Meet Our Board of Directors
James Collins
President & CEO
James Collins is a proud veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, having served 27 months in deployment and combat with A Co. 296 BSB, 3-2 SBCT, and the 1-37 Field Artillery Logistical Supply Team in Q-West / Northern Iraq. During his service, he operated at multiple Forward Operating Bases, including Warhorse and Camp Striker, and was assigned to Asset Recovery Teams in Baghdad and surrounding areas along MSR Tampa and Route Irish.
For his distinguished service in a combat zone, Mr. Collins was awarded the Iraqi Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars. As an M2 Gunner, he played a pivotal role in Detainee Holding Operations in Baghdad, supporting the Army’s first Expeditionary Detainee Holding Area Annex. He was also a certified Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP) Operator and proudly participated in Operations Arrowhead Strike 9, 10, and 11. His leadership training includes completion of both the Warrior Leader Course (WLC) and the Advanced Leader Course (ALC).
Following his honorable separation from military service in 2013, Mr. Collins faced profound personal struggles, including multiple suicidal crises and self-endangering behaviors while deployed. These experiences inspired his lifelong commitment to confronting the mental health and suicide epidemic impacting veterans, first responders, and their families.
As President and CEO of the Heroes in the Sky Foundation, Mr. Collins leads initiatives that honor the fallen, raise awareness, and eliminate stigma surrounding mental health and suicide through memorial ceremonies, education, and community outreach.
Mr. Collins also serves on the Board of Directors for Mission Phoenix, where he represents the veteran community and advocates for education on Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), its ripple effects on families, and its link to elevated suicide rates.
Above all, he is a devoted husband to Jessica Collins and a proud father of four children, who serve as his greatest source of strength and inspiration.
Jeremy Bryant, PHC, CEP
Vice President/Secretary
Jeremy Bryant serves as our Secretary of the Board. He hails from Savannah, Georgia
and is a retired 20-year veteran of the United Stated Air Force that included being
stationed at eight different bases and six deployments to the desert. He holds a degree
in Transportation from the Community College of the Air Force and degrees in both
Culinary and Baking & Pastry from Savannah Technical College. In his free time, he
enjoys traveling to new places, volunteering in various organizations and charities and
spending time with friends and family.
D’Angelo Shaw
Co-Founder
Bio coming soon
Dave Pawloski
Treasurer
Bio Coming Soon
Daisha Schwear
Director of Ceremony
Daisha Schwear serves as our Director of Ceremony. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and later her J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law. Daisha is admitted to practice law in Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia. Additionally, Daisha is also an adjunct instructor in the Paralegal Studies degree program at Savannah Technical College where she teaches Civil Litigation, Torts, Law Office Management, and Legal & Policy Issues in Healthcare. Prior to entering private practice and academia, Daisha honed her advocacy skills through legislative work, most notably lobbying on behalf of motorcyclists in Virginia and later expanding to Georgia once she moved to Savannah in 2022. In Daisha’s free time, she enjoys riding her motorcycles, exploring new roads, and spending time with friends and family.
Jessica Collins
Merchandise Coordinator/ Community Event Team
Bio Coming Soon
Shawn Hubbard
Co-Host, Breaking the Silence Together Podcast
Co-Host, SCARS THAT SPEAK Facebook Series
Shawn Hibbard is a 22-year Army veteran, Infantryman, and Sniper
whose life has been defined by service, sacrifice, and resilience. A Bronze Star with Valor recipient who earned a battlefield promotion to Staff Sergeant, Shawn served two
combat tours, including Afghanistan, leading from the front in some of the most demanding environments. After retiring from the military, he didn’t slow down—he shifted mission.
At 31 years old, Shawn chased a dream most would’ve written off, stepping onto the field as a professional arena football tight end. His performance earned him an invitation to the Baltimore Ravens training camp before an ACL injury ended that chapter—but not his drive.
With a culinary degree, and a father of two and a grandfather, Shawn now channels his experience into building people, purpose, and community—continuing the mission long after the uniform came off.
Charles Fillyaw
Veteran Support Advocate
Bio Coming Soon
Haley Powers-Bunner
Facebook/TikTok Media Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Richard Bahre
Social Media Team
Born in 1984 in Topeka Kansas
Grew up in a military family and seen the world at a young age. Joined Active duty Army as 31b Military Police from 03-2015 where I was assigned to the following units, A CO 787 MP BN TR FT Leonard wood, 249th MP Det CP Humphrey Korea, 557th MP CO CP Humphrey Korea, 385th MP HHD FT Stewart GA, 546th MP CO FT Stewart GA and 543rd MP CO FT Drum NY. I then reenlisted. To the Army reserves from 2015-2018 in an active duty a lot with the following units HHC, 143rd SUST CMD Orlando FL and 351st MP CO Ocala FL. Deployed to FOB Kalsu and Scania Iraq. Military schools include. combative, SRT (Special Reaction Team) phase 1, and two, Unit Armor CRS and WLC. After seperating from the military I went through the state of Florida police academy’s was not picked up due to strict tattoo policy so I then expected Government contract job with Constelis K9 program where I was a certified narcotics and explosives K9 handler/Trainer. Also my time out of service I attended Keiser University culinary program to further fuel and fine tune my passion I’ve always had for cooking and creating works of art with food. I’ve always dedicated my time to help others in any means necessary through lending an ear to listen or a voice of reason. I will always push my self to be the best version of my self to make my son and family proud. I will continue to push my dreams and goal to make sure I at least touch one heart and help even just one person on my path. That being said I would love to thank everyone for your support and always remember #youarenotalone
John Ring
Social Media Team
Media Co-Host / U.S. Army veteran, the founder of WalkforVets.org, and a longtime advocate dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges facing our nation’s veterans and their families. Through years of advocacy, outreach, and countless conversations with veterans, survivors, and military families, I’ve learned that meaningful change begins when we’re willing to have the tough conversations about PTSD, moral injury, veteran suicide, and the many invisible struggles our veterans face. I’m honored to be joining the Heroes in the Sky Foundation’s Deterrence through Truth Interview Series as a co-host, and I look forward to working alongside their incredible team to continue raising awareness, sharing stories of hope and resilience, and helping connect more veterans and families with the support, understanding, and resources they deserve.
Heroes in the Sky Foundation 