our team

Wade Steelman is a retired military veteran and dedicated entrepreneur. Following a distinguished military career, Wade retired in 2016 and successfully transitioned his leadership experience into the private sector, founding and growing a business built on the same values of integrity and service he practiced in uniform.

His mission for the Magic Memories Foundation was born from a firsthand observation during his transition to civilian life: while the nation honors its fallen, children left behind often lose the support system that once surrounded their parents. Seeing these children navigating life without the "village" they were promised, Wade moved to bridge that gap with a mission-first mindset.

Today, the organization is dedicated to serving the 17,200+ children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. Wade applies the same rigorous accountability and operational excellence to the foundation that he practiced throughout his military and private sector careers. Under his leadership, the foundation ensures every resource is optimized to provide the community and lasting legacy of support that Military, Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS families deserve.

David Rickey is a retired CEO and former Chairman of Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC), where he led the company’s transformation into a multibillion-dollar global leader in technology. His decades of experience in executive leadership, corporate governance, and strategic growth now guide the Magic Memories Foundation. David’s oversight ensures that the foundation operates with the highest level of fiscal responsibility and long-term vision, providing donors with the confidence that their contributions are managed with world-class professional standards.

Micah Waterman is an active-duty military service member with firsthand knowledge of the sacrifices made by those who serve and the lasting impact on the families they leave behind. His current service and unique perspective provide a powerful voice for the foundation, ensuring our programs remain deeply connected to the needs of the military community.

Micah is dedicated to ensuring the children of fallen heroes are never forgotten and receive the support they were promised. His presence on the board ensures that Magic Memories Foundation maintains its mission-critical focus on serving those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.