Meet Our Board of Directors
Kaleb (USMC Retired) and Sydney Weakley
The founders of BackCountry Heroes, met in 2012 at Navy Medical Center San Diego. At the time, Kaleb was recovering from injuries sustained during his service in Afghanistan, while Sydney was caring for her mother, a U.S. Army veteran, who was also recovering from injuries incurred in Afghanistan. Kaleb grew up in Virginia, where he learned to hunt from his father. Sydney has spent her life on the west coast, where she developed a love for nature and hiking. The two married in 2016, and share two wonderful children, with whom they hunt, hike, and camp. With Kaleb’s lifelong passion for hunting and the outdoors and Sydney’s enthusiasm for hiking, the couple decided to merge their love of nature with a mission to give back to those who serve. This shared vision ultimately led to the creation of BackCountry Heroes.
Brian & Valerie Horne (Co-Founders)
Brian Horne is a conservation biologist with over 30 years of experience in endangered species recovery, specializing in freshwater turtles and tortoises. He combines cutting-edge science with strategic approaches to protect and restore wildlife globally. As a passionate outdoorsman, he believes in the healing power of nature. Brian is dedicated to promoting mental well-being through hunting, fishing, and outdoor experiences that foster a deeper connection with the natural world.
Valerie Horne cherishes her outdoor memories, whether alone or with loved ones, and believes that spending time in nature significantly improves mental health. Her advanced degree in biology lends a unique perspective to the well-being of people and their mental health. Inspired by Kaleb Weakley’s vision to support veterans and first responders through hunting, she wants to contribute to this cause. After taking time off from other nonprofits for motherhood, she is eager to re-engage with the community by joining BackCountry Heroes.
Brian and Valerie have been happily married for 14 years. Together they are raising three beautiful children, including one budding hunter, to love and appreciate the outdoors as much as they do.
Ladd Campbell
Ladd is originally from Texas, and currently lives in Arizona with his wife. A former Intel employee, Ladd retired after 28 years with the company, and started his own construction company, Bannon Construction. Ladd has volunteered for other nonprofits sharing his knowledge of hunting and helping others enjoy the sport. He is an avid hunter who believes strongly in giving back, and enjoys sharing his passion with those who have served our country.
John Spriet
John is a twenty-six-year resident of San Diego County, currently residing in Ramona, CA. John is an avid outdoorsman, who enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping in his free time. His strong connections to the military—through family, like his sister Sarah, a U.S. Army Major with a PhD, as well as service members he has met through work in music, and television broadcasting—adds an invaluable perspective and edge to the organization.
Mike Brown - USMC Retired
Mike has spent most of his life in Southern California, with the exception of military deployments. During his time in the Marine Corps, Mike deployed to Okinawa and did multiple tours for OIF and OEF. He learned to hunt and fish from his two older brothers, both skilled hunters. In his free time, Mike enjoys both local hunting and out-of-state hunts in Wyoming and Arizona and is also a fervent surfer. Mike feels that connecting with nature is healing and enjoys helping other veterans create bonds with the outdoors.
Tim Brown
Tim manages a veterinary practice in Escondido, California, where he lives with his wife Tonya and their two ambitious daughters. He volunteers with Backcountry Heroes, organizing experiences for veterans. A licensed hunting guide since 1990, Tim has a rich background in ranch work and a lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, and rodeo. Although he hasn't served in the military, he comes from a family of Marines and is dedicated to supporting veterans. Tim believes in the values of family, giving back and enjoys sharing the joys of the outdoors with others.