Chair

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Stephen Mount, Chair, is a United States Marine with 22 years of active service. He was designated a Naval Aviator in September of 1999.  During his time as a light-attack helicopter pilot, he completed three combat deployments in both Afghanistan and Iraq.  While on deployment in 2004 he was shot in the head and through his right eye while his aircraft was receiving ground fire during a mission in Najaf, Iraq.  Through the heroic actions of his crew, his Wingmen and Marine ground forces they were rescued and safely evacuated after their aircraft crashed near insurgent forces.   Although he was “Down” from flying duties because of the loss of his right eye, he continued to serve the Marine Corps in a variety of Operational, Training, and Leadership roles until his eventual retirement in 2018. LtCol (Ret) Mount culminated his successful career as the Commanding Officer of Wounded Warrior Battalion – West from June 2016 until August 2018. This leadership opportunity was the perfect fit for a wounded warrior to mentor and inspire our current Wounded, Ill and Injured Marines while they recover and transition to post-military life. By sharing his own personal experience, he continues to inspire through leading by example and remains a staunch advocate of mental and physical recovery through sports and outdoor activity.