About Us
Thousands of veterans die by suicide every year because they lose hope. Hero Agriculture understands.
The Start of Hero Agriculture
Mike Reynolds founded Hero Agriculture in early 2020, following a long recovery from a traumatic brain injury sustained while deployed to Iraq as an Army medic.
Mike's recovery included a series of disappointments that led him to realize he could never be a medic again. At his very lowest, he volunteered at a farm, just to keep himself busy. He was surprised to find comfort in the rhythms of farming, interaction with animals, and purposefulness of the work. It gave him hope and, eventually, new purpose as a farmer.
With many people’s help, Mike found hope and rebuilt his life. He created Hero Agriculture to help other veterans do the same.
What Drives Us
Vision
Every veteran living with purpose.
Hero Agriculture uses farming to help veterans find hope, heal, and build purposeful lives.
Mission
Values
Honor: We recognize the sacrifices of those who have served.
Education: We help veterans explore, learn, and make meaningful connections.
Resilience: We believe every veteran can build a purposeful life.
Obligation: We do this work until everyone gets home and finds their new mission.
Our Hero Agriculture Core Team
Founder & Chief Farming Officer
Mike Reynolds
A paramedic, firefighter, combat veteran, and retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant, Mike never planned to be a farmer. He served 17 years as an Army Flight Medic, deploying around the world, but was forced to retire after being injured on a 2009 deployment to Iraq. Five years later, struggling each day just to make it to the next, he found farming. The life-changing experience of finding a new mission inspired Mike to create Hero Ag to help other veterans do the same. The 82-acre farm that Mike and his family operate is the hub for Hero Ag’s work.
CEO
Gloria Reynolds
Gloria left her position as managing partner at a business consulting firm for nonprofits to become Hero Ag’s fulltime volunteer CEO. She has spent most of her career working behind the scenes, developing plans, teams, policies, and other things no one notices if all goes well. She was chief of staff to two presidents at the University of Northern Colorado, where she worked 17 years. She began her career as a journalist, first as an Ohio statehouse reporter, then editor-in-chief at a weekly paper, and beat reporter at a Colorado daily.
Outside Counsel
Nate Tyre
Nate is a veteran of the United States Air Force and an attorney with Alston & Bird LLP, where he represents financial institutions in transactional and regulatory matters, including general corporate governance. As a flight and missile combat crew commander in the Air Force, Nate led teams of airmen responsible for the safety, security, and launch of our nation’s intercontinental nuclear missiles. Nate has been part of Hero Ag since its inception. He believed in Mike’s vision and helped him navigate the process of creating a nonprofit.
Our Board of Directors
Rick Cobb, Chair
Rick served in the 82nd Airborne Division and 57th Medical Detachment and is now Project Support Coordinator-Paramedic at Floyd EMS. He also serves as Vice-Chair of NWGA EMC Inc. 501c3. Rick joined the Hero Agriculture Board because of his respect for veterans, having grown up in a family full of them, including his dad, Thomas Cobb (Army), brother T. Michael Cobb (Navy), Uncle Ronald Hughes (Navy, retired), Roy Hughes (Army WWII) and Marvin Hughes (Army WWII, Died of Wounds, Holland, 17 December, 1944). He and his wife, Elaine, have four grown children, including a son who was in the Marines, and seven grandchildren.
Stacy Campbell
Stacy is Director of the Institute for Leadership Advancement at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. She discovered Hero Agriculture while serving as Executive Director of Kennesaw State University's Coles Scholars Program and looking for a local entrepreneur her students could work with when their study abroad was cancelled during the pandemic. She brings expertise in business, psychology, and organizational behavior as well as a cadre of talented students. Serving on our board is a way to honor her dad, Eddie McIlraith, 101st Airborne. Stacey lives in Athens with her husband, Keith, two girls McKinley and Charlotte, and their dog, Murphy.
Barrett Carter
Barrett is a Residential and Land Real Estate Agent with The Meridian Way Real Estate Group based in Cobb County, GA. A finance, real estate, and land management expert, he also sits on the Board of Directors for the Smyrna Public Safety Foundation and the Smyrna Parks and Recreation Commission. Barrett is active in his church, community, and business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. He and his wife, Kimberly, live in Smyrna, GA, with their two children, JB and Annelise.
Matt Mirtes
Matt served in the United States Marine Corps as an Intelligence Specialist and is now a Technology Support Specialist for The Dixie Group, Inc. As a veteran who had to adjust to life after the Marines, he understands the importance of helping other veterans find their new purpose after military service. Matt and his wife, Anissa have lived in Calhoun, GA, for 27 years and recently bought their own farm. Matt is active in his church and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Michelle Quinn
Michelle Quinn is Vice President for Finance and Administration at Colorado Mesa University. She began her career as a Certified Public Accountant and has spent the past 30 years working in higher education. She brings expertise in business, finance, and sustainability. Michelle is a passionate small farm advocate and avid backpacker. She and her husband have four grown boys, the oldest of whom serves as a Major in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Nonprofit Status
Hero Agriculture is a 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in the State of Georgia and exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donors can deduct contributions to Hero Agriculture under Internal Revenue Code Section 170.
