One of the ways we are able to stay on track and focused on our mission is through the support and guidance of our Board of Advisors. Throughout the year, we are highlighting these dedicated individuals to give our community a deeper look into our team and the passionate people working behind the scenes.
At the SEAL Future Foundation (SFF), our mission relies on a community of leaders who don’t just believe in our cause, but actively roll up their sleeves to support our operators and their families. Today, we are incredibly proud to announce that business leader Kaes Van’t Hof is officially joining our Board of Advisors.
Kaes serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Diamondback Energy, a leading public U.S. independent oil and gas producer based in Midland, Texas. While his executive leadership and business acumen are undeniable, it is his deep-rooted commitment to giving back and his dedication to investing time in our community that make him a perfect fit for our organization.
We sat down with Kaes to discuss his personal connection to SFF, what he’s learned from spending time with team guys, and his vision for the foundation’s future.
How did you first get connected and associated with the SEAL Future Foundation?
“I was connected to the organization through two close friends from college, Stenn Parton and Sumil Menon, a few years ago. Stenn serves on the board of SFF today, and Sumil is connected to the organization through his brother-in-law who is currently serving in the SEALs.
They encouraged me to attend a gala in Los Angeles and, since then, the relationship has continued to grow as we have met more of the team members and spent quality time with Waco and Aaron.”
Why did you decide to get involved beyond just financial support?
“I believe our most valuable resource is time, and committing time to something you care about matters more than financial assistance. After attending our first gala, my wife and I decided this was an organization worth devoting more time to.
Having the fortune of being around team guys and learning more about their lives, families, and the sacrifices they make for this country made this an easy decision.”
What have you learned from getting to spend time with the organization and the team guys?
“I have learned so much more about their lives outside of the job—it brings a much more human element into the equation.
Not only are these guys fighting for our country and our freedom, but they also have wives and children they are responsible for. It is a heavy burden, and they handle it all with ease.”
What do you wish more people knew about the organization or SEALs in general?
“That the organization is singularly focused on the mission of providing these SEALs with the resources, treatment, assistance, and opportunities they deserve. Beyond that, it’s important to know that SFF is run by a very dynamic team looking to expand responsibly in the coming years.”
What is your vision for the future of SFF?
“I think the sky is the limit for the organization—an important cause run responsibly by dynamic leaders has incredible potential for growth.”
About Kaes Van’t Hof
Kaes Van’t Hof was born in Newport Beach, CA, and attended the University of Southern California, where he played collegiate tennis and graduated with a B.S. in Finance and Accounting. Following the start of his professional career in New York, NY, he now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Diamondback Energy, a leading public U.S. independent oil and gas producer in Midland, TX. Kaes lives in Midland with his wife, Billie, and their two young children, Valerie (4) and Teddy (2).
The SFF team is honored to have Kaes’s leadership, perspective, and dedication on our Board of Advisors as we continue supporting our homeland’s finest heroes in their next chapters.
