VISION & VALUES
We believe humans are more important than hardware, and quality is more important than quantity. It is our people, guided by these organizational values, that provide The Donovan & Bank Foundation its value and worth.
We believe in mental, physical, moral, spiritual, and emotional toughness. No matter the obstacle, we will find a way to succeed, and no matter how many times we are knocked down, we will get up.
We make bold decisions others fear to make; because those decisions are considered too unproven, too unconventional, or too dangerous. We are possessed of unbridled energy and a bias for action and are willing to take up the mantle when others shy from action.
We have a capacity for love that is unique in its intensity; love of the mission, love of our country, love of our families, and love of our comrades in arms. It is this unique capacity for love that drives our unprecedented passion and commitment.
We share our knowledge, our energy, and our opportunities. There is too much demand for us to view the community of interest as competitors. If there is a way we can help by sharing what we know and what we have, we will do it.
We believe being caretakers of the organization’s resources is a solemn covenant between us, our donors, and the people we serve. We invest in quality, and practice frugality as art and science. We don’t waste resources and pride ourselves on doing more with less.
We believe there isn't a language, cultural, national, ethnic, or socio-economic barrier that can't be broken down with humor. Humor is about uplifting people. It's about humility, connection, joy, fun, playfulness, open communication, and creativity. If we are not having fun, we aren't doing it right.
MEET THE TEAM
Paul Toolan
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Director of Special Operations Experience
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Paul Toolan joined the Army in 1986 as a Private in the Army National Guard, and has been a Green Beret since 1999. He served in 3rd and 5th Special Forces Groups, in leadership positions from Detachment to Battalion Command. He served as the Director of Special Forces Training, as the Director of Operations for the 1st Special Forces Command, and finished his long and distinguished career as the Deputy Commander of the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, responsible for the assessment, selection, and training of all US Army Green Berets.
As the Executive Director Paul develops the vision for The Foundation, safeguards the organizational values, and creates the organizational culture by providing purpose, direction and motivation.
As the Director of the foundation's Special Operations Experience, Paul is responsible for the planning, resourcing and execution of the foundations semi-annual fundraising event.
Paul and his wife split their time between Fayetteville and Wilmington NC. They have two sons, a high school junior and college freshman.
Andrew Stamp
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
JANUS Program Director/Transition Advocate
Master Sergeant (Retired) Andrew Stamp joined the Army in 2010 after graduating with honors from Michigan State University and completing an intensive graduate study program in St. Petersburg, Russia. In over a decade of service, Drew deployed as a Special Forces Soldier multiple times to both combat and non-conflict zones, advising foreign militaries and working alongside US Ambassadors and government representatives in US embassies.
As the Chief Operating Officer, Drew manages and handles the daily business operations of the foundation, working closely with foundation staff and partners to support the day-to-day activities and all of our programs.
As the Director of The JANUS Program, Drew is responsible for The Foundation’s entire portfolio of transition activities and events. He is The Foundation’s subject matter expert on transition from military service, financial considerations of transition, and he is responsible for vetting and validating The Foundation’s transition partners.
Drew and his wife call Aberdeen, NC home. They have three children.
Stu Farris
DIRECTOR OF INNOVATIVE WELLNESS
Colonel (Retired) Stu Farris served in the U.S. Army for over 25 years, with over 20 years in Special Forces as a Green Beret. He served six tours in Afghanistan as a member of the 3rd Special Forces Group and commanded Special Forces units from the Operational Detachment Alpha to the Group level. His final assignment was serving as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
As the Donvan & Bank Director of Innovative Wellness, Stu oversees all of the foundation's efforts to help Special Operators get access to cutting edge treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), as well as leading all initiatives and partnerships focused on the physiological and psychological effects of life in Special Operations.
Stu lives in Fayetteville, NC with his wife of over 25 years, and they have three sons. In his free time he enjoys practicing Gracie Jiu Jitsu and playing electric guitar.
Dr. Eugene Lipov
MEDICAL ADVISOR
Eugene G. Lipov, M.D. is a physician researcher and board-certified anesthesiologist who specializes in intervention-based pain management in the Chicago area. He is best known for his treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using the stellate ganglion block (SGB) and his innovation to the SGB known as the dual sympathetic reset (DSR). The injection-based technique reboots the body's sympathetic system and helps to reset a PTSD patient's overreaction to stimuli - their 'fight or flight' response - by resetting the sympathetic nervous system and central nervous system to the pre trauma state.
As the Donovan & Bank Foundation Medical Advisor, Dr. Lipov provides expertise to help evaluate, assess and communicate important medical / scientific information related to The Foundation’s wellness efforts and programs. He also provides authoritative opinions regarding medical and scientific based questions, as well as legal and regulatory matters enabling The Foundation to comply with required statutory requirements.
Dr. Lipov's PTSD research earned him an invitation to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Veteran's Affairs in 2010. His research and interests include the development of new approaches for pain conditions, and old approaches for new indications. He has authored over 40 medical publications, including journal articles, book chapters and abstracts. He has made numerous media appearances relating to his innovations.
Jared Nichols
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Donovan & Bank emulates the SOF Truths - most importantly “most Special Operations require non-SOF support.” Jared Nichols is the only civilian who has earned a place on the Donovan & Bank team. As The Foundation’s Strategic Advisor, Jared provides critical insight into the private sector, business cultures and corporate work environments. His 20+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, and husband and father helps transitioning SOF understand the nuances, intricacies, and challenges of reintegrating into life as a civilian.
Jared Nichols is the founder and creator of the NU FUTURIST and The Foresight Academy, a groundbreaking program that teaches leaders and teams the same skills that innovators, industry disruptors, and change makers, use to guide and make the future they want to see.
He is a futurist, advisor, and professor of Strategic Foresight at the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business, in Graduate and Executive Education.
Jared is also a musician, composer, competitive cyclist, and trail runner living in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife and their two sons.
