Meet The Team

Devoted Advocate for Vets

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Meet Stacey Buckner, a devoted advocate for veterans. For nine years, she's dedicated herself to serving Veterans at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center. Her exceptional volunteerism earned her the 2022 NC Governor's Medallion Award and global recognition as a CNN Hero in 2023. Locally, she received the 2023 City View Power of Giving Award for her work with homeless Veterans. Stacey founded Off-Road Outreach, a nonprofit supporting veterans, and serves as its Executive Director. She's also a resilient Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor, motivational speaker, certified NC Peer Support Specialist, and recipient of the Tom Miller Advocacy Award, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to making a difference.​​

Joshua Gray-Heim, based in Raeford, NC, is a seasoned beauty industry professional with 21+ years of experience as a Master Stylist, Cosmetology Education Director, and owner of J.Co Salon & Blo’Dry Bar. Dedicated to community engagement, he’s involved in numerous local initiatives and mentors entrepreneurs through the Woman’s Business Center. Joshua co-founded the Carolina Drag Brunch, supporting veterans and military families while uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community. As author JR Gray-Heim, he helps new writers publish through Josadah Publishing. With a mission to "make a difference—not a dollar," he’s donated over $500,000 in services to nonprofits.

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Aradhana Aggarwal, CPA, with over 25 years of financial and business consulting experience, is a prominent figure as the founding member of Aradhana Aggarwal CPA, PLLC. Her expertise spans personal and business taxes, auditing, advisory services, and strategic business planning. Aradhana is a recognized tax expert, frequently featured on ABC11 and various podcasts and webinars. Holding a CPA license in North Carolina and a Chartered Accountant title from India, she's an active member of the U.S. Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. In her corporate career, she served as CFO at CSC, interim CFO at Make-A-Wish, and Director of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, among others. Beyond her professional achievements, Aradhana enjoys writing poetry, acting, and modeling for renowned clients like Allstate Insurance, Lenovo, Reeds Jewelers, and Mobile Pixel.

Victor Johnston, a triple master's degree holder in Information Systems, Management Science, and Business Administration, boasts a stellar academic foundation. His career includes board-level positions in non-profit and corporate sectors, where his strategic insights shine. A retired US Army veteran, he seamlessly transitioned to a distinguished Federal Government role. Victor's achievements earned him international accolades in the corporate world. Outside work, he's an outdoor enthusiast who finds solace in hiking and kayaking. His intellectual pursuits span psychology, sociology, and business development, showcasing his insatiable curiosity. As secretary of Off-Road Outreach's board of directors, he embodies empathy and resilience, having triumphed over adversity. Victor Johnston, a transformative leader, exemplifies how persistence, education, and service combine for a profound impact on life.

Landrey is a community relations leader specializing in marketing, event planning, and strategic partnerships. As the Marketing and Outreach Manager for The Joel Fund, she is dedicated to enhancing the lives of North Carolina’s veterans and military families. For Landrey, the most rewarding aspect of her work is witnessing veterans transition from seeking assistance to finding a true sense of belonging through community-based programming.

A Texas native, Landrey moved to North Carolina in 2021 to be with her husband, who is Active-Duty Army at Fort Bragg. Deeply committed to her new home, she also proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Off-Road Outreach, advocating for homeless veterans. Landrey holds an MSM in Leadership from Troy University and a BBA in Business Management from Angelo State University. In her leisure time, she enjoys concerts, road trips with her husband, and reading with her senior dogs, Shyla and Diddle.

Kristen Botts is the co-founder and program director of Mission First K9, a specialized program that serves veterans and their dogs through intensive training and group therapy. Kristen brings 20 years of animal rescue experience and 5 years of professional K9 handling and assistant-instructor work to the organization. Her handler training includes therapy dogs, service dogs, and tactical K9s specializing in detection and trailing. She played a key role in training veterans during the Paws 4 Vets program in Spokane, Washington, which she also co-founded, helping veteran–dog teams develop the skills needed for service dog work. Kristen is the author of Jumping Without a Parachute, an inspirational account of her lived experience as a full-time caregiver for her spouse, struggling with military-related TBI and PTSD. She holds certifications in dementia care and mental‑health support and previously served as the Assistant Director at the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) Women & Children’s Crisis Shelter. In that role, she implemented and taught recovery programs for women facing addiction, homelessness, abuse, and trauma. Kristen is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Nathan brings more than 12 years of professional experience working with K9s and instructing handlers in both military and civilian environments. He is the co-founder of Paws 4 Vets in Spokane, Washington, where he and his wife Kristen supported 52 veterans and their dogs through structured training and education. His background as a military instructor, including service in the 6th Ranger Training Battalion, the Army’s premier Leadership school, enhances his ability to teach, mentor, and develop effective handler-canine teams.

Nathan is a certified Master K9 Trainer and Behaviorist, a K9 Specialist, and a graduate of the ABCT (Animal Behavior Course Trainer) program. He is the author of 123s: How to Talk Dog, a foundational guide to canine communication, behavior, and training. Academically, Nathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science & Behavior and an Associate of Science in General Education and Science, and Nathan is currently completing his Master’s degree in Animal Behavior and Science, integrating advanced academic research with practical training and program development.

In his role as Program Advisor, Nathan provides advanced behavior assessment, curriculum development, and technical oversight for Mission First K9. His approach blends military discipline, scientific understanding, and clear, effective instruction—ensuring that every veteran and every canine receives structured, high-quality training and support.