About Us

We believe all Veterans deserve support. Our foundation is focused on alleviating the challenges Veterans and their families face as they transition back into civilian life. Max grew up hearing “you can’t save the world, but you can help one person at a time.”

We are committed to upholding the Navy’s standards, which Maxton pledged to serve, as the guiding principles of our foundation.

★ Our Values ★

Honor

We will be mindful of the privilege to serve our fellow Americans with integrity. We are ethical and respectful in our endeavors and will continue to embrace new ideas.

Courage

Doing what we believe needs to be done, not in the absence of fear but in spite of it.

Commitment

We will strive to come together as a team to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families regardless of race, religion, or gender for personal improvement.

★ Our Board ★

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★ Rachel Soviak ★

President

Maxton Soviak’s Mother, founding member of the Foundation. I am a stay-at-home mom of 13 children 7 biological and 6 adopted, I have dedicated my life to my family and children. We have been a therapeutic foster home for 15 years fostering many children with behavior and medical needs. Keeper of the wild ones.

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★ Kip Soviak ★

Vice President

Maxton Soviak’s Father, founding member of the Foundation. RN, BSN from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree from Chamberlin University as an advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner. Currently working to add Psychiatric certificate in the hopes of working with Veterans struggling with mental health.

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★ Elena Ostheimer ★

Secretary

Entrepreneur. I knew Max for 20 years. My son Bryce and Max were childhood friends and Max spent time a lot of time with my family. I was Max’s T-ball and baseball coach and one of his Cub Scout Leaders. My husband Kurt was his football coach for 6 years and coached with Max’s father Kip for two of those years.

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★ Spenser Spacek ★

Treasurer

Operations Shift Supervisor and Senior Reactor Operator at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology. I first met Max while dating his sister in high school. Twelve years later, he officiated our wedding.

★ Connie Ward ★

Board Member

Mayor of Berlin Heights and Regional Supervisor for the Ohio Farm Bureau. BS in Agriculture from OSU, and MBA from Ashland University. I first met Max when the Soviak family lived next door to my grandmother. In later years I enjoyed watching him play football and wrestle.

★ Charity Schafer ★

Board Member

Police officer with the Berlin Heights Police Department for 22 years, the last 17 as the Chief of Police. I first met Maxton when he was enrolled in Safety Town at the age of 5. Maxton grew up just down the street from me. Over the years I watched him grow from a young boy into a young man, a young man his family and community are proud of.

★ Jessi Crey-Smith ★

Board Member

Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Master’s degree of Occupational Therapy from Medical College of Ohio. I have been friends with Max’s mom Rachel for the past 15 years. Through our friendship I “watched” Max grow up through all the stories she told of his adventures!

★ Brian Walleman ★

Board Member

Operations Shift Supervisor and Senior Reactor Operator at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station.
B.S. in Information Systems from the University of Phoenix. Army SFC Veteran of 13 years. I take great pride in my dedication to serve my county and also in people. I am a proud husband, father, and foster parent. It is the greatest honor to be a part of this foundation.

★ Randi Ketchum ★

Veteran Liaison

Navy Veteran with 6 years of service as a Hospital Corpsman/EMT. Currently a 21-year Elementary Educator with a B.A. from Ashland University in K-8 Elementary Education, a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction from Grand Canyon Institute, and a Post-Graduate Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from Purdue Global University. I grew up in Berlin Heights and graduated from Edison High School with Kip, Max’s dad. I had the privilege of watching Max grow up alongside my own children as Max’s mom provided childcare for my youngest. I am inspired by my family, friends, adult children, Christopher and Heyley, and I am humbled to be a part of this foundation.

★ As our Veteran Liaison Randi specializes in providing assistance to Veterans and families who are seeking support to, “Live Life to the MAX!”