about us
Meet Your Surviving Valor Crew–Made up of Volunteers Who Have Served
Each and every one of us is proud to help Veterans. It is our passion to make such a difference in their lives. But we definitely couldn’t do it without you.
Your support means the world to us and those who have served. We thank you for your time and your donations.
Here you will get to know us a little better–the faces behind Surviving Valor
Lance Averbeck
Today we introduce you to our founder, Lance Averbeck. Lance graduated from LaCrescent, MN High School in 1997, the same year as he joined the US Navy. He was stationed on the USS Valley Forge(CG-50) from 1999-2004 where he took part in three deployments. Two were counter drug operations, one to the middle east. He finished his last 3 years of naval service at NOPF Whidbey Island, WA. In 2018, Lance moved back home to Minnesota. He is a VFW life member, and currently serves as Chaplain of VFW Post 10406 out of Cochrane, WI, and is currently employed by the US Postal Service. Lance is married to his wife Jessica and they live in MN with their 2 dogs.
jason birkle
The first member of our board of Directors is Jason Birkle. Jason graduated from LaCrescent, MN high school in 1997, the same year he joined the US Army. He was enlisted for 8 years, the last four of which were with ROTC, where he graduated with a B.S. in business management from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He then became an aviation officer flying Blackhawk helicopters for the next 12 years. Jason then switched to Civil Affairs for his last four years, retiring as an O-4 in 2020, which is the same year he graduated with a masters in business administration from the University of Maryland. Jason is currently a stay at home dad of 3 boys while his wife continues her active duty military career as a Nurse Corp Officer.
phil humphrey
Here we’d like to introduce you to another one of our Directors, Phil Humphrey. Phil graduated from Granton High School in 2001, enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2001 and did 6 years with 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. During that time he was deployed to help out with Hurricane Katrina. He was out for one year and got called back during his inactive reserve time and got assigned to the 10th Mountain Division deployed to Iraq. After getting out of the Army he spent 13 years working in IT. Phil transitioned into business ownership and started 608 Brewing Company in La Crosse, WI and Homen, WI.. Phil is also married with two children.
dusty liston
Please help us welcome Dusty Liston to Surviving Valor. She is our newest board member, and has a lot of experience to help us grow. Her dedication to veterans, as well as this great nation, makes her the perfect addition. Thank you for joining us in our mission to help veterans!
Dusty currently works for a non-profit performing economic development for three South East MN cities and one county as a Community and Business Development Specialist. Dusty retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after 20 years of honorable, active-duty service in June of 2017 as a Master Sergeant of Marines. Dusty deployed to Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014. Dusty holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management from Park University.
Dusty grew up in the rural town of Ruthton, Minn., with a current population of 217 people and understands the struggles of small-town U.S.A and its citizens. She comes from a military family, where both her mother and father served, as well as four other siblings. She is looking forward to creating solid relationships in order to help Veterans in the surrounding area grow and improve their general health and mental well being. In her free time, Dusty enjoys spending time with her two children, working out, traveling, and reading.