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Our Team

All team members are non-paid volunteers.
100% of donations go towards REBOOT Recovery courses, connection adventure trips, and mentoring.

SFC (Retired) Jesse Sage

Founder/President – Board of Directors

After being deeply affected by the events of September 11th, Jesse Sage enlisted in the US Army as an Infantryman in the 101st Airborne Division. After 2 deployments to Iraq as an Infantryman in the Scout Recon/Sniper Platoon, Jesse went to Ranger Selection and Assessment (RASP). Jesse was selected and served in 3rd Ranger Battalion for 8 deploys to Iraq and Afghanistan, with over 600 Joint Special Operations (JSOC) and conventional missions in 10 years. Jesse is a two-time Purple Heart recipient and was awarded a Bronze Star, among other awards for outstanding performance and professionalism during his service. Jesse suffered multiple injuries, the worst being 2 traumatic brain injuries (TBI). After suffering his 2nd TBI in 2014, he spent almost a year in recovery, and he was medically retired. Jesse has a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies from Grantham University and his currently working towards his MBA with a concentration in Project Management, from his alma mater.

After years of healing his mind, body, and soul, Jesse craved purpose in his life again. His 2020 goal was to go back to work.  He achieved that goal and started a new career in Business Development with Perficut, a premier landscaping company in Central Iowa.

Jesse currently lives in Ankeny, IA with his wife Elisabeth. He is rebuilding his relationship with his 2 children, Matt and Molly. He loves competing in CrossFit events. Please see Founder’s Story, for Jesse’s entire road to recovery, his Whole Health Script, and the story how Wounded Heroes was created.

Tyler Matheny

Vice President – Board of Directors

Tyler Matheny is Product Director for Group Benefits at Principal Financial Group.  In this role, Tyler sets the strategic direction for all of Principal’s group insurance products with responsibility for product development, product management, financial performance, and establishment of advocacy policies.  In addition, Tyler represents Principal through numerous trade associations and industry committees.  He has over 20 years’ experience in the group insurance industry with experience in administration, underwriting, and product management.  Tyler holds his B.S. in Business and M.B.A. from Upper Iowa University.

Tyler met Jesse Sage at North Ankeny CrossFit in 2018.  After partnering together on a workout, the two became fast friends.  At the time Tyler was dealing with the sudden loss of a lifelong friend due to colon cancer.  During this time Tyler learned more about Jesse’s story as a disabled combat veteran and retired Army Ranger.  As Tyler and Jesse became closer and shared their experiences, he saw the significant impact the relationship had on the lives of both men.  Through this process Tyler developed a passion for helping other veterans as well.  In 2020, Jesse honored Tyler with a seat on the Board of Directors for Wounded Heroes where they’ll work to positively impact the lives of more veterans. 

Tyler lives in Ankeny, IA with his wife Tiffany, daughter Camryn, son Gavin, and their Australian Shephard Enzo.  They enjoy going to their kids’ activities, traveling, and working out as a family at North Ankeny CrossFit with several close friends.   

Elisabeth Sage

Co-Founder/CEO – Board of Directors

Elisabeth Sage is a Strategic Enterprise Deals Manager at Pure Storage. In this role as she is responsible for the continuous balancing of short term, long term, top line and bottom line goals at the operational level to meet and exceed company Go To Market goals. The team works on monetization, pricing, complex deal strategies, as well as orchestrating internal approval for these strategies. Elisabeth holds a B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration, with Honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Elisabeth’s strengths are her extremely outgoing personality, her ability to be vulnerable, and her talent in inspiring those around her with her naturally positive attitude. She thrives in an environment where she is helping people be the best versions of themselves.

Elisabeth met Jesse Sage while she was living in Chicago and he was visiting for work with the Wounded Heroes Kentucky chapter. They had an immediate connection and Elisabeth knew that Jesse had a story that needed to be told. Jesse was drawn to Elisabeth’s ability to share her own struggles and how she overcame them – battling an eating disorder, a physically abusive relationship, the death of her father, anxiety and depression, and eventually divorce. Elisabeth spent the past 5 years on journey to create the life she wanted to live, and Jesse was the next chapter.

Elisabeth moved to Ankeny, IA in January 2020 to be with Jesse and create Wounded Heroes. Their love story turned into marriage in February 2021. She enjoys running, lifting, playing volleyball, spending time with her nieces and nephews, and cooking all the things!

Col. (Retired) William “Bill” Simmons

Treasurer – Board of Directors

Colonel (Retired) William “Bill” Simmons served in the United States Military for forty years, on active and reserve duty with the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. Bill is an enlisted combat Vietnam Veteran. Bill’s second career was in civilian law enforcement, and he was a police officer for 17 years, with a final rank of Police Chief. Bill’s third and current career is that of a seasoned tax professional, with over thirty years of on hands tax accounting and tax preparation experience, serving in various positions over 20 years with the IRS.

Bill served for four years on active duty with the Marine Corps. He was deployed to Vietnam, where he volunteered to serve as a helicopter gunner on a CH-46 Sea Knight, with First Marine Airwing, Marine Air Group 36, Helicopter Marine Medium Squadron 165.  Upon discharge from active duty he would serve two more years in the Marine Corps Reserve.   After graduating from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Accounting, he was awarded a commission in the United States Army Reserve and served for almost 34 years. While serving in the Marine Corps Reserve, going to college and obtaining a commission in the US Army Reserve, he spent seventeen years working in law enforcement in various positions. 

In 1986, he started a new full-time career, while still serving in the US Army Reserve, as a Tax Examiner with the Internal Revenue Services in Kansas City, MS.  It is here where he began his journey in learning about the administration of the U.S. Tax Code.  His last position with the IRS was a Financial Tax Administration Analyst, where he obtained a vast knowledge of the IRS and the tax system.

In 2004, he was called to active duty with the United States Army to support combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa.  Bill received orders from the Secretary of Defense to report to active service to Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, VA as the Deputy Chief of Staff of Joint Force Headquarters. He commanded a cadre of fifty-four highly skilled officers and senior enlisted service members from all services in the fields of operations, plans, security, intelligent, Psyops, IT, and Logistics. The mission was to become a force multiplier in the standing up of a Joint Task Force in a combat theater of operations, supporting combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Djibouti by standing up Task Force Troy and Paladin in the fight against IED’s. Out of those task forces, came the up armored technology that saved thousands of service members going forward.

In 2007, he retired from the IRS, and from the military, with the rank of Colonel.  He then purchased a Liberty Tax Franchise and became the most successful franchise in his market area.  After three years he sold his tax business because he felt that the brick and mortar tax practices fail to provide the individual services that are needed to meet each client’s needs.  In 2010, Bill formed Sage Systems, LLC an Accounting and Tax Preparation Service to assist individuals and small business with their accounting and tax preparation needs.

Today, Bill lives in Ankeny, IA with his lovely wife of 52 years Sue Sage Simmons and their dog Mitzi. He has two daughters, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Jesse’s father and Sue are first cousins. When Sue and Bill moved to Ankeny in 2019, Bill reached out to Jesse, and they instantly established a connection. When Bill heard Jesse was starting a Veterans’ non-profit, he graciously offered his tax services to the organization.

Jack Pennington

Secretary/Counsel – Board of Directors

Jack Pennington is a shareholder attorney of Simpson, Jensen, Abels, Fischer & Bouslog, P.C. Jack has been practicing law for 17 years. He primarily practices in business law, transactions and within the firm’s litigation department. Jack handles all types of business transactions from startups to complex business transactions. Jack’s litigation experience includes, but is not limited to commercial/business litigation, general complex litigation, contract and business tort claims, debtor/creditor, banking, employment and labor law, workers’ compensation, personal injury, wrongful death, real estate, construction, family law, and appeals. Jack practices before both the Iowa state and federal courts. Jack was born in Ankeny, Iowa and received his B.A. in Finance from the University of Iowa in 2000, followed by his J.D. and M.S. degrees from Creighton University in 2003.

Jack has been a member at North Ankeny CrossFit since 2013. Jack met Jesse Sage at North Ankeny CrossFit in late 2018, just after Jack lost his mother to cancer. Jesse’s open personality and kindness sparked a great friendship between the two. Jack learned more about Jesse’s past as their friendship developed. Their bond was strengthened as Jack’s father is a Veteran and former Navy Seal. Jack also has several close friends and clients that are Veterans, some that served in special forces, like Jesse. Given these commonalities Jack and Jesse’s relationship has continued to grow. Jack has a sincere desire to help all Veterans that have served our great country and is honored to serve on the board for Wounded Heroes.

Jack lives in Ankeny, IA with wife Pascale, daughter Alanna, and sons Beau and Dylan. In his free time, Jack enjoys spending time with his family, working out at North Ankeny CrossFit, playing and coaching hockey, golf, football, hunting, and cheering on the Chicago Blackhawks and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Nick Wylie

VP of Fundraising and Business Development – Board of Directors

Nick Wylie is the COO and Co-owner of J. Pettiecord Inc. in Bondurant, IA and started with the company in 2000.  J. Pettiecord Inc. is a contracting company specializing in environmental, construction, and transportation solutions such as demolition, heavy land clearing, environmental remediation, mulch production, heavy haul trucking, and work for railroads and pipelines.  Nick oversees the company’s operations and is very active with estimating, sales, operations, and field work.  Nick also spends time working in the field with his co workers doing his best to lead by example and is an ace heavy equipment operator.  Nick is also a partner in some commercial real estate companies and a recycling company. 

Nick and Jesse meet in 2000 when they started working together at J. Pettiecord Inc. and became fast friends before Jesse joined the Army.  After Jesse retired and moved to Ankeny, Nick and Jesse’s friendship picked up right where it left off all those years ago.  The past few years Nick has had the honor of helping with many fundraising events for Wounded Heroes such as the Murph for Heroes on Memorial Day and the Mogadishu Mile held in October to remember the events of October 3, 1993, in Mogadishu Somalia.

Nick lives in Ankeny with his two sons Cameron 10 and Laettner 6.  The three of them spend their time outside running around, visiting parks, riding bikes, swimming, playing sports, and working out at North Ankeny CrossFit with Jesse and many other friends.  Cameron and Laettner also love going to work with their dad and operating heavy equipment. 

Larry Sigmund

Reboot Recovery – Board of Advisors

Larry Sigmund grew up in Elkhart, IA and served his country for 12 years in the Army and Army National Guard. He joined the Army in 1986 and was deployed to the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm from December 1990 thru June 1991. He was honorably discharged in 2000.

Following his career in the military, Larry had a successful career for 10 years a Journeyman lineman – building, maintaining, and reconstructing high voltage power lines and distribution lines. He worked on many storm and hurricane restoration projects.

Throughout this time, Larry struggled with substance abuse due to both his war and childhood traumas. He realized that something needed to change and started a journey to heal from these traumas. Larry has undergone countless hours of therapy – CBT, CPT, DBT, ACT, PE, EMDR, IFS, magna therapy, men’s recovery, and group talk therapy. He successfully completed a 57 day impatient substance abuse/PTSD program at the Des Moines VA Domiciliary.

Larry met Jesse Sage in a PTSD support group at the VA called Seeking Safety. They continued to see each other weekly and the two found commonality in their traumas, developing a bond. On his 50th birthday Larry joined ValorFit with the encouragement of Jesse. He began working out at North Ankeny CrossFit, and with the excellent coaching of Garrett Starr, he made vast gains. He gave up sweet tea, soda, drugs, and smoking. Larry then successfully attended the Save A Warrior (SAW) program, a 6 day program designed to help Veterans and First Responders with multiple complex PTSD. When Jesse asked Larry to Co-Lead REBOOT Recovery, he jumped at the opportunity to help other struggling Veterans. Larry loves to mentor others in need.

Larry has been married to his wife Kay for 25 years. He has 2 daughters, a son, and 3 grandkids. In 2020 Larry decided to go back to school so he can further his passion for helping Veterans. He is currently working towards his Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Social Work from DMACC, thru the VAs Vocational Rehab program.

Lyndsay Thrane

Events Coordinator – Board of Advisors

Lyndsay Thrane is the Global Missions Coordinator for Lutheran Church of Hope. In this role, Lyndsay plans short-term service trips with many of Hope’s strategic global mission partners in locations such as Ghana, Haiti, and El Salvador. Lyndsay has been on staff with Lutheran Church of Hope at the West Des Moines location, since early 2016. Prior to her time at Hope, Lyndsay served in both the United States Army and Army National Guard. Lyndsay retired from active duty in 2015 after serving 25 years in the military. After retiring, Lyndsay completed her bachelor’s degree and holds a B.S. in Health Care Administration from Purdue University Global.

Lyndsay met Jesse Sage and Elisabeth Bradshaw through a mutual friend who was in search of an organization in Iowa that could help veterans in crisis. Through this friend, Lyndsay was introduced to the REBOOT program and the door to connecting with other service members and Veterans was opened. With an extensive background in administration, Lyndsay is passionate about helping others, especially fellow service members and Veterans.

Lyndsay lives in Urbandale, IA. She has one son who is currently serving in the military. In her free time, Lyndsay enjoys traveling, visiting local coffee shops, taking bike rides, playing with her huskies, and spending time with friends.

Kodi Robinson

Outdoor Program Coordinator

Kodi Robinson is a Field Service Technician at Technical Safety Services, in the Iowa region. He is responsible for providing a variety of on-site services including but not limited to cleanroom testing, biological safety cabinet testing, fume hood testing, pharmacy compliance certification, and calibration of laboratory instruments.

After graduating high school in 2008, Kodi enlisted into the Iowa Army National Guard as 92F, Petroleum Supply Specialist. After completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training in 2009, he was assigned to A Co. 248th ASB out of Waterloo, IA. He was tasked with refueling operations to include Blackhawks, Chinooks, and Kiowa Helicopters, as well as ground vehicles. Shortly after being with the unit, he volunteered for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan scheduled for 2010/2011. He served with A Co. 334th BSB as a Refueling Specialist and a Drafting Technician. Kodi supported base operations by expanding the footprint of Bagram Airfield and aiding contractors establishing their operations on BAF.    

After returning home from Afghanistan, Kodi was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to Det 1 A Co. 248th ASB in Muscatine, IA. There he served as a Team Leader, Assistant Resiliency Training NCO, and a mentor to soldiers in his platoon. Kodi’s military career came to an end in January 2018, when he was medically discharged. This chapter in Kodi’s life proved to be a hard chapter to close, but was a move that opened up so many doors in his life. 

Kodi met his wife Chelsey in Cedar Falls shortly after he returned from Afghanistan. They had an instant connection, the cliché “you know when you know” was indeed true. After many trips to Jay’s Homestyle and tv dinner dates, the rest of their story began to write itself. Kodi knew that Chelsey was special and he asked her to marry him in November 2012. They tied the knot the following year.

In 2015 Kodi and Chelsey welcomed their first son Maverick into the world. The family grew yet again in 2019 when Bohdi joined the 80’s theme named crew. Both boys are active in baseball, soccer, and cooking with Chelsey, and are a blessing that both Kodi and Chelsey cherish. 

The Robinson family currently resides in Pleasant Hill, IA. Kodi enjoys spending time with his family, bow hunting in the fall, and helping others in the outdoors. Kodi’s passion for the outdoors led to a connection with Jesse Sage. He was inspired to create an outdoor program for Veterans and their children. Kodi joined Wounded Heroes as the Outdoor Program Coordinator in January 2022.

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