Fort Collins, Colorado, July 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- No Barriers Warriors and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced the team of 12 veterans with disabilities selected to participate in the 2018 Warrior Strong: The Journey Continues expedition. This year’s expedition to Mount Whitney in California’s Inyo National Park is scheduled for Sept. 7–15 with a summit attempt scheduled for Sept. 11. The expedition will focus on the valued attributes that veterans bring to their communities and the workforce, with an emphasis on what veterans are capable of when given the chance. The 2018 Warrior Strong: The Journey Continues expedition team of veterans includes four alumni from previous No Barriers Warriors expeditions. Together, they will learn to translate the skills they developed in their military careers as they further transition into their civilian lives.

The 2018 Warrior Strong: The Journey Continues team includes:

  • Jenn Calaway – Salt Lake City, Utah – PTSD, humerus injury, knee nerve damage, tinnitus
  • Justin Carlisle – New Philadelphia, Ohio – PTSD, TBI
  • Heather Cereste – Cinnaminson, New Jersey – PTSD
  • Chelsey Darrow – Santa Rosa, California – PTSD, tinnitus
  • Omar Delgado – Hopewell, Virginia – PTSD, TBI
  • Janet Gonzalez – Bronxville, New York – TBI, shoulder injury, hip injury
  • Amy Hess – Aledo, Illinois – PTSD, anxiety, depression
  • Jose Maldonado – Crystal City, Texas – PTSD, injuries to lower extremities, right arm, and eyes
  • Karen Quiles – Miami Beach, Florida – PTSD, TBI, Migraines, Seizures, MDD
  • Joe Sinnwell – Waukee, Iowa – PTSD
  • Wade Spann – Falls Church, Virginia – PTSD, TBI
  • Christopher Walsh – Index, Washington – PTSD

The team selected for the Warrior Strong: The Journey Continues expedition faces life-altering injuries ranging from emotional and physical trauma to impaired senses and chronic pain. Some experience combat flashbacks and survivor’s guilt, while others continue to struggle with readjusting to civilian life. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are common injuries among the warriors. Despite these challenges, this team of six female and six male veterans from across the continental U.S. believes in their ability to overcome barriers. They realize the expedition represents more than a climb; it represents the opportunity to impact the world as a leader who serves.

John Toth , No Barriers Warriors director and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, says veterans of all abilities can do amazing things in their community and the workforce if given a chance. “No Barriers and Wells Fargo recognize the value that veterans continue to add to their communities long after they have separated from service,” he says. “Through this Warrior Strong: The Journey Continues expedition, No Barriers and Wells Fargo are excited to link together these individuals as they collaborate and persevere past their challenges so that they can continue giving their best to their communities and the world.”

Prior to the expedition, the team will participate in online training to learn about the No Barriers Life and develop the team dynamic. They will then journey to Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous U.S., for the expedition. Following the expedition, the team will gather for a developmental session at the 2018 No Barriers Summit in New York City, where members will focus on the personal goals they set during the expedition. 

Wells Fargo Military Affairs Program Manager Jerry Quinn says, “Wells Fargo is a military-friendly employer that recognizes veterans and service members as a rich source of talent, experience and well-developed skills. We look forward to following the Warrior Strong team as they continue to grow and give back through their personal No Barriers Life journeys.”

Beginning in 2014, Wells Fargo expanded its commitment to helping military service members, veterans and military families by sponsoring No Barriers Warriors through the Warriors to Summits expedition series. Since 2014, Wells Fargo and No Barriers Warriors have taken more than 50 veterans with disabilities on expeditions to locations including Denali National Park in Alaska, Gannett Peak in Wyoming and Mount Sneffels in Colorado.

###

About No Barriers Warriors

No Barriers Warriors is a program of No Barriers USA focused on improving the lives of veterans with disabilities through transformative, curriculum-based expeditions in challenging outdoor environments. Each No Barriers Warriors expedition is designed to push veterans mentally and physically in some of nature’s more incredible wilderness settings. We create a safe space and encourage them to reflect on their past, recognize where they are in the present and then look with positivity to the future. The experience serves as a catalyst for change as veterans stretch their boundaries, innovate through adversity, and build lifelong rope teams.

About Wells Fargo's Commitment to Military and Veterans Wells Fargo has been committed to service members, veterans and their families for more than 160 years. In 2012, the company created the Military Affairs Program to expand its outreach to members of the military, veterans and their families who may be facing financial hardships as part of its commitment to helping communities succeed.

Wells Fargo has donated more than $100 million over five years in support of military service members, veterans and their families. Highlights include: 

  • Donated more than 300 homes, valued at over $55 million, to veterans in all 50 states.
  • Hired more than 8,300 veterans, and participated in more than 1,050 military job fairs since 2012. More than 200 team members are on military leave at any given time.
  • Launched Hands on Banking ® for Military, a financial education program that has been viewed by more than 440,000 unique visitors since July 2013

About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,050 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 38 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune’s 2018 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories .

Jaime Donnelly No Barriers 970-412-3653 jaime.donnelly@nobarriersusa.org Lisa Westermann Wells Fargo 415-845-7759 Lisa.B.Westermann@wellsfargo.com John Toth No Barriers 970-484-3633 x 312 John.Toth@nobarriersusa.org