Board of Directors

Spiritual Director

Dan Pooley served in the United States Army from 1993 to 1996 and the Texas Army National Guard in 2001 during Operation Enduring Freedom. He graduated from Victoria High School in Victoria Texas, proceeded to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Texas A&M University – Kingsville, and is currently working on his Master of Education in Principalship at the University of Houston – Victoria. He became part owner and Real Estate Broker of a regional Real Estate firm in 2007, and was owner/partner of several other business ventures.

Today Dan serves on multiple non-profit boards. Dan also serves as an Elder at his home church, is an independent licensed Christian Minister, and high school teacher of United States History, Government, and Economics.

Secretary

Shara Crow loves any activity outdoors. She grew up in Wyoming, and spent a lot of my early married life in Alaska. she married Chance Crow in 2006 and have had three sons (Maverick, Marston, and Marshal) , whom she homeschools.

Her husband Chance served in the Army for 15 years, 12 in active duty and three as a reserve. Shara worked at the Ft. Wainwright Army Education Center in the administrations and at the Personal Fitness Center (Gym) as the Assistant Operations Director when she had their first son and made the decision to become a stay-at-home mother.

She earned my Master’s degree in Sport and Fitness Management in 2013 and have been a personal trainer since 2010. Today, she and Chase own and operate a fitness and nutrition business.

She met Jesus when she was a young child and love the thought of being His. With Christian Warriors Retreat, she serves as the secretary and leads worship, with Chance, at each retreats.

Vice President

Christopher Romans served in the United States Army from 1989 to 1991 and the United States Army Reserves from 1991 to 2010. During that time he served one tour in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004.

He graduated from Waxahachie High School and proceeded to attend Navarro Junior College, Victoria College, and the University of Houston-Victoria pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. He worked in the field of corrections for the state of Texas for 24 years, and retired as a lieutenant.

He has actively served in his church as a deacon, as a church safety team member, and took on the role of Youth Coordinator in 2020. Chris was ordained in 2021 and continues to serve the Lord and his church as the Youth Pastor.

Assistant Spiritual Director

Valerie loves God, Jesus, and Holy Spirt. She loves spending time with her family and dancing with her husband of 16 years. Valerie’s ministries comprise of being a Youth/Associate Pastor’s Wife, Homemaker, and Mother to five amazing children. She is a Homeschool Mom, Worship Leader, Youth Group Leader, and helps lead retreats for female veterans and first responders.

Valerie has worked in the government sector with Texas Workforce Commission through the Texas Veterans Leadership Program. That program was specifically designed to assist veterans in transition back to civilian life after deployments from Iraq and Afghanistan.

She has served 10 years in the United States Army. She also served as an Administrative Non-commissioned Officer, traveled the world, received numerous awards, and also served in combat in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Valerie is an Honors graduate of University of Houston-Victoria with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology.

President

Brandon Lemke proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1999 – 2004, immediately after graduating high school in Yorktown, Texas. In 2009 he gave his life to Jesus Christ and serves Him in all aspects of his life, as a husband, father, ministry leader, and at work.

Brandon is happily married with three beautiful children. He has served as President of Christian Warriors Retreat (CWR) since 2018. As president of CWR, Brandon and his team of veterans and volunteers have cultivated a refuge for veterans and first responders to gather, fellowship, worship, and heal in a unified and healthy community.

Outside of his duties at Christian Warriors Retreat, Brandon is an independently licensed minster and works in the oilfield business, overseeing outside sales.