Skeleton Crew

Executive Director

Director of Inshore Operations

Media & Marketing Manager

Director of Fundraising & Development

Director of Finance

Offshore Operations Program Manager

Fundraising and Development Manager

Social Media Coordinator

Team Member & Captain

Advocacy & Development Advisor

Dell Bull is the Executive Vice President of Business Development at CAVU International, a role he took after retiring from the U.S. Navy at the rank of Rear Admiral.

A decorated Navy veteran, Dell flew over 4,000 hours in strike/fighter aircraft, including more than 1,000 carrier landings, and was decorated numerous times for personal valor in combat. His distinguished career included commanding the Navy’s newest and most technologically advanced Strike Fighter Squadron and serving as Vice Director of Operations for an organization under the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. As a Rear Admiral, he was the Chief of Naval Air Training, overseeing over 700 aircraft, including the Blue Angels.

He holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Idaho.

Suzanne Bettencourt serves as the Assistant Director for Educator Preparation Programs and Certification at Texas A&M University. Prior, Suzanne spent 28 years as a teacher and principal in the Texas public school system, where she was known for her dedication to students, staff, and community partnerships.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Sam Houston State University.

Suzanne and her husband, David, an Air Force veteran who served during Desert Storm, are dedicated advocates for the veteran community. Their shared journey as a blended family, and David’s role as Taylor’s proud bonus dad, make their support of SCA especially meaningful. Their family’s involvement in the organization reflects their deep belief in service, teamwork, and the power of adventure to build resilience and connection. Suzanne brings her background in education, mental health advocacy, and leadership to the SCA’s Board.

Joe Crandall is the owner and Director of Client Engagement at Greencastle, a company he purchased in 2019 after joining in 2012 and becoming a partner in 2015.

Joe is a proud U.S. Navy veteran and former Navy SEAL. He earned his commission through the Naval Academy in 1996 and served with SEAL Team 5 until 2003. This experience instills a deep understanding of the challenges faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life. He also volunteers with the Patriot Fund, actively supporting the military community.

Joe earned his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification from Villanova University.

Taylor Grieger is the Founder of Skeleton Crew Adventures and the co-owner of Cape Horn Tequila, a company he founded to support veterans’ causes.

Taylor served as a United States Navy Rescue Swimmer/Door-Gunner from 2010–2016, completing four deployments and flying missions that ranged from providing overwatch to offering Humanitarian Relief/Aid. His service gives him direct insight into the needs of veterans and first responders. He is also a licensed captain and sailing instructor.

Taylor’s passion is evident in SCA’s origin: After his military service, he led an expedition around Cape Horn on a 36-foot boat, documented in the film Hell or High Seas, to raise awareness for veteran suicide. He founded SCA to continue bringing veterans and first responders over the horizon through Adventure Therapy, believing in the transformative power of sailing to foster purpose and healing.

Russell Niemie is the Founder & Managing Partner at Banyan Point, a Business Services company founded in 2015.

Russell brings more than 35 years of experience in the institutional investment industry, which is vital for SCA’s financial stewardship and long-term sustainability. Prior to Banyan Point, he held key leadership roles including CIO at NYSNA Pension Plan & Benefits Fund and President and CIO of Commerce Capital Management.

He earned his MBA at the University of Texas in Austin.

Wes Spence is the Vice President of Business Development at CAVU International, Co-Founder of SUP Vets, and podcast host of Scar Tissue.

Wes is a retired Navy SEAL officer with over 20 years of military experience, including three combat tours in Afghanistan. His service culminated as Chief of Staff (COO equivalent) for the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan, leading a staff of 250 in operational oversight, logistics, and human resourcing for thousands of U.S., coalition, and Afghan forces. Since retiring, Wes has become a leadership, safety, and human performance subject matter expert, bringing cultural change to dozens of organizations worldwide.

Dan Suckley is a Senior Commercial Lending Officer and Team Leader at American Bank, where he has served for over 34 years. He also holds a gubernatorial appointment as a Board Member for the Nueces River Authority (starting 2025).

Dan brings significant financial, strategic, and community leadership experience to the board. He is a former City Council Member for Corpus Christi District 4, and a high-honors graduate of Texas A&M–Corpus Christi with a B.B.A. in Accounting. A long-time resident of the Flour Bluff/Padre Island area, his extensive volunteer history includes serving as Chairman of Visit Corpus Christi, a nine-year term as a Flour Bluff I.S.D. School Board Trustee, and leadership roles with the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and Big Brother Big Sisters.

Commander Todd Tavolazzi is an active duty Naval Aviator serving as the CMV-22B Osprey Fleet Introduction Team Officer-in-Charge at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.

Todd began his military service in 1991, enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve as an Infantry Scout before earning his Navy commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1998 where he was on the varsity offshore sailing team. He has served in various operational and staff billets over the past 35 years including being qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer before transferring to Naval Aviation where he flew the MH-53E Sea Stallion and MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopters, and now the CMV-22B Osprey Tilt-Rotor aircraft. A published author and screenwriter, Todd has dedicated his creative work to supporting those in need; his novel Looking Into the Sun raised awareness for Syrian children, and his feature screenplays, THE KEEPER and the adaptation of the SCA documentary, HELL OR HIGH SEAS, both center on the veteran experience.

Todd has earned two master’s degrees, one in international relations from Norwich University in Vermont and one in cybersecurity from the National Defense University in Washington, DC.

Adam Tesanovich is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Eagle Group and the Co-Founder and CEO of TALON PV. He plays a critical role leading marketing, sales, and operational efforts across both companies.

Adam has a decorated career spanning two decades in business development, operations, and strategy. His expertise is crucial for helping SCA scale its operations and outreach. He actively supports veterans' affairs and volunteers with Impact A Hero in addition to his board role with SCA.

Adam is deeply passionate about SCA’s cause because he has seen up close the invisible wounds of war through his brother’s struggle with PTSD after serving in Iraq, and he believes no veteran should face that battle alone.

Outside of work, he celebrates life outdoors as an active skier, biker, surfer, and hiker.

Jason Tieman is the Senior Director of Development for the Texas A&M Foundation on the Galveston, Texas campus, focusing on securing financial support for students and campus programs.

Jason is a professional licensed mariner and served as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for 15 years in leading efforts in maritime safety and security. He has diverse maritime experience, having served tankers, supply vessels, research vessels, and operating harbor tugs along the Texas Gulf Coast. He leveraged this expertise and for 11 years lead the development of custom software solutions for enhancing the safety and security of the maritime transportation systems and oil industries logistics.

Jason earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from Texas A&M Galveston Maritime Academy and a Master’s in Quality Systems Management. He is passionate about the maritime industry and an avid sailor who believes in the positive impacts of adventure therapy on the sea.