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Celiann Gonzalez

Rocky Mountain Regional     Coordinator

Cel, aka Seal or Momma Cel, is a US Air Force Veteran that started with TRR in 2016 as a participant in the TRR Denver Chapter.  With the intent of combining her passion for the outdoors and helping others discover it’s healing power she left her engineering career and got her outdoor recreation/education degree, while volunteering with TRR Denver and the National Sports Center for the Disabled.  Since she started with TRR, she went through the TRR On The Job training (OJT) program and became TRR’s Denver Chapter Coordinator.  Later she became the Rocky Mountain Regional coordinator and now is the National Chapter Coordinator as well as an Outtasight Guide and Clinic Leader.  

She is ACA Level 4 Instructor with Adaptive endorsement, SWR Trained, Wilderness First Responder certified, CO Raft guide trained and work as a ski instructor part time during the winter. 

email: celiann.gonzalez@teamriverrunner.org

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Carlisle Landel

Western Regional     Coordinator

Carlisle has been paddling since the mid-1970s and instructing for nearly that long.  First involved with TRR as an occasional assistant at the Coatesville PA Chapter in 2011, he became joined the Palo Alto Chapter in 2017 after moving back to Santa Cruz California to care for his aging parents. A coordinator at Palo Alto since 2018, he is now also Coordinator of the Western Region.

The eldest of six siblings, Carlisle is terminally responsible.  The retired genetic engineer and university professor and ordained Dudeist knows entirely too much about too many things, and often is dubbed “River Siri” on multi-day trips.  Additionally, the Rev. Dr. Prof. Carlisle has represented the USA at the Surf Kayaking World Championships, is a reasonably talented photographer, and plays a mean blues harmonica. 

email: carlisle.landel@teamriverrunner.org

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Ken Braband

North Central Regional Coordinator

Ken is a retired freelance writer and ACA kayak instructor (L4 Whitewater Kayaking and L4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking). In 2011 he co-founded the Milwaukee TRR chapter and then the Green Bay TRR chapter in 2015. Each year he leads TRR sea kayak trips on the Great Lakes as well as dozens of whitewater day trips. Ken lives with his wife Mary outside of Green Bay, WI.  

email: kayakkengb@gmail.com 

Deborah Reyes

Deborah Reyes

South East Regional Coordinator

Deborah Reyes is a clinical psychologist with a diverse background of specializations including sexual and military trauma, head injuries, chronic pain, rehabilitation, mindfulness, and deafness. She comes from a large military family and has more than 12 years of experience working with veterans at a VA in Columbia, SC. She began paddling with a local TRR Chapter to encourage other veterans to try this new experience. Over the years, Deborah has developed her own paddling skills and become an ACA L3 whitewater kayak instructor. She has served as the Chapter Coordinator for Columbia, SC and is now the regional coordinator for seven states in the southeast.    

email: deborah.reyes@teamriverrunner.org

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David Pauli

Pacific Northwest Regional Coordinator

I have been and avid whitewater boater for more than 35 years. When I was first introduced to Team River Runner, its message and mission immediately resonated with me.

TRR gave me the opportunity to bring together two things I care deeply about: the joy of being on the water and a deep respect for those who have served our country. Through TRR, I saw a chance to combine my love for boating with my admiration and appreciation for our veterans.

Our organization is truly special, and I am humbled to work alongside some incredible people as together we build a program designed to provide adventure, community, and healing for our participants.

email: david.pauli@teamriverrunner.org

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Charlie Duffy

Mid Atlantic Regional Coordinator

Charlie Duffy has been a paddler since 1979 and is TRR’s Safety Coordinator.  He is a Red Cross First Aid &CPR/AED Instructor, an ACA Level 4 SWR & Kayak Instructor, a former ACA SWR IT, former ACA SEI Executive Committee Member and former ACA SWR Committee Member.  He is an instructor and Chair of the Canoe Cruisers Association, lead instructor for the TRR Fort Belvoir Chapter, and former instructor and Chair of the Greater Baltimore Canoe Club.

email: safety@teamriverrunner.org

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Debbie Dean

Central 

Regional Coordinator

I served in both the US Army and the US Air Force as an Accountant, Military Police Squad Leader and Base Operations Technician. I loved all my jobs and  I would have stayed in forever.  Unfortunately I was med boarded out due to my TBI.  I reside in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, home of the man made Riversport OKC Water Park.  We have to go out of state to hit some decent rivers to paddle on and even those are rain dependent, so having the park here is a blessing.  Water therapy was an important part in my recovery.   Team River Runner has given me a new sense of purpose and the camaraderie is a blessing.  I so enjoy teaching Vets and their family members paddling skills and taking them on lakes and rivers and scheduled camping trips.  It is my pleasure to help the National Chapter in its mission to get butts in boats.

email: debbie.dean@teamriverrunner.org

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Vanessa Jones

Committe Co-Chair

Vanessa A. Jones is a dynamic force dedicated to fostering
inclusivity, encouraging discussion, and promoting a culture of
belonging in the outdoor sports community. Hailing from
Washington, DC, she brings a wealth of diverse experiences and
perspectives to her endeavors.
As a US Army veteran and ordained Chaplain with a focus on
seniors and caretakers, Vanessa is deeply committed to serving
others. Her work as a patient-caretaker advocate reflects her
passion for supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring their
voices are heard.
Currently, Vanessa is employed by a resettlement agency, where
she confronts challenges head-on with resilience and
compassion. As a single, Black woman veteran, she embraces
the unique hurdles she faces, viewing them as opportunities for
growth and empowerment.
In her downtime, she wears many hats, including that of a
missionary, spreading hope and positivity wherever she goes.
Weekends are spent paddling, immersing herself in West African
dance and finding solace and joy in nature’s embrace.
Vanessa is committed to equitable principles, ensuring that
everyone’s opinions are valued and heard. Through her
unwavering dedication and inclusive leadership, Vanessa is
paving the way for a more equitable and diverse outdoor sports
landscape.