Meet K9s on The
Front Line

Jason Howe brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role as Executive Director. A Navy Veteran who served as a Master At Arms from 2002-2007 with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Jason has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment throughout his distinguished career. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business, which complements his practical experience and enhances his ability to lead effectively. As a published author and speaker along with being Master Dog Trainer and a client of this amazing program himself, he has transformed countless lives through his work. Now leading the organization as Executive Director, Jason continues to make a profound impact. His unique blend of military discipline, advanced dog training expertise, business acumen, and personal experience with service dogs positions him as an exceptional leader and advocate in his field.

Lynn Howe serves as Vice President and Director of Operations for K9s on the Front Line, collaborating closely with her husband, Jason, to drive mission-focused daily operations. Formerly a Registered Nurse, Lynn transitioned to the role of Assistant to the Midwest Coordinator for K9s on the Front Line Missouri in 2022. She is also a certified Personal Finance Coach, passionate about mentoring families. Lynn’s extensive leadership experience and dedication to mental health advocacy empower both veterans and their families within and beyond the K9sOTFL program.

Travis was born in Albany, NY and raised in St. Louis, MO. Travis enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 2010. Travis served as an Infantry Assaultman based out of Camp Pendleton, CA until March 2015. Then moved to Jefferson City, MO, where his wife, Lyndsey, was born and raised. Travis returned to college after leaving active duty and finished in 2016 and then earned a Masters of Business Administration in 2018 both from Columbia College. Lyndsey and Travis have two children: Watson (8) & Gwendolyn (5). Travis is currently the R.I.S.E. Outreach Manager for the Gary SInise Foundation, and have been with the Gary Sinise Foundation since March 2018. 

Matt Price is the Chief Legal Officer of Diamond Pet Foods, a family-owned pet food manufacturer in Mid-Missouri.  Prior to joining Diamond, Matt served as Managing Counsel at Walmart, Lead Counsel at FedEx, and worked a combined 13 years as a state court prosecutor, Assistant United States Attorney and Chief Prosecuting Attorney of Germantown, Tennessee.  Matt serves on a number of legal and public service groups and has held board and commission-level responsibilities in a variety of organizations advancing the performing arts, public safety, Catholic charities and election integrity.  Matt, his wife and three daughters have two canine companions – Hairy S. Truman and Nico Suave – and an entitled/spoiled cat, Jean Valjean. 

Cassie is the Director of Legal Support for Diamond Pet Foods where she has been employed since 2019. Cassie has worked in the legal field for 22 years. Cassie volunteers through numerous organizations around the area, including church, school, sporting events and other organizations. Cassie has two sons, one daughter and a dog named Lucy. She enjoys watching her children excel in the activities they love, enjoys time in nature, helping others and being surrounded by friends and family.

Adam Gresham, a Jefferson City native and All-State athlete at Jefferson City High School, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1997 with a BS in Political Science. He served seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Infantry and Intelligence Officer, holding roles such as Scout Sniper Platoon Commander and Marine Officer Instructor.

After leaving the Marine Corps in 2004, Adam worked in the private sector before joining Governor Matt Blunt’s administration as Senior Policy Advisor on Veterans and public safety. He later served as Policy Director for the Missouri Senate’s Majority Caucus and spent eight years as Chief of Staff for Senator Mike Kehoe. He continues to serve as Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, focusing on improving services for Missouri Veterans.

Adam lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Ashley, and their three sons, Cole, Myles, and Grey. He is an active member of Concord Baptist Church and enjoys outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.

Erica Griffin, CPA, is the Controller at Central Sign & Lighting, LLC, a family business owned
and operated by her husband. Prior to that she spent nine years as the Controller for Missouri
Development Finance Board and eleven years with Bert Doerhoff CPA, P.C. where she worked
her way from college to obtaining her CPA license. Erica has spent many years working with
small business owners and enjoys being able to provide one on one assistance on issues
unique to small organizations.

Greg is the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at the University of Missouri. In that role he serves as the Director of the University of Missouri Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. Dr. Bier is a U.S. Army veteran and completed his military service that began in 1985 with an assignment as an Operations Officer for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 2004. He was the founding Director of the United States Humanitarian Demining Training Center and the United States Army Engineer School’s Countermine Training Center. He is the owner of the Eagle Cliff Company, LLC and co-owner of Raymond-Bier Holdings, LLC and Influence and Company, LLC.  

Heather Brown has worked at Truman VA Hospital for over sixteen years in various roles, including Health Benefits Advisor, Communications Specialist, and Strategic Partnership Officer. She currently serves as a Health Systems Specialist in the Health Informatics Service Line. An Army combat veteran, Heather is passionate about helping fellow Veterans access healthcare and benefits. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri, with published work in an anthology. Recognized as one of Columbia’s 20 Under 40 in 2020, she serves on the Southern Boone School Board and lives in Ashland with her husband Ryan and their son Collin.

Thomas Hutchinson proudly served in the United States Army from 1998-2015. During his service, he served as a combat Veteran in the Iraq war, working as an Combat Engineer.   Upon his retirement in 2015, the purpose he had felt from his military career began to slip away. His anxiety, PTSD and effects of a TBI following the war became overwhelming. His life changed, and his purpose was restored in a new way when he found the K9s on the Front Line organization and got matched with this battle buddy and service dog, Witten. Witten instantly began healing the emotional wounds from the war.

Dr. Hagen Blaszyk has a keen interest in helping military Veterans with PTSD regain their lives. He spent many years living oppressed in a dictatorship behind the Iron Curtain and knows firsthand that freedom is not free. He strives to connect people and organizations in order to change the trajectory of our Veterans in need, and he provides medical insight, application and intake processes, aftercare and outcome measures to the team.

As a founding partner of K9s on The Front Line, Linda has tremendous experience in organizational team building and motivating others. Her own personal experiences and firm grasp on the emotional depth of our joint cause are key in representing the organization.