President/Chair of the Board

Derek Tillemans is a U.S. Army Veteran and a lifelong advocate for Active Duty Military, Veterans, First Responders, and specialized government agencies. His life and career have been shaped by a deep commitment to service and a belief that meaningful experiences are essential to resilience, connection, and long-term well-being.

Driven by firsthand experience, Derek has dedicated himself to creating opportunities that honor service while strengthening the communities that support those who serve. Through Storm-Forged Alliance, he focuses on building intentional, experience-based programs that bring individuals and families together in ways that foster trust, restoration, and shared purpose.

Derek’s leadership blends military discipline with a people-first mindset, ensuring every experience reflects Storm-Forged Alliance’s core values of integrity, service, and impact. His approach emphasizes collaboration, sustainability, and community ownership, creating environments where participants feel supported, understood, and empowered.

His vision is centered on forging strong, connected communities through shared experiences that leave a lasting impression. From family-centered gatherings to immersive group experiences, Derek remains committed to building programs that strengthen individuals, reinforce bonds, and create a legacy of service that extends across Texas and beyond.

Vice President/Vice Chair of the Board

Timothy L. Kellner is a retired U.S. Army Non-Commissioned Officer, decorated sniper, and a lifelong leader forged through service under the most demanding conditions. His military career gave him firsthand insight into the realities of combat and a deep understanding of the challenges Veterans and First Responders continue to face long after service ends.

Following his transition from active duty, Tim remained fully committed to serving the Veteran and First Responder community across North Texas. He has devoted his time, leadership, and lived experience to supporting organizations and initiatives that prioritize mentorship, trust, and meaningful connection. Through this work, Tim has become a respected advocate for individuals and families navigating life after service.

At Storm-Forged Alliance, Tim brings a steady, mission-driven leadership style rooted in accountability, resilience, and service. He plays a key role in shaping experience-based programming that creates space for connection, restoration, and shared purpose. His focus is on ensuring every experience is intentional, impactful, and aligned with the real needs of those who serve.

Tim’s vision is centered on building strong, connected communities through shared experiences that foster growth, belonging, and long-term resilience. His commitment to service continues to guide Storm-Forged Alliance as it creates opportunities for Veterans, First Responders, specialized government agencies, and their families to come together, strengthen bonds, and move forward with confidence.

Treasurer/Board of Directors

Candace Moehnke is a Navy widow and the former spouse of a Desert Storm Veteran. Her life has been shaped not only by service, but by the quiet strength required of families who carry the weight of that service long after uniforms are hung up. Through her own journey, and through deep relationships with families impacted by PTSD, Candace brings a lived understanding of the emotional, logistical, and relational challenges faced by military and First Responder families.

Candace approaches her work from the family perspective, recognizing that service affects entire households, not just the individual who serves. She is a strong advocate for experiences that include spouses, partners, and children, creating space for healing, connection, and stability at every level of the family unit. Her belief is simple and firm. Strong families build strong communities.

As an Internal Operations Manager, Candace brings structure, accountability, and long-term vision to Storm-Forged Alliance. Her expertise spans compliance, operational strategy, and systems development, ensuring the organization is built to last and capable of serving with integrity. She is known for designing processes that create clarity without losing compassion, and for building systems that support people, not just outcomes.

At Storm-Forged Alliance, Candace helps shape experience-based initiatives that prioritize connection, purpose, and resilience. Her leadership philosophy centers on empowerment rather than dependency, with a focus on creating environments where individuals and families can move forward with confidence. Through thoughtful operations and a family-first lens, Candace plays a critical role in ensuring Storm-Forged Alliance delivers meaningful, sustainable experiences for those who serve and those who stand beside them.

Secretary/Board of Directors

Arin Weatherford Bolick is a seasoned nonprofit and education executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience advancing child safety, youth development, and educational success across county and multi-county systems. She is widely recognized for building collaborative, cross-sector partnerships that drive sustainable impact across education, law enforcement, public health, and social services.

Prior to relocating to Texas, Arin served as Executive Director of the Alliance for Children & Youth and Communities In Schools of Gaston County, North Carolina, where she led mission-driven initiatives delivering prevention, intervention, and school-based support services to thousands of children and families. Her leadership spanned strategic planning, fiscal oversight, and organizational development, with a focus on scaling programs that remove barriers to learning and improve long-term outcomes. Under her direction, Communities In Schools of Gaston County successfully implemented the nationally recognized CIS model to support at-risk students.

Since moving to Texas, Arin has quickly become actively involved with Veteran-focused charities, continuing her commitment to service and community impact in her new home.

Arin’s dedication is deeply personal. As the spouse of a retired law enforcement officer and Army Veteran, and the mother of an active-duty Army combat engineer, she brings a profound understanding of the sacrifices made by Active Military, Veterans, and First Responders. She is passionate about supporting these communities and is committed to advancing initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impact.