Meet the team.
Dakota Ogden
Founder
Dakota’s passion for overlanding was born in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest during a solo, two week adventure in his, at the time, mildly built 2004 Toyota 4Runner. The ideas for Oscar Mike Overland were developed as he delved into the local offroad community and began devoting much of his time planning and leading group adventures. After discovering the therapeutic nature of these adventures, Dakota recognized a need for an organization dedicated to providing these experiences to veterans. And so, after sharing his ideas and goals with his closest friend, Jordan, they began assembling a devout team of friends and began their mission to get veterans #onthemove.
Jordan Bardwell
Co-Founder
Jordan loves to escape the city life and go camping with his dogs (and people too)— the outdoors have always been restorative and refreshing. After purchasing his 2017 Toyota Tacoma— he started adding modifications to combine his favorite hobbies camping/off-roading and traveling the world. His dream is to one day do the Pan American Trail. Jordan agreed with Dakota’s vision to get veterans (and now other first responders) out to enjoy what they both love.
Jordan is a Kansas City Fire Fighter. When not on the job Jordan can be found spending time with his family and friends, watching a good movie, or grilling up something good to eat.
James Castioni
Founding Member,
Veterans Liaison
James grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and in Mesa, Arizona. James enlisted in the US Army in June of 2001, at age 18. He was an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division and served until his honorable discharge in April of 2010. During that time, he was deployed numerous times to Afghanistan and Iraq. He was also deployed to New Orleans, Louisiana in September 2005 to assist with recovery efforts in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. After his service in the Army, James went on to work as a private security contractor for the US Department of State in Baghdad, Iraq from August 2010 to May of 2020. His love for overlanding and off-roading comes from his time navigating the mountains of Afghanistan in a Toyota Hilux, a love that he continues with his own Toyota Tacoma. He enjoys other outdoor activities such as hunting and camping, and has a love for his two Belgian Malinois: Fenrir and Hela.
AJ Boyer
Events Director
AJ spent six and a half years in the Army National Guard as a SGT, 15T Blackhawk Mechanic. He has a passion for helping fellow brothers and sisters and he will be coordinating all of Oscar Mike Overland’s events.
Eric Loethen
Founding Member,
Community Developement
Eric’s passion for camping and the outdoors started at a young age when his family would take family vacations to colorado. He also has loved being around motorsports and all things automotive. The two passions merged when he met Jordan and Dakota who helped get him into overlanding. This was when he really started to discover the value of adventure therapy. Eric loves getting to meet new people and sharing what Oscar Mike Overland is all about.
Ryan Newberry
Founding Member,
Photographer/Videographer/Editor
Ryan has an intense passion for the outdoors. Growing up in Raymore, Missouri, he developed a love for hunting and fishing thanks to his dad (Vietnam Veteran). Ryan also has a passion for photography and videography.
Riley Heywood
Trip Navigation & Logistics Specialist
Riley was born and raised in Arizona where he spent plenty of time in the great outdoors. His area of speciality is northern AZ / Southern UT near Lake Powell.
His appreciation and love for our freedoms we have in this country grew as he spent two years abroad in Brazil during his early twenties. “We don’t know what we have till it’s gone…”
Riley is an air traffic controller by day (and night) and enjoys spending free time with his family of 4 and his Toyota Tundra.