Meet The Team

Jarod Klucho

Jarod Klucho served in the Marine Corps Reserve with 4th LSB in Vienna, OH from 2005-2011 as a communications, supply and motor transportation specialist. He earned the rank of sergeant during that time. While deployed to Al-Taqaddum, Iraq in 2008 he was an MRAP driver for a security detail with 2nd LAAD. Since being honorably discharged and graduating from The Ohio State University in 2011 he has volunteered with Big Brother Big Sister, The Mayfly Project and Project Healing Waters. He has been the program lead for the Columbus, Ohio chapter of Project Healing Waters since 2019. 

Jaron McCoy

Jaron McCoy is a nine-year combat veteran who served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper, technician, and vehicle recovery specialist stationed out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is the co-founder, COO, and Secretary of the Board for Veteran Recreation Ohio, bringing years of experience from both nonprofit leadership and business ownership. Jaron has dedicated much of his post-service life to veteran-focused organizations, including six years with LCGPS, serving as Assistant Program Lead for the Columbus Chapter of Project Healing Waters, and mentoring with the Mayfly Project.

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With a passion for the outdoors and a firsthand understanding of the healing power of recreational therapy, Jaron has found personal success in restoring his own mental health through outdoor activities. He holds a B.A. in Mechanical Engineering from Maryland University and is currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in Computer Engineering at Central Ohio Technical College. Residing in Newark, Ohio, Jaron remains committed to creating opportunities for fellow veterans to reclaim peace, purpose, and joy through shared experiences in nature.

Thomas Panek

Tom Panek served in US Army from 1969-71 as Military Police officer in 18th Military Police Brigade.  After serving as an Executive Officer in a MP Training Company at Fort Gordon Georgia, he was deployed to Vietnam in 1970.  His served as Air Operations Officer with a Psychological Operations unit in Can Tho, and then was assigned as Executive Officer of a Joint Forces Customs Detachment based in Da Nang.  The detachment was tasked with drug interdiction and consisted of MPs from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Mr. Panek received his BA and MBA from the Ohio State University.  He has over 35-years of experience as a business leader, consultant and educator.  As a business consultant and marketing strategist, he has worked extensively with many Fortune 100 retailers and consumer product manufacturers, both in the US and internationally.   

As an educator, Mr. Panek was an Assistant Professor of Practice-Marketing at Ohio University-Chillicothe, teaching a wide variety of classes including marketing and entrepreneurship.  He also taught senior-level and masters business classes as an Adjunct Professor at Franklin University. 

Over his lifetime Mr. Panek has served in a wide variety volunteer and leadership positions with local church, fraternity, and community organizations.  Following retirement, he combined his love of fly fishing with his concern for veterans by joining Project Healing Waters, where he has served as Assistant Lead for the Columbus Chapter for the last 3 years.

Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson served in the Air Force from 75-80, in communication ops./intelligence, Andrews AFB, HQ AFSC/INS and in comm. ops. for NEACP (National Emergency Airborne Command Post), followed by communications operations (NCOIC) 622nd TCF, Rhein Grafenstein Germany. He is a fourth-generation firefighter with over 32 years of fire service experience, retiring as Chief of the Marysville Fire Department. During his fire service career he held many positions, including flight paramedic as well as instructor in many areas of Fire/EMS, receiving multiple awards/commendations at the local, state, and national level. He holds a BA and MBA. After the fire department he served as Program Director/Professor in Fire Science and Technical Rescue at Central Ohio Technical College. He has a special interest in veterans’ affairs, having served as the COO of Resurrecting Lives Foundation, focusing on TBI/PTSD related issues, and has been actively involved as a volunteer with Project Healing Waters as well as the Mayfly Project.

Jennifer Ballou

Jennifer Ballou, originally from Mentor, Ohio, is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant who served nearly 21 years culminating her service as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Army Resilience Directorate at the Pentagon. During her 2010 deployment to Afghanistan, Jennifer’s husband, SSG Edwardo Loredo, was killed in action—an experience that shaped her passion for resilience and well-being. She is the recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award, and many other honors.

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After retiring from the Army, Jennifer pursued work that blends leadership with meaningful support for others through leadership, lifestyle and wellness coaching. She holds a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has held key roles in nonprofit and veteran leadership, including serving as the first Gold Star Fellow for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation and as Deputy Chief of Staff at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. In 2022, she was selected as a Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program scholar at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. She also serves on USAA’s Advisory Panel, helping shape initiatives that support the military community, and as a faculty member for Warrior’s at Ease, empowering the military community with the tools and knowledge to harness the transformative power of yoga and meditation. Jennifer currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.

Jennifer is married to retired Command Sergeant Major Omari Ballou, and the mother of three children: Alexis, Eddie, and Sophia. Her guiding motto, “Live well to lead well,” reflects both her personal journey and her professional commitment to helping veterans and families live balanced, purposeful lives.