Mexico inundating every structure in its
path as it overflowed banks and dozens of rivers and bayous that canvass the southern portion of the state. Citizens would find their yard dry one minute and minutes later, they would find themselves in need of urgent rescue and all of their possessions underwater.
The Cajun Navy grew from a need to assist our neighbors and overwhelmed first responders during the great flood of 2016.
It was only a year later that Hurricane Harvey created a similar flooding emergency in Southeast Texas and Houston, leaving tens of thousands needing rescue, and over 140,000 homes badly damaged needing citizen support. The Cajun Navy, for the second time in a year, was called upon to assist overwhelmed systems in Texas. Similar to the Louisiana flood we performed thousands of citizen rescues and assisted dozens of homeowners with the cleanup.
That was many years ago, and the Cajun Navy has changed little. We are still finding ways to assist during and after disasters. To date, in mid-2021, we have assisted with rescue and recovery in over a dozen natural disasters.
BOARD MEMBERS
Rob Gaudet – President
Lafayette, Louisiana
Rob is the founder and visionary force behind Ground Force Humanitarian Aid, a scalable citizen movement dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable in the wake of disasters. With three decades of distinguished experience in systems development, software architecture, marketing, and internet technologies, Rob has consistently demonstrated a passion filled capacity for innovation and strategic thinking to improve business operations by modernizing their operations.
8 years ago, Rob was thrust into the disaster relief world after the Great Louisiana Flood of 2016. In the midst of helping, he began to recognize numerous opportunities for technology to improve relief efforts. In that moment, he decided to immerse himself into the world of hands-on disaster relief operating as both the Executive Director and Deployment Director of Ground Force, with the objective of gaining invaluable on-the-ground experience to learn as much as he could about the world of disasters.
Today, Rob’s unique blend of technical expertise and practical relief work has culminated in his groundbreaking vision of integrating cutting-edge technology with disaster response. Under his leadership, Ground Force Humanitarian Aid operates at the forefront of digital, data-driven, and innovative disaster management, delivering swift and effective aid to those in need.
Rob’s unwavering commitment to merging technology with humanitarian efforts positions him as a leader in the disaster field who not only envisions a more responsive and efficient disaster relief system but also actively builds it. His work is a testament to the transformative power of combining technological advancement with compassionate action.
Rob Gaudet Board Member - President, CEO Ground Force Humanitarian Aid
Ken Calvin, CSM, PMP, CSPO – Board Secretary
Senior Technical Project Manager Expirian | Ex-Apple | Ex-Facebook | Ex-General Electric. New Orleans, Louisiana
A former Facebook/Instagram/Apple product manager, Ken brings over 15 years of expertise in spearheading digital transformations and driving consumer product success. His journey began at Tulane University, where he earned a degree in Computer Science, setting the stage for a distinguished career in the digital arena.
As a child of Hurricane Katrina, Ken’s early experiences profoundly shaped his understanding of disaster impact and resilience. This personal history fuels his dedication to using technology as a force for good, particularly in the realm of disaster relief.
Beyond his technological pursuits, Ken’s deep appreciation for the arts and sciences informs his creative and holistic approach to problem-solving and innovation. This multidisciplinary perspective ensures he brings fresh, innovative solutions to the table.
Ken Calvin Board Member - CTO at Project Theorem, LLC
MATT JOHNS – Board Treasurer
CEO, Honey Hive Capital Partners | Connecting capital with purpose. | Faith-Aligned Investing. Houston, Texas
Matt is a visionary leader dedicated to connecting capital with purpose, helping faith-centered investors, philanthropists, and institutions build meaningful legacies. As board member at Ground Force Humanitarian Aid, Matt leverages his extensive experience to strategically research, cultivate, steward, and solicit major gifts for programs, capital campaigns, and special event sponsorships.
Matt’s expertise is underscored by his role at HoneyHive Capital, where he pioneered three core services:
Investor Club: Building a community of sophisticated investors and institutions that confidently invest in private market offerings aligned with their faith values.
Placement Agency: Assisting private market investment managers and entrepreneurs in raising capital from faith-centered investors.
Philanthropic Consulting: Guiding faith-centered philanthropists in responding to their call to achieve their philanthropic legacies.
In his previous roles, Matt has successfully promoted, enhanced, and protected the brands of the National Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (NVOAD) Consortium and the CCGH Disaster Recovery department. His work involved developing and integrating a broad range of public relations and marketing activities to position Catholic Charities as a leading disaster recovery agency. Matt has been instrumental in broadening departmental awareness and increasing the visibility of programs and priorities across key internal and external stakeholder audiences.
Matt also oversaw compliance efforts for the entire department, ensuring adherence to funding and agency regulations. He excels in leading all reporting for the department, drafting comprehensive reports that effectively communicate the story of Disaster Recovery efforts.
With a deep commitment to aligning capital with faith values and a strategic approach to philanthropy and disaster recovery, Matt is a key driver of Ground Force Humanitarian Aid’s mission to deliver impactful and sustainable disaster relief.
Matt Johns Board Member - CEO at HoneyHive Capital Partners
Nathan Normoyle – Board Member
President & CEO @ Echo 1 Emergency Logistics, Inc. / 21 Years’ Experience in Emergency Management and Logistics. Houston, Texas
Nathan brings two decades of expertise in emergency management and disaster services, with a proven track record of leadership and operational excellence. Over the past 20 years, Nathan has founded and successfully operated three companies—two in Canada and one in the U.S.—collectively involved in 19 major disasters and providing critical services across nine countries.
Nathan’s extensive experience includes managing deployments with up to 5,000 personnel and building and overseeing base camp operations for 2,500 personnel. His logistical acumen has been vital in supporting local, state, and federal agencies with complex operations, ensuring efficient and effective disaster response.
Though Nathan’s professional background is rooted in for-profit enterprises, his commitment to disaster relief and emergency management is unwavering. His high school education, supplemented by continuous learning through seminars, webinars, and daily reading, has equipped him with a robust understanding of the field.
Nathan’s key skills and areas of expertise include:
Operational Disaster and Emergency Response: Proven capability in managing disaster response efforts both domestically and internationally.
Complex Logistics Specialist: Expertise in the movement of cargo, hazmat goods, and personnel, ensuring seamless operations in challenging environments.
Collaboration with State and Federal Agencies: Extensive experience working with government agencies in emergency response, including Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations and foreign deployments.
As a Ground Force Humanitarian Aid Board Member Nathan’s strategic vision and operational expertise are instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission to deliver swift and effective disaster relief. His leadership ensures that Ground Force remains at the forefront of innovative and impactful disaster response efforts.
Nathan Normoyl Board Member - President, CEO at ECHO1 Emergency Logistics
Mark Russell – Board Treasurer
National Account Manager at Lead Concepts | Community Outreach/Disaster Relief Chaplain. New Orleans, Louisiana
Mark is a detail-oriented and multilingual professional known for his exceptional communication, interpersonal, and creative thinking skills. Throughout his dynamic career, Mark has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and excel in various roles, consistently earning praise from his peers for his hardworking nature and dedication.
Mark brings a wealth of experience in directing strategy and executing numerous multicultural lead-generation programs. His expertise includes recruiting, training, and managing large national sales teams, as well as developing innovative sales and marketing strategies. Mark has achieved notable success in life-insurance sales, with a focus on pre-need services, and has demonstrated strong leadership in team-building and regional territory management.
Mark’s commitment to service extends beyond his professional achievements. He is a dedicated volunteer who has contributed to numerous organizations focused on alleviating human suffering through volunteer service, both within the United States and internationally. His service-minded efforts are exemplified by his leadership in disaster recovery, where he has led efforts for over 20 storms across five different states.
Mark’s multifaceted experience and unwavering dedication to humanitarian work make him an invaluable asset to Ground Force Humanitarian Aid. His ability to connect with diverse communities, coupled with his strategic and operational expertise, ensures that Ground Force can effectively mobilize resources and deliver impactful disaster relief.
Mark Russell Board Member - Founder & CMO at Russell Market Consulting
Sye Broussard – Board Member
Managing Partner at Broussard & Dove Aplc. Houma, Louisiana
Sye brings a wealth of legal expertise and a dedicated focus on first-party commercial and residential property damage insurance claims and business transactions to Ground Force Humanitarian Aid. As an attorney, Sye has carved a niche in navigating complex insurance claims, providing indispensable support to condo complexes, hotels, commercial buildings, HOAs, and residential property owners across the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida.
Before specializing in property damage insurance claims, Sye served as an assistant district attorney for over seven years, managing felony trials. This role provided him with extensive trial experience, far surpassing what many attorneys encounter in their careers. His tenure as an ADA honed his ability to manage high volumes of cases efficiently, equipping him with exceptional time management and organizational skills.
Sye’s commitment to justice and his adept handling of intricate legal matters make him a vital asset to our team. His expertise ensures that Ground Force Humanitarian Aid can navigate the legal complexities associated with disaster response and recovery, safeguarding the rights and interests of those we serve.
Sye’s professional journey is characterized by his dedication to leveraging legal frameworks to facilitate swift and fair resolutions for those affected by disasters. His strategic legal insights and hands-on approach significantly contribute to our mission, ensuring that we can provide robust support to vulnerable communities during times of crisis.
Sye Broussard Board Member - Attorney at Broussard | Dove Law
Trevor Dudeck – Board Member
CEO @ Lemonade, Advertising Agency. Aptos, California.
Trevor is a dynamic leader in content marketing and brand growth, known for crafting stories that inspire, entertain, and build vibrant communities around brands. As the Director of Content Marketing and Brand Growth at Ground Force Humanitarian Aid, Trevor leverages his extensive expertise to drive impactful content strategies that amplify the organization’s mission and reach.
Trevor’s innovative approach to content marketing has attracted renowned brands such as Lyft, Hilton, Google, Salesforce, Whole Foods, and Warner Bros., who have sought his expertise to enhance their creative bandwidth and achieve remarkable growth. His proven process transforms strangers into fans and ultimately into loyal customers, delivering exceptional results.
Understanding the competitive landscape, Trevor emphasizes the importance of content marketing, which is 62% less expensive than outbound marketing while generating 200% more leads. His deep knowledge and experience in honing content marketing skills, studying emerging platforms, and curating influential voices make him a valuable asset to any team.
Trevor’s commitment to excellence is evident in his dedication to his craft and is paralleled only by his personal discipline, exemplified by his routine of swimming laps at 6 AM each morning. This relentless drive ensures that Trevor consistently delivers stories that not only captivate audiences but also achieve tangible business goals.
At Ground Force Humanitarian Aid, Trevor focuses on helping to craft awe-inspiring videos, pictures, and designs, developing robust distribution and performance strategies, and building strong community connections. His strategic mindset and creative prowess guarantee that the content produced is both meaningful and impactful.
Trevor’s ability to measure, analyze, and guarantee results sets him apart from many in the industry. His leadership ensures that Ground Force Humanitarian Aid’s content strategy is comprehensive and effective, furthering the organization’s mission to provide swift and effective disaster relief.
Trevor Dudeck Board Member - CEO at Lemonade The Agency
STAFF
Camille Dominque
Camille Gaudet, a passionate advocate for bringing people and organizations together to make a positive impact, serves as the Director of Sponsor and Donor Relations for Cajun Navy Ground Force. With her unwavering commitment to connecting like-minded individuals and fostering collaborations, Camille plays a pivotal role in mobilizing resources and support for the organization’s mission of assisting those in need.
Hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, Camille’s roots in the community run deep. Raised in the heart of Cajun country, she developed a strong sense of community and a profound appreciation for helping others. Her genuine empathy and innate ability to understand the needs of both individuals and organizations have been honed through over 30 years of experience in customer relations.
Throughout her career, Camille has been a relentless network builder, bridging gaps and forging meaningful connections between individuals, corporations, and non-profit organizations. Her innate talent for fostering relationships and nurturing partnerships has garnered her a stellar reputation in the field. Her ability to align people and organizations with shared values and goals has been instrumental in driving the collective effort to support those affected by natural disasters and other crises.
In addition to her local roots, Camille has also experienced life on a global scale. Her diverse background and exposure to different cultures have enriched her perspective and broadened her understanding of the world. This global outlook allows her to navigate the complexities of today’s interconnected society and effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
In 2022, Camille embarked on a new chapter in her career, joining Cajun Navy Ground Force—an organization close to her heart. Drawing on her extensive experience and network, she works tirelessly to build and strengthen relationships with sponsors and donors who share the organization’s vision of providing timely assistance to those in distress. Camille’s ability to communicate the mission and impact of Cajun Navy Ground Force has been instrumental in securing vital support for their relief efforts.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Camille finds solace and inspiration in her family. She is happily married to Rob Gaudet, the visionary founder of Cajun Navy Ground Force. Their shared dedication to helping others has not only fueled their personal relationship but also serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Camille Gaudet’s role as the Director of Sponsor and Donor Relations for Cajun Navy Ground Force allows her to merge her lifelong passion for community service with her remarkable ability to build bridges between people and organizations. With her strong network, unwavering dedication, and deep-rooted values, Camille continues to empower individuals and communities, leaving an indelible mark on the world of humanitarian efforts.
Camille Gaudet Director of Sponsors and Partners
MICHELLE SZINAVEL
Michelle has been working alongside the Cajun Navy Ground Force Founder & CEO, Rob Gaudet, since 2016, when Rob formed our organization.
She is perfect for the Systems and Security Manager position thanks to her background as the Director of NASDAQ Stock Market Computer Operations from 1987 to 2007. And her ongoing love of cutting-edge technology.
Michelle has worked on the Dispatch and Social Media Teams and is always ready to step in to help. She handles the volunteer NDAs, background checks, software programs, and more. Michelle is the person our teams turn to for advice and direction.
Michelle lives in Connecticut with her husband and dogs. She is grateful for her family and Cajun Navy Ground Force friends. And we’re lucky to have her with us!
MIchelle Szinavel Systems and Security Manager
Nancy Perkins
Website Director/Social Media Team Lead
Nancy’s desire to help began at an early age. As a child, she tried to rescue every animal she could, and from there, she began working with a mentally disabled child. While living in Southern California, she was a team leader/co-manager for the Southern CA Special Olympics, Friends of the Olympics program for ten years.
Nancy fulfilled her passion for saving animals when she & her husband moved to South Mississippi. They foster puppies for a local Shelter and various rescue groups to give them an excellent start to life before moving into their forever family. Moving to So Mississippi brought Nancy up close & personal to hurricanes. Shortly after moving, Hurricane Katrina made landfall 10 miles from their home. While they were spared, she began volunteering to help those who weren’t as lucky. Since then, she has been involved in some form of Hurricane relief for each storm that has racked the country.
Nancy’s background as a Sales & Marketing Director of a major hotel and her current position as a Sales & Marketing Director of a property owners association has brought her into the Remote Team for Cajun Navy Ground Force, where she is the Marketing Team Lead. She has been a proud part of the organization since Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The ability to work remotely has been a blessing. Because of her job, Nancy can’t deploy but can contribute to the critical story-telling aspect of the Cajun Navy Ground Force. And provide vital information to disaster victims or simply be a remote shoulder to cry on.
We’re lucky to have Nancy with us!
NANCY PERKINS Website Director/Social Media Team Lead
Ben Bayard
Ben Bayard Web Developer
Kay Jones
Visual Storytelling & Volunteer Coordinator
Kay has been an integral part of GFHA since the deployment in Perry, FL, bringing her expertise in visual storytelling to capture the powerful work of our volunteers and team members during natural disaster relief efforts. Her photography not only highlights the impact of GFHA’s mission but also helps to share the stories of those affected and the efforts made to assist them.
In addition to her work documenting relief operations, Kay is focused on enlisting and training new volunteers through our Stability platform. Her efforts ensure that communities are better equipped to respond to future disasters and can build resilience in the face of adversity.
Kay Jones Visual Storytelling & Volunteer Coordinator
Emily Dowding Nemeth
Communications Coordinator
Emily plays a key role in fostering clear and effective communication between the organization and its partners and donors. In addition to working closely with Rob and the internal team, Emily is also responsible for managing our social media platforms and external emails, keeping followers and donors up-to-date on the latest news, events, and initiatives. With a strong background in Relationship Management and Business Development, Emily is passionate about building and nurturing long-lasting partnerships with sponsors and stakeholders.
Emily Dowding Nemeth Communications Coordinator
Shane Callcut
Director of Internal Team Communications
Since joining in 2018, Shane has been a vital part of our team, supporting communications, logistics, and volunteer coordination during disaster relief efforts. Shane Callcut manages internal communications, tracks weather conditions, and oversees supply and donation procurement to ensure timely and effective aid.
Shane Callcut Director of Internal Team Communications
Jon Raso
Product Manager/Stability.org
Jon brings 15+ years of leadership experience in client relations, coalition building, and project management across academia, government, and the private sector. After witnessing the impact of Stability’s work during Hurricane Helene relief, he joined as Product Manager to help transform disaster relief efforts and better serve communities in need.
Jon Raso Product Manager/Stability.org
Coby Leftwich
Remote Team/Mapping Lead
Coby began his journey with the GFHA in June 2019 after witnessing the incredible work they did during Hurricane Harvey. Coby started working as an overnight moderator, quickly making an impact through his dedication and support. Soon after, He transitioned to the social media team, where he helped amplify the organization’s message and engage with the public. He now plays a key role in building the mapping team to organize resources to support effective on-the-ground disaster response.
Coby Leftwich Remote Team/Mapping Lead
Becky Loyacano
Grant Writer
Becky brings over 35 years of leadership experience in management, sales, and human resources to the Ground Force team. In addition to her disaster relief work, Becky holds a degree in Marketing and is a certified grant writer. She channels her expertise into securing critical funding for Ground Force, identifying potential funders whose missions align with the needs of disaster-impacted communities. By crafting compelling proposals, she ensures that Ground Force can continue to provide essential aid and support to those in need.
Becky Loyacano Grant Writer
Sarah Mostafa – Lead Content Creator/Stability.org
Sarah joined Stability in 2024 supporting Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in Western North Carolina. Her organization and research skills were essential in identifying local organizations and distribution centers to better connect residents to necessary resources. Sarah now leads the content creation efforts at Stability, ensuring leaders and volunteers have the training necessary to serve those in need.
