Jon served over two decades in the US Navy, retiring as a Master Chief SEAL in 2022. He deployed globally in various operational capacities and leadership roles within Naval Special Warfare and the Joint Special Operations Command. His career took him from the rugged terrains of SEAL Team deployments to high-stakes assignments at joint commands in Virginia.

Growing up in Colorado, Jon played hockey through high school before beginning his Navy career. That passion for the sport combined with a deep commitment to his community led him to found Special Operations Hockey, bringing together operators from across all services, uniting both active-duty and veterans in the shared passion for ice hockey.

Off the ice, Jon owns a consulting and training business and works full-time at a large technology firm. He enjoys skiing, tennis, golf, and time outdoors with his husky, Jax.

“Jon is unapologetically American with an imposing distaste for status quo.”
-Every great leader of the free world, probably.

Mark served nearly a decade in the U.S. Army as a Signal Communications Officer, including assignments with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Savannah, GA, and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in the Washington, D.C. area. Throughout his career, he dedicated himself to solving complex communication challenges, spending a total of two years deployed to the Middle East.

Growing up in Illinois, Mark developed a passion for hockey, drawn to the sport’s rigor, energy, and complexity. He played through college club hockey at Western Illinois University before joining the military, carrying his love for the game to each duty station. During his final assignment in the Washington, D.C. area, he formed a unit team and later partnered with Jon Echols, Founder of Special Operations Hockey, to expand the mission of holistic health and healing through hockey.

Off the ice, Mark works for a small technology company that provides services and solutions to the U.S. Government.

Mike served in the United States Marine Corps from 2012 to 2017 as an 0311 Infantry Rifleman. During his service, he deployed multiple times with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, Alpha Company, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

A lifelong hockey player, Mike grew up in Upstate New York where he learned to skate on his family’s backyard rink and went on to play youth travel hockey in Saratoga Springs, NY. He later competed at the U18AA level in Northern Virginia before enlisting after high school.

In recent years, Mike has remained deeply involved in the hockey community through both veteran programs and collegiate hockey. From 2023–2025, he played a key role in launching a new ACHA Division III club hockey program at George Mason University, serving as both team captain and club president. His leadership emphasized putting players first—an approach he now brings to Special Operations Hockey and its partner veteran programs.

Off the ice, Mike enjoys long walks on the beach and has a soft spot for petting stray dogs.

Chip served from 2009–2015 in the U.S. Navy as a Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC), completing multiple deployments throughout Central and South America as well as Africa. His time in the Navy shaped his values of teamwork, accountability, and service—principles he continues to carry forward in civilian life.

A South Georgia native, Chip didn’t grow up playing hockey but has long admired hockey players as some of the toughest and most skilled athletes in sports. Professionally, he works as a Mortgage Lender in Georgia, where his financial experience, attention to detail, and strong ethics make him well-suited to serve as Treasurer for the organization.

Chip is married and the proud father of one son. In his free time, he volunteers with several local community groups and plays as much golf as his wife will allow.

Crystal brings more than a decade of experience leading strategic communications, brand building, and team development for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations.

As the founder of Y’all Marketing, a strategic communications and public relations firm, she has delivered nationwide campaigns for world-class brands including Major League Baseball, Shimano, and Wild Turkey.

A former collegiate athlete and high school coach, Crystal built a successful career in the fitness industry, launching and operating studios across the country.

Scott has served over twenty years in the U.S. Army in light infantry and Special Operations, including the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. His career includes deployments across multiple theaters and an assignment to Ottawa, Canada—where he developed an appreciation for hockey, a national pastime that became a personal passion and a regular part of life.

While in Canada, Scott recognized how the sport’s team dynamics and emphasis on resilience mirrored the camaraderie and mental toughness found in Special Operations units. That insight fuels his dedication to Special Operations Hockey and its mission of building a community that connects service members, veterans, and supporters through the game.

Off the ice, Scott leads efforts to expand Special Operations Hockey’s reach by cultivating a strong network of corporate sponsors, individual donors, and nonprofit partners who share the mission of supporting holistic wellness within this elite community.

(He also firmly believes he’s the EBUG.)