Board Spotlight: Meet Sargeant Major Kevin Bittenbender

Sergeant Major Kevin Bittenbender served with the U.S. Army for 34 years and retired in September 2018. He was deployed several times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, including combat deployments to Afghanistan. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge for his tour in Afghanistan, and his service awards include the Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. As a result of his combat deployment and burn pit exposures, Sergeant Major Bittenbender underwent several surgeries that resulted in the amputation of his left leg.

Kevin currently coaches with the U.S. Paralympic Nordic/Biathlon Team and coached at the 2024 Invictus Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. He enjoys running, cross-country skiing, and handcycling marathons and competes in skeleton and bobsled. He continues to mentor fellow amputees at Walter Reed Medical Center, supporting others navigating physical and emotional recovery.

He is deeply committed to mental health advocacy and veteran support, including co-founding Joint Task Force 22 to Zero, a program dedicated to helping veterans and first responders with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and suicide prevention — and he regularly speaks publicly on breaking stigma and encouraging others to seek help when needed.

He is currently the Director of Military Affairs for Pocono Raceway, where he assists NASCAR with promoting and supporting Veteran and Gold Star organizations. Kevin has helped expand initiatives like Veterans Village, Gold Star Family experiences, and pre-race ceremonies that honor service members and their families.

Kevin is married to his wife, Molly, and has a daughter, Kaitlyn.