“Beyond the value he added to our day-today business operations, I was more impressed with Will’s character. When I first met and interviewed Will it was via a video call he took in his car while in Kentucky supporting cleanup and aid operations following the devastating tornado in late 2021. He saw the devastation and used his personal leave to go help. As a native Kentuckian I was grateful and struck by his selflessness to help his fellow citizens in their time of need. This action typified the person I got to know during our time working together. Will has an enormous heart for people and is action oriented. Some people waver, Will sees a need, identifies a solution, and rapidy executes the plan.”

“As a veteran myself, I recognize and value the unique qualities Will brings to the field. His distinguished service as an Army Special Forces operator has imbued him with a profound understanding of the challenges faced by veterans. This experience is invaluable in mental health counseling, where empathy and real-world understanding play a crucial role. At the Heroic Hearts Project, Will’s dedication to supporting his fellow veterans was evident. He showed remarkable skill in connecting with veterans, addressing their concerns with both empathy and practical guidance. His ability to translate his military experiences into meaningful support for others is a testament to his potential as a mental health counselor. In his volunteer role at the Fireside Project, Will has continued to demonstrate these exceptional qualities. His work on our crisis line has been characterized by sensitivity, compassion, and professionalism. He effortlessly connects with individuals from various backgrounds, guiding them through their mental health challenges with understanding and patience.”

“As a two service veteran, I neglected my mental health for many years. Finally, I’ve been able to employ some healthy habits and processes. Fortunately I met Will, and am very grateful to have him help me & advise me in this regard. He is genuinely one of the best humans I have ever met, and I hope to emulate his kindness, understanding, and compassion. He is a world of knowledge and a kind soul. Our interactions have always been positive, enjoyable, and definitely interesting. Working with Will has led me to adopt some relevant practices, which have improved the quality of my life at home and in business. His counsel has brought me immense value and meaning. Many Thanks!!!”

“Will had a strong balance of warmth and competence that made me feel like I could trust him to hold space for my anxiety. He said a few things that helped me to zoom out and look at my situation from a broader perspective.”

“I have directly observed Will interacting with individuals via both phone and text message, and have found him to be a very compassionate, empathetic, knowledgeable, and nonjudgmental peer support volunteer for people who reach out to Fireside. Will consistently shows up with an insightful open mind, warm heart, and a deep desire to help people through challenging psychedelic journeys and make sense of their past experiences with awesome integration support. Will has displayed a high commitment to ethical support for clients as well as his fellow peer support volunteers. I have witnessed Will interact with his peers a Fireside and he has been quite a valuable member of our community.”