Freedom: God Given, Vet Assured

America’s Freedom Lodge Board Members

America’s Freedom Lodge grew out of founder Mark Armstrong’s overwhelming respect for the men and women who have served in the U.S. Military; the defenders of freedom, here at home and around the world. America’s Freedom Lodge gives us all a way to show appreciation to our U.S. Military service men and women – past, present, and future. While he has stepped away from the organization for health reasons, as well as to spend more time with family, you may still see him around camp and Lodge events from time to time.

Rob Pierpont
Chairman of the Board

Rob was born in Knox County, Ohio. He comes from a large military family background spanning from Vietnam to Operation Enduring Freedom. Rob and his wife Lisa have two children Meredith and Owen. Rob has served his community for some time. He was a Volunteer Fireman for 28 years ending his tenure as Asst. Chief, several years with the Boy Scouts of America filling various roles within Packs and Troops as well as assisting with Cub Scout Day Camp. In 2021 his son Owen Achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as his project, he built a shooting range with pavilion benefitting Round Lake Wilderness Camp. Owen joins the Eagle rank with 4 of his cousins. Rob is also a member of various organizations such as NWTF, NRA, Ohio Bowhunters, Licking Lodge #291 F&M and is a Deacon at the Utica Church of Christ. Rob loves the outdoors, spending time with his family and friends and is passionate about Whitetails. When asked about AFL Rob says “I Love getting our hero’s Back into the Outdoors or introducing the passion of hunting to someone new”. He also adds “Just being in the outdoors in God’s Country is such an awesome experience and seeing the beautiful picture that God has painted for us” He credits much of AFL’s success to its members and their drive behind our vision. Rob’s thankful that his family is part of AFL and is able to bounce ideas off them and always being there for him. Rob is known to talk about spokes in the wheel and is grateful for his right-hand Bryan Garno, once you get to know them (Rob &Bryan) you will see for several months throughout the year these two are inseparable. As they share a lot of common goals within AFL as well as their personal lives.

Bryan Garno
President

Bryan Garno, President was born in 1970 and has lived in Licking county his whole life. He is a 1989 graduate of Utica HS and C-Tec. While he was unable to serve in the armed services himself he is a proud nephew of his Uncle Samuel Franklin Ryan who passed away in 1968 in Vietnam as well as several other family members who served. Bryan is an avid Outdoors-man boasting deer in the Ohio big buck club as well as several other wall hangers. He also enjoys fishing, trapping, and taking others, including children, into the outdoors. He prefers helping others find enjoyment in his passion rather than doing it alone. Bryan has been a staff member since 2011.

Kevin Pugh
Vice President

I am a 60-year-old, fourth generation hillbilly, originating from south/eastern Ohio in the Appalachian foothills.

I am a recently retired Paramedic, after serving in the Fire/EMS service for 42 years. My Love for the outdoors started when I was very young and my passion for hunting, trapping and fishing has been handed down through generations of the same and has only increased every year of my Life. I have hunted and fished in several different states and Canada.

I come from a line of family Veterans that served from WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. My Love of serving and helping others all my life is now being continued through AFL. Giving back to our Veterans through this organization is not only personally, but also God driven. Thank you

Rebekah Garno
Secretary

Rebekah Garno, Secretary was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio in 1980. She is a Veteran of the United States Army where she specialized in communications operation and maintenance. Rebekah also has several family members who has served in the military including her father and fellow AFL staff member Don Grigsby, brother Steven, Aunt and Uncle, cousins, Grandfathers and Great Grandfathers. Rebekah is also very active with her children, Emily, William and Kylie and husband Bryan Garno. She enjoys coaching softball, helping with the local 4-H Club, and volunteering with her children’s schools. Rebakah has owned her own childcare business, Munchkin Mountain, for 15 years. Above all Rebekah is proud to be a Staff member of AFL and more than happy to step in however asked or needed to support her fellow servicemen and women that have given so much of themselves.

Richard Gorney
Corresponding Secretary

Richard (Dick) Gorney, Corresponding Secretary, was born and raised in upstate New York, where he received his Catholic education and life-long love of hunting, fishing and God’s creation. He is a 1963 graduate of LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY, with a degree in business administration. Upon graduation, he received a commission in the Marine Corps and served three years of active duty at several duty stations. Dick and his wife, Loretta (Rett), have been married for 46 years and have 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Dick and his wife are blessed to live among the hills and valleys of east-central Ohio. Dick’s career was in information systems management where he developed, managed, and implemented computer systems. During his career, he worked at Carrier Corporation, Computer Sciences Corporation, and Ernst & Young (formerly Ernst Ernst, Ernst and Whinney). He retired in 1996 as a partner with Ernst & Young. Since retirement, he has enjoyed working with Rett on their retirement property, participating in ministries at their church, trying his hand at farming, and experiencing the deer and turkey hunting seasons with his two sons and friends. Dick first became aware of America’s Freedom Lodge when he met Mark Armstrong, basically to share their experiences about developing their properties for wildlife. Dick joined the Lodge as a board member in 2007. He describes his experience with the Lodge as the opportunity to combine love of country, love of God’s creation, and love of neighbor, in a mission larger than one’s self. Dick and Rett are communications at The Church of the Nativity in Utica, OH, where he is a member of the choir, lector, Finance Director, and leads the parish’s annual bishop’s appeal.

Christy Rodeniser
Treasurer

Christy has lived in Licking County, Ohio since she was born. She has volunteered with America’s Freedom Lodge since 2009 at hunts and events and has been the Treasurer since 2011. She was introduced to the Lodge when her husband became involved as a volunteer and AFL board member. Christy has been employed by the Ohio CSEA Director’s Association in Columbus, Ohio for the past 20 years as their Director of Operations where her primary responsibilities are the management of conferences/trainings, public education and outreach, technology platforms and budget monitoring. Kevin and Christy have been married since 1991. When she is not working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Renee McDaniel
Accountant

Renee McDaniel, Accountant, has been a Certified Public Accountant for nearly 20 years. She has worked a variety of accounting positions including public accounting, private for-profit corporations, and not-for-profit organizations. She loves accounting and enjoys helping others to understand financial statements or situations. She also values education and has earned a master’s degree in business administration. During her career, she has managed the accounting department, as well as worked independently. She is a hands-on manager who is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and work hard. She enjoys serving her community in leadership rolls. She currently serves on the East Knox School Board and has just been elected to her 3rd term. She has served on the Knox Energy Cooperative Board since its inception in 1998, and is currently the board President. Renee has been the treasurer for America’s Freedom Lodge since the beginning and was instrumental in obtaining the 501 (c) 3 status. Renee has been married to her high school sweetheart, Don, since May 1987. They relocated to Knox County in 1996 to raise their family in the beautiful Apple Valley community.

Bob Walton
Sergeant in Arms

Hi my name is Bob Walton. I am 60 years old and have lived around the Utica area my entire life. I am married to Brenda and have two children JR and Jennifer as well as two grandkids. I am an avid outdoorsman, was a Boy Scout leader. I have hunted and fished my entire life as well. I also enjoy digging ginseng as well as other roots, hunting for arrow heads and just about anything outside. I have been a member of AFL for many years.

Dave Tiebout
Trustee

Hi I’m Dave Tiebout a Trustee and I have lived in Utica my entire life. I graduated from Utica High School as well as Licking County Joint Vocational School in 1981. I grew up in the outdoors camping, fishing and hunting as well as playing in the mud with toys (BIG) toys that is. I have two uncles that were in the Air Force but unfortunately my heart murmur kept me from being able to join the military. I pretty much have worked my entire adult life either in auto body, flooring or excavating industry. I am currently employed with Lo Debar Inc, and my wife owns a Dog grooming and boarding business. We have two grown children that reside in Utica. I have been a member of AFL for some time now. I’m always willing to lend a hand in whatever comes our way or excavating jobs that need to be done. I am grateful for what our Veterans have done for us and enjoy giving back to them in any way that I can.

Meredith Pierpont
Trustee

Hi I’m Meredith Pierpont I’m the daughter of Rob and Lisa Pierpont. In 2021 I graduated from Utica High School and C-Tec Career and Technology Education Center. I also obtained my 240 Firefighting card and then went on took night classes to be able to obtain my EMT Basic card. Both of my grandpa’s served in the military along with several other family members. I have been part of AFL since the very beginning. I love taking care of our Veterans as well as the outdoors. I look forward to many more years to come.

Lisa Pierpont
Food Coordinator & Historian

First of all, thank you for reading my profile and being involved in the AFL. My name is Lisa, and I am married to Rob. We are the proud parents of our two children, who love our family’s involvement with this organization; it’s definitely a family thing for us. I was born and raised in our small town of Utica by two great, faithful parents. My father served in the Air Force and was a hard worker. For as long as I can remember, my mother has volunteered her time with a little bit of everything.
With AFL I coordinate the meals that we serve to our Veterans during the hunts and events that we hold. I ask for donations either in food or monetary form and then use those resources accordingly to help prepare the meals. That way everyone can contribute in whatever way they can, either preparing food themselves or donating money or time to our Veterans. It’s amazing how it always comes together and is always a great meal! I think the special ingredients of caring and compassion are also why these meals are such a success. People may gain a few pounds from eating at our events, but I like to believe it’s because they are filled with our loving support instead of due to a full belly (smile).
As a last note, I also do the photography and keep the scrapbooks up to date in an effort to preseve the history of this group. My roots in this organization go deep, and I look forward to being involved in the continued growth of America’s Freedom Lodge.