Chris Wilkerson is the current President of the Special Forces Association (SFA) and retired from the Army in November 2025. He is seeking to continue his leadership for another two-year term.
He emphasizes personal commitment to the organization, finding purpose in engaging with chapters and listening to members. He reports strong support from chapter leaders and members for the direction of the current Board and its ongoing initiatives.
A key priority of his leadership is attracting younger members to ensure the long-term vitality of the SFA. As the first SFA President to serve while on active duty and then transition directly into retirement, he believes the organization is moving beyond the perception of being an “old-man club” and becoming more inclusive of newer generations.
Chris also highlights his commitment to representing all eras of Special Forces service, from Vietnam and the Cold War to the Global War on Terror, and creating unity across the diverse membership.

Nathan Rehl served with the 3rd Special Forces Group from 1997 until his retirement in 2014. During his career, he held key leadership and operational roles including Senior Communications Sergeant, 18F (Intelligence Sergeant), interim Team Sergeant, Operations Sergeant for both ODB and Group Headquarters elements, and Team Sergeant for ODA 3321. He deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, including a one-year deployment for OEF XVII. He also served on ODA 393, a Regional Survey Team operating across multiple combatant commands (CENTCOM, EUCOM, SOUTHCOM, AFRICOM). His awards include the Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Wings, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, four Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and an Army Commendation Medal with V-device, among others.
After retiring, Nathan worked from 2014–2020 as an instructor for the Advanced Special Operations Techniques – Managers Course (ASOTMC). A Life Member of the Special Forces Association (SFA) since 2004, he served as President of SFA Chapter 100 from 2018–2020. During that time, he founded the Chad Paul Suicide Prevention Tournament, a golf fundraiser aimed at raising awareness of suicide within the Special Forces community and honoring a fallen 3rd Group Master Sergeant.
Since 2020, Nathan has worked in Washington, DC, as an Emergency Management Specialist with the State Department’s Directorate of Operations, Readiness, and Security.

Jeff Olson is currently serving as Secretary of the Special Forces Association (SFA), having stepped into the role in February 2025. A former member of the 11th Special Forces Group in the 1980s and 1990s, he served as both an 18B and 18F on an ODA after prior active-duty service with the 82nd Airborne.
An SFA member since 2017 and a Life Decade Member, Jeff has played a key role in several national-level initiatives. He helped lead the rollout of Teamhouse, trained and supported Chapter Administrators, developed the initial SFA Security Policy to protect IT assets, and served as Chairman of the Membership Committee. He also administers the Teamhouse News Page and designed the SFA Heritage Award, which will begin annual presentation in 2026. As Secretary, he has supported the National Board of Officers, Chapters, and membership at large.
Jeff lives on a small ranch in Texas with his wife of 46 years, Renee. They have two grown daughters and one grandson. Though retired, he operates an agriculture-based business to support his local community.

Military Experience:
Doug Livermore served two tours in Iraq (2005–2007) as an infantry officer with the 10th Mountain Division. From 2009–2014, he served in 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (3/10 SFG), where he commanded two detachments and deployed to the Congo, Mali, Central African Republic, Uganda, and Afghanistan. After leaving active duty in 2014, he joined the Maryland Army National Guard in 2017 with Special Operations Detachment–NATO. In 2022, he deployed to Iraq as Deputy Commander of the Special Operations Advisory Group, mentoring the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service. He currently serves as Deputy Commander for Special Operations Detachment–X and recently completed active-duty orders as the National Capital Region Chief for the Joint Special Operations Command’s Modernization Commander’s Initiative Group.
Civilian Experience:
Doug serves as Division Chief for the Irregular Warfare Division in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence and Security). He previously served as Director of Sensitive Activities, Special Operations, and Irregular Warfare at the Department of the Navy, and as a sensitive activities advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. He is Vice President of the Special Operations Association of America, National Director for External Communications for the Special Forces Association (SFA), Director of Engagements for the Irregular Warfare Initiative, and continues advocacy and evacuation efforts for foreign interpreters with No One Left Behind.
Education:
He earned a B.S. in Military History from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (2004), an M.A. in International Security Studies from Georgetown University (2018), and graduated with distinction from the Command and General Staff Officer Course (2021).
Family:
Doug lives in northern Virginia with his wife and children.

Garon Strong is seeking to continue serving as the Special Forces Association’s (SFA) National Special Projects Officer for the 2026–2028 term. He is an SFA Decade Member (Chapter 1-18) in good standing and remains active and available for both virtual meetings and travel in support of SFA events and initiatives.
Military Background:
Garon entered active duty in 1974 and served with the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Division (FRG), and later completed the Special Forces Qualification Course (Class 3-81). His Special Forces assignments included B/2/5 SFG, SOMTB, F Company 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Robin Sage), and NCOIC of the Flight Surgeons Office, 3/3 SFG. His career reflects extensive experience across operational, training, and leadership roles.
Service as Special Projects Officer:
Over the past 18 months, Garon reports executing the duties of the office in accordance with the SFA Constitution. Key accomplishments include:• Upgrading and expanding the SFA scholarship program, increasing recipients and funding.• Facilitating demolition and removal of a condemned teamhouse at National Grounds.• Leading ongoing efforts to gather information for a future SFA conference center site.• Assisting in the acquisition of the “Rolling Thundermug,” a portable 10-hole restroom.• Overseeing the successful 48th annual SFACON 2025 in Las Vegas.
He seeks to continue building on these projects and supporting the SFA’s long-term development.