meet Our Team

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Christian Brown enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2009. He returned home safely after serving 15 months in Marjah, Afghanistan. One year later, he was called back into action, this time to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Christian led his squad deeper into enemy territory, to the cities of Sangin and Kajaki. It was during this deployment where he endured several firefights and led 163 combat missions as a squad leader, a number unheard of as a Lance Corporal. As a result, he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal while on deployment. On December 13, 2011, while leading his squad on a foot patrol in the city of Kajaki, Christian stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). He sustained multiple traumas to both hands and arms, amputations of his right leg below the hip joint and left leg above the knee, internal injuries and blast wounds to his upper left thigh. Christian was in a drug-induced coma for almost 2 months. In July 2015, the Gary Sinise Foundation broke ground for Christian’s custom specially adapted smart home in Munford, TN. “It’s just time to get back to being my own person....

Christian has immersed himself in the outdoors since childhood. He’s learned the healing properties of being in God's Creation. When he arrived home in 2015 he focused his energy on making game calls to stay busy when he wasn’t in the woods during season. He continually reaches out to fellow veterans from war. He believes with sharing the experience of the outdoors in hopes of seeing the turn around in others mental outlook on life coming back.

Shane joined the Marine Corps in 2003 and spent eight years in the front line infantry, fighting for peace in an area filled with hate. After 8 years and multiple deployments, he made a slight career change and spent the next four years contracting with an elite group of security contractors working under the guidance of the United States Department of State.  He finished his career with over 10 deployments. His entire military career was spent in some of the world's most dangerous environments where he saw tragedies of war firsthand. Most of Shane’s scars are not visible, as his trauma mostly deals with PTSD and neuro pathways that are no longer intact due to numerous concussions and surviving explosions. Yes, he has learned how to live a successful life as a business owner, community leader, Veteran advocate, but most importantly as a father of 3 children.  

“Life can be noisy”, but he has found a sense of peace with his thoughts through the healing power of nature and his relationship with Jesus.  When asked why he’s so passionate about Wild Valor he says, “I should have been killed in combat countless times, but God had other plans for me.  I believe those plans involve helping my fellow veterans to find their own peace within themselves. Nature has been that place for me to find peace when life gets noisy."

Adam Gilkey is an entrepreneur, health coach, and hunting/fishing guide. He has been an avid outdoorsman all of his life. He has taken his passion and turned it into a successful career. Adam hosted Christian Brown shortly after his accident. This was organized through another non-profit called HuntersHelping Heroes. Adam and Christian started a friendship that turned into many trips and adventures in the outdoors together. Seeing first-hand how the outdoors has impacted Christian and now having an even deeper understanding of trauma that veterans have endured, Adam wanted to turn his passion for the outdoors into a way to help others like Christian. While not serving in the military, Adam has many family members who are veterans and many of his closest friends served. He has a deep appreciate for the sacrifices they made and wants to help provide great experiences to these heroes.

Amy Gilkey is a speech-language pathologist during her day job at a local elementary school. Her passion for helping others also spills into the community and church life. Amy has been assisting Adam to run his guiding business for years and enjoys the outdoors with him and their family. After becoming close with Christian Brown through a hunting program helping veterans, she saw the area of need for veterans who need healing through the outdoors.She is excited to help in any way possible to give back to veterans who have sacrificed for our country.

Dr. Stephen Gray is a serial entrepreneur and Pastor. Dr. Gray and his wife Marlene have started, grown and sold three very successful businesses over the last 30 years and has consulted for multiple start up companies and business leaders.Dr. Gray has also served the Church for over 37 years as a pastor, church planter, consultant, conference speaker and author. Over the last 20 years he has been instrumental in helping to launch over one hundred seventy four churches on five continents. Currently Dr. Gray is serving in McPherson, Ks as pastor of Revolution Church.He is an avid outdoorsman and grew up hunting, fishing and camping. Many of his fondest memories and friendships were built around campfires in the Colorado Rockies and the Kansas plains.Dr Gray served a Chaplain for the  Lincoln, NE Police Dept. for six years and has counseled with and assisted many families who have dealt with trauma, violence and abuse. While not a veteran, Dr. Gray is passionate about serving those who have sacrificed for our country and is humbled to have the opportunity to be a part of Wild Valor as the Chief Financial Officer and resident spiritual leader.