About Us
MISSION
Empower Special Operators through the art of guitar building, fostering a sense of accomplishment, and creating a transformative experience that resonates long after the first chord is strummed.
VISION
Our vision is to empower 50 Special Operators annually through a year-round sanctuary and guitar building workshop that delivers measurable resilience for veterans and their families.
Benefiting from the wisdom of those who have gone before.
Led by individuals with unique and profound military experiences, Reveille Guitar Project aims to impart the craft of guitar building to others. Our shared background provides a common footing, allowing us to embark on the transformative journey of creating something extraordinary from raw materials.
Through this process, we understand the intrinsic value of crafting wood that can resonate with music, evoking deep emotions. As we navigate through the intricacies of guitar building, we recognize the profound impact of these emotions, enabling us to find stable ground as we continue to serve, transition into civilian life, or strengthen meaningful relationships. This journey offers us a powerful opportunity to bring forth beauty and harmony from the raw elements, echoing the resilience and harmony we seek in our own lives.
Board of Directors
Benjamin Channels
Founder & Executive Director
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Benjamin Channels began his military career in 1998 as a Private in the Army National Guard. Commissioned as an officer in 2002 from Texas A&M University, he served over 13 combat tours as an MH-60M DAP pilot and as a member of 1-160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). Notably, he commanded Special Operations units at the Company level on two occasions. His career culminated in his role as Commander of the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Today, he resides in Arlington, Virginia with his wife Courtney and their three children.
Wade Ziegler
Co-Founder & Treasurer
Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Retired) Wade Ziegler embarked on his remarkable journey in 1992 as an enlisted infantryman in the Nebraska Army National Guard while attending Wayne State University, later transitioning to active duty as a helicopter pilot and instructor. With a legacy spanning 26 years, Wade's extensive service includes pivotal roles such as a medical evacuation pilot across various regions. Notably, he has excelled within the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as an MH-47G pilot, culminating in his flag-level position as the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command’s Command Chief Warrant Officer. As Wade anticipates a well-deserved retirement, he currently resides in Savannah, Georgia, with his wife Christine, two sons, and a granddaughter.
Chris Kitchens
Luthier & Secretary
Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Chris Kitchens' military journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication and selfless commitment. Enlisting in the Army in 1999, he began as an 11C Infantry Mortarman in the 2/327th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, deploying to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian. Transitioning to become a 67U Helicopter Repairer, he excelled in roles within the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) (Airborne). His remarkable career included pivotal roles such as Technical Inspector, Quality Control NCOIC, and Battalion Maintenance Manager, culminating in his appointment as the 16th Command Sergeant Major of the 160th SOAR (ABN) in recognition of his outstanding service. Beyond his military achievements, CSM Kitchens is a devoted husband and father, a trusted mentor to many soldiers, and a beacon of service excellence.
Board of Advisors
John Clement
President, Board of Advisors
John Clement is a retired Blackhawk Helicopter Maintenance Test Pilot who served his country for 21 years in the US Army. After multiple Combat Deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, John transitioned to civilian life in 2016.
Committed to helping fellow veterans and their families, John created the Fort Campbell Soldier Transition Program with the Tennessee Department of Labor. This Program bridges the gap for transitioning service members and their spouses by assisting them in obtaining licenses and certifications empowering them to find meaningful employment. This program continues to thrive today.
Johns’ dedication extends beyond military service. As a Senior Military Advisor and State Field Director to United States Senator Marsha Blackburn, he advocates for Veterans, Music and Business interests throughout the state of Tennessee.
A music enthusiast himself, John is passionate about music and recently had the honor of writing and performing on 3 songs on Megadeth’s album, The Sick, The Dying, and The Dead.
Jim DeCola
Master Luthier, Gibson Guitars
Chayton Alo
Founder, The Luthier Bench
Mr. Chayton Alo brings four decades of diverse corporate and entrepreneurial experience to Reveille Guitar Project. After graduating from the NYU Stern School of Business in 1983, he embarked on a distinguished Wall Street career. Over the course of 20 years, Mr. Alo was a founding investor in 5 public companies with an aggregate net market value exceeding $10 billion, including serving on the Board of Directors of a publicly-traded entity.
From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Alo worked as an independent war correspondent embedded in the Middle East, surviving near-fatal terrorist attacks, including a close missile strike in the Gaza Strip. These experiences, combined with his passion for playing guitar, inspired him to found The Luthier Bench, an e-commerce marketplace for luthier-built guitars.
With over 15 years of experience developing online business models, Mr. Alo will begin training as a luthier at the Roberto-Venn School of Lutherie in 2025. He is a member of the Guild of American Luthiers and plans to provide guitar-building workshops for veterans through Reveille.
Mr. Alo is also the founder of Humanity For Dogs, a canine rescue non-profit. He completed the New York City Marathon in 1985 and has been a prominent voice in financial media, with his investment guidance published in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other leading outlets.
Starting in 2025, Reveille Guitar Project will be the designated giving organization for The Luthier Bench, with a portion of every guitar sale donated to the organization.