About Us

The Stronghold Freedom Foundation utilizes awareness and partnerships to serve those who were exposed to toxic conditions while deployed in the service of our country.

Our Vision

Our History

SSF Board

Our Vision

The Stronghold Freedom Foundation was founded to address the toxic exposures of military veterans who were deployed to Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Foundation's mission is to bring awareness to the long-term effects of exposure to toxins that were unknown at the time. We do this by raising awareness of the dangers our veterans were exposed to in their daily lives. The Foundation then utilizes strategic partnerships to help veterans deal with the effects of those exposures.

Our History

Our History

Our Board and Executive Director

Matt Erpelding

Executive Director

Mr. Matthew Erpelding is a 1998 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with an MBA degree in International Business from Trident University and an Executive MBA from William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. He distinguished himself during his Air Force career leaving the service as a Senior Pilot and completing multiple deployments as a C-130 crewmember. He was “boots on the ground” at K2, arriving in early December 2001. His deployment ended in March 2002, but he continued to travel through and stay at K2 over the next 3 years on multiple deployments. He brings more than 25 years of dynamic leadership, combining successful defense and commercial experience to create strategic partnerships that turn into profitable and innovative outcomes. He is currently a Senior Manager leading business development and strategy activities for the tactical, booster, and hypersonic propulsion marketspace at Northrop Grumman. In their free time, Matt, and his wife Christina enjoys traveling, exploring the DMV, Texas BBQ, culinary adventures, and American whisky.

Natalie White

Deputy Director, Special Projects and Fundraising

Natalie business owner, mother of a miracle little girl, and the surviving spouse of T. Sgt. Clayton White who deployed to K2 immediately after 9/11 with the USAF 919th. He never woke from his 41st birthday, missing the birth of his baby girl by 2 months. Natalie has been volunteering with SFF since just before it became a 501c3 in early 2020. She joined the board in January 2021 and currently serves as the Deputy Director while working on fundraising, special projects, administration, and the reunion. She both cared for and advocated for Clayton during his countless illnesses, both chronic and acute, and painstakingly watched him suffer through a litany of health issues post-deployment. She continues to advocate for him and his fellow K2 veterans through her volunteer work with SFF. She wants to do what she can to ensure all K2 vets get the treatment and recognition they deserve for their sacrifices. She has a Bachelors in Project Management and Acquisitions with a Masters in Contract Management and Acquisitions.

Steve Nelson

Governmental Affairs Director

Steve began working with Mark Jackson on legislation and continues as the Government Affairs Director in his capacity on the Board. Currently, he is the POC for the Yale Law Team. He was deployed to K2 around 2005 as a C-130 Navigator and retired from military service in 2016 after 28 years of service. While he continues as an airline pilot, he enjoys scuba diving, cycling, and "just a little bit of punning." He has 3 goals while serving on the Board: to continue SFF legislative work, increase updates to our cohort, and be available and responsive to questions.

Daryl Riddle RN

Care and Support Team Director

Daryl is a K2 surviving spouse. Her husband, Rich Riddle, was an LTC with AF Spec Ops. He flew into K2 in November 2003 with the 8th Special Operations Squadron. When he returned, he told Daryl that he wanted to keep his K2 set of orders as he felt that “something” would come of his time there. Little did they know that “something” would be stage 3 pancreatic cancer and also a second primary cancer of the brain. In June 2020, he died bravely, as only our warriors can. During his illness, he became involved with helping the Stronghold Freedom Foundation and continued right up until his death. She has been an RN since 1978, working Med Surg, ER, Mobile Intensive Care, AF Reserve Flight Nurse (at McGuire AFB where she met Rich), Home Health, Developmentally Disabled, PreOp, Recovery, and Radiology. Daryl joined the SFF organization in October 2020, initially just listening, learning, and then helping. Daryl is now the Director of the Care and Support Team for SFF. She has completed the NVLSP introductory course on Veterans' Law and Advocacy, which focuses on helping veterans and families get the benefits they need from the VA. She is registered with the VHA /ILEAD training and is working on the Level 1 Curriculum in Military Environmental Exposures courses.

Joel Fitz

Director of Development

Joel retired from the Army in early 2022 with 38 years of service. The majority of his service was engaged in law enforcement, with nearly 30 years as a Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Special Agent. He deployed several times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, including assignment to Camp Stronghold Freedom, Uzbekistan in February 2003. His military career included supervisory and command positions, as well as time as a Detailed Inspector General. Joel also served as the Military Police Regimental Chief Warrant Officer and ended his career serving at the executive level as the CID Command Chief Warrant Officer. Since retirement, he has been active in his local church, serving on the board and working as Chairman of two church committees. He also volunteers at the Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, PA, serving as both docent and researcher. In addition to military and speciality law enforcement training, Joel holds a Masters Degree in Management from Troy University, and a Master of Forensic Science Degree from National University.

Joel is currently the Director of Development, and board member, of the Stronghold Freedom Foundation. He and his wife of 40 years reside in south-central Pennsylvania.

Join Our Team

We can always use the help of talented volunteers to help us further the mission of the Stronghold Freedom Foundation. If you are interested please contact us.