who we are
Founders and Board
of Directors
Mike Boren
3rd Infantry Division
Mike Boren, born and raised in Texas, Graduated Abilene High School and Angelo State University. Served in the US Army's 3rd Infantry Division 1964-67.
Mr. Boren Founded ActiVets in 2006 as a program of the Big Bend Natural History Association when he was Executive Director of that organization from 1997 until 2020.
John H. McArdle
COL (Ret.)
John McArdle was born 30 July 1955 in San Antonio, Texas. He was a distinguished military graduate from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1977 and received a Regular Army commission in the Infantry. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from LSU, a Master’s degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Full Bio Here
Rob Dunagan
First Lieutenant (Ret.)
Rob served as First Lieutenant in Vietnam., Property Book Officer 4/14 Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Supply Platoon Leader and Executive officer of 625th Supply and Services Company, Quang Tri, and Executive Officer Headquarters Company US Army Depot DaNang. He graduated from Texas Technological College with a BBA and His busniess career has been as extensive as his military service. Rob has served on numerous boards, including the Big Bend Natural History Association and Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce.
Matthew Payton
Navy Corpsman
Matt Payton was Born and raised outside of Warsaw, Indiana. Graduate of Lakeland Christian Academy, Bachelor's in Management from Grace College, and Master's in Business Administration from American Military University. Served in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, attached to 2nd Battalion 7th Marine Division, Weapons Company from 2004 and discharged in August of 2006. Over a Decade of Federal employment, working in several different states, and roles.
Robert A. Himber
Remembrance:
Robert A. Himber
Oct 9, 1944 - Sept 15, 2018
Born in 1944, while in the Army Himber served in military intelligence duties in Vietnam and instructed Green Beret units in technical rock climbing. He later went on to become the survival editor for Colorado-based Soldier of Fortune magazine and write for a variety of publications over a three-decade career as a survival expert.
In later years he conducted seminars and appeared in videos for Panteo Productions on a wide range of field craft & survival topics. Robert supported Mike Boren in the creation of the organization, and coined the name “ActiVets.”
Lt. Col. Robert K. Brown characterized him as “a fine man, a great friend and unyielding patriot.”