About Us
From Our Board
Ramon Encinas
Founder
My name is Ramon Encinas and I am a Combat Veteran and as an FMF Corpsman, I had the privilege to serve among many unsung heroes.
I am originally from Nogales, Arizona. I enlisted in the US Navy immediately after graduating Nogales High School as a Hospital Corpsman.
In March 2008, Marines of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines arrived to reinforce the British and Estonian forces. The Marines' mission was to "train police", but we were surprised to arrive in a ghost town. The city was in ruins, mined and dangerous. Our mission quickly pivoted to securing the town so that the locals and their police could return, and for the next six months we battled alongside Royal Marines and Estonian forces (Estcoy-6 "Polar Bears" C-company) to regain control of the area immediately surrounding the district center. The 200-strong Marine company soon found themselves embroiled in heavy combat day and night.
Operations were violent and continuous. 19 lost their lives and 62 were wounded. Our unit confirmed over 600 insurgent deaths.
Warriors go to war. We answer the call to take the battle to the enemy. The unfortunate truth for survivors is that, all too often, the war follows us home. To date, our new enemy –PTSD has driven 38 Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines to suicide. Our battle persists beyond the battlefield.
Invisible illnesses continue to ravage the ranks of our future leaders. New York Times came to Tucson to interview me and wrote a paper titled Veterans Try to Save One Another. The article also highlights Manny Bojorquez, a Marine native to Arizona. The New York Times has a couple of videos taken while on deployment and interviews of fellow brothers.
After my military time, I graduated from the University of Arizona and immediately after I received a unique opportunity to work for Senator John McCain specializing in Veteran and Military issues until his seat in the Senate was no more. And as I received opportunities to continue growing. I wanted to stay as his Veteran staff member. Loyalty is paramount.
Suicide Prevention was on the top of John McCain’s priority and I had skin in the game as he passed a $10 Billion-dollar bill for mental health for the Nation’s Veterans with the name of a Sniper that I served with in 2008. Clay Hunt. Clay left behind a wife.
Team Rubicon continues to honor his memory.
Although all this help is being provided, the statistics are staggering and if you ask me, I believe the number is higher than 22 a day.
In my experience, as a transitional veteran and a former Congressional Veteran Advocate, we are not allocating proper resources where it’s needed the most… Comradery through physical fitness and peer-to-peer counseling after a good workout session.
This program is where I want to put my efforts to enlist in the war against veteran suicide. I want to make a difference in Arizona and hopefully in the nation as I have done this before.
My Veteran Passion is it. I want to spearhead the program in Arizona. Sponsoring this program would bring great aid to veterans not only in a physical aspect but also a greatly needed outlet for mental health.
I want to enlist in the war against Veteran Suicide. Can you enlist with me? Can you help me fight the enemy?
I thank you for your time.
Matt Dixon
co-Founder
Matthew Dixon spent 12 years in the Marine Corps. Four of those years were active duty with Ramon “Doc” Encinas in India Battery 3rd Battalion 10th Marines as an artillery cannoneer going on the 26th MEU.
During that deployment, he served in the countries of Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, UAE, Malta, Suda Bay, Crete, and Spain.
He then transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserves where he also laterally moved into the infantry as a 0341 Mortarman. During that time, he went on a deployment to the Republic of Georgia to train the Georgian Army in Marine Corps infantry tactics, specializing in Close Quarters Combat and Mobile Operations on Urbanized Terrain.
Matt served for 8 years in the reserves until getting out. While serving in the Marine Reserves, he was a police officer. He served as a patrol officer for 5 years until being promoted to Detective in Narcotic Operations.
Matt served as the lead undercover detective for three years, infiltrating numerous drug organizations and gangs. He worked on a variety of undercover operations including, murder for hire, narcotic buys, narcotic sales, illegal gun manufacturing and sales, multi-jurisdictional drug rings, and criminal organizations. He successfully completed over 250 undercover cases in three years with both Federal and local law enforcement agencies.
Once the cases were complete, Matt left law enforcement to pursue a civilian career in being the DuPont Security Manager of a chemical facility. He has three children with which, in his new career, he is able to spend more time.
Angela Moore
Director of Media & Marketing & Treasurer
Angela Moore is a highly accomplished professional and dedicated advocate for veterans, with extensive expertise in executive operations and project management. She brings with her a comprehensive skill set as a Board Member, Media and Marketing director, and Treasurer at My Veteran Passion. With a profound commitment to enhancing the lives of veterans, Angela leverages her rich background in relationship management, operations, and financial planning to drive impactful initiatives and foster meaningful connections within the veteran community.
Throughout her career, Angela has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to excellence and a deep understanding of the complexities involved in managing and supporting diverse teams. As a Relationship Manager and FPQP® holder, she excels in developing and maintaining strong relationships, orchestrating a variety of key personnel to meet performance objectives, and identifying new opportunities. Her ability to build strong relationships with teammates, business partners, and specialists through collaboration has been instrumental in achieving strategic objectives and target goals.
Angela's diverse skill set, and knowledge base make her an invaluable asset to the veteran non-profit sector. Her dedication to fostering teamwork, partnership, and collaboration aligns seamlessly with the mission of My Veteran Passion. Angela's unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with her extensive experience and passion for serving veterans, ensures that she will be a driving force in advancing the organization's goals and supporting the MVP community.
William C. Jordan
Director of Counseling Services
One of eight children, William C. Jordan was born in the small college town of Bowling Green, Ohio in 1981 to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Jordan. Called and born to serve, he spent fifteen years in the United States Military, as a Navy Corpsman. During this time, he served in Special Operations Command Coronado, several Naval Hospitals and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms.
Currently medically retired from the Military, William’s first and foremost service, is to His Father God, and his wife Aariel.
By day, he is an Entrepreneurial Investor, and a certified Dog Trainer. Additionally, he serves as a Recovery Specialist, a Certified Mental Health Specialist and an Organizational Founder of the Jedi Master Gaming Community, and the Call of Duty Clan, The Jedi Master Strike Team.
In his spare time, he finds countless other ways to serve, most notably as a consultant with the non-profit organization that is My Veteran Passion. Proud husband and father of one son, William “Titan” Jordan continues to pass along his legacy and loving spirit to his parishioners, friends, loved ones and most importantly his son.
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