Our Team
Zach Husted - Veteran - Founder and CEO
Zach has over 20 years of experience in marketing and served in the Air National Guard for 12 years. During his military service, Zach honorably completed four tours to the Middle East while supporting numerous domestic missions and state-side deployments. It was during this time that he developed a deep appreciation for coffee, recognizing its value in providing comfort and connection.
Bringing people together has always been Zach's passion, and he sees coffee as a natural way to foster community. His mission is not only to build strong teams but also to support military veterans and first responders, advocating for their benefits and well-being. Zach’s commitment to giving back extends beyond business—he aims to restore balance and harmony in the lives of those who have served in both military and first responder capacities. He believes that when the foundations of support are disrupted, it can have a lasting impact on veterans and first responders alike.
At Pillars of Valor, Zach's goal is to partner with organizations supporting veterans and first responders, helping to restore harmony in their lives—one cup of coffee at a time.
Casey Maxted - Veteran - LEO
Casey Maxted graduated from St. Ambrose University in May 2004 with a BA in History. Upon graduation, Casey entered the United States Army. Casey assessed for the Special Forces, was selected, and earned the coveted Green Beret in October 2005. Casey was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group in Ft. Lewis, Washington.
In 2009, Casey was hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and attended new agents training in Quantico, Virginia. Casey was assigned to the Los Angeles Division where he initially worked Counterterrorism investigations. Casey served on various assignments overseas and received multiple awards in addition to a Combat Theater Award.
Casey served on the Attorney General Protection Detail and has held various other positions throughout his career within the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense. He completed his law enforcement career at the FBI Omaha Division working Violent Crimes Against Children investigations.
Casey is passionate about Veteran causes, most notably, assisting Veterans in finding their purpose again after they leave the service.
Jen Wahl - Designer
Jennifer is a distinguished graphic designer with nearly 20 years of industry experience. She specializes in print design, branding, and social media graphics. She has collaborated with a diverse array of clients in healthcare and consumer products, seamlessly blending aesthetics with functionality to craft visually compelling and purposeful designs.
Jennifer's extensive portfolio includes trade show graphics, t-shirts, marketing brochures, sell sheets, business signage, logos, and social media content. She began her career as a graphic production artist, where she honed her skills in print preparation and photo retouching. Her ability to simplify design and create direct visual connections is a testament to her expertise.
Jennifer utilizes her design acumen and analytical prowess to lead label efforts that meet stringent medical device regulations and FDA requirements. Additionally, she serves as the Creative Director for Pillars of Valor, a mission-driven small business that supports veterans through coffee sales.
Beyond her professional engagements, Jennifer has an unwavering passion for creativity. Her commitment to bringing ideas to life underscore her value as an indispensable asset to any project. Existing branding fears her; new ideas and brands want her to pick their project.