The Jump for Valor Team
Our Board of Directors are comprised of both active duty and retired military officers who are passionate about serving the veteran community.
Chris Derbak
FOUNDER & CEO
Chris Derbak’s paths in the military, aerospace engineering and skydiving almost all coincided simultaneously. Derbak completed his first static line jump at 18 years old and was hooked, pursuing his A license shortly thereafter. A year later, he began his military career by enlisting in the US Air Force, where he deployed in multiple theaters of operation. While enlisted, Derbak attended Embry Riddle, completing his Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. After a 20-year military career, Derbak retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and decided to further pursue his passion for skydiving and is now an Accelerated Freefall Instructor (AFFI), Tandem Instructor (TI) and coach. Derbak understands the difficulty transitioning military members can face, and brings his professional and personal experience to Jump for Valor by re-engaging veterans with their passions and purpose in their new lives.
Kevin Petit
Chief operating officer
Kevin Petit, U.S. Army LTC (ret) spent over 24 years in the Army. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, Petit commissioned in the infantry. He is a veteran of Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Petit has served in the 82nd Airborne, 173rd Airborne, 75th Ranger Regiment, the US Army Airborne School, and commanded a 101st Airborne cavalry squadron during the surge in Iraq, 2007-2008. He is an assistant professor in a defense university teaching international relations and intelligence topics. Petit is a USPA D-licensed skydiver, holds a coach/AFFI rating, and is a FAA senior rigger.
Max Sivohins
Chief Financial Officer
Max Sivohins is a successful serial entrepreneur and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. While on active-duty he was responsible for budget formulation and funding requests for over 20 acquisition programs totaling nearly two billion dollars. Additionally, Max served in various other roles including aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter MELLON based in Seattle, WA where he had the opportunity to be a Counter-Narcotics Operations Boarding Officer.
Max graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2013. He is a Certified Government Financial Manager and brings his financial expertise to the Jump for Valor team.
Max is an avid sports participant and his hobbies include, freestyle skiing, scuba diving, golf, swimming and hiking. He has completed numerous marathon races and is constantly looking for the next adventure.
Max is proactive within the entire military community and is extremely passionate in helping veterans and their families.
Dawne Nickerson
chief of staff
Dawne Nickerson served 8 years as a US Navy Corpsman. While on active duty she served at Bethesda Naval Hospital, the USS Emory S. Land, NAS Oceana, and Sewell’s Point branch clinic. After serving, she went on to become the first female paramedic in Kent County Delaware, serving for 10 years. She has dabbled as an entrepreneur, a banking officer, director of development – now Dawne is a DoD employee serving the Air Force. She spent 6 years at Dover AFB as the Chief of Community Engagement and now serves as the Deputy Chief of Public Affairs at Joint Base Charleston, SC. Dawne is a valiant supporter of veterans and active military members. She understands the challenges faced by those coming off of active duty, and is passionate about making a difference.
