Eric Bakken
Founder
Eric Bakken was born and raised in Minnesota and joined the United States Army at 20 years old. He has a wonderful wife named Nikki and a beautiful daughter named Finnley who is named after his best friend (Eric Finniginamm) who was killed in Afghanistan during their first tour in 2009. He served in the army for almost 8 years as a 11B infantry. During that time, he deployed several times for operation Enduring Freedom along with attending school and holding most leadership positions in an infantry line platoon. He left the Army in 2015 to pursue my dream of growing The Fallen Outdoors to its full potential. Eric has been an avid outdoors-man his whole life. From fishing to big game and everything in between with a preference for waterfowl hunting.
“One thing I wanted to strive for when I built TFO was that I wanted it to be open to all veterans of all branches and backgrounds. I have seen too many great men and women left behind because they didn’t meet a certain criteria and I will not follow suit. If you served honorably you are my brother and sister. I do not care how long you served, what branch, what job, combat or garrison. Wounded or untouched. The Fallen Outdoors is here for you and I am here for you!” – Eric Bakken
Branden Trager
President
Branden was born and raised in Chillicothe MO, where he hunted and fished with friends and family from the age of 10. He joined the Army at 19 and has been Active Duty for the past 21 years. He has been stationed all over this great nation and is proud to now call the Pacific Northwest home.
“I was introduced to Eric Bakken as he was transitioning out of the Army and we became friends and began working to grow The Fallen Outdoors. The TFO has become a passion for me and gives me the confidence that I will never lose my community of brothers and sisters in arms. I am an avid waterfowl hunter and fisherman, my greatest joy is bringing other Veterans along to experience the adventure of the hunt.”
Branden Trager
President
Branden was born and raised in Chillicothe MO, where he hunted and fished with friends and family from the age of 10. He joined the Army at 19 and has been Active Duty for the past 21 years. He has been stationed all over this great nation and is proud to now call the Pacific Northwest home.
“I was introduced to Eric Bakken as he was transitioning out of the Army and we became friends and began working to grow The Fallen Outdoors. The TFO has become a passion for me and gives me the confidence that I will never lose my community of brothers and sisters in arms. I am an avid waterfowl hunter and fisherman, my greatest joy is bringing other Veterans along to experience the adventure of the hunt.”
Mike Unruh
Vice President
mike.unruh@thefallenoutdoors.
Robert Casey
Staff Manager
robert.casey@thefallenoutdoors.org
Robert was born in Astoria, Oregon while his father was stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Astoria. He grew up on the move living in California, Florida, Virginia and finally back to Florida. He joined the Marine Corps in 1993 at the age of 20 and served as an Infantry Marine. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2017 after 24yrs of service that included deployments to over 20 countries to include combat deployments to both Iraq & Afghanistan. His father introduced him to the outdoors while chasing bass around the South during his childhood, but it was an invitation to go deer hunting during his assignment at the School of Infantry in North Carolina that got him hooked on chasing the elusive whitetail.
He is married to his amazing wife Jaclyn, and he has three children Mason, Jenna, and Lexie. The military and family are very intertwined in his life. His father retired from the Coast Guard, his brother retired from the Army, his wife served in the Marine Corps and his son is currently serving in the Air Force. The other family that he holds close to him are his brothers and sisters in arms. His love for the outdoors and his devotion to those that serve or have served this country is where The Fallen Outdoors becomes a mainstay in his life.
“The Fallen Outdoors has become a huge part of my life ever since I met Eric Bakken on a fishing trip in Montana back in 2015. The outdoors became therapy for me when I saw firsthand the impact it had on my mental and physical health following my retirement from the Marine Corps. I found that camaraderie that I was missing when I connected with fellow veterans on many events with The Fallen Outdoors. I knew that the outdoors could do for so many, what it had done for me. We all would like to catch a limit of fish, or have a successful hunt anytime we go out, but these events with the Fallen Outdoors are about so much more. It provides a way for our service members to get into the outdoors while also being among fellow brothers and sisters in arms. Lifelong friendships are being made while we are also creating lifelong memories.”
Robert Casey
Staff Manager
robert.casey@thefallenoutdoors.org
Robert was born in Astoria, Oregon while his father was stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Astoria. He grew up on the move living in California, Florida, Virginia and finally back to Florida. He joined the Marine Corps in 1993 at the age of 20 and served as an Infantry Marine. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2017 after 24yrs of service that included deployments to over 20 countries to include combat deployments to both Iraq & Afghanistan. His father introduced him to the outdoors while chasing bass around the South during his childhood, but it was an invitation to go deer hunting during his assignment at the School of Infantry in North Carolina that got him hooked on chasing the elusive whitetail.
He is married to his amazing wife Jaclyn, and he has three children Mason, Jenna, and Lexie. The military and family are very intertwined in his life. His father retired from the Coast Guard, his brother retired from the Army, his wife served in the Marine Corps and his son is currently serving in the Air Force. The other family that he holds close to him are his brothers and sisters in arms. His love for the outdoors and his devotion to those that serve or have served this country is where The Fallen Outdoors becomes a mainstay in his life.
“The Fallen Outdoors has become a huge part of my life ever since I met Eric Bakken on a fishing trip in Montana back in 2015. The outdoors became therapy for me when I saw firsthand the impact it had on my mental and physical health following my retirement from the Marine Corps. I found that camaraderie that I was missing when I connected with fellow veterans on many events with The Fallen Outdoors. I knew that the outdoors could do for so many, what it had done for me. We all would like to catch a limit of fish, or have a successful hunt anytime we go out, but these events with the Fallen Outdoors are about so much more. It provides a way for our service members to get into the outdoors while also being among fellow brothers and sisters in arms. Lifelong friendships are being made while we are also creating lifelong memories.”
Gabe Padilla
Treasurer
gabe.padilla@thefallenoutdoors.
Born and raised in Southern California, Gabe began the love for the outdoors at the age of 4 years old. He began archery and small game hunting with his grandfather, which further turned into Big Game
hunting and fishing. Upon completion of High School in 2012, Gabe joined the United States Army. He is currently still Active Duty stationed at Ft. Liberty, NC. Serving three overseas deployments, including the
Global War on Terrorism in Afghanistan. While serving in the Army, Gabe met his beautiful wife Christina to which they have 4 children together. In 2018, Gabe joined The Fallen Outdoors searching to get outdoors with other service members likeminded. After his first hunt with TFO, he became a staffer for Team NC in 2018. After 4 years of staffing for Team NC, Gabe went to become the East Coast Regional.
“The Fallen Outdoors will always hold a special place in my heart. Getting veterans into the outdoors and seeing the joy they get out of it will always be my favorite. I’ll never forget the times I was able to help our veterans get on their first deer or turkey! This organization is one of a kind, and great for our Veterans!”
ADAM LANIER
Secretary
a.lanier@thefallenoutdoors.com
Born and raised in Kansas City, Adam Lanier has been an avid hunter and fisherman since childhood, finding solace in the outdoors amidst the hustle and bustle of city life. After graduating high school, Adam enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving in various roles within the 11th Marines, RCT 7, and Headquarters Marine Corps, including multiple deployments in the global war on terrorism despite sustaining serious injuries. Post-military service, Adam pursued higher education, followed by a transition into law enforcement before joining BNSF Railway. Seeking solace, Adam reconnected with nature, initially through therapeutic outdoor activities, eventually transitioning into leading outdoor trips for TFO. He spearheaded the revival of Team Kansas and assumed the role of Midwest Director in 2019, ultimately ascending to the position of National Secretary in October 2023.
ADAM LANIER
Secretary
a.lanier@thefallenoutdoors.com
Born and raised in Kansas City, Adam Lanier has been an avid hunter and fisherman since childhood, finding solace in the outdoors amidst the hustle and bustle of city life. After graduating high school, Adam enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving in various roles within the 11th Marines, RCT 7, and Headquarters Marine Corps, including multiple deployments in the global war on terrorism despite sustaining serious injuries. Post-military service, Adam pursued higher education, followed by a transition into law enforcement before joining BNSF Railway. Seeking solace, Adam reconnected with nature, initially through therapeutic outdoor activities, eventually transitioning into leading outdoor trips for TFO. He spearheaded the revival of Team Kansas and assumed the role of Midwest Director in 2019, ultimately ascending to the position of National Secretary in October 2023.