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OUR TEAM
Ron Millward | Founder and Chairman of the Board
Ron Millward is a United States Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families. Ron enlisted in the Air Force at 17 and served seven and a half years as a combat vehicle operator and aerospace flight medic. During his service, he relocated more than 20 times and deployed to Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea.
After service, Ron faced the realities of combat-related PTSD and the loss of fellow veterans to suicide. These experiences became the driving force behind his commitment to veteran wellness, advocacy, and community-centered solutions. In 2018, he founded Balanced Veterans alongside a board of fellow veterans, which later evolved into the Balanced Veterans Network through the integration of Operation 1620 with BVN Co- Founder Caleb Masoner.
As Founder and Chairman of the Board, Ron provides strategic leadership rooted in lived experience, accountability, and service. His work centers on education, advocacy, and access to whole-person wellness resources, guided by the belief that balance after service is built intentionally through action, connection, and community.
Caleb Masoner | Co-Founder, Secretary and Treasurer of the Board
Caleb Masoner was raised across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Seeking a way out of a difficult environment, he enlisted in the Alabama Army National Guard in 2006 at the age of 21. Caleb served nine years as a Human Resources Sergeant and deployed to Sharana, Afghanistan in 2009, where he supported Personal Security Detachment operations and drove MRAPs.
After returning stateside, Caleb completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of North Alabama while continuing his service. During this time, he began experiencing debilitating back pain and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. He was medically discharged in 2015, which marked the beginning of a new chapter focused on healing and recovery. Through reintroduction to natural medicine as a therapeutic tool, Caleb found meaningful relief and a renewed sense of balance.
In 2017, a conversation with a fellow soldier about cannabis and PTSD sparked the creation of Operation 1620 as a nonprofit initiative. In 2020, Operation 1620 formally aligned with Balanced Veterans to expand impact and advance veteran wellness through education, advocacy, and community. Caleb has since become a passionate advocate for natural and plant-based modalities, crediting them with helping him regain stability and purpose.
Caleb earned a Master of Business Administration from Purdue University Global in 2022. He now serves as a Board Director and supporting leader within Balanced Veterans Network, contributing strategic insight, lived experience, and continued advocacy for veterans seeking balance after service.
Mike Williams | Board Director
Mike Williams is an Air National Guard veteran who served six years as a Security Forces noncommissioned officer, supporting base security and operational readiness. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and brings experience in records and information management (RIM), security, and nonprofit operations.
Mike’s perspective is shaped by his own reintegration experience, navigating the VA system, and a personal healing journey. He has been an integral part of Balanced Veterans Network since 2021, serving in multiple leadership and operational roles. His contributions include leading and scaling the Medical Marijuana Certification Program, strengthening administrative systems, and supporting day-to-day organizational operations.
Committed to long-term impact and sustainability, Mike plans to return to graduate studies to further develop skills that support effective nonprofit leadership and operations. Outside of BVN, he is a stay-at-home father who values family time, walking, and lifelong learning.