Meet the Team

Veterans represent the full spectrum of American Society. Vets4Vets strives to reach out those in need and those under served. Each team member has an area of focus.

Please reach out us. We are here to help.

Darnell Williams-Pullen

Outreach & Diversity Chair

Darnell is a United States Air Force Veteran that served during Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, and Operation Desert Sweep. After exiting the military, he discovered the roadblocks and frustrations ex military & family members experience while trying to obtain compensation & benefits. After many years of doors closing he realized he couldn't be the only one having trouble accessing help. His faith led him to get help for the PTSD and physical trauma from serving in multiple combat zones. His faith gave him strength to deal with and forgive the discrimination he endured as a man of color. Ultimately all this propelled him to find a way to help other Vets. It's not coincidental Darnell has earned the nickname "The Shepherd" for always watching over, guiding & providing vital information to his fellow veterans.

Darnell's current goal is becoming a certified Veteran Service Officer (VSO) with the American Legion.

Darnell will always stand the wall so no Veteran is left behind.

Darnell’s credentials:

Maine Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist
Member of Maine Veterans Administration Recreational Therapy Community Outreach.
American Legion Post #17 Service Officer & Suicide Prevention Representative

Email Darnell

Rick Stoker

Whole Health & Recovery Chair

Rick is a Coast Guard and Fire Service Veteran. In the U.S.C.G he served as a Search and Rescue Boat EMT. As the training officer he developed a cross training program for small boat and helicopter rescue operations. Rick was a Fire Captain in California for 20 years, retiring as the Training Officer at Santa Clara County Fire Department.

Rick's PTSD began after his neck was fractured while lowered in a storm from a helicopter to a family stranded on their capsizing vessel. Unknown to him at the time, Rick started suffering from PTSD. He started drinking heavily and years later found recovery through A.A., now enjoying 35 years of sobriety. He still needs professional help for his PTSD.

Rick credits his Tai Chi practice as a major part of his whole health regiment. He finds purpose and joy helping fellow veterans recover from PTSD, physical trauma, and substance abuse.

Rick is a Nationally Certified Tai Chi Instructor. He teaches for the Veteran's Administration (V.A.), Veteran's Adaptive Sports & Training (V.A.S.T.), the American Legion and is the Veteran Liaison at the Portland Recovery Community Center.

As the Whole Health & Recovery Chair for Vets4Vets, Rick welcomes his fellow veterans to reach out for any assistance in finding the proper care they need.

Just another vet helping another vet.

Email Rick

Keri Karsten

Women's Outreach Chair

Keri retired in 2011 from the U.S. Army after serving twenty years. While serving in the Army, she led soldiers in various human resources departments, instructed at the John W. Kreckel Leadership Academy, and commanded a recruiting station. Keri also led Soldiers in deployments to Kosovo and Afghanistan. Keri served as the Equal Opportunity Advisor and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate while serving in Germany and Afghanistan. After retiring from the military, Keri moved to Maine in 2012 from Colorado and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. She worked various jobs to support veterans with homelessness and to help them find employment.

After years of struggling with PTSD, Keri began her healing journey in 2019. Keri understands the unique challenges female Veterans face and wants to ensure that no one feels alone or under-supported in their search for help.

Keri is currently a candidate for the Muskie Policy, Planning, and Management program with the University of Southern Maine. Her goal is to be an advocate for Veterans, intimate partner violence survivors, and under-represented people without a voice. She enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, cross-country skiing, and being outdoors.