Board of Directors Profiles
Kevin Montford, Founder and Executive Director
Kevin Montford was a member of the U.S. Modern Pentathlon National Team and was fortunate enough to have the financial backing of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy while serving on active duty for 14 years. During this time, he was named Navy/DOD athlete of the Year and was Naval Pentathlon World Champion.
While in training for the games with other athletes, Kevin soon realized the majority lacked financial support and struggled to meet the monetary demands required to train and compete at this high level.
Now that Kevin’s athletic career has come full-circle, he has turned his passion for sports into supporting America’s athletes by founding the America for Gold Fund.
“Our athletes are challenged daily with the intense training needed to compete at the games,” said Montford. “They do not need the additional challenge of figuring out how they are going to pay for the numerous expenses.”
Heidi Fearon, Board of Directors
Heidi Fearon’s athletic interest began at age five when she started swimming. She went on to compete at the National level by age 12 and was ultimately recognized as the “Female Athlete” of her graduating class from the U.S. Naval Academy.
After graduation, she went on to compete in the Ironman Triathlon and numerous adventure races, including representing the U.S Navy in the Naval Pentathlon for both 2000 and 2001.
Heidi graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The U. S. Naval Academy. An interest in finding a natural edge on her competitors brought her to alternative medicine after nine successful years as a Naval Officer, and she is currently finishing her master’s degree in Oriental Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. She also volunteers at the Integrative Medical Unit for Pediatric Oncology and Special Warfare Unit in Coronado as an Acupuncture student.
She actively assists local non-profit organizations as an Acupuncturist and Yoga instructor and has gained an appreciation for the tremendous impact that a well-organized NPO can make. In her free time, she serves as the Executive Officer for her Naval Reserve Unit in San Diego.
Lara Groshong, Board of Directors
Lara Groshong is currently the general manager and part owner of THE ROCK Climbing Center. She spent eight years training and competing in the sport of modern pentathlon, and she served in the Army's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Prior to joining the Army, Lara participated in El Pomar Foundation's Fellowship in Community Service, where she gained an appreciation for and a better understanding of the work done in the non-profit sector. In an effort to give back to her sport, she served on the Board of Directors of USA Pentathlon from 2000 to 2004. Lara graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Yale University.
Daryl Breitbach, Board of Directors
Daryl Breitbach works for the Department of the Army as a military analyst and training instructor. He served on active duty for nearly 10 years, and as an Army officer living and traveling around the world, he represented the United States much like our athletes.
After competing in collegiate track and cross-country, Daryl continues to enjoy numerous outdoor sports and amateur competitions.
He holds a master’s degree in Public Management from Indiana University and a bachelor of science in Public Administration from Drake University.