THE WOUNDED WATERS STORY



In 2017,  Kevin Klepac took a Soldier out fishing, just to get away from work and have some fun. They didn’t catch anything worth bragging about, but they had some good laughs and talked about life. At the end of the trip, the young Soldier thanked him and Kevin thought he was just being kind. But the Soldier persisted, saying “No really, thank you”. Kevin didn’t quite understand so he asked the Soldier why it mattered so much. Then the Soldier explained that he had planned to commit suicide that very evening, but being out on the water fishing and talking with a friend that day gave him a new outlook on life. Now he understood that even in the darkest hours he wasn't really alone, and he had someone to talk to and reach out a helping hand to carry him out of that dark place.

Kevin knew this young Soldier's story all too well, he has struggled to deal with his own demons from years of Combat deployment. But he always finds an outlet through fishing. He'll tell you that a week long fishing and lobstering trip to the Florida Keys with his father and friends literally saved his life once. So he can relate with other Veterans that are struggling. Kevin sat and talked with the Soldier for some time after that and realized that his fishing trips could make a difference for others too. He knew he needed to keep helping  others just as he did that young Solider. And so, Wounded Waters was born.

WHAT WE DO

GETTING VETERANS OUT ON THE WATER

Kevin and the Wounded Waters Team are just starting out on this adventure to build an organization and make a real difference. The goal of Wounded Waters is to get Veterans and Military Members out fishing so they stop worrying about all the stressors of daily life and know they are not alone. Kevin has already taken  numerous Vets, Military personnel and First Responders fishing and had great success. Visit our News section to see highlights from past trips, and learn from our Veterans what WW means to them.

PROVIDING COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

Kevin and the Wounded Waters Team are just starting out on this adventure to build an organization and make a real difference. The goal of Wounded Waters is to get Veterans and Military Members out fishing so they stop worrying about all the stressors of daily life and know they are not alone. Kevin has already taken  numerous Vets, Military personnel and First Responders fishing and had great success. Visit our News section to see highlights from past trips, and learn from our Veterans what WW means to them.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Kevin and the Wounded Waters Team are just starting out on this adventure to build an organization and make a real difference. The goal of Wounded Waters is to get Veterans and Military Members out fishing so they stop worrying about all the stressors of daily life and know they are not alone. Kevin has already taken  numerous Vets, Military personnel and First Responders fishing and had great success. Visit our News section to see highlights from past trips, and learn from our Veterans what WW means to them.

MEET OUR TEAM

Our Awesome Board Members

Kevin Klepac

FOUNDER

Kevin founded Wounded Waters in 2017 after serving in the Army for over 18 years. He is currently continuing his service at Camp Shelby, MS. He has been stationed all over the world and done numerous combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Kevin is originally from Vero Beach, FL where he learned his love for fishing and the outdoors from his father, family and friends. Fishing has always been an emotional experience for Kevin, it's been a long term love affair! He feels it's a great way to let loose and forget about all your troubles and learn new ways to cope with things that might be going on in your life.  Kevin is dedicated to helping our Heroes through fishing and outdoor recreation and runs most of our trips himself. WW wouldn't be possible without Kevin's passion and drive for helping his Brothers in Arms.

Stephanie Klepac

President

Stephanie was born and raised in Vero Beach, FL where she grew up fishing with her Dad out of an Airboat in the Florida everglades. Stephanie married Kevin Klepac back in 2006 and has traveled all over the U.S. being an Army wife since then. She has learned all about the hardships and what our Veterans deal with day in and day out and she feels passionately about helping them through Wounded Waters. Stephanie and Kevin have two amazing kids, Kelsey and Blake, who are following in their footsteps learning a love of the outdoors and fishing with their parents.

Leslie Cameron

Secretary

Leslie is originally from Chattanooga, TN where she met her husband, Aaron, 10 years ago. When Aaron joined the Army, they moved to Ft Drum, NY for four years and later moved to Ft Campbell, KY where they met the Klepacs. Today, Leslie lives back in Chattanooga with her wonderful husband and three amazing kids,  Wyatt, Arianna and Averly. Leslie works as a dental assistant/insurance coordinator for one of the top dental practices in town. Leslie is thankful to be part of WW and cherishes the chance to work alongside great friends and help our Heroes

Christine Lazinksy 

TREASURER

Christine was also born and raised in Vero Beach, FL where she met her husband, Nathon, 15 years ago. Christine comes from a long line of Law Enforcement officers, but she chose a career in finance. She now has over 15 years of experience in the banking industry. Her husband is currently a Deputy for the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office. He has been a LEO for the last 15 years. Christine met our founders, Stephanie and Kevin, in High School. Even though the Army has taken them all over the United States they have been able to maintain a close friendship and share the bond of a passion for the outdoors.

Joseph Faine

Board Member

Joey served in the United States Army for 10 years. He has been stationed at many Duty Locations and in his time, he was also Deployed to Afghanistan for two tours. Joey was medically retired in 2017 at the rank of SSG, where he moved to Bowling Green, KY to pursue college and Major in Marketing from Western Kentucky University.  Joey is a lifelong outdoorsman and served with Kevin Klepac at Ft. Knox, KY and during one Deployment to Afghanistan. This made Joey a natural fit for Wounded Waters. Joey is married to
Lauren Faine and they have one son, Jackson.

TIFFANY SYNYCHAK

Board Member

Tiffany was born and raised in Brooksville, FL. In 2001, she joined the Military and served four years in Minot AFB, North Dakota. In 2005, she moved back to FL and married her husband. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2017 and her Masters in 2019 she has been teaching for three years. Tiffany currently lives in Roanoke, AL with her husband and amazing kids. When she isn't teaching Science to sixth graders, you can usually find her out in the woods hunting, fishing or spending time with family. "Wounded Waters means a lot to me because the Military was the start of my independence and love for supporting our active, retired, and veteran service members. The cause is a great opportunity for our service members to continue to be involved with their community and show the importance of their skills from BDU’s to flip flops."

JESUS DURAN

BOARD MEMBER

I was born in Riverside, CA, but I was raised in Las Vegas, NV. I joined the Army in 2006 as a 17 year old boy, right after I graduated from high school. Being a “city boy” I was never really interested in things like fishing and hunting, but I really enjoyed playing sports. After I joined the Army, I found myself training in the field constantly, and began to enjoy being outdoors. When I was stationed in Fort Benning, GA, a friend of mine introduced me to catfishing and that became one of my biggest hobbies. I later learned more about fishing and hunting, and I would like to consider myself an outdoorsman now! I have been an Infantryman in the Army since July of 2006, and have held jobs such as a rifleman, automatic rifleman, fire team leader, squad leader, section leader and platoon sergeant. I have found myself answering our Nation’s call with combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. In my time in the Army, I have found myself enjoying the outdoors in Texas, Georgia, Colorado, Arizona, Tennessee, Kentucky, and am now stationed in Louisiana, also known as Sportsman’s Paradise. My wife and kids are my lifelong fishing and hunting partners. My wife, Sandra Duran, probably enjoys fishing more than I do! My kids Yubia, Jesse, and Caleb also love to be outdoors doing things ranging from hunting rabbit, dove, and deer, to fishing in both fresh and saltwater.

BRINTON HASKINS

BOARD MEMBER

Brinton is a proud retired Army Veteran who grew up in Roulette, PA. He spent his youth in the Appalachian Mountains, learning to hunt deer and fowl from his father and how to fly fish trout in our cold river waters from his uncle. Brinton has always been grateful to have these skills and cherishes the many memories of both his uncle and father he gained through their mutual love o the outdoors. He joined the Army in 1998, after graduating high school, as an armored crew member on the M1 Series Battle Tank. While enlisted, he served as a Recruiter, Instructor, Drill Sergeant, and Platoon Sergeant. Brinton was deployed 4 times over his career to Bosnia, twice to Iraq, and once to Kosovo. He retired in 2017 and moved to New Braunfels, TX with my amazing wife, Alisha, and three terrific kids, Abbigail, Taylor, and Maysie. Brinton started fishing bass tournaments and eventually began to guide fishing trips where he is inspired by the joy he sees in young and old when he takes the to enjoy the outdoors on his boat. He met Kevin Klepac as a fellow Army recruiter, who he hunted and trout fished with while stationed in PA. In Brinton's own words "Kevin started Wounded Waters to take Veterans on the water so they can deal with issues, relax and enjoy life with fellow Veterans. I could not agree more on the need for interactions and opportunities like this for Vets and I am honored to be a part of the organization."

CONTACT WOUNDED WATERS