Introducing the Leaders of MDI - MDI - Mentoring men to live with excellence

EDITOR’S NOTE: Let us introduce some men you may never have met before, but men who represent the success of an organization that works to cause greatness for all of us. Below you will find a listing of the Regional Coordinators, the Board of Directors, as well as the MDI International Core Team, with detailed bios for the latter. The Board is responsible for the overall direction of the organization and selecting the president. The Core Team is responsible for executing the programs, policy and direction of the Board. And you – well you are responsible for the rest. Let’s all make the best of it.

Introducing the Mentor Discover Inspire

Board of Directors

Last	First	Phone	Email	Region	Position
Allard	Patrick	(403) 540-2014	patrick.from.phone@gmail.com	Continental	Regional Director
Aponte	Ed	(404) 840-8305	edapontesr@gmail.com	Atlantic	Acting President
Baum	Earl	(770)680-1194	crazypoet62@gmail.com	Atlantic	Regional Director
Conkright	Michael	(207) 754-0462	mikerightppl@gmail.com	Atlantic	Regional Director
Gosselin	Keith	(732) 713-1405	kvgosselin@gmail.com	Atlantic	Regional Director
Sorbo	Todd	(619) 977-0911	todd.sorbo@exp.com	Pacific	Regional Director
Williams	Cameron	(707)570-5993	cameron.williams0101@gmail.com	Pacific	Regional Director
Lawrence	Jim	(508) 259-6082	lawrencejim@comcast.net	Atlantic	Chairman of the Board
Marchione	Steven	(647) 201-3000	steven@marchione.ca	Continental	Secretary
Pettengill	Jeffrey	(978) 495-0809	jeffrey.pettengill@gmail.com	Atlantic	Treasurer
Vasilev	Kiril	(416) 371-2718	vasilevk@gmail.com	Continental	Regional Director
Galler	Dan	(416)575-1567	galler.dan@gmail.com	Continental	Regional Director
Walter	Miachael	(617)359-2233	mwalter60@hotmail.com	Continental	Regional Director

This is the

MDI Core Team

Last	First	Phone	Email	Region	Position
Aldrich	Gregory	978 – 660-2669	greg@greg-aldrich.com	Atlantic	Dir International Events
Aponte	Ed	404 – 840-8305	edapontesr@gmail.com	Atlantic	Chief of Staff
Christopher	Chris	619 – 777-3427	cchristopher@dardenbrothers.com	Pacific	President
Gaul	Darrell	858 – 449-1390	darrellgaul@gmail.com	Pacific	VP of Expansion Initiative
Hall	Russ	404 – 213-4482	Russ.Hall.EMail1@GMail.com	Atlantic	VP of Training
Harrigan	Ed	617 – 416-1213	Edharrigan01824@gmail.com	Atlantic	VP of Legacy Discovery
Holowachuk	Gerry	416 – 251-2221	gerryholowachuk@gmail.com	Continental	Chief Financial Officer
Miller	Robert	403 – 816-1334	robgmiller@gmail.com	Continental	S1 International
Moreau	Denis	+1(207)213-3823	dnmoreau@gmail.com	Atlantic	VP of Technology
Pollatos	Christoph	404 – 386-8859	christoph.pollatos@gmail.com	Atlantic	Membership Training Program Dir.
Tager	Matthew	408 – 391-4422	matttager@gmail.com	Continental	VP of Operations
Thurmond	Tom	404 – 797-7673	tthurmond2003@gmail.com	Atlantic	VP of Team Innovation

Regional Coordinators

Johnston, George – Pacific Region – 619-301-1770 – georgejohnston365@gmail.com.
Levine, Mischa – Continental Region – 416- 888-6033 – mischa.levine@gmail.com
Tripp, Will – Atlantic Region – 617-293-2585 – willto50.14@gmail.com

INTRODUCTIONS

We recognize that many of you may not know us by name or understand the MDI leadership roles. But we’re here to change that! Herein you will find the Faces Behind the Roles. Who Are We? The MDI Core Team comprises 16 key members, each with a unique role and responsibility. Let’s meet them.

President of MDI

Chris Christopher

Selflessly stepped up to lead MDI until the end of 2026.

Out-Going President of MDI

Olaf Krop

A visionary leader, steering MDI toward its mission.

Married with 2 adult sons
In MDI since its founding and have served at every level of leadership
My core values are Loyalty, Curiosity, Generosity and Learning
My secret superpower is I can fix anything mechanical, given enough time and the right hammer.

Mr. Krop regretfully resigned early in his Presidency due to health concerns. However, we want to honor him by continuing to post his vision and express his determination to help guide Mentor Discover Inspire to provide men with the masculine environment that supports MDI’s stated mission and vision.

FROM President Olaf Krop. PACIFIC, West Bay Division:

I believe that MDI can and should make a positive and lasting difference in millions of lives. This cannot be attained by simply doing what we do now using more effort, or more effectiveness, or more passion. Even thought we care about men’s lives, other than the men on our team and possibly a few men outside of our teams, we haven’t really seen how we can make a difference to millions of men.

And yet, Millions of men are fighting the battle alone, navigating their way through an indifferent and sometimes hostile world, without other men by their side, aiding them.

We exist because those men don’t have masculine support of a team in their lives. Our mission is to bring our masculine support to those men so that they will have successful lives. We will not fail, we cannot fail – because the world is depending on us to step up.

We do the unreasonable – create a movement of leaders taking on changing the world by bringing mature masculinity to all men.

This is an unreasonable request. It is urgent and it will be challenging. We are the right men to take this on.

If you want to know more, feel free to reach out to me at OlafKrop@gmail.com

Chief of Staff

Ed Aponte

The glue that holds our operations together.

Married with two daughters and a son.
In MDI since 2008.
Purpose is to be of service as a masculine positive example to others causing them to be unstoppable.
My vision is for men in leadership to be left better than found by being mentored to win in their lives.
My secret power is finding a creative solution and discipline.

FROM Ed Aponte, ATLANTIC, Dog Soldiers Division:

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our volunteer men’s organization. At MDI, we’re dedicated to ensuring the success of our members under the leadership of President Olaf Krop. As the Chief of Staff, my role is to cultivate a thriving core team, fostering relationships and leveraging our tools to empower each member to achieve their goals. Recently, we’ve embarked on aligning all our programs with the mission of retaining membership, and our next step involves implementing a scoreboard to track progress.

My passion lies in seeing every member of our core team grow and succeed, with a clear path forward within MDI. I firmly believe that the true value of being part of MDI is in serving at a high level, leaving a lasting impact. If this resonates with you, please reach out to me at EdAponteSr@gmail.com. Together, with committed individuals like you, President Krop’s vision of a thriving, enduring organization is within reach. Join us in making a difference and building a legacy.

Regional Coordinator – Continental Region

Misha Levine

Supports the DCs and managers of MDI’s Canadian and online Divisions

Member of MDI for 20+ years
Married for almost 27 years,
Extremely proud father of a 24 year old professional musician
Practiced Law for 10 years before becoming a high school teacher

FROM Mischa Levine, CONTINENTAL, North Star Division:

The Continental Region is MDI’s largest region, with 282 men, making up 47% of our membership. My vision for the Continental Region is: We enrich lives and create a better world by bringing mature masculinity to a growing circle of men. I am proud to say that my vision is true… collectively, we live it every day.

Our 4 divisions, in alphabetical order, are:

Atlas – MDI’s online and fasting growing division
Head Smashed In – based in and around Calgary, Alberta
North Star – based in and around Toronto, Ontario, and
Western Front – Southern Ontario, west of Toronto

As the regional coordinator, I have the great fortune of being supported by a stellar team of men – the Continental Region DCs, regional managers, S1, and my Chief of Staff. I literally could not do my job without them.

Our divisions are up to lots of great work – Legacy Discoveries, Rhinos, Murys, In-Person trainings, fundraising, and community service initiatives to name a few. And of course, the core work that we do take place on our 27 Men’s teams, where we support, challenge, and inspire each other to lead fulfilling lives of honour, integrity, and purpose.

If you want to know more, feel free to reach out to me at mischa.levine@gmail.com.

Regional Coordinator – Atlantic Region

Will Tripp

Advocating for our members in the Atlantic region.

Member of MDI since 2017.
Proud father to a 24-year-old son.
In a committed 7-year relationship and helping to raise her 17-year-old son.
IBEW member for 25+ years.

Our four divisions are:

BAMF- Maine & New Hampshire
Dog Soldiers- Atlanta area
Massive Dump- New York/New Jersey area
Wicked Hahd- Massachusetts

My vision – Men are using the entire region to get the mentoring and inspiration they need to become a positive powerful force in their families, careers, and communities.

If you want to know more, feel free to reach out to me at willto50.14@gmail.com

Regional Coordinator – Pacific Region

George Johnston

FROM George Johnston, PACIFIC, San Diego Men’s Division:

My vision is to empower men to be the leaders that will create the world we want our children to live in – inherit. To create the space for men to discover and own their passion for masculine relationships getting filled & satisfied in giving & receiving their truth. Bringing men up so that their lives have more value, purpose, love,success and bring those qualities to everyone in their lives.

To do this, I will work with the Pacific region core team and DCs to create an environment of success, fun and growth. To hold each other accountable to their commitment to divisions and tribes in the region. I intend to give the best of myself. To trust myself to take care of my men and be responsible to own my actions.

If you want to know more, feel free to reach out to me at georgejohnston365@gmail.com

Executive Director

Stan Snow

Ensuring all programs operate efficiently.

Purpose: Causing greatness with ruthless compassion.
Divorced with two adult children, Erica 35 in San Diego and Tyler 33 currently serving in the US Marine Corps in Japan.
Have held most of the leadership positions from Team Leader to DC to RC to President. Some multiple times.
Been on a men’s team since my Men’s Weekend in April 1995.
Originally from Maine where I was on teams for over 25 years. Now I live full time in my motorhome and travel, mostly Florida and Maine.

FROM Stan Snow, CONTINENTAL, Atlas Division:

I have been blessed to be the Executive Director of MDI for 6 years now. In that role I work directly with the president focusing on achieving his objectives to benefit the men of Mentor Discover Inspire (MDI). Currently I am working with your Regional Coordinators to plan and deliver the Division Coordinator (DC) Summit in April. At this event all of MDI’s DCs will gather for training, connecting with each other and top leadership, and to create plans for the success of your divisions.

I also brought together a team, at the request of President Krop, to create an Onboarding Program for new DCs and RCs. The team included Ian Kennard, Tom Thurmond, and Matt Tager, the current and two previous VPs of Regional Operations (VPRO). This is the man who leads the RCs. We created a four week introduction for every new RC and DC to introduce them to the tools and resources available for them to get launched in their new job, get them launched quickly and reduce the learning curve. So far one RC and two DCs have completed this introduction and there are three more DCs and one RC about to start.

My next project is working with the International Leadership team to track how long men stay in MDI and what we can do to create more value for men that will inspire them to stay longer.

If you want to know more send me an email at mdi.executivedirector@gmail.com

Vice President of Operations

Matt Tager

Guiding and supporting the three Regional Coordinators in their regional management.

FROM Matt Tager, CONTINENTAL, Atlas Division:

The Vice President of Regional Operations covers a lot more than I initially thought and it is an exciting position. While the focus is on the Regional Coordinators and making sure they’re getting the training and support they need to be the best leaders than can be, the position literally covers EVERYTHING that is regional operations.

This means seeing that the DC’s and Team Leaders are getting the train and support they need to become outstanding leaders and that the regions are growing and flourishing. Of course, that is done mostly through the RCs and through collaboration with the International Core team, i.e. VP MTP, VP Training, VP Event Management, etc. but I’ll often make calls directly to the DCs and, time permitting, an occasional team leader. Staying in relationship with these leaders gives me insight into what more this organization can do for men.

I also have the honor of reporting to and working directly with the president of MDI. This gives me an amazing ‘seat at the table’, which allows me the opportunity to give back to the organization that has given so much to me and helped me on the path to becoming the man I’ve always wanted to be.

Director of the International Events Program

Greg Aldrich

Helping to train and organize event managers.

Purpose: To make a powerful difference with others
Married since 1989
Numerous regional and International Leadership roles including Chairman, MDI Board of Directors
Met with other men in Sept 99 where decisions were made that led to the creation of MDI.
Married successfully for 35 years.
Retired
President Condo HOA.

FROM Greg Aldrich, ATLANTIC, Wicked Hahd Division:

As the Director of the International Event Program, my goal is to create a standardized strong program to support Event Managers (EMs) by providing them with a blueprint to deliver successful events every time. MDI has a rich history of developing great leaders. One of the tools we have had historically is using Event Management to train those leaders. It is my goal to create a program that will ensure this opportunity continues to exist in perpetuity.

We are currently drafting an updated version of the Event Manual which will provide Event Managers the guidance they need to deliver quality events. Once that is done (our target date is May 1) we will then design a structure for providing support for EMs to get the mentoring they need to be successful.

We expect that this will be a dynamic process where all the men participating will get an opportunity to express what worked and what did not work so we are continually updating and improving the program.

If you have a passion for Event Management and would like to support this program in some way, please reach out to me at greg@greg-aldrich.com

Greg Aldrich Director, International Event Program (978) 660-2669

Vice President of Technology

Denis Moreau

Manages all aspects of Technology in use by MDI.

FROM Denis Moreau, ATLANTIC, BAMF Division:

My Vision for Technology at MDI is that we have the most modern, cost-effective tools available to all of our members that empower us to collaborate more effectively with each other and enhance productivity and innovation. The tools that we use provide value for our members while always minimizing cost and maximizing effectiveness. These tools help all of us to cause greatness in our lives and in the world.

If you want to know more, feel free to reach out to me at technology@mdimen.org

Training Manager

Russ Hall

“A strong leadership culture makes for strong teams. Strong teams are what keeps men coming to MDI, and grows MDI.”

Member of MDI since April 2015. Jack Brown brought me “into the fold” after 9 months of encouragement from my woman at the time (and now my wife), Sara Branch.
7 Years Active Duty Naval Aviator after college, 21 Year Corporate Career in Sales and Service, various leadership roles. Successfully retired from my Corporate Career.
Now in my 21st year of a Professional Business, Leadership, and Executive Coaching Practice.
I have been married to Sara since February 2018 (Sara has two sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren from a prior marriage). We are the “support humans” for a 5 year old Golden Doodle, Waldo.
I have two sons from my first marriage
- Duncan, 35, Decorated Police Officer, Bomb Technician, married, and father to my first grandson Rowan (born in May 2024)
- Dalton, 30, US Navy MM(N)1, USS Maryland Blue Crew, married, no kids (yet?)

FROM Training Russ Hall, ATLANTIC, Dog Soldiers Division:

I’ve come into this position committed to furthering The Mission of MDI, which has been the driver for my actions since joining and coming to understand it. Men everywhere need what we have, maybe now more than ever.

That’s what led me to develop, install, and deliver a Leadership Development Program for the Dog Soldiers Division (5 Cohorts Completed since 2020).

Now, my purpose is to further support The Mission of MDI as the Vice President for Training. That will best be accomplished developing and implementing a different learning strategy for Leadership in the MDI system than what we’ve used in the past.

The focus needs to support Teams in developing their strengths. With that, as they continue to grow stronger, they are more fulfilling for their individual members. When that happens, MDI can better pursue its Mission in the world.

A strong leadership culture makes for strong teams. Strong teams are what keeps men coming to MDI and grows MDI. The job of Training is to support that leadership culture.

The delivery of training works best when there is follow-up. That best happens when delivery is “as close to the man being trained and coached as possible”.

I see my role as making the Training and Coaching of Leadership Knowledge and Skills a connecting backbone running through the whole organization from your International Core Team to individual team members. This will demand the implementation and use of 21st Century methodologies and technologies to leverage and deliver the knowledge and wisdom of the organization more effectively through, and to, all its members.

Everyone plays a part in this…no one sits on the sidelines.

I’m very aware of the magnitude of all this, and that to a great degree it will evolve. I will absolutely need the help of everyone. My phone is 404.213.4482, and email Russ.Hall.EMail1@GMail.com. I will particularly appreciate your thoughts (and guidance) if you have a personal interest and passion around Training, Coaching, and the Development of skills in men!

Vice President of the Legacy Discovery Program

Ed Harrigan

Unveiling the hidden LD gems within MDI.

Joined MDI 20 years ago

FROM Edward Harrigan, ATLANTIC, Wicked Hahd:

The Legacy Discovery team is tasked with ensuring that the Legacy Discovery is a powerful event for our participant’s and the training and production teams. Our job is to engage the men in the region to bring the Legacy Discovery from an event driven model to a living breathing program that shows up in our divisions and our teams. The regional leader will engage the training team to ensure these men are operating at the highest level. They will mentor the event and production team managers.

We are working on the application process to ensure the events are vetted and inspected and that the regional leadership are all in on the event.

We are looking at developing a Syllabus that takes into account the expertise acquired over many years and across all the regions. We look at what works and what could work better from our vast experience putting on LDs. This will help us come together and share our wisdom to improve the syllabus over time.

If you want to know more send me an email edwharr1234@yahoo.com.

Director of the Expansion Program

Darrell Gaul

Helping men discover us and prepare to join our teams.

I have participated in MDI since 2010
I have served as Division S1, EXI Commitment and AmbassadorTeams and Ambassador Team Leader
I am father to 3 children and 6 grandchildren
I am a retired software developer
I live in San Diego, CA

FROM Darrell Gaul, PACIFIC, San Diego Men’s Division:

The Expansion program is tasked with supporting men that are new to MDI from initial contact through joining a men’s team to joining MDI. There are four major areas: Marketing (Social Media advertisements and communication), Ambassadors (attempting live connection with the new Lead to attend two Online Introduction Program meetings), Online Introduction Program leaders (two free mini-men’s team meetings) and Commitment (ushering Leads to attend online and in-person team meetings thru joining MDI).

Vision: To reach out to men of all walks of life and enroll them in MDI’s Online Introduction Program meetings such that they choose to attend either online or in-person team meetings and go on to join MDI to accelerate becoming the man they always wanted to be.

If you want to know more, feel free to reach out to me at mailto: darrellgaul@gmail.com

Membership Training Program Manager

Christoph Pollatos

Nurturing our New Members.

I was introduced to MDI in 2008 and have been in active leadership roles since 2009.

Vision: To create a pathway where new men get what they need to grow, and then gift us back a bountiful harvest we can sow.

MTP gives new members a way to bring value to meetings, not simply be “guests, so they stick around

Provides structured initiation
To support teams to integrate new members in a consistent fashion
Builds upon the powerful mentorship pillar of MDI
Allows men to connect outside their team, develop new relationships and glean new perspectives
Develops leadership skills, training our future leaders the technology to lead
Vetting the New Member’s level of engagement

Giving new members an opportunity to experience a sense of accomplishment & build confidence
Completed Milestones verify personal growth

FROM Chris Pollatos, ATLANTIC, Dog Soldiers Division:

Vision: “To create a pathway where new men get what they need to grow, and then gift us back a bountiful harvest to sow”.

I am passionate about helping Protect our Planet. As such, in 2012 I co-founded a company that developed technology which removes CO2 from our atmosphere and turns it into a solid, stable form of Carbon. The resulting product; called BioChar, is then added back into our soils, increasing crop yield (think: Food Security), reducing watering needs (think drought resistant) and minimizing the need for artificial fertilizers (think reduced harmful algae blooms in oceans/ lakes).

In short, I am on this “Earth Walk” to use all my skils/ talents to help make a POSITIVE difference!

For comments and questions email me at christoph.pollatos@gmail.com

Team Innovation Program Director

Tom Thurmond

Fostering creativity and fresh ideas that make team meetings great.

I have been doing this work since 1995.
I’ve been DC, RC (3 times) and VP of Operations.
This work fills my purpose, which is to be fully engaged in mentoring, teaching and inspiring men so that together, we cause greatness in our communities and with that, generate peace and abundance in the world.
I live in Atlanta with my golden retriever Charlie.
I am divorced with no children, but have been in a committed relationship with a woman since 2009.
I hunt, fish, and love building and flying rockets.
I’m a retired U.S. Probation Officer.

FROM Tom Thurmond, ATLANTiC, Dog Soldiers Division:

Team Innovation is an MDI program that focuses on working with men to create things that make team meetings better, because a smoking hot team meeting attracts men and keeps them active.

We are currently working on producing a training for mentors that can be recorded and watched by mentor candidates that identifies best practices of a mentor and what the role and responsibilities of the mentor include. Later in 2024, we intend to identify and work on other great ideas as we collaborate with others.

I lead this team and you can call me at (404) 797-7673, tthurmond2003@yahoo.com. If you have any great ideas, let’s talk!

Vice President of Finance

Gerry Holowachuk

Managing our financial health.

Member of MDI since 2009
Happily married to my beautiful wife for 32 years.
2 wonderful daughters and a happy grandson.

FROM Gerry Holowachuk, CONTINENTAL, Western Front Division:

The Finance Team is committed to managing the financial health of Mentor Discover Inspire so that Men’s Teams are supported to help men be successful in their lives. I guide a highly functioning team of the three Regional Finance Managers (RFMs); namely, Mackintosh from the Pacific Region (PAC), Apfel from the Atlantic Region (ATL) and Fisher from the Continental Region (CON).

All Regional Finance Team members know that it is Trust and Integrity that is paramount in their job and that they help your Regional Coordinator (RC) be successful in achieving his objectives for your Region.

The Finance Team also ensures the Regional Coordinators and the President get the financial information they need to do their job with excellence.

S1 Program Director

Rob Miller

Managing Regional, Division, and Team S1s

With MDI for 12 years. Have owned many leadership roles.
I am a Software developer.
Currently married and have parented 4 children.

FROM Rob Miller, CONTINENTAL, Head Smashed In Division:

MDI’s S1 Vision is a network of Region, Division and Team S1s dedicated to promoting a strong image of MDI by embodying organization, timeliness, accuracy and engaging content.

This vision is important because it helps our members benefit from feeling like they belong to a great organization that is relevant in the world. Contributing to that process helps strengthen our resolve to face our own personal challenges.

Our mission is to empower each MDI team with a qualified S1 who understands the role and is motivated to help his team create an excellent experience for its members and guests.

The S1 role is a leadership program that will benefit men by learning skills that will help them become better leaders. This is what MDI is about.

We held an OnLine Division S1 Summit on May11th, 2024 where DCs were invited to meetup with Division S1s to look at what S1s can bring to their leadership. The following document is the result of how men understand the value of the S1 role in MDI.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hrnmcIbZUEmAVUS5tY6zu2aA5x2UMv68/edit

For more information: Rob Miller int.s1@mdimen.org