GARY SEIBEL: CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Mr. Seibel started his financial career in banking as a branch manager, then moved to residential and commercial lending. Next, he became an executive with a national real estate investment trust (REIT), facilitating loan investments for banks and various lending institutions. As his career advanced, he held many positions, such as president of a lending institution, division president of an investment firm, and was the CFO for a health strategies company.
Mr. Seibel received his Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses in 2010 as well as his life insurance license (Ark. Ins. Lic. #11724706).
In 2011, Mr. Seibel joined Cardinal Investment Group. He specializes in financial advising, with a focus on investment advising and retirement planning. Another area of Mr. Seibel’s practice is financial coaching for individuals and businesses that need something more than standard financial advice. As a business consultant, Mr. Seibel uses his financial experience to provide consulting in a number of areas for small and growing businesses. Mr. Seibel is the Vice-President of Recruiting for Trutoro, a Broker-Dealer and SEC-Registered Investment Advisor.
Mr. Seibel studied at Berean University (Biblical Studies), SAU Tech (Fire Science), and Liberty University (Government and Finance). Mr. Seibel has held several board positions in the past for a variety of civic and nonprofit firms; and is currently on the boards of two nonprofits: Sons Of The Flag, an organization dedicated to revolutionizing burn care; and Riverside Actors Theater, a theater company dedicated to helping veterans and first responders overcome PTSD and other traumatic injuries. He is a member of the Conway Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys outdoor activities as a hobby, including running and fitness training; is an avid reader, a perpetual student, and is a proficient guitar player.
GARY SEIBEL: CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Mr. Seibel started his financial career in banking as a branch manager, then moved to residential and commercial lending. Next, he became an executive with a national real estate investment trust (REIT), facilitating loan investments for banks and various lending institutions. As his career advanced, he held many positions, such as president of a lending institution, division president of an investment firm, and was the CFO for a health strategies company.
Mr. Seibel received his Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses in 2010 as well as his life insurance license (Ark. Ins. Lic. #11724706).
In 2011, Mr. Seibel joined Cardinal Investment Group. He specializes in financial advising, with a focus on investment advising and retirement planning. Another area of Mr. Seibel’s practice is financial coaching for individuals and businesses that need something more than standard financial advice. As a business consultant, Mr. Seibel uses his financial experience to provide consulting in a number of areas for small and growing businesses. Mr. Seibel is the Vice-President of Recruiting for Trutoro, a Broker-Dealer and SEC-Registered Investment Advisor.
Mr. Seibel studied at Berean University (Biblical Studies), SAU Tech (Fire Science), and Liberty University (Government and Finance). Mr. Seibel has held several board positions in the past for a variety of civic and nonprofit firms; and is currently on the boards of two nonprofits: Sons Of The Flag, an organization dedicated to revolutionizing burn care; and Riverside Actors Theater, a theater company dedicated to helping veterans and first responders overcome PTSD and other traumatic injuries. He is a member of the Conway Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys outdoor activities as a hobby, including running and fitness training; is an avid reader, a perpetual student, and is a proficient guitar player.
TRAVIS ALLISON
LCDR Travis Allison is a native of Houston, TX. A graduate of Texas A&M University and the College of William and Mary. He spent 12 years in active duty service as an F/A-18 fighter pilot, serving in 3 combat deployments and graduating from the Navy’s elite Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN.
Travis is now the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of The Pennington Auto Group leading the financial team that manages 8 dealerships and their respective financial portfolios. Travis continues to give back to the local Dallas community as a Board member of Sons of the Flag. He is a native of Houston, Texas and holds an MBA from The College of William and Mary and a BBA in Finance from Texas A&M University.
MELANIE JONES
Melanie Barrios Jones is a dynamic force of advocacy, leadership, and compassion. A proud resident of Frisco, Texas since 2015, Melanie has spent the last 10 years building her business and her network.
Originally from New York, Melanie brings a rich blend of cultural diversity, grit, and warmth to everything she does. She and her husband Eric have been married for 35 years and are the proud parents of Nicole (30), her husband Matthew, and Chad (17), who has special needs. It was Chad’s journey that first sparked Melanie’s deep and ongoing commitment to advocacy—not just for her own child, but for anyone that needs it.
Melanie is a passionate supporter of Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue, where she volunteers and fosters dogs, and she actively contributes to Operation Underground Railroad (OUR Rescue)—an international nonprofit working to combat child and human trafficking. She also supports small businesses and is an engaged member of various professional organizations. She also sits on the Leadership Council for the National Small Business Association, and is the new Director for the faith based organization She Leads America, in Frisco, Texas.
Her life is a reflection of core values: faith, family, freedom, and fierce advocacy. She is the kind of leader who brings both heart and strategy to the table—always looking for ways to uplift others, create lasting impact, and make the world a little better than she found it.
KELLY MASSAD
elly Massad is a seasoned executive and servant leader with over 15 years of experience driving innovation across technology, healthcare, and consulting. As Co-founder and CEO of Mainstay Digital, he helps organizations harness emerging technologies—like AI and blockchain—to modernize operations and improve outcomes.
Prior to Mainstay, Kelly spent a decade in management consulting, including seven years with KPMG, leading large-scale transformation efforts for Fortune 500 companies. His work has spanned finance, HR, and IT system modernization.
A passionate advocate for people and progress, Kelly is committed to serving others and building communities of impact. His heart for helping those in need aligns deeply with the mission of Sons of the Flag.
MIKE PETTIS: FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Originally from Midland, TX, Mike now resides in Prosper, TX. Married to his wife Nikki for 22 years, together they have three awesome kids: Regan, Cole and Case. Mike owns and operates The Gin, a restaurant bar, and entertainment venue, in historic downtown Prosper. He also owns and operates Pettis Under Construction, currently engaged in a major preservation and revitalization effort in historic downtown Prosper. Mike is a member of the Board of Directors for Sons of the Flag, and co-chairs the annual Country for Country Dinner, Auction, and Concert, benefitting Sons of the Flag.
BAXTER SMITH
Baxter Smith, originally from Dickinson, TX, has deep roots in Galveston County, with family ties spanning generations in Galveston, and is a proud “8th Generation Texan”. Since 2009, he has resided in Frisco, TX. Baxter started his journey with the FASTSIGNS brand in 2012, holding various roles, including a decade at the corporate level, where he traveled and supported franchisees worldwide. In 2024, he became a business owner when he purchased FASTSIGNS Frisco and immediately became actively involved in the local community. Initially focusing on commerce, he felt a deeper calling to make a difference and became engaged with Sons of the Flag. Baxter is a 2003 graduate of Texas A&M University, and he has one daughter and a Blue Heeler dog named Star.
BAXTER SMITH
Baxter Smith, originally from Dickinson, TX, has deep roots in Galveston County, with family ties spanning generations in Galveston, and is a proud “8th Generation Texan”. Since 2009, he has resided in Frisco, TX. Baxter started his journey with the FASTSIGNS brand in 2012, holding various roles, including a decade at the corporate level, where he traveled and supported franchisees worldwide. In 2024, he became a business owner when he purchased FASTSIGNS Frisco and immediately became actively involved in the local community. Initially focusing on commerce, he felt a deeper calling to make a difference and became engaged with Sons of the Flag. Baxter is a 2003 graduate of Texas A&M University, and he has one daughter and a Blue Heeler dog named Star.
ISRAEL DEL TORO
Through many hardships and tribulations, Senior Master Sergeant Israel “DT” Del Toro’s life has been defined by absolute devotion to family. From an early age, he was thrust into the role of provider for his four siblings. He was 12 when his father died of a heart attack, and a short time later, his mother was killed by a drunk driver. As the oldest of four children, and just a teenager, Israel became the provider for his family. “The last thing he ever told me was promise you’ll always take care of your family,” Del Toro said of his father. That promise, echoed in another he made to his son – that he would never have to grow up without a father.
On December 4, 2005, United States Air Force SMSgt Israel Del Toro Jr.‘s Humvee hit an IED. The blast left him with severe burns on more than 80% of his body. He lost all his fingers on his left hand and had the fingers on his right hand amputated at his knuckles.
After being given a 15 percent chance of survival, he not only re-enlisted in the Air Force, but also set records and won a gold medal at the 2016 Invictus Games. DT has taken the lessons he learned through hardship and recovery. He now finds purpose in sharing his story and wisdom with audiences around the country in the hopes of helping others find the light in the darkness.
ISRAEL DEL TORO
Through many hardships and tribulations, Senior Master Sergeant Israel “DT” Del Toro’s life has been defined by absolute devotion to family. From an early age, he was thrust into the role of provider for his four siblings. He was 12 when his father died of a heart attack, and a short time later, his mother was killed by a drunk driver. As the oldest of four children, and just a teenager, Israel became the provider for his family. “The last thing he ever told me was promise you’ll always take care of your family,” Del Toro said of his father. That promise, echoed in another he made to his son – that he would never have to grow up without a father.
On December 4, 2005, United States Air Force SMSgt Israel Del Toro Jr.‘s Humvee hit an IED. The blast left him with severe burns on more than 80% of his body. He lost all his fingers on his left hand and had the fingers on his right hand amputated at his knuckles.
After being given a 15 percent chance of survival, he not only re-enlisted in the Air Force, but also set records and won a gold medal at the 2016 Invictus Games. DT has taken the lessons he learned through hardship and recovery. He now finds purpose in sharing his story and wisdom with audiences around the country in the hopes of helping others find the light in the darkness.
JOHNNIE YELLOCK: PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
As President & CEO, Johnnie Yellock II is dedicated to improving the lives of our Nation’s burn survivors while maximizing the impact of every contribution entrusted to the organization. He serves the Board of Directors and is responsible for strategy and goal setting, personnel management, donor relations, grant writing, fellowship funding, event planning, budgeting, forecasting, and most importantly, facilitating burn care programs and procedures tailored to the specific needs of survivors and their families: Past, Present, and Future.
Johnnie served as a United States Air Force Special Operator, deployed twice, and was wounded in combat. He says, “since leaving the military, I’m still committed to serving, only the uniform has changed”.
Today, with a passion for service, corporate and non-profit expertise, love of public speaking and an MBA, Johnnie is humbled to serve fellow veterans, first responders and civilian burn survivors. His goal is to continue the mission, envisioned by Ryan Parrott in 2012, of revolutionizing burn care for all Americans.
PRIOR BOARD MEMBERS
STEVE WOODS: FORMER CHAIRMAN
Steve has been involved in private equity real estate investments since the early 1980’s as a Principal of The Woods Company, Valcor Partners, ValQuest Equity Partners and ValQuest Equity Partners II. Steve also has a back ground in the oil business as well as other investments.
From 1971 to 1973 Steve worked for General Electric Credit Corporation in Dallas, Arlington, and Ft Worth. Steve worked with a large family owned commercial cattle feedlot operation in the Texas Panhandle, managing all cattle on pasture and the company’s profit sharing plan. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of WalVerne, Inc., the feedlots managing partner.
He served on the board of Alliance Tax Group, Inc., a small Minority Woman Owned Business (MWOB) and on the Administrative Board at Highland Park United Methodist Church. He is member and Deacon of Park Cities Presbyterian Church and has been actively involved in several youth ministries including Boy Scouts where both sons received their Eagle Scout Award.
Steve received a BBA in finance from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of the Texas Cowboys service organization and the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity. Steve is 64, grew up in Dallas and is married with 5 children, 7 grandchildren and more on the way.
Founder
RYAN PARROTT: FOUNDER
Founder and Former President & CEO, Ryan “Birdman” Parrott, served eight years as a U.S. Navy SEAL, attached to Team SEVEN, completing three combat tours to Iraq. In 2005, Ryan was manning the turret gun of a Humvee in enemy territory when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive devise (IED), causing a flash fire and throwing him from the vehicle. With his face and arms on fire, Ryan witnessed team members suffer devastating burn and blast injuries.
After completing his service, Ryan moved to Dallas. Meeting other Veterans in the area who suffered serious burn injuries, Ryan was discouraged that burn medicine and technologies were not advancing the same way that amputees benefit from incredible innovations made in prosthetics.
Searching for better answers, Ryan realized that traumatic burns significantly impact not only the military community, but fire fighters, first-responders and civilians as well. Ryan realized his calling and established Sons of the Flag.
Get news, events & program info directly to your inbox.
* By providing your information you agree to
the terms of the SOTF Privacy Policy.