Communities Defending Veterans
AWI Outposts are local teams bringing our mission to life — funding service dogs, hosting events, and standing behind those who served.
What is an Outpost?
An Outpost is a local team committed to serving veterans and first responders in their own community.
Outposts are often led by Fairway Independent Mortgage employees who partner with local businesses, real estate professionals, and community leaders to host events, raise funds, and meet real needs on the ground.
American Warrior Initiative provides the mission, national support, and resources. The impact happens locally.
How It Works
1. Gather A local branch, team, or community group steps up to lead.
2. Host Outposts organize fundraisers, awareness events, AWREP sessions, and service projects.
3. Fund & Support 100% of public donations go directly to service dogs and veteran support. Fairway covers all overhead.
Each Outpost plays a direct role in funding life-changing service dogs for veterans and first responders.
452
The amount of service dogs AWI has helped place with veterans and first responders. (as of May 22, 2026)
Start an Outpost in Your Community
If your community needs an Outpost, start one. The Resource Hub has a short video walkthrough on what starting an Outpost looks like, what’s expected of an Outpost commander, and how AWI supports you from day one.
Why It Matters
Service dogs don’t appear by accident. They are funded by communities who choose to act. Behind every dog is an Outpost — a group of people who decided to do one thing and make a difference. Outposts turn gratitude into action.
West
7
Scottsdale Outpost
Scottsdale, AZ
Outpost LeadTracy Tucker
Tucson Outpost
Tucson, AZ
Outpost LeadTracy Tucker
White Mountain Outpost
Littleton, CO
Outpost LeadMichael Elkin
Oregon/SW Washington Outpost
Portland, OR
Outpost LeadScott Lippi
Salt Lake City Outpost
SLC, Utah
Outpost LeadSharla Ellis (#4715) & Nick Smith (#6515)
Southern Utah Outpost
Southern Utah
Outpost LeadJared & Breelyn Gibbons (#4870)
First Team Outpost
Vancouver, WA
Outpost LeadJason Presser
Midwest
14
Chicagoland Outpost
Chicago, IL
Outpost LeadCarrie Reznicek (#4140)
Lake in the Hills Outpost
Lake in the Hills, IL
Outpost LeadMike Teppen (#4470)
Naperville Outpost
Naperville, IL
Outpost LeadMegan Wendtland (#5880)
Outpost 1776
Elmhurst, IL
Outpost LeadMegan Wendtland Branch (Joey Giammarino & Francesco Cacucciolo)
691+ Outpost
Fishers, IN
Outpost LeadDawn Deputy Poe, Branch 691+
The Region Outpost
Valparaiso & Crown Point, IN
Outpost LeadMegan Kovach
Heartland Warriors Outpost
Kansas City, KS
Outpost LeadBranch #449 – Tracey Radinovic & Rachel Stockwell
Kansas City Outpost
Kansas City, KS
Outpost LeadDan Richards
Forever Four Outpost
Burnsville, MN
Outpost LeadBranch #6931 (Andrea Rodriguez)
Northeast Ohio Outpost
NE Ohio
Outpost LeadCarly Bailey & Jason Kruger
AWI Lake Country Outpost
Okauchee, WI
Outpost LeadMarie Jones
AWI Watertown Outpost
Okauchee, WI
Outpost LeadMarie Jones
Hoosier Heartland Outpost
Madison, WI
Outpost Lead(Doug Edmundson – LEADER) Corporate HQ #691 located in Fishers, IN: Austin Larr, Eric McMillin, Jeff Arthur, and Barry Lux.
NE Wisconsin Outpost
NE Wisconsin
Outpost LeadLinda Williamson
South
13
Iron Bridge Warrior Outpost
Birmingham, AL
Outpost LeadLeslie Jackson / Russell Carmichael
Central Arkansas Outpost
North Little Rock, AR
Outpost LeadBranch #3196 (Melanie French)
Greater Fort Polk Area AWI Outpost
Fort Polk, LA
Outpost LeadBranch 5300 – Louise Thaxton
Sterling Automotive Helping Heroes Outpost
Lafayette, LA
Outpost LeadBranch #5300 (Louise Thaxton – for Kyler Ardoin)
Central NC Outpost
Central NC
Outpost LeadDon Waters / Misty Bowles (#6070 & #6080)
Big Country Outpost
Abilene, TX
Outpost LeadThe Wood Group / Katie Wells
CTX Warrior Outpost
Temple, TX
Outpost LeadArtis & Shannon Alexander
Georgetown TX Outpost
Georgetown, TX
Outpost LeadBranch #3630 – Christina Maquet
Arlington Outpost
Arlington, VA
Outpost LeadBranch 2551
DMV Outpost
Gainesville, VA
Outpost LeadBrandi Mckeown (#2391)
NCR Outpost
Fairfax, VA
Outpost LeadChristian Kosko
NOVA Outpost
Northern Virginia
Outpost LeadBranch 2551
River City Outpost
Glen Allen, VA
Outpost Lead(Ben Heilberg – Commander) Glen Allen #8590
Northeast
4
Hartford Outpost
Hartford, CT
Outpost LeadSusan Howe
Bedford-Manchester Outpost
Bedford/Manchester, MA
Outpost LeadSusan Howe
Foxboro Outpost
Foxboro, MA
Outpost LeadSusan Howe
Midcoast Maine Outpost
Rockport, ME
Outpost LeadBranch #5480 – Jo Geddis / Kat Rix