Our Founders
Roger Pipkins || Co-Founder
Roger joined the Army in 1962. After leaving the military, Roger worked in the medical profession and then went into business distributing orthopedic implants as an independent distributor. He retired in 1994, but remains 100% service connected. He and John McGill formed Straight Scoop for Vets in July 2013 with a grant awarded to “raise awareness of the high rate of suicide among veterans and offer preventive measures” in rural southeastern NM. Roger holds the following current certifications:
- Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW) and instructor
- Advanced QPR suicide prevention trainer
- WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) facilitator
- CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) trainer
EMAIL ROGER || roger@forwardflag.org
John McGill || Co-Founder
John McGill joined the Marine Corps in 1964 and served one tour in VietNam. After four years of active duty he transferred to the Marine Corps reserves, retiring in 1989. John retired as a supervisor from Yellow Freight Systems in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In July 2013 John and Roger Pipkins formed Straight Scoop for Vets with a grant awarded to “raise awareness of the high rate of suicide among veterans and offer preventive measures” in rural southeastern NM. John is a Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW) and instructor
Our Staff
Brian Swanhart || Master Trainer
Brian was inducted into the US Army in 1968. He served in the Republic of VietNam (1968-69) with the 9th Infantry Division. Retired from the US Census Bureau in 2007, Brian joined Straight Scoop for Vets in 2013. He is a certified as a:
- Peer Support Worker and Instructor
- QPR Suicide Prevention Trainer
- CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) Trainer
EMAIL BRIAN || brian@forwardflag.org.
Michael Rooney || CPSW
Michael proudly served in the 24th Infantry of the U.S. Army from 1981-1984. Michael continues to serve veterans as a full-time peer specialist for the Veteran Justice Outreach department of the VA and acting Mentor coordinator for the veteran court programs. He joined the Forward Flag family in 2016 acting as a role model for our veterans, co-facilitating the weekly meeting of SMART Recovery, assisting with outreach and after hours events and activities. Michael is certified as a:
- CPSW
- Veteran Endorsement Trainer
- Narcan Trainer
- QPR Trainer
For his hard work and tireless dedication to those he serves, Michael earned the 2019 NM Behavioral Health Star Award.
EMAIL MICHAEL || michael@forwardflag.org
Ted Skibyak || Field OPerations
Retired Sgt. Major Ted Skibyak has spent his life in service to our great nation. After serving as a Army medic from 1979-1982, Sgt. Major joined the Army Reserves and finished his career in the NM National Guard, retiring in 2017. He also worked as a Las Cruces paramedic for 7 years and a Paramedic Police officer in the Rio Rancho Dept. of Safety for 20 years. Ted joined the Forward Flag family in 2016 after meeting Roger during an outreach event. The mission spoke to Ted and he has made a difference in the lives of numerous individuals since joining the team. Ted specializes in outreach and law enforcement training; but, truly is a jack of all trades, helping with every aspect of our organization's operations. Ted is certified as a:
- CPSW
- Veteran Endorsement Trainer
- Law Enforcement Trainer
- QPR Trainer
EMAIL TED || ted@forwardflag.org
Jeanine O'Connell || Field operations
SGT. Jeanine O’Connell joined the Army National Guard in 2011 and is still currently serving. When Jeanine learned about Forward Flag, she wanted to help her fellow comrades and believed in the mission, so she became a part of the Forward Flag family in 2017. Jeanine’s position in the organization is in field operations; focusing on visiting rural and underserved areas of the state. During her visits, she distributes Suicide Prevention Literature, talks to Veterans, serves coffee and offers a safe place to hang out. Her position is integral to our mission of serving Veterans in the comfort of their hometowns. In recognition of her hard work and dedication in the field, Jeanine is the proud 2020 recipient of the NM Behavioral Health Star award
EMAIL JEANINE || oconnell@forwardflag.org
Melissa Endean || Executive Administrator/ CPSW
Melissa joined the Forward Flag family in 2018. She was introduced to the organization by her partner, Adrian Gonzales, a proud OIF Army veteran. Her own journey of recovery and her experience being raised by in a family of veterans, including her father, who served as an Army soldier during Vietnam, has helped to prepare her for her role with the organization. Melissa helps to keep the NM office running smoothly, co-facilitates the weekly meeting of SMART Recovery and creates a welcoming environment for our veterans to build strong and healthy networks of support. Melissa is an honored and proud recipient of the 2021 NM Behavioral Health Star Award. She is certified as a:
- CPSW
- Veteran Endorsement Trainer
- Narcan Trainer
- QPR Trainer
EMAIL MELISSA || melissa@forwardflag.org
Deeno Adkins || DAV Service Officer/cpsw
Deeno joined the U.S. Army in 1989 and served as a CPL until 1995, He proudly served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Deeno has been recovering from PTSD since 2001. He
continues his service to others by serving fellow veterans in native communities such as Puyallup Veterans Lodge, Veterans Lodges at American Lake, Walla Walla, Boise, and Albuquerque VA Medical Centers. Deeno also serves on the veterans panel at a week long annual camp offered by the Yakama Nation and the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is certified as a:
- CPSW & CPSW Trainer
- Veterans Endorsement Trainer
- QPR Trainer
- DAV Chapter Service Officer.
Deeno joined the Forward Flag family to assist veterans and their families with benefits and services available through the State of New Mexico and the Department Veterans Affairs.
EMAIL DEENO || deenoadkins@gmail.com
Sabrena Buttry || Administrative AssistanT/Field Operations
Sabrena was one of the first employees at our TN location when she joined the Forward Flag family in 2020. Sabrena's Grandfather served during WWII and her little brother served in the Marines. She has a deep respect for our veterans and loves to help people. Her enthusiasm for her job, and our mission, shines through when she is helping to man the coffee bunker during outreach events and when she is assisting with art class.
EMAIL SABRENA || sabrena@forwardflag.org
Audrey Strange || Director of Compliance
Audrey joined the Forward Flag family in 2020 bringing with her over 17 years of experience in the non-profit sector. She is a woman of many talents; grant writing, finance, HR, finance and business. She comes from a family of veterans and active duty service members. Her passion has always been to help others and this shines through in all aspects of her work. Although based out of our TN office, Audrey also covers compliance and accounts for the NM location. When she isn't working, which is rare, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter or reading a good book.
EMAIL AUDREY || audreystrange@forwardflag.org
Jerame Nerran || cpsw
Jerame has worked as a Certified Peer Support Worker in TN for the last 4 years. He joined the Forward Flag family in 2020. Jerame facilitates the weekly SMART Recovery meeting and is available to offer support to veterans struggling with substance and/or alcohol use.
EMAIL JERAME || jerame@forwardflag.org
Charles Williams || Veteran Liason
Charles enlisted as an Infantryman in the Army in 2009 and was deployed to Khost Province Afghanistan from 2010-2011. After separating from the Army Charles worked for the Hamblen County Sheriff Dept. and attended college to study engineering. After finishing school he became a firearms instructor through TN Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security where he had his first experience teaching suicide prevention methods. In 2020, Charles joined the Forward Flag family as the TN Veteran Liaison, organizing veteran centered events and creating a sense of belonging through shared/similar experiences. Charles is a certified QPR Trainer.
EMAIL CHARLES || charles@forwardflag.org