Wapiti W mark
Wapiti CombatVeterans Foundation
ABOUT WAPITI

IT STARTED WITH ONE HUNT.

A single Wyoming experience showed Founder and Chief Volunteer Officer Rich Menhart what time outdoors with fellow Warriors could mean.

OUR STORY

FROM WYOMING TO WAPITI.

In 2012, Founder and Chief Volunteer Officer Rich Menhart participated in a Wounded Warrior hunt at a generous family's ranch in Wyoming. In a most fortunate turn, the family put Rich in charge of the hunt thereafter.

Seeing firsthand the impact these experiences have on fellow soldiers inspired him. To grow that impact, Rich brought together fellow Combat Veterans, enlisted the help of his son to handle the tech side, and started Wapiti Combat Veterans Foundation.

Today, Wapiti serves Combat Veterans broadly—not only wounded Veterans—and continues expanding the kinds of outdoor experiences it can offer.

LEADERSHIP

LED BY PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE MISSION.

4Combat Veteran board members
100+Years combined military service
34Combat deployments
202Combat Veterans served
Rich Menhart in military dress uniformRich Menhart outdoors in Wyoming
FOUNDER & CHIEF VOLUNTEER OFFICER

Colonel Rich Menhart, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Colonel Rich Menhart retired from the U.S. Army after nearly 30 years of distinguished service, including Brigade and Battalion Command and senior leadership positions within USASOC and JSOC. Following his military career, Rich returned to his farm in Western Pennsylvania and continued a commitment to serving the men and women with whom he shared a lifetime of service.

For more than 15 years, Rich has organized all-expense-paid hunting and fishing experiences for Veterans and Wounded Warriors across the country. What began with a single opportunity to bring Veterans together in the outdoors ultimately grew into Wapiti Combat Veterans Foundation. Through his vision, leadership, and the generosity of Wapiti's hosts and supporters, more than 200 Veterans have experienced the mountains, forests, and waterways of our great Nation while reconnecting with the camaraderie of military service.

Charles Masaracchia in military uniformCharles Masaracchia holding a bass outdoors
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

Brigadier General Charles “MAZ” Masaracchia, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Brigadier General Charles “MAZ” Masaracchia retired after more than 30 years of Army service in Light, Airborne, Ranger, and Armor formations. His leadership assignments included commanding an Armor Brigade, serving as Chief of Staff of the 1st Infantry Division, and establishing and commanding the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade, preparing 880 Soldiers for deployment to Afghanistan in just 13 months.

MAZ deployed nine times to Iraq and Afghanistan, culminating as Commander of Train, Advise, Assist Command–East in eastern Afghanistan. His final military assignment was Director of the Mission Command Center of Excellence at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Today, MAZ lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with his wife of more than 30 years. He serves as Director of Operations for a commercial construction company and continues supporting the Army as a Senior Mentor with the Mission Command Training Program.

Lee Hudson in military dress uniformLee Hudson on an elk hunt
BOARD MEMBER

Colonel Lee Hudson, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Colonel Lee Hudson retired after a 26-year Army career spanning four continents and numerous Logistics and Special Operations assignments. He is a veteran of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Enduring Freedom–Philippines and spent half of his Army career serving within U.S. Special Operations Command.

Among his assignments, Lee served as a Battalion Commander in 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), a Squadron Commander within Joint Special Operations Command, and Commander of Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky. His service included numerous task forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe, North Africa, and the Philippines.

Lee holds degrees from Auburn University, Hawaii Pacific University, and National Defense University and mentors transitioning service members through American Corporate Partners. He currently serves as President of Athenix Special Missions, LLC and CEO of H2 Pro Services, LLC. Lee and his wife have three children and reside in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Dustin Menhart in military dress uniformDustin Menhart fishing in a mountain stream
BOARD MEMBER

Lieutenant Colonel Dustin Menhart, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Lieutenant Colonel Dustin Menhart retired from the U.S. Army in 2020 after more than 20 years of service. His career included leadership and academic assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Military Academy at West Point. His service included deployments in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dustin's military honors include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Parachutist Rigger Badge, among numerous other decorations.

He holds degrees in Parks and Conservation Management, Regional Planning and Urban Geography, Physical Geography and Geomorphology, and Military Arts and Science. Following his Army retirement, Dustin continued serving as a Department of the Army Civilian supporting future concepts, training, and transformation. He and his wife, Jolene, have two sons and reside in Toano, Virginia.

Corey ClarkCorey Clark outdoors with his family
SECRETARY

Corey Clark

Corey Clark has been involved with Wapiti since its earliest days and currently serves as Secretary of the Board. The son of Wapiti founder Rich Menhart, Corey was one of the first people Rich introduced to the outdoors, developing an appreciation for the same experiences that would later become central to Wapiti's mission.

Corey spent five years working as a contractor alongside members of the U.S. Special Operations community, giving him the opportunity to work with and develop friendships among many of the men who dedicated their careers to military service. Through his father, he has also been fortunate to know many of Rich's military brothers and gain a personal appreciation for the service and sacrifice of those Wapiti exists to support.

Today, Corey oversees much of Wapiti's technical and creative work, including its digital presence, apparel design, social media, and other visual communications that help tell the foundation's story and grow its mission.