Hemphill named executive director of Travis Mills Foundation

PHOTOS: Travis Mills Foundation founder Travis Mills, left, and Heather Hemphill, who was recently named executive director. (Submitted photo)

ROME — Heather Hemphill has been appointed executive director of the Travis Mills Foundation, as the retreat the foundation runs transitions from seasonal to year-round programming.
Hemphill has been chief financial officer since 2019. In her new role, she will oversee the day-to-day operations of the foundation and its programming.

The Travis Mills Foundation retreat programming helps recalibrated veterans and their families overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen family bonds and enjoy rest and relaxation in the Belgrade Lakes region, offering week-long stays. Recalibrated veterans experienced life-changing injuries while in service to country. The term was coined by founder SSG. Travis Mills, one of five surviving quadruple amputees from the Afghanistan and Iraq war.
A $7 million Health & Wellness Center opened at the retreat in September, and will provide year-round programming and allow the foundation to serve more veterans. The center is filled with equipment that veterans will use to learn to adapt to their injuries, including fitness equipment, an indoor pool and massage space.
“Heather has been such an asset to the Travis Mills Foundation these last few years, bringing her financial and family background to build a culture of transparency and trust and ensuring that we maximize all of the generous donations that come our way,” Mills said. “I look forward to working side by side with Heather to support even more recalibrated veterans around the country, letting them know that they are not alone, and that we are here to help.”
Hemphill earned a bachelor of science in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University, and worked at TRC Companies Inc. before joining the Travis Mills Foundation in 2019 as director of finance and administration.
Her husband is a Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq and one in the Philippines between 2005 to 2010. Her family background, including her father and grandfather who were Maine firefighters, along with her professional skills, have allowed her to not only thrive at the foundation but also understand the needs of the veterans it serves, a news release announcing her new role said.
“I knew from the beginning that this wasn’t just a job,” Hemphill said. “The Travis Mills Foundation has provided a true purpose and higher calling for me to lead such a stellar organization that does life-changing work to support our nation’s recalibrated veterans. I am honored by the confidence SSG Mills and his family have instilled in me to take the Foundation to the next level, and I am ready to get to work.”
Hemphill and her husband have two children, Maverick and Marguerite, three dogs and three horses on their farm, and is also a volunteer member of the Vassalboro Fire Department.
Since 2017, the Travis Mills Foundation has hosted more than 100 weeks of programming, serving 956 veterans, 1,058 families and more than 3,000 people from nearly all 50 states, along with Washington D.C. and Canada. For more information, visit travismillsfoundation.org.