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Our Team
Mike Groff
PRESIDENT / CO-FOUNDER
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Mike is currently serving as a Training Captain with 24 years in the fire service. He has a strong passion for hunting, the outdoors and his family. When he’s not hunting he loves spending the majority of his time with his wife, Lander, and his three kids, Ava, Jarrett and Cora.
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Mike’s message:
Some wounds and injuries are very visible. Some are not quite as visible. The fire service, police, and military are comprised of a very special group of people who desire to help and serve those that rely and trust in them. Most feel it’s a calling, and give all they can and sacrifice what they must to help those who need it; even at the cost of their own personal well-being, and sometimes, unknowingly and unwillingly, at the expense of those they love most. Having personally walked through hell and back in my own life and that of my family, I was fortunate to come out the other side with hope and joy, healing, reconciliation, redemption and a desire to help those that I can. To be able to help people experience the beauty and excitement of the great outdoors, hunting and fishing in a way maybe they never thought they would be able to again. I strive to bring hope and healing to those who deserve it most.
Jose Martinez
VICE PRESIDENT / CO-FOUNDER
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Jose served 3 years in the U.S. Army with Zach during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. In 2012 Jose stepped on an I.E.D. resulting in the loss of 3 limbs and other injuries. Jose spent 2 years recovering from his physical injures, but continues to deal with the after effects of losing his limbs and adjusting to a new way of living. He ended up addicted to opioids and has suffered from depression. Jose has since kicked his addiction, but continues to struggle with the mental effects of what he’s endured. Jose spends his time helping others and doing inspirational speaking events.
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Jose enjoys surfing, archery, hunting, camping and spending time with his wife, Liseth, and beautiful goddaughters, Emerysn, Sailym and Olive. Jose and Liseth live in California.
Zach Ames
FIELD STAFF / CO-FOUNDER
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Zach is a career firefighter with Bothell Fire in Bothell, Washington. Prior to becoming a firefighter, Zach served 6 1/2 years in the U.S. Army where he did two tours: Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2010 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012.
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Zach’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, motocross, and pretty much anything that involves being outdoors. Zach’s favorite hobby though - is spending time with his three beautiful daughters Emersyn, Sailym, and Olive. They are the light of his life.
Tim Cowan
FIELD TEAM
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Tim is a Washington Native who enjoys spending time outdoors and donating his time to veterans and first responders. Tim started filming at a very young age and realized quickly his passion is filming hunting and fishing.
Tim spends time out in the woods almost every weekend either hunting, scouting or getting stands ready for our adventures. Tim feels blessed with great family and friends who all understand how important and healing the outdoors can be for not only him, but for the men and women that 4SF supports.
Lander Groff
SECRETARY / DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
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Lander’s passion for Four Season Fighters comes from seeing the life changing experiences it has provided not only for those who have been taken out hunting with 4SF, but in her own personal life as well. She is the wife of COO and Co-Founder, Mike Groff and a mother to three wonderful kids.
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Lander's Message:
Years ago, the idea of being alone in the wilderness terrified me.. I understand now that it was because I wasn’t ready to thrive. I only knew how to survive. It wasn’t until I was given an opportunity to be still, and to embrace the peace and solitude that nature has to offer that it began making sense to me.
Our lives are meant for so much more than surviving. But too often we find ourselves stuck in that mode. This world is constantly moving without an opportunity to stop or even slow down. Although I personally have never served - but I have experienced trauma’s in my own life. And I am married to a firefighter who I have walked with through his own trauma. When there is a trauma, our brains go into fight or flight mode and most of the time we as humans do not want to face the pain. So we keep moving. We keep surviving. We live in our pain alone. This is not acceptable to us at Four Season Fighters. No one should ever have to fight alone. And although surviving may be all you can do RIGHT NOW, we want to be a part of finding a place for you to thrive.
Laura Uffelman
MONTANA AMBASSADOR
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Laura is a Montana native born and raised. An all-American farm girl with a heart for first responders and veterans. She has dedicated the last 15 years of her life to serving active duty law enforcement/fire service as well as combat military. More specifically serving special operations for the last 6 years. She has worked with other incredible organizations such as "Families on the Frontline" and "The Station Foundation" and is now committing her time to serving "Four Season Fighters".
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Laura's message:
My passion for first responders and veterans began at a very young age when I would send cards and care packages overseas. Realizing what a difference something so small could make, I knew that I could do more. As I continue on the path of serving those who serve us, I have committed to standing alongside Four Season Fighters as their Montana Ambassador so that I can help facilitate their needs throughout the year and also on special hunts. I am a contract photographer as well as a massage therapist and am honored to be able to provide those services during Four Season hunts. I work extensively in Montana so that we can grow awareness of the needs of first responders and veterans so that we can walk alongside of them through every season of life.
Brittany Barnes
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
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Brittany is a Senior Program Manager at Amazon.com and is married to Chris, a firefighter at Bothell Fire. Chris and Brittany have a son, Paxton, and enjoy golfing, boating and watching movies. Brittany has her MBA with a specialty in Applied Finance from Colorado State University and donates her time to serve as a founding board member for the Four Season Fighters Organization. Brittany and her family live in Arlington, WA.
Brittany’s message:
My husband is a first responder and I can see how demanding that kind of job can be. Four Season Fighters is an organization who really works to build a sense of community and inclusion for our first responders. I’m proud to be a part of this organization and am excited to bring it to more veterans and first responders in the future.