Meet the Team

JERED BOCEK

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, USMC VETERAN
Jered served in the United State Marine Corps from 2012 – 2017 as both an Engineer Mechanic and Embassy Security Guard. He served 3 consecutive years overseas at U.S Embassies in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monrovia, Liberia, & Shenyang, China. After his time in the military, Jered attended WWU where he received a BA in Business Management. Jered has been involved with Growing Veterans since 2018 as a volunteer, VCC Intern, VA Work-study, Lynden Farm Manager, & most recently as Executive Director. GV provides Jered with the ability to work with veterans & community members alike, to address food scarcity & mental health crises.
RODRICK MCDIARMID

LYNDEN PROGRAM MANAGER, USN VETERAN
Rodrick McDiarmid is our new Program Manager! As Program Manager, he will be taking on the previous role of the Farm Manager along with a few additional responsibilities.
Rodrick was born and raised in the PNW. He is originally from Roseburg, OR, but grew up in Blaine, WA. At the age of 18, he joined the United States Navy. He served as an Aerographer’s Mate for seven years and was deployed on a Frigate, off the coast of Libya. After active duty, he went to Western Washington University and earned a Bachelors degree at the College of the Environment. In 2018, while attending WWU, he discovered Growing Veterans and became an intern through the Veteran’s Conservation Corps. This sparked a passion for growing food and permaculture in general. In 2022, Rodrick earned a Permaculture Design Certificate through Inspiration and Queen Mountain Farms. He looks forward to weaving that knowledge into Growing Veterans and serving those in need!
GARRETT MICHAEL

WHIDBEY PROGRAM MANAGER, USAF VETERAN
Garrett is an Airforce Veteran who separated in 2015. After his service, he went back to school and earned a degree in Marine Biology. He began helping at Growing Veterans in 2019 as a volunteer. He eventually became a Veteran Conservation Corps intern. Now he’s ready to take on his new role as the farm manager at the Whidbey Outpost Farm He’s excited to grow the community on Whidbey Island and provide a welcoming space for all.
JOSH GATEWOOD

VETERAN CONSERVATION CORPS (VCC) INTERN, USMC VETERAN
Joshua served in the United States Marine Corps from 2001-2005 and 2008-2009. He deployed to Iraq three times as an (0311) infantry rifleman. After his time in the military, he received his culinary arts degree from the Art Institute of Seattle and began a career in the food service industry. His passion for cooking and an appreciation for quality produce led him to Growing Veterans, where he is now an intern at the Greenbank farm on Whidbey Island.
CODY CALL

VETERAN CONSERVATION CORPS (VCC) INTERN, USAF VETERAN
Cody served in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves as a Pararesuceman from 2008-2020. During his military career he deployed to the Horn of Africa, Turkey, and Afghanistan. After his military service he completed a bachelor’s of science in Psychology and is currently continuing his education in an Integrative Health Studies M.A. program at California Institute of Integral Studies. Cody plans to continue his internship until the summer of 2025.

Our Board

CHRISTOPHER BROWN, MSW (USMC)

COFOUNDER & BOARD PRESIDENT
Chris currently works as a PTSD counselor where he devotes his professional practice to healing combat veterans. Chris is a post 9/11 USMC veteran & Purple Heart recipient. He is an alum of both The Mission Continues & AmeriCorps. Chris remains involved on the farm & at the heart of our organization to this day.
Follow his journey & veteran advocacy on twitter at @UnshakenMe
JESSI BORDER (USAF)

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
Jessi is a USAF Veteran. She served as a Flightline Crew Chief working on C-130's, C-17's, and ended on KC-135's. After the military, she went to school for Radiology, and has worked in that field for 10 years. She is also a Realtor and Military Relocation Professional specializing in guiding fellow veterans through their real estate needs. She is passionate about educating veterans on the benefits of the VA home loan. Jessi has herself benefited from the dirt therapy and peer support provided by Growing Veterans and is dedicated to helping them "keep growing" in return.
RICHARD FORSELL, PS

SECRETARY OF THE BOARD
Richard currently practices business law in Kirkland, WA. Prior to entering private practice he graduated from the University of Washington Law School & also received a degree in Business Administration from Western Washington University. Richard does various pro bono work for non-profit organizations and causes he feels passionate about.
MICHAEL FRAZIER (USMC)

BOARD TREASURER
Michael is a Marine Corps veteran with 20 years of organizational leadership & development experience in the public and private sectors. He currently serves as ED for farming incubator Viva Farms, and previously as the interim ED for Growing Veterans as well as the director of Helping Hands Food Bank.
CONNOR HEGARTY (US ARMY)

BOARD MEMBER
Connor is an Army veteran, a National Board Certified special education teacher, and an avid yard farmer. He came to Growing Veterans for the vegetables and camaraderie but stayed for the transformational mental health resources. Being involved with Growing Veterans has inspired him to “Keep Growing” as a teacher, father, husband, and community volunteer; and he’s honored to help carry the organization’s mission forward as a member of the board.
MIKE HACKETT, MAgrSc (USN)

BOARD MEMBER
Mike is a Vietnam War veteran having served in the amphibious Navy. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at UMass Amherst and his Master’s in Agricultural Science at WSU. His career was in extension agriculture education in Northeast Washington and he also worked for the WSDA as a field inspector for USDA Organic certifications in Northwest Washington. He has served on several nonprofit and co-op boards and has continuously been a volunteer since Growing Veterans was founded. He brings knowledge of organic/sustainable agricultural production practices and years of perspective of GV history.
Bill Smith

BOARD MEMBER
Bill, a Professor Emeritus at Western Washington University, designed and administered writing programs at 4 universities before moving to Bellingham. His father, a WWII and Korean vet, served in the 1st Marine Division, the Old Breed. Bill grew up four houses from Camp Lejeune and as a child met Chesty Puller three times. Since 2013 he has helped develop GV’s grant writing system. The Lynden farm is one of his favorite calming places in Washington.