Team & Leadership

DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation wouldn’t be where it is without the dedication of this team. The majority of their work takes place behind the scenes, but their expertise and commitment to helping others have been invaluable. We thrive on their ability to provide guidance, which gives this non-profit organization the tools necessary to make an impact in the ice hockey community.

Officers and Board Members

Martin Richardson

President/CEO

Martin “Dawg Father” Richardson is the original Dawg. He started the Dawg Hockey Club in 2003 and has been very instrumental in the building of what Dawg Nation has become today. Our President/CEO is a native of England but grew up in Colorado loving sports and the outdoors. Martin has been a practicing CPA for over 25 years, working with many of the hockey families that make up Dawg Nation.

As a graduate of Metro State University, Martin starred for the Roadrunners on the soccer field, earning him a place in the University’s Hall of Fame. He currently captains and plays for the Old Dawgs in the SDOHL and typically organizes a team at all of our events. His hockey passion runs deep and started on his parents’ outdoor rink in Indian Hills, Colorado.

Our leader is married (Cindy) with three daughters. Like many of members on Dawg Nation, Martin enjoys coaching kids and giving back to the community. Martin has been recognized for his community service on many occasions. In 2012, he won the Channel 7 Everyday Hero award and was finalist for the Colorado Youth soccer coach of the year. In 2014, Martin was honored as the Colorado Rapids Community MVP and finished second in the MLS league wide voting for the prestigious MLS Community MVP. In 2015, Martin was once again a finalist for the Colorado State Youth Soccer Coach of the Year and was also named the Channel 4 “Game Changer” for the month of February. In 2021, the Dawg Father was recognized again as he was named a semi-finalist for the NHL’s coveted “Willie O’Ree Community Award”.

Mike Freeman

Executive Director

Mike has always enjoyed being an athlete and part of a team. Mike was fortunate enough to be a quarterback (scout team All-American) on Bill McCartney’s 1990 National Championship team at CU. More important than football, Mike learned the power of agape love, the kind of love that is unconditional.

After college, Mike enjoyed a successful career in education with Jefferson County Public schools, retiring after 26 years of service as a teacher, coach, principal and most recently as an Achievement Director. Mike also has a background in non-profit work as a founding member and president of Eleos Project Sudan.

Mike and his wife Jennifer live in Littleton, Colorado with their five children. What attracted Mike to Dawg Nation was their generosity.

Mike has a passion for Dawg Nation and giving back. In addition to playing on two Dawg teams, he is working on starting a team of adults that are new to hockey, because he knows first-hand the power of Dawg Nation hockey in people’s lives.

Greg Clinard

Chair

Greg has been an avid hockey player since the age of six, and is a former New Englander who’s made Colorado his home since 1995. Greg still plays when he can and helps with some of our other important programs such as sled hockey, blind hockey as well as facilitating other special experiences for people who love the game but find it challenging to participate in able-bodied ice hockey.

With the love of his life Pam by his side, they've raised two wonderful kids, Nick (24) & Ally (22) and now find themselves as empty-nesters. After a relatively brief retirement from a 21 year career as a financial advisor, he just recently rejoined Ameriprise Financial, Inc. this year to work with his best friend from college and will again be advising clients as part of Hughes Wealth Advisors out of Scarborough, ME.

Prior to joining Dawg Nation in 2011, Greg had coached baseball, football and lacrosse in the Parker Youth Sports organization going all the way back to 2005. He is a passionate family man who enjoys rooting for the 9-time National Championship winning DU Men's Ice Hockey Team, the Colorado Avalanche as well as giving back to the community that he calls home.

Dave Chamberlin

Vice Chair

Dave is a native of New Hampshire who moved to Colorado for graduate school at CSU in 1976 and never moved back. Prior to the move, he was proud to be the worst player on one of the worst high school ice hockey teams in the state. Although some of his hockey skills have improved slightly since then, his skating speed has regressed from slow to slower and his slap shot is still timed by a sun dial. Dave coached in the Arvada Hockey Association for 9 years, winning State Championships at the Peewee and Bantam levels with former Dawg Nation board member Mike Pijanowski. He joined the Dawgs in 2005, and still plays on the Old Dawgs in the SDOHL when not on injured reserve. He has been honored to serve on the Dawg Nation Board of Directors since 2015, and currently is the chairman of our Recipients Committee.

Dave is a Sr. Vice President of the 5,000-employee international environmental/engineering consulting firm CDM Smith Inc., and enjoys mountain climbing throughout Colorado and all over the world when not at work or in some ice rink. He and his wife Karen live in Evergreen.

Craig Blumengold

Board Secretary

Craig is originally from New Jersey. Once married he and his wife Kelly decided to make their family’s home Colorado in 2012 after the birth of their daughter Brielle. Craig is a successful Realtor in the Denver and Colorado Springs area. Prior to Real Estate, Craig spent 12 years of his career in New Business Development / Outside Sales, and with that, he brings over a decade of expertise in sales, business development, and marketing. He earned his B.S. in Business Marketing in 2007 from Berkeley College.

Craig is an avid ice hockey player and on-ice official, but most importantly he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. Craig truly enjoys giving back to his community by donating his time with Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation, The Visionaries Blind Hockey Program, and Colorado Sled Hockey in addition to the Arapahoe Warriors Youth Hockey Association as The Girls Program Director and a U-10 Head Coach.

Nicholas Cortese

Treasurer

Nick Cortese hails from Chicago and was a proud member of our original Dawgs team that began in 2003. Growing up with a tight knit Italian family, Nick enjoyed playing several sports, including hockey. Being from the Windy City, Nick is lifelong fan of Bears, Cubs, and of course, the Blackhawks!

Nick is also a longtime friend of the Dawg Father, working side by side for ten years as part of the J.D. Edwards finance and accounting team. Retiring after a 40 year career as an international corporate accountant, Nick is considered a true expert in the field international finance.

Having a passion for automobiles, Nick enjoys working on cars and can be found glued to his big screen for every NASCAR race. Currently residing in Littleton with his wife, Lorraine, Nick enjoys spending time at their cabin in beautiful Grand Lake, Colorado.

Matthew Cope

Board Member

Matt is a Colorado native that has been involved in the Colorado hockey community his entire life. Since retiring from a career in professional hockey, Matt works as a mortgage professional in all areas across Colorado as well as several other states nationwide. Matt takes pride in making sure that all his clients get the proper coaching to put them in a product that makes the most sense for their financial goals and futures. Matt has helped hundreds of clients create wealth through real estate since starting in lending in 2018.

Matt is very involved in the hockey community. He is the Assistant Coach for the U14 Colorado Thunderbirds, an organization that he played for throughout his childhood. Matt is an alumni of Robert Morris University where he played NCAA Division 1 hockey before beginning his pro career where he ventured to both the ECHL and Slovakia Tipsport Liga. Matt’s involvement in Dawg Nation Began in 2018 as a competitor in the Dawg Bowl. After seeing the energy and community involvement that surrounded the organization, Matt joined as a board member in 2021 to give back to the game that had given him so much.

Todd Gehrke

Board Member

Todd Gehrke moved to Colorado from northern Wisconsin and resides in Greenwood Village with his wife and two daughters. He has been a top producing Mortgage Loan Officer in the Denver Metro area since 2001 carving out a portion of each mortgage he funds for DAWG Nation. His unique perspective helps his clients find ways to make their money work for them, so they don’t have to work as hard for their money. When not at the rink Todd enjoys the beautiful state of Colorado’s great outdoors, hunting, fishing, hiking, and playing an occasional round of golf. He is always ready for a good high five, so don’t leave him hanging!

Bill Miller

Board Member

Bill is almost a native having moved to Colorado with his family when he was 6 months old. Though he didn’t play hockey while growing up, he fell in love with the sport through his son Collin and daughter Lauren and helped them learn to skate and play hockey. He was a team manager for years for his son’s travel teams, and also volunteered in many positions for his son’s high school teams. Not one to let his kids have all the fun, he began skating and learning to play hockey at age 47. Bill readily admits he is “work in progress” on the ice and enjoys playing in 2 different over-40 leagues, often against his friends on the Old Dawgs.

Bill is an earth scientist in the energy industry and has owned a consulting business for over 30 years that specializes in the evaluation and generation of oil and gas drilling projects. He also owns 2 LLC’s that actively invest in exploration projects and manage those working interests.

He is past president of the Board of Directors of the Denver Earth Resources Library, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Denver serving the energy community, and is also past chairman of the Denver Chapter of the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists.

Bill and his wife Elaine currently reside in Centennial.

Monette Nickels, CPA

Board Member

Monette is a Colorado native who joined the Dawg Nation Board in 2020. Monette and her husband Terry live in Littleton, Colorado. They are the proud parents of two amazing adults, a daughter and a son, both of whom attend college in Colorado, and they spent many years attending and/or coaching football games, basketball games, choir concerts, dance performances, lacrosse games and more. While Monette has no direct connection to the game of hockey, she was introduced to DAWG Nation by its Executive Director, Mike Freeman, and soon became drawn to the spirit of giving that is at the core of its mission.

Monette received her bachelor’s degree from Western Colorado University (aka Western State College) and is a CPA. Having started her career in public accounting, she worked for Price Waterhouse in both Denver and Moscow, Russia. Monette spent most of her professional career working in financial services. Prior to “retiring” to spend time raising her kids, she served as a Senior Vice President for ALPS Fund Services. She currently works part-time as an accounting manager for Complete Financial Ops, Inc. as a Vice President in Global Fund Services at Northern Trust.

Matthew Obert, CFA, MBA

BOARD MEMBER

Matt is the Chief Investment Officer for Coordinated Financial Services. He has a passion for helping individuals and families solve complex financial issues in order to work towards the goals they’ve worked so hard to pursue.

He has 20 years of experience in the investment management arena. Prior to joining Coordinated Financial Services, he was a VP at Charles Schwab, Director at BNY Mellon Wealth Management and was an originating member of Schwab Private Client Investment Advisory, where he served as a Manager, Portfolio Consultant responsible for an advisory practice totaling more than $400 million.

Matt received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his MBA from the University of Colorado. He is a CFA Charterholder and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Institute of Colorado.

He and his wife Amy have a daughter and 2 sons. If the weather is warm it’s baseball, volleyball and golf and if it’s cold they will be skiing!

Rob Packard

BOARD MEMBER

Rob “Superfan” Packard has been a part of Dawg Nation since his boys took to the ice in 1995, a part of the foundation since its inception, and has seen first-hand the immeasurable difference the foundation has made in the lives of others. This became especially powerful when his oldest son was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and became a recipient and, ultimately, a survivor… who subsequently went on to help launch the incredibly successful Survivor’s Game. Rob not only cheers on the Dawgs but has been known to don a pair of skates.

A successful businessman and CEO for over 40 years here in the Denver area, Rob strives to support others as they pursue personal and professional (as well as hockey) goals.

Married to his biggest fan, and best friend, Kelli, they have two boys of their own, and a full hockey line of extras that they’ve helped raise. Next in line is teaching the six grandkids how to play hockey.

Jeremy Rowell

BOARD MEMBER

Jeremy is not a native of Colorado, but the next best thing. Growing up in Littleton, Jeremy has been a part of the Colorado hockey community for over 20 years. Jeremy played his youth hockey with the Colorado Thunderbirds before eventually going on to play at Metro State University. His passion for hockey didn’t stop there. Jeremy has been coaching for 8 years with the Colorado Thunderbirds and Littleton Hockey Association. He is currently an assistant coach for the LHA 18U Midget Major AA team.

Professionally, Jeremy works in risk management and insurance. He helps middle to large market companies throughout the country to become more profitable by lowering their bottom line through capital efficient insurance solutions. Jeremy works with companies from all industries and is especially adapt in the construction, manufacturing and hospitality industries.

Jeremy has been participating in Dawg Nation events since it’s inception and has seen how much their footprint, not only locally but nationally, has impacted so many families. Jeremy joined the board in 2021 to continue his passion to give back and make a difference in the community.

Mike Lane

LEGAL COUNSEL

Mike Lane serves as legal counsel and advisor to DAWG Nation.

Mike is the founding attorney of Lane, PLLC and co-founder of 501 Law PLLC. He counsels businesses, individuals and non-profits broadly on legal issues including entity formation, governance, financing, syndication, contract matters, real estate transactions, complex administrative law proceedings, intellectual property, and district court and appellate litigation.

Mike earned his BA from the University of Colorado, his JD from the Yale Law School, and his MBA from the Yale School of Management. He also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Carlos F. Lucero on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is admitted to practice in Colorado and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mike and his wife Jenny live in Boulder, Colorado with their two children, Autumn and Hayden. In his spare time he’s outside gravel biking, trail running, skiing, or woodworking.

Greg Ahbe

HONORARY BOARD MEMBER

Greg is originally from Toronto, Canada where he played hockey through Juniors and college. He received his master’s degree from Ohio University and then entered the job market in professional hockey. Greg arrived in Denver in 1982 and worked in the front offices of the Calgary Flames and the New York Rangers minor league affiliates. In the late 1980s, he entered into the insurance business. He formed TAG Insurance Services in 1994. Greg has been active in the Colorado hockey community for 30 years from summer camps, clinics, coaching and board positions. He continues to play whenever time permits.

Greg and his wife Caroline are active in a number of charities and feel fortunate to be able to be a part of such a great foundation, Dawg Nation. Greg and Caroline have three children who have and are still playing hockey. Their youngest Brooke, will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall of 2014 and will be playing hockey, while getting a great education.

Milan Hejduk

HONORARY BOARD MEMBER

Milan Hejduk spent this entire 14 year NHL career with the Colorado Avalanche. His remarkable hockey resume’ includes a Stanley Cup, a Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophy, three all-star game appearances, an Olympic Gold Medal and induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame! Milan holds the Avalanche record for regular season games played and scored 881 points in his illustrious career. However, his incredible mark upon hockey doesn’t end there, as he has not only supported Dawg Nation over the years with donations of memorabilia and attendance at many of our events, but also with his generous gift of time.

Milan is very active with the Avalanche alumni and also enjoys coaching hockey, playing golf and spending time with his family. He and his lovely wife Zlata reside in Parker, along with twin boys, David and Marek.

Peter McNab

HONORARY BOARD MEMBER

A great supporter of the Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation, Peter McNab begins his 14th season as the Colorado Avalanche’s television color analyst, lending his hockey expertise and a unique perspective on the game of hockey. Regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic color analysts in the game, McNab brings 14 years of NHL playing experience to the Avalanche broadcasts.

He attends almost every Dawg Nation event and promotes the charity whenever and whereever he can.

A native of Vancouver, B.C., McNab has a past association with the Denver area, as he played collegiate hockey at the University of Denver. McNab went on to play for the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and concluded his playing career with the New Jersey Devils. McNab posted six 35-plus goal seasons and tallied 40 or more goals twice during his career. He finished his career with 363 goals and 450 assists in 954 games. Peter was an NHL All-Star in 1977 and reached the Stanley Cup Finals in three straight seasons from 1975-77.

Peter and his family currently reside in Parker.

Interested In Donating Your Time? Volunteer Today!

DAWG Nation Ambassadors

Don Adam
Aaron Alwell
David Bach
Cody Beekman
J.P. Chabot
Trevor Clark
Trent Dunn
Matt Durbahn
Randy Estes
Mike Eydenberg
Andy Gerrie
Dennis Heaton
Dan Hohenstein
Dave jackson
Jeff Kingery
John Knight
Bern Levesque
John May
Jon Meredith
Marc Moser
Kelli Packard
Steve Packard
Mike Pijanowski
Nigel Richardson
Jonathan Ripley
Allen Sterner
Mike Sullivan
Josh Suter
Adrian Veideman

Play Hard. Play Fair. Give Back.™

The DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for people with and without disabilities to gain confidence and independence through participation in national and international amateur ice hockey events, as well as to supporting local, national, and international amateur ice hockey players and their families during times of crisis. Since its inception DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation has been able to give out millions of dollars to positively impact the lives of many families in need. Do you part to assist the hockey community by volunteering, donating, or sponsoring one of our events or individuals.

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(720) 432-9471