Our Team
Brandon Waithe
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Brandon Waithe served 20 years in the Air Force in Special Operations Airborne Intelligence, and as a linguist. Throughout his career, he deployed across the globe to several theaters to include Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and Europe.
Using the leadership skills developed by his military experience, Brandon has been a staunch advocate for the power of community and collaboration.
Whether in the board room, on manufacturing floor, or out in the community, he fights to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be the best possible version of themselves.
This passion for his fellow man and his reverent belief in the oath he swore led Brandon to co-found the Buckeye Veterans Coalition to push back against the wave of authoritarianism rising across the Nation.
Casey Keibler
Co-Founder, Board Member
Casey served over 21 years as a C‑130 aircraft commander in the Air Force Reserve, deploying multiple times in the Global War on Terror and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2018.
While he may have hung up his flight suit, Casey remains steadfast in his commitment to the oath he took - to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic!
When he’s not flying commercial airliners, he stays active in the community. His passion for community service led him to found the Mustard Seed Social Club. It was the Mustard Seed Social Club that led him to meet Brandon Waithe and co-found the Buckeye Veterans Coalition.
Willis Gordon
Willis Gordon is a lifelong public servant, community and state organizer, author, essayist, and Navy veteran of the Global War on Terror. Gordon is committed to the direct approach to progress and the improvement of our communities through action, innovation, and inclusion.
Since launching his activist career in 2004, Willis has spearheaded countless campaigns across Ohio. The two most notable are the 2016 “Rock the Block” voter‑registration concert and initiative and the 2020 Canton police‑reform initiative, mediating between protesters and the department to make the city one of the first eight nationwide fully compliant with the “8 Can’t Wait” standards and to ban hires with histories of misconduct.
Running for the Democratic mayoral nomination in 2023, Willis campaigned on common‑sense reform, expanded public transit, affordable childcare, and safer streets. He now sits on the Stark County Democratic Party Executive Committee, the Ohio Democratic Party Veterans Committee, the Stark Library Foundation board, and the Plain Local Alumni board. As the Ohio NAACP’s Veterans‑Affairs Chairman, he partnered with Sen. Sherrod Brown to keep the Chillicothe VA Hospital open and continues to challenge repressive voter laws that impact active‑duty service members.
Willis is the author of two books and the syndicated column “The Road Forward.” A steadfast optimist, he believes love is both tender and tough, and that the arc of history bends toward justice only through the hard work of ordinary people.
Co-founder, Board Member
Rick Charles
A longtime resident of Stow, Rick Charles served 6 years in the Ohio Army National Guard as a tanker, completing his service as a Sergeant with I Troop, 3/107 Armored Cavalry Regiment at the Stow Armory.
After his service, Rick taught high‑school history and economics for 4 years, before entering the insurance and finance sector. At FirstEnergy he spent 26 years across IT, risk management, and operations, overseeing market analytics and daily functions. He retired in 2023 as Director of FE Products, helping customers safeguard their homes and shift to electrified transport and energy.
Currently, Rick serves as treasurer and park manager for the German Family Society in Brimfield. He also was a member of the City of Stow's Charter Review Commission and acts as treasurer for Stow Councilperson Kim Young’s campaign.
Co-founder, Board Member
Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee retired from the U.S. Army as an infantryman after 22 years of service, that took him all across the globe.
Following his retirement from active duty, he returned to his hometown and spent another 20 years teaching and coaching high‑school students at Canton City Schools. While teaching, he also served his community as a part‑time firefighter/EMT for the City of NorthCanton for 13 years. He married his high‑school sweetheart, and together they have four children and four grandchildren. He is a proud member of American Legion Post 44 in Canton.
“I believe in the Oath we, as veterans, took when entering service to our nation as sacred. I will continue to support and defend the US Constitution. Veterans have a voice and now it is time we use it."
Co-founder, Board Member
Devyn Pawling
After 6 years in the Ohio National Guard serving as a combat engineer, Devyn Pawling continued to serve his country by studying ways to make it a more perfect union.
Our resident academic, Devyn holds degrees in History and Political Science from Kent State University. Recently, he went back to his alma mater and completed his Master of Public Administration.
Devyn’s deep academic knowledge has been an invaluable asset for Buckeye Veterans Coalition, enhancing our ability to analyze and respond to policy and legislation.