Golden West Humanitarian Foundation | Unexploded Ordnance
saving lives through innovation
About us
The Golden West Humanitarian Foundation is a United States based non-profit charity dedicated to the development of innovative technologies, training, and techniques that are used to enhance the global effectiveness of the humanitarian mine action community.
Our team has a wealth of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), physical security stockpile management, training, and technical experience. Golden West personnel are community-minded, highly qualified, and well versed in the challenges faced in countries worldwide.
By working collaboratively with governments, the UN, National Mine Action Centers, and our peer NGOs, we address the needs of the mine action community and strive to ensure the widest dissemination and the application of innovation to save lives.
Our founder
Joe Trocino
President and Chairman
Our leadership
Allan Vosburgh
Chief Executive Officer
Al is a Master EOD technician with over 50 years of experience in Munitions Management, Ordnance Disposal, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Humanitarian Demining, Safety, and Technology Assessments and is a retired US Army Colonel.
Mike Trocino
Chief Financial Officer
Mike has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration CSUN and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He also has over 20 years of experience in non-profit leadership, finance, and administration.
Len Austin
Chief of EOD Operations
Len is a Master Level, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with extensive operational experience involving EOD, Humanitarian Demining, and the render safe of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). His background includes training civilian and military personnel in demining and EOD operations. He is also a retired Master Sergeant from the U.S. Marine Corps.
Chris McMurray
Director of Law Enforcement Programs
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, and has served in law enforcement for the past 27 years. During his 21 years with the FBI, Chris held a variety of posts in the United States, including administration of the FBI Special Agent Bomb Technician Program. Additionally, Chris served as the FBI Attaché at United States diplomatic missions in Canada, Ukraine, and Cambodia.
Lee moroney director of pssm
Lee is a Senior British Army Ammunition Technician with global operational experience in CIED, EOD & Ammunition Management. He has managed Humanitarian Mine Action Programmes in South Sudan, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Thailand, and North Macedonia. Currently, Lee manages the Golden West PSSM programs in Albania, Georgia, Moldova & Ukraine. He is also our POC for all PSSM related Global partnerships with other IO’s and INGOs. Additionally, Lee holds a Masters of Arts in International Policy & Diplomacy and is an active member of the Institute of Explosives Engineers.
Wayne Turnbull
SouthEast Asia Regional Manager
Wayne is an accomplished national security and international affairs professional with more than 38 years of exceptional success as a leader, development, security assistance expert, strategic analyst, and problem-solver. He is a former U.S. Army Colonel and Southeast Asia Foreign Area Officer with prior service at U.S. diplomatic missions in Thailand, Vietnam, East Timor, Indonesia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka & the Maldives.
Mark Lasley Chief of Training
Mark is a Master Level, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician who has operational experience supervising operations in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Central America, and South Pacific. He has led successful operations in EOD, Humanitarian Demining, and the render safe of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). He is an experienced technical advisor on the safe demilitarization of ordnance for use as training aids and a Master Gunnery Sergeant (retired, 27 years) US Marine Corps, as well as the project lead for Solomon Islands Project.
John Kelsch Thailand Country director
John came to Golden West following a thirty-year career as a Combat Engineer in the United States Marine Corps. His experience with Program and Project Management of the US Marine Forces Pacific Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program and the Exercise Related Construction Program adds depth to the Golden West team. His efforts ensure logistics and technical advisory support to the USINDOPACOM and MARFORPAC HMA program in Thailand and Cambodia.
Dr. Cj Cowlin Director of academics and technology
Cj is a tactical academic with more than 30 years of Navy EOD experience. He holds eight graduate degrees, including multiple doctorates, and is a multilingual global expert in crisis innovation. He has served in critical technological roles supporting the location and recovery of ROKS Cheonan ship in Korea, post-tsunami disaster response in Japan, and scores of large scale ordnance disasters. CJ is doctoral faculty at four major universities, helping develop next-generation EOD tools and inform strategic studies research involving Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). At Golden West, he acts as the primary link between academia and field operations to develop, validate, and bring new ideas to the mass market.
Jim Shelstad Thailand EOD Technical Advisor
Jim joined the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation in February of 2020, following his retirement from the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Jim is a Master Level Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Executive Leader with 32 years of USMC service, 27 of those as an EOD Technician. Jim uses his knowledge and experience to build and grow Golden West Humanitarian Foundation’s Thailand Operations as IMAS EOD Mentor and EOD Instructor to Thailand Mine Action Center and the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Additionally, he frequently provides Technical Advisor support to US MARFORPAC HMA training missions in Thailand and Cambodia.
Simon Morton
PSSM Technical Advisor
Simon joined Golden West in 2018 and currently serves as a Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Technical Advisor. Before joining Golden West, Simon gained over 20 years of experience in ammunition management and EOD. Simon’s technical qualifications were gained from serving as an Ammunition Technician in the British Army in countries like the UK, Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Simon provides long-term technical support and training to national authorities to help adapt and implement International Ammunition Technical Guidelines. Simon brings detailed knowledge and experience to the team.
Andy Jackson
PSSM TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Andy is a retired Senior British Army Ammunition Technician with global operational experience totaling 33 years in both the military and civilian environments. Throughout his career, he specialized in Ammunition Management, CIED, IEDD, & EOD. He has been involved with Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Programs with various NGOs & commercial companies and brings an additional depth of experience to the Golden West PSSM Program. He has a solid history of fostering international partnerships with time in the United Kingdom, Germany, Afghanistan, the USA, Canada, Tajikistan, Mali, Cambodia, Kurdistan, and Iraq. Andy currently serves as a Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Technical Advisor based in Moldova.
Brian Fitzgerald
Fiji EOD Technical Advisor
Brian has two decades of EOD/ERW emergency operations experience in Pacific Island Nations and global conflict areas. He is a retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician with leadership experience in Explosive Safety, Aviation Ordnance, Clearance Diving, Underwater UXO disposal, and Transportation Explosive Security. Brian has trained U.S and foreign military, police, and Federal personnel in EOD, SUXOS, IMAS, and CIED operations. He is a student of Anthropology and Pacific Archeology with the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and is an active member of Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society.
Physical security & stockpile management
Arben (Beni) Braha
PSSM Support - Albania
Arben Braha (or Beni as he is known by), is a known veteran within the HMA sector. Formally a Military Engineering – EOD Officer in the Albanian Armed Forces since 2010, he held the position as Director of the National Mine Action Authority (AMMCO) until March 2021, supporting HMA efforts in Albania. Beni recently represented Albania at a Forum implemented by Golden West in 2018, and Beni assisted USEUCOM in establishing the current PSSM Program.
Nina Asatiani
PSSM Project Support Officer - Georgia
Nina joined Golden West in May 2021, providing essential support to the PSSM Program implemented on behalf of USEUCOM. Fluent in Georgian, Russian, Ukrainian, and English, Nina joined us after years working for a US Commercial Company, NATO, and as Assistant to the Chief of General Staff, Georgian Armed Forces. Educated in Kyiv, Ukraine, Berlin, Germany, and Tbilisi, Georgia, Nina holds a bachelor’s degree in law.
Andrii Kozhushko
PSSM PROJECT SUPPORT OFFICER - Ukraine
Andrii joined Golden West in August of 2021 as an interpreter, translator, and local support officer in Ukraine. He has a degree in physics and vast experience in technical translation and interpreting for numerous infantry, EOD, CIED, and humanitarian mine action courses in Ukraine. Andrii provides local linguistic, administrative, and logistical support for the Golden West PSSM and EOD projects.
Training Team
Adan Morones
EOD Technical Advisor
Adan joined the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation in March of 2020 following his retirement from the United States Marine Corps. He serves as Project Lead in Quang Tri, Vietnam. Since joining the team, Adan has used his EOD experience and organizational management skills to mentor and train the Provincial Military EOD team in Quang Tri.
Bui Van Diep
Senior Training Coordinator
Diep joined Golden West in 2015, serving as an interpreter/translator. Diep is certified to IMAS levels 2 and 3 and holds a Bachelor’s of English. Diep brings more than 15 years of experience to Golden West’s Demining Program.
Le Manh Cuong
Training Coordinator
Cuong joined Golden West as a translator in May of 2017. Cuong brings many years or experience in the private, non-governmental and government service to Golden West.
Quick Reaction Force
Charlie Holloway
QRF Task Manager
Charlie retired from the US Army in 2006 after serving as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician conducting combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Following his time in the military, Charlie undertook several commercial EOD roles before joining Golden West in 2013. As the QRF Task Manager, Charlie plans and deploys teams within 48hrs to undertake short-term conventional weapons destruction and mitigation activities designed to reduce or eliminate threats posed by explosive hazards to civilian populations. Charlie has deployed on over 26 emergency response missions in 22 countries in support of the QRF program providing technical assistance to host nation officials ranging from emergency munitions clearance following unplanned detonations, disposal of excess/obsolete munitions, Physical Security and Stockpile Management, and recovery/disposal of unexploded ordnance threatening civilian communities.
Mark "Toby" Tobias
QRF EOD Technicial Specialist
Mark retired from the US Marine Corps in 2005 after 20 years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician with US Navy SCUBA qualifications and combat deployments to Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Following his service, Mark stayed within the EOD sphere and undertook various roles primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining Golden West. As the QRF’s Senior EOD Technical Specialist/Team Leader, Mark is responsible for the on-site management of deployed teams of technical specialists who mobilize within 48hrs. Mark has significant experience as part of the QRF, having deployed to 26 emergency response missions in 21 countries.
Explosive harvesting program
Joe Valdez
EHP Manager
Joe has extensive operational experience involving EOD operations, Humanitarian Demining, rendering safe U.S. and foreign munitions, IEDs, and other explosive hazards. Joe is also a Master Level Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician and a retired Master Sergeant from the U.S. Marine Corps. His background includes training host nation personnel in demining/ordnance identification and educating EOD personnel on operational functions and responsibilities.
Khean Thong
Cambodian
EOD Manager
Khean has 18 years in the Demining, UXO, and EOD community, and is a Master Level EOD Technician. He holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and is the Senior EOD Training Officer at the Cambodian Mine Action Center.
Heang sambo
Cambodian HDRD
Operations Manager
Heang has a master’s degree in Business Administration from Build Bright University in Cambodia, 13 years in Landmine and UXO Detection Research and 2 years in Explosive Harvesting Program. He is an experienced manager, leader, and an asset to the Golden West team.
Design Lab
John Wright
Chief Design Engineer
John served as an apprentice mechanical engineering production technician and holds an honors degree in design engineering. John’s work experiences range from teaching maintenance of outboard engines to mechanics in the fishing villages in Sierra Leone to under-ice operations on nuclear submarines. John has more than 40 years of experience in various aspects of mechanical and electrical engineering.
Tongly Mork
Mechanical Engineer
Tongly holds a Bachelor’s degree of Mechanical Engineering and has been working at the Design Lab for two years on the OrdHUB project. Tongly specializes in ordnance classification and information systems.
california office
Asia Johnson
Grants Compliance Officer
Asia Johnson is a UCLA graduate who began working with Golden West in 2013 as the Head Accounting Manager. Asia leverages almost a decade of experience in small business accounting and administration to maintain the highest level of fiscal responsibility.
Maggie Zavallos
Head Bookeeper
Maggie holds a BA in Humanities and over 20 years of experience working as a staff accountant. She joined the Golden West team in 2018 as Bookkeeper for the headquarters office in California. Her experience and enthusiasm is a great contribution to Golden West, particularly her efforts to ensure the finance department operates efficiently and accurately.
cambodia office
Reaksmey Chan
Accounting & Office Manager
Reaksmey Chan has both a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration degree. She possesses seven years of experience in accounting, finance, administration, logistics, and planning.
Gekhorng Sreng
Bookeeper
Gekhorng Sreng has a bachelor’s degree in finance and banking and a Master of Finance degree. These educational merits have equipped her well in her 7+ years working as an accountant with Golden West.
Manurith Sann
Admin & Logistics Officer
Manurith Sann has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and is currently studying for a master’s degree in public administration. He has multiple certifications, including a Bronze Medallion certificate from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia. These certifications, combined with his experience as a swim coach, lifeguard, and administrator, have equipped him well for his work at Golden West.
Movichi Chan
RCAF Liason Officer
Movichi has numerous years of experience working with non-governmental organizations in humanitarian mine action across Cambodia.
Vietnam office
Mai Thi Tuyet
Administration Officer
Mai Thi Tuyet is an administrative officer with Golden West, and she is a great example of the leading ladies who work behind the scenes to keep the organization’s operations running down range. Her 25 years of administrative experience in various environments has made her one of the most important members of the Golden West team.
Lieu VU
Accountant
Lieu holds a B.A. in Accounting and an M.A. in International Trade in finance. She also has over 10 years working with NGOs on international developement.
Tran Thao Linh
Accounting Assistant
After graduating with a major in Accounting, Linh joined Golden West as an Intern looking to gain experience in the NGO sector. Subsequently, after proving her ability, Linh became a full-time employee in 2017 and serves as an Accounting Assistant. Supporting both the HMA and Swim For Life programs from the office in Hanoi and on the ground in Quang Binh and Quang Tri, Linh values the range of experience Golden West offers, helping to ensure our work is carried out on time and under budget.
Our Mission
Our Vision
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Our team serves the global community all year long. Share your email with us and we will share our impact with you.
- Golden West Humanitarian Foundation
6355 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Suite 517
Woodland Hills, CA
91367-2110
- media@goldenwesthf.org
- (818) 703-0024
Copyright 2023 Golden West Humanitarian Foundation
Golden West Humanitarian Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in the United States of America
