John Niekrash
Founder & CEO
John Niekrash has been a commercial lobsterman for over 20 years and is also employed by Proximo Spirits, a New York-based importer of distilled spirits and a strong supporter of WVFV.
Ted Knapp
Co-Founder & President
Dave Mason
Co-Founder
Dave Mason Co-founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Traffic and solo artist.
Kathleen BurnsCo-Founder
A graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, transitioned into the marine industry from a successful advertising and marketing career, embracing both the challenges and rewards of running a small business.
Co-Founder
Dan and his wife Kathleen have been supporting Work Vessels for Veterans from the beginning. They are proud to provide the headquarters for the organization at their shipyard in Noank, Connecticut, at the mouth of the Mystic River and in the heart of Connecticut’s historic seaport community.
| BOARD OF DIRECTORS | MILITARY ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS | ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS |
| John Niekrash john@workvesselsforvets.com (Founder) Ted Knapp ted@workvesselsforvets.com Dave Mason dave@workvesselsforvets.com Kathleen Burns kathleen@workvesselsforvets.com Dan Burns danb@noankshipyard.com |
Admiral Robert Gilbeau
Captain Marc Denno Colonel Mark Graham Richard Giguere Adam Burke |
Mike Ennis
Rick Crolius Kimberly Crew Carolyn Niekrash Jeffrey Walker Kim Marden |
“Our tagline says it all. Military veterans sign contracts to give up their freedoms in order to fight for all our freedoms.”
When they return from military service, they often transition to community service, including those who become police men and women, fire fighters, and other “first responders.” But serving the community also means building businesses that create jobs and opportunities for other veterans, often “green” businesses that treat the environment with respect – whether that is through organic farming, responsible fishing, cleaning companies that use non-harmful supplies, and professional service companies that make people’s lives better.
The journey for every veteran continues throughout his or her lifetime, and Work Vessels for Veterans is proud to provide the “vessels” that can help take veterans from “here to there” – as they realize their dreams as entrepreneurs, and agree to “pay it forward” as their businesses thrive, including donating back to WVFV’s initiatives.
