Executive Director
Jason Turner
Executive Director
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Jason Turner is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 2004 to 2016, completing three 12-month combat deployments to Iraq (2006, 2009) and Afghanistan (2014). In 2006, he deployed with B Battery, 1-121 FA as a Specialist and gunner on a convoy security mission, logging nearly 100,000 miles across Iraq. In 2009, he returned as a Sergeant and team leader on a detainee operations mission overseeing movements and security of nearly 400 Iraqi detainees.
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In 2014, Jason deployed to Afghanistan with A Battery, 1-121 FA as a Staff Sergeant and HIMARS Launcher Chief, where he helped earn the nickname “Bad Skies” for the unit—later formalized as “Dark Skies” by the U.S. Army. His contributions shaped HIMARS doctrine and influenced its strategic use in Ukraine.
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After transitioning to civilian life, Jason applied his leadership and operational experience across both nonprofit and private sectors. He currently serves as Executive Director of Salute the Troops, a Fond du Lac–based nonprofit supporting veterans through advocacy, peer support, and entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, the organization launched the Vetrepreneur Project, which has helped launch 77 veteran-owned businesses and awarded nearly $70,000 in seed funding.
Board Members
Tracy Qualmann
Board President
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Tracy Qualmann is a passionate marketing and communications leader who loves connecting people, ideas, and purpose. As the Vice President for Marketing & Communication at Marian University, she helps share the stories that inspire students and strengthen the university’s mission.
Born and raised in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Tracy is deeply involved in her community—serving on several nonprofit boards and community projects. Her dedication to service and leadership has earned her recognition, including the 2022 Donald G. Jones Leadership Alumni Award and the 2024 BioForward Community Service Award.
Tracy believes that when an opportunity aligns with your values, saying “yes” can lead to extraordinary possibilities—for yourself and for the people you serve.
Vicky Melius
Vice President
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Originally from Texas, Vicky joined the US Navy right out of high school and served as a machinist at the Naval Submarine Support Facility in New London Ct. She has been a resident of Fond du Lac since 1991 and with Salute the Troops since its founding in April 2012. She has served as Race Director, General Board Member, Vice President, and Thrive Veterans Garden Organizer. When not working around the world as a Technical Instructor for Fives Giddings & Lewis, Vicky can be found in her garden. As a US Navy veteran and a military brat, she knows the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families in service to our nation and it is her honor to support them.
Richard Feustel
Vice President
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Richard is a retired Lieutenant Commander having served 16 years in the US Navy as a nuclear submarine officer and 7 years in the Marine Corps. He currently serves as the Director of the Salute the Troops' Warrior House, Adjutant for the Fond du Lac Marine Corps League, member of the Fond du Lac Navy Club and District Boy Scout Leader. He initiated, developed, and led the energy departments for Mercury Marine and for Briggs & Stratton. He was recognized as the 2011 International Energy Manager of the Year and the 2013 Renewable Energy Innovator for the Midwest by the Association of Energy Engineers. He now works as a Senior Energy Advisor for Leidos Engineering supporting Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program.
Katie Kahlhamer
Secretary
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Katie is a native to North Fond du Lac and enjoys volunteering to help many local non-profits. Both of Katie's grandfathers were veterans and her father in law is a purple heart recipient, so it was only natural that she would join the Salute the Troops family.
Katie is married to Matt Kahlhamer and they are proud parents of two fur babies Hadley and Ellie. She is currently a beautician and receptionist and she occasionally bartends at Joe's Fox Hut.
Katie also proudly accepted the 2016 Volunteer of the Year award from the Downtown Fond du Lac partnership.
Kristine Kiesow
Board Member
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Kristine Kiesow is the Senior Human Resources Coordinator at Fives - Giddings and Lewis in Fond du Lac.Kris began her career with Giddings and Lewis on May 18, 1981. Kris and her husband Dan reside in Brandon, WI and have two children (Nathan and Lindsay) and one grandchild (Isaac). Kris has been a part of Salute the Troops from the beginning and has gladly taken on the challenge of planning and coordinating events in conjunction with the run to ensure an amazing day for all participants.Kris enjoys spending time with her family, boating and singing Karaoke in her spare time.
Ed Wenzel
Board Member
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Ed Wenzel served in the United States Army as an Infantryman for 4 years and the Wisconsin Army National Guard for an additional 17 years as a Military Police Officer. He retired a Sergeant First Class in 2010 with deployments to Panama, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, and two deployments to Baghdad, Iraq. Ed Wenzel is a retired member of the Fond du Lac Police Department, he served on the department for 20 years and retired as a Lieutenant. In addition to serving as a board member for Salute the Troops, Ed serves the board of the FDL County Historical Society and is the President of the Fond Fond du Lac DAV. His most meaningful experience is with the Police Department Honor Guard. Ed enjoys hunting, fishing, and bicycling -- and recently blacksmithing.