MEET THE
TEAM
THOMAS KASZA
⊕ Executive Director/Founder
A veteran of both Afghanistan and Iraq, with 13 years in service, and a decade in Special Forces, Tom departed active duty in August 2021 and is now attending graduate school at both Georgetown and Oxford. One of his final roles on active duty was as manager for NMRG Team #11.
Tom was the beneficiary of a Team 11 member's diligence when an IED was unearthed in the same spot he had intended to setup a sniper overwatch position.
DAVE
⊕ Deputy Director
Having managed an NMRG team in Western Afghanistan, and being involved in the evacuation efforts from day 1, Dave (who is still actively involved in Special Forces) is intimately familiar with the extent of what needs to be accomplished in order to secure freedom for the NMRG.
In a common theme amongst our organization, Dave was also saved by an NMRG member who pulled him away from stepping on a pair of daisy chained 155mm artillery rounds.
Afghan Helpers
⊕ Allies
Beyond all other factors, the keys to 1208's success are the tireless efforts of our six Afghan Allies; Mahdi, Shewan, Suleman, Mostafa, Wahid and Farid.
We wish we could give them the public recognition that they deserve, but due to the security situation in Afghanistan, and potential for reprisals against their families, we must keep their personal details out of the public eye.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
TRENT TYLER
Trent has 10+ years of experience in marketing, including 5 years at Google advising both advertisers and agencies on digital strategy. He managed Search, YouTube, and Display for some of Google's largest advertisers ($20M+ / quarter) and internally for Google's own products before co-founding Open Oceans in 2016.
"Josh"
With extensive overseas experience as an EOD technician, Josh brings a wealth of experience to the table. He is intimately familiar with the plight of the NMRG, having himself trained many of them himself.
"JT"
With nearly a decade in Special Operations, JT has the necessary perspective to help guide our organization. This perspective stems from multiple deployments to Afghanistan and direct involvement with the NMRG Program.
THE GREEN BERETS
AND EOD TECHS
OUTREACH/ CASE MANAGEMENT
The other Green Berets and EOD Techs involved in the organization are still in the Special Operations community. Because of a widespread failure to recognize the NMRG and appreciate their sacrifices in safeguarding US soldiers, these soldiers have taken on the additional mantle of "Humanitarian" in additional to their full-time responsibilities as Special Operators. If they weren't looking after the NMRG, no one would be.
LEGAL
