The Advisory Board of Battleworn Legacy is not a formality. These are the men who shape the mission, guard the standards, and hold the vision accountable to the Word of God. Every doctrine we hold, every standard we enforce, every direction we take, this council speaks into it.
− The men behind the mission
Each man on this board was chosen not for his title but for his character and for the specific area of expertise and wisdom he brings to the governance of Battleworn Legacy.
Trent McMurtrey
Owner & Founder
Trent McMurtrey serves as Owner and Founder of Battleworn Legacy and Battleworn Foundation with a clear understanding: this mission cannot be carried alone. He knows he needs strong, God-fearing men around him – men willing to lock arms, speak truth, and stand firm with him. Scripture is clear that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and Trent believes that kind of opposition requires more than vision. It requires covering, accountability, wisdom, and men who are not afraid to confront what is false, weak, or out of alignment.
The Board of Advisors exists as a safeguard for the mission and for Trent himself. Each member has been asked to hold him accountable in his actions, motives, priorities, purpose, and walk with Christ. Their role is not to simply agree with him, but to sharpen him, challenge him, and help protect Battleworn Legacy and Battlworn Foundation from pride, isolation, compromise, or drift. Trent’s desire is not to build something centered on himself, but to steward a mission strong enough to serve men, strengthen families, and honor God for generations to come.
Bill Coate
A legacy forged through service, family, and dedication.
Bill Coate: Born and raised in Forsyth, Montana – one of eight siblings. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Upon completion of his initial enlistment, he returned to Forsyth for a short time before leaving to attend college at Eastern Montana College. Following graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and married Julie Oja. Together they spent the next couple of decades raising children and moving regularly to new duty stations around the world. Completing an additional 26 years in a variety of command and staff positions, they retired to Bozeman, Montana. Since retiring, he spends his time helping his son-in-law ranch and works sessions for Mighty Oaks Legacy programs. Bill and Julie have three grown children and five grandchildren.
Dr. Byron Greene
Veteran educator and school leader with four decades of experience in academic leadership and institutional development.
Dr. Greene‘s educational career spans over 40 years in the United States and abroad, and includes a BS degree in Science education, a masters degree in administration and supervision and a doctoral degree in educational leadership. During his career as an educational practitioner in mostly non-profit private schools, Dr. Greene focused primarily on evaluating and improving school quality, institutional advancement and developing effective professional growth strategies for faculty and non-profit institutional school boards.
Jeff Brandner
Jeff Brandner is best known as a business owner and athlete that has always pushed himself into the unknown, beyond his comfort zone, where the strengths he developed are slightly insufficient, forcing him to explore new strengths, new methods, into the discovery of growth. A professional endurance athlete, Jeff raced pro mountain bikes for 15 years, motorcycle enduro events such as the ISDE 1999 in Portugal and worked as a Patagonia ambassador as a climber, and ultra endurance runner and racer competing in some of the toughest events in the world.
Clay Cassidy
Hands-on creative from Montana focused on thoughtful design, construction, and meaningful, well-crafted work.
Clay Cassidy is a Montana-based creative and hands-on problem solver with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, family, and authentic storytelling. With interests ranging from photography, home projects, and design to practical construction and restoration work, Clay brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to everything he does. Whether he’s building, creating, or helping bring someone else’s vision to life, he values quality, honesty, and work that lasts.
Chaz McElvey
Combat-proven Army Aviator and MEDEVAC pilot with 20+ years of service in military aviation and leadership.
CW4 John C. McElvey Jr. (Chaz), a native of Jacksonville, Florida, has called Georgia home for the past 28 years. He began his military career in June 2004, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps as a UH-1N Huey crew chief and AH-1W Super Cobra maintainer. After four years of service, he transitioned to the Georgia Army National Guard to pursue a career as a Warrant Officer and Army Aviator.
Ryan Rickard
Lover of the Lord, big family-guy, entrepreneur, outdoorsman, professional idea-generator, and part-time chaos coordinator.
Equally comfortable talking faith, business strategy, waterfowl slams, hearing aid tech, commercial real estate, or why a 4-year-old should never be left alone with an iPhone home screen.
Founder-minded with a habit of turning random conversations into actual ventures.
Jon Edwards
Entrepreneurial executive and investor with a distinguished career in law, technology, and building globally recognized brands.
Jon Edwards grew up in Northern California and moved to Montana 48 years ago in 1978. After acceptances at Yale, Harvard and Dartmouth, Mr. Edwards matriculated at Dartmouth and graduated in 1982. At Dartmouth, he played 4 years of Division 1 college basketball. His senior year, Jon was the Captain and MVP of the Dartmouth team, and was named All-New England, New England Scholar-Athlete of the Year, All-Ivy, Academic All-American, and was recently inducted into the New England basketball Hall of Fame. He studied physics, chemistry, microbiology, material science, and engineering, together with interdisciplinary studies in government, economics and the humanities. He graduated from Dartmouth with an A.B. degree in Engineering Sciences.
Todd Hickox
Leading a community to live life in Christ through faith, family, and discipleship.
Todd Hickox is a surrendered follower of Jesus, a husband to Heather, a father to Amelia, George, and Allie. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of Bridger Church in Bozeman, Montana. Bridger Church is a Light for the World to Encounter Jesus and Live Life in Him. He loves the outdoors and making disciples. When he can combine the two he is in his sweet spot.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Joel Robinson
Strategic leader and operations expert dedicated to organizational growth and community stewardship.
Joel Robinson is a partner and managing director for the Private Wealth division of Blue Trust. Joel oversees the day-to-day operations, growth, and expansion of the office in Greenville, South Carolina. Prior to stepping into the managing director role, Joel was the operations manager of the Greenville office, and prior to joining Blue Trust, Joel was chief operating officer at PlanFIRST℠, a Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm in Greenville. Joel serves on the board of Grace Harbor Ministries, and on the board of the Greenville Shakespeare Company. He is a member of his local church where he serves and has lead home groups with his wife, Kerri. They have been married for over 33 years and have two children.
The Advisory Board of Battleworn Legacy does not hold honorary positions. Each man carries specific, defined authority over a domain of this mission and is accountable to God and to this brotherhood for how he exercises it. This is the scope of their charge.
Scope 01
The board is the first and final line of defense for everything Battleworn Legacy teaches, holds, and requires of men.
Every standard is measured against Scripture, not culture, not trend, and not personal preference. If it does not align with the Word, it does not enter the program.
“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”
— 2 Timothy 1:14
The mission statement of Battleworn Legacy is not aspirational language, it is a charge the board holds the founder and the program accountable to. Every decision, every program element, every partnership is measured against the mission. Drift from the mission is named and corrected by this council.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”
Scope 03
The Convergence curriculum, the Covenant structure, and the Commission standards are all within the board’s purview.
No element of the program is implemented without the council’s affirmationthat it aligns with both the mission and the Word. Quality and integrity are non-negotiable.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
The resources entrusted to Battleworn Legacy, the tuition, the investments, the support of churches and donors are not the property of any one man. The board holds oversight over how every resource is stewarded, ensuring that finances serve the mission and that the ministry operates with the integrity it demands of the men it serves.
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Scope 05
Every man who enters the Covenant, steps into the Convergence, and carries the Commission does so under the spiritual covering of this council. The board prays over this mission, over the men who come through it, and over the families that receive them back changed. Their authority is not merely organizational. It is spiritual and it is active.
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
Scope 06
As Battleworn Legacy grows, the board provides governing wisdom on expansion, new resources, partnerships, and the long-term direction of the ministry. Growth that dilutes the mission is not growth, it is drift. This board ensures that every step forward serves the mission and honors the men who built what this program is becoming.
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”
The Battleworn Legacy Advisory Board does not meet to rubber-stamp decisions that have already been made. These men hold genuine authority over the mission, the standards, and the direction of the program. They were chosen because they are the kind of men who will say the hard thing and who cannot be moved by pressure, convenience, or comfort.
Every article of the Statement of Faith, every standard of the Convergence, and every requirement of the Commission has been reviewed, challenged, and affirmed by this council. A man who comes through Battleworn Legacy is not walking into a program built by one man’s vision. He is walking into something that has been tested by eight.
Theological accountability
The board guards the doctrinal integrity of everything Battleworn Legacy teaches, holds, and requires. Every standard is measured against Scripture, not culture, not tradition, and not personal preference.
The convergence curriculum, and the Commission standards are reviewed by the board. No element of the program is implemented without the council’s affirmation that it aligns with the stated mission.
The board holds the program accountable to what it promises to the men who enter, to the wives who send them, and to the churches and pastors who recommend it. Every guarantee this program makes is backed by their oversight.
As Battleworn Legacy grows, the board provides wisdom on direction, expansion, and the development of new resources. Their counsel ensures that growth serves the mission and does not dilute it.
Every man who comes through this program is spiritually covered by the prayers, wisdom, and accountability of this council. The board does not merely advise from a distance. They are invested in the mission, in the men, and in the outcome.
Eight men. One mission. No compromises. If you are ready to step into the program they have helped build the application is where it begins.
Lover of the Lord, big family-guy, entrepreneur, outdoorsman, professional idea-generator, and part-time chaos coordinator.
Equally comfortable talking faith, business strategy, waterfowl slams, hearing aid tech, commercial real estate, or why a 4-year-old should never be left alone with an iPhone home screen.
Founder-minded with a habit of turning random conversations into actual ventures.
Builds things on the internet, spends time in the mountains, and somehow balances family life, sports, live events, and deeply unnecessary research rabbit holes.
Known for:
Fueled by Faith, caffeine, curiosity, and whatever new idea showed up at 2:13 AM.
If you need someone to connect dots, rally people around a vision, or accidentally turn a hobby into a scalable business model — Ryan’s your guy.
Joel Robinson is a partner and managing director for the Private Wealth division of Blue Trust. Joel oversees the day-to-day operations, growth, and expansion of the office in Greenville, South Carolina. Prior to stepping into the managing director role, Joel was the operations manager of the Greenville office, and prior to joining Blue Trust, Joel was chief operating officer at PlanFIRST℠, a Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm in Greenville. Joel serves on the board of Grace Harbor Ministries, and on the board of the Greenville Shakespeare Company. He is a member of his local church where he serves and has lead home groups with his wife, Kerri. They have been married for over 33 years and have two children.
Todd Hickox is a surrendered follower of Jesus, a husband to Heather, a father to Amelia, George, and Allie. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of Bridger Church in Bozeman, Montana. Bridger Church is a Light for the World to Encounter Jesus and Live Life in Him. He loves the outdoors and making disciples. When he can combine the two he is in his sweet spot.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Jesus Peace. Big Love
Todd Hickox
Lead Pastor, Bridger Church
904.813.2382
Jeff Brandner is best known as a business owner and athlete that has always pushed himself
into the unknown, beyond his comfort zone, where the strengths he developed are slightly
insufficient, forcing him to explore new strengths, new methods, into the discovery of growth. A
professional endurance athlete, Jeff raced pro mountain bikes for 15 years, motorcycle enduro
events such as the ISDE 1999 in Portugal and worked as a Patagonia ambassador as a
climber, and ultra endurance runner and racer competing in some of the toughest events in the
world. Completing two Eco Challenge races, multi day 200 mile running races across the
Sahara and South America, over 11 first ascents in the St Elias Range in Alaska and riding the
1100 mile Iditarod trail in Alaska on a bike in February at temps hitting -40f, seven times. When
asked why he would do such grueling events numerous times he explained “I do these events to
find cracks in my psyche, then I go back the next year to see what I did about those cracks”.
During this time testing his physical resolve Jeff also built a luxury brand design and fabrication
business called Brandner Design in Bozeman Montana. Building extremely detailed
architectural elements for some of the most demanding clients in the world. With over 40 highly
skilled employed craftspeople Jeff spends his days solving complicated design problems to
create bespoke works of functional art.
For Jeff, it is all about the process of building his team, honing skills, character development and the fortitude to move thru the challenges to a place he has never been.
Born and raised in Forsyth, Montana – one of eight siblings. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Upon completion of his initial enlistment, he returned to Forsyth for a short time before leaving to attend college at Eastern Montana College. Following graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and married Julie Oja. Together they spent the next couple of decades raising children and moving regularly to new duty stations around the world. Completing an additional 26 years in a variety of command and staff positions, they retired to Bozeman, Montana. Since retiring, he spends his time helping his son-in-law ranch and works sessions for Mighty Oaks Legacy programs. Bill and Julie have three grown children and five grandchildren.
Clay Cassidy is a Montana-based creative and hands-on problem solver with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, family, and authentic storytelling. With interests ranging from photography, home projects, and design to practical construction and restoration work, Clay brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to everything he does. Whether he’s building, creating, or helping bring someone else’s vision to life, he values quality, honesty, and work that lasts.
CW4 John C. McElvey Jr. (Chaz), a native of Jacksonville, Florida, has called Georgia home for the past 28 years. He began his military career in June 2004, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps as a UH-1N Huey crew chief and AH-1W Super Cobra maintainer. After four years of service, he transitioned to the Georgia Army National Guard to pursue a career as a Warrant Officer and Army Aviator.
He graduated Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) as a Warrant Officer 1 on 27 July 2011. He completed Army flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, earning his aviator wings in April 2013. He was subsequently assigned to C Company, 1-111th MEDEVAC as an HH-60M pilot. From 2016–2017, he deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, serving in the Erbil region of Iraq. During this deployment, he flew 11 urgent and priority MEDEVAC missions, directly contributing to the evacuation of over 100 patients.
TH-67, OH-58 A/C, UH-60 A/L/V, UH/HH-60M, UH-72A/B
Naval Air Crew Candidate School; Dunker Qualification; SERE Level C; IERW Aviator Course; Medical Evacuation Doctrine Course; Aviation Life Support Equipment Course; Aviation Safety Officer Course; Power Management Mountain Qualification; Warrant Officer Basic Course; Warrant Officer Advanced Course; Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education Course; UH-60 Instructor Pilot Course; UH-72A Aircraft Qualification Course, UH-72A Instructor Pilot Course.
Florida State University; Arizona State University — Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, 2019.
Ed.D
Dr. Greene‘s educational career spans over 40 years in the United States and abroad, and includes a BS degree in Science education, a masters degree in administration and supervision and a doctoral degree in educational leadership. During his career as an educational practitioner in mostly non-profit private schools, Dr. Greene focused primarily on evaluating and improving school quality, institutional advancement and developing effective professional growth strategies for faculty and non-profit institutional school boards.
In 2005 Dr. Greene was selected to be the founding director of the international school of Kabul, Afghanistan(ISK). The coeducational k-12 college preparatory school quickly earned USA accreditation and grew to over 380 Afghan and international students annually. During the initial five years at ISK, Dr. Greene was strategically involved with the highest levels of American and Afghan government educational and security agencies, working frequently with leadership from the US state department, US Embassy and Afghan government education ministry. Finally closed in 2015 due to terrorist threats, ISK was in its 10th year as a state department and USAID funded project.
Byron closed out his career over the last 15 years with consulting services in Asia and the USA. and also serving as an interim headmaster of a classical school in Tennessee and interim principal at a traditional private school in Texas. He is now a retired father of two with four grandkids. Hobbies include regular exercise, reading, hiking, hunting and fishing.
Owner & Founder
Trent McMurtrey serves as Owner and Founder of Battleworn Legacy and Battleworn Foundation with a clear understanding: this mission cannot be carried alone. He knows he needs strong, God-fearing men around him – men willing to lock arms, speak truth, and stand firm with him. Scripture is clear that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and Trent believes that kind of opposition requires more than vision. It requires covering, accountability, wisdom, and men who are not afraid to confront what is false, weak, or out of alignment.
The Board of Advisors exists as a safeguard for the mission and for Trent himself. Each member has been asked to hold him accountable in his actions, motives, priorities, purpose, and walk with Christ. Their role is not to simply agree with him, but to sharpen him, challenge him, and help protect Battleworn Legacy and Battlworn Foundation from pride, isolation, compromise, or drift. Trent’s desire is not to build something centered on himself, but to steward a mission strong enough to serve men, strengthen families, and honor God for generations to come.
