Executive Director
Jason Turner
Executive Director
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 10's of thousands of 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.
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 in conflicts all across the world.
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
Tracy Qualmann is a marketing and communications leader passionate about connecting people, ideas, and purpose. As Vice President for Marketing & Communication at Marian University, she leads brand strategy, marketing, and communications while helping share the stories that inspire students and strengthen Marian’s mission.
A proud three-time Marian graduate, Tracy also serves as an adjunct instructor, sharing her experience with the next generation of communicators and leaders. A Fond du Lac native, she is deeply committed to her community through nonprofit leadership, volunteerism, and community projects.
Her dedication to leadership and service has earned honors 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 open the door to extraordinary possibilities, for yourself and for the people you serve.
Vicky Melius
Vice President
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
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.
Jessica Moon
Treasurer
Jessica Moon was raised on a small beef hobby farm in Malone, Wisconsin, where she learned the value of hard work at an early age. She has more than 20 years of accounting experience working with businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Jessica currently works with Vesta, where she helps clients improve their accounting systems and processes so they can operate more efficiently.
Jessica earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Lakeland College and later completed a Bachelor of Organizational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She has a strong passion for helping small businesses and organizations succeed and enjoys using her experience to solve problems and support the people she works with.
Jessica serves as Treasurer for Salute the Troops and is proud to help support the organization’s mission and the veterans it serves. She is also active in her community, volunteering with Cub Scout Troop 3747 in North Fond du Lac and serving as a member of the Van Dyne Lions Club.
Outside of work and volunteering, Jessica enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and taking part in outdoor activities. She is proud to be part of the Salute the Troops family and to use her experience and skills to help strengthen the organization and its programs.
Katie Kahlhamer
Secretary
Katie is proud to call Fond du Lac home and enjoys finding ways to give back and help others in her community. She currently works as a Medical Assistant and serves as Secretary for Salute the Troops. Supporting local veterans and their families is especially meaningful to Katie, and she is proud to be part of an organization that makes a difference in the community.
When she is not working or volunteering, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and their three fur babies, listening to music, and going on ghost-hunting adventures.
Katie is passionate about helping others, having fun, and making a positive difference wherever she can. She is honored to be part of the Salute the Troops family and looks forward to continuing to support the veterans who have given so much for our country.
Ed Wenzel
Board Member
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.
Kristine Kiesow
Board Member
Kristine Kiesow retired in July 2024 from Fives Giddings & Lewis in Fond du Lac after an incredible 43 years of service. During her career, Kris served as Senior Human Resources Coordinator and spent decades supporting employees and helping keep the organization running smoothly.
Kris and her husband, Dan, reside in Brandon, Wisconsin, and have two children, Nathan and Lindsay, and three grandchildren, Isaac, Kerstin, and Kayla. Family is a very important part of Kris’s life, and she especially enjoys traveling to watch her grandson play baseball.
Kris has been a part of Salute the Troops from the very beginning and has played an important role in planning and coordinating events over the years. She has always been willing to step in wherever needed and help make events successful for veterans, families, and the community.
In her spare time, Kris enjoys spending time with her family, training her Labrador Retriever, Brewer, and traveling. She is proud to continue supporting Salute the Troops and the veterans the organization serves.