Monterey Bay Veterans

About Monterey Bay Veterans

Our Mission

Why we do what we do

Monterey Bay Veterans, Inc. is dedicated to serving the disabled veteran community of Monterey Bay, providing recreational fishing, whale watching, and community events at no cost to veterans through the generous support of sponsors and donors.

For nearly four decades, we have been committed to the belief that the healing power of the ocean, the camaraderie of shared experience, and the dignity of accessible recreation can make a profound difference in the lives of those who have served our country.

Accessibility

Every program we offer is fully wheelchair-accessible, ensuring no veteran is left behind regardless of ability.

Community

We build lasting bonds between veterans, volunteers, and supporters who share a commitment to service.

Healing

The therapeutic power of the ocean and shared experience provides healing that goes beyond traditional care.

Our History

Nearly four decades of service to the veteran community

87
1987

The First Salmon Derby

Monterey Bay Veterans holds its first wheelchair-accessible salmon derby, establishing a tradition that continues to this day.

95
1995

Expanding Programs

MBV adds whale watching expeditions and community events, broadening access to the healing power of the ocean.

05
2005

ADA Shuttle Service

Launch of ADA-compliant special needs event shuttles, ensuring disabled veterans can access local community events.

15
2015

Growing Community

MBV surpasses 3,000 veterans served annually, with volunteer partnerships at Laguna Seca, Pebble Beach, and beyond.

20
2020

Resilience Through Challenge

MBV adapts programs during challenging times, finding innovative ways to continue serving the veteran community safely.

24
2024

The Pescador Joins the Fleet

MBV launches the Pescador, a fully wheelchair-accessible vessel operating out of Monterey Harbor.

26
2026

5,000+ Veterans Annually

Today, MBV impacts over 5,000 veterans yearly through fishing trips, whale watching, derbies, volunteer events, and community programs.

Our Leadership

Meet the dedicated team guiding our mission

Jefferson Ward
Jefferson Ward
Executive Director

Jeff leads MBV's mission with a passion for serving those who served. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its programs to impact over 5,000 veterans annually.

Tiffany Bass-Breazile
Tiffany Bass-Breazile
Board President

Tiffany brings extensive nonprofit leadership experience to MBV, guiding strategic direction and community partnerships that strengthen our veteran programs.

James Bogan
James Bogan
Vice President

James is a dedicated advocate for disabled veterans and plays a key role in program development and community outreach for MBV.

Kirk Johnson
Kirk Johnson
Treasurer & Secretary

Kirk ensures MBV's financial stewardship and organizational excellence, managing resources to maximize impact for the veteran community.

Gina Ward
Gina Ward
Director of Volunteer Operations

Gina coordinates hundreds of volunteers across all MBV events, from fishing trips to community fundraisers, ensuring every event runs smoothly.

Patricia Hendrix
Patricia Hendrix
Board Member

Patricia contributes her expertise in community health and veteran services to guide MBV's programs and partnerships.

Ed Corliss
Ed Corliss
Board Member

Brings devoted support and knowledge to our golf cart operations and supporting that program from delivery to event end!

The Pescador — MBV's wheelchair-accessible vessel on Monterey Bay
Our Fleet

The Pescador

The Pescador is the heart of our fleet — a fully wheelchair-accessible vessel operating out of Monterey Harbor. Purpose-built for inclusive maritime experiences, she allows disabled veterans to enjoy deep-sea fishing, whale watching, and the beauty of Monterey Bay without barriers.

  • ADA-compliant throughout with wide passageways and roll-on access
  • Equipped with adaptive fishing gear and safety equipment
  • Experienced volunteer crew trained in accessibility assistance
  • Accommodates up to 25 veterans per trip

Our Impact

Measuring what matters — the lives we touch

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Veterans Impacted Yearly

Disabled veterans served through our programs each year

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Years of Service

Continuously serving the veteran community since 1987

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Events Annually

Fishing trips, whale watching, derbies, and community events

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Volunteer Hours

Hours donated by our incredible volunteer community

Life on the Water

Moments from our fishing trips, whale watching expeditions, and community events

MBV volunteer with truck and trailer at event setup
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca IndyCar event paddock
MBV shuttle leading parade with crowds and American flags
Fleet of blue MBV ADA shuttles in downtown parade
MBV volunteer driver in blue shuttle with American flag
Volunteer ready to drive MBV shuttle at community event
MBV blue shuttle parked with event shuttle signage
MBV shuttles lined up alongside military vehicles at parade
Veterans holding lingcod catch on Monterey Bay fishing trip
ADA shuttle boarding passengers at Laguna Seca
MBV truck towing ADA shuttle trailer at airshow
Full ADA shuttle transporting passengers at event
Wheelchair assistance shuttle with veterans at Laguna Seca
ADA shuttle in parking area at Laguna Seca event
Two blue MBV shuttles on trailer ready for transport
MBV shuttle inside C-5 Galaxy cargo plane at airshow
Veterans riding MBV shuttle out of C-5 Galaxy aircraft
Patriotic volunteer in American flag shirt driving MBV shuttle
Volunteer driving MBV shuttle through parade crowd
Veterans in Monterey Bay Veterans golf cart number 12
MBV event shuttle full of passengers at community event
Wheelchair-accessible shuttle transporting veteran at Laguna Seca
Monterey Bay Veterans fishing boat heading out on the water
Blue MBV event shuttle picking up passengers
WeatherTech Raceway paddock overview with MBV shuttles
Silhouette of woman fishing at sunset on Monterey Bay
Veteran holding large lingcod catch on fishing trip
Fresh halibut catch on the deck of the Pescador
Pescador boat being lifted at Monterey Harbor marina
Two veterans proudly showing rockfish catch
Crew hauling Dungeness crab net aboard the Pescador
Veterans fishing on overcast day on Monterey Bay
Young angler holding rockfish catch aboard the Pescador
U.S. Navy veteran holding rockfish and lingcod catch
Fresh rockfish and lingcod haul in cooler
Veterans fishing together on Monterey Bay trip
Monterey Bay Veterans boat docked at harbor at dusk
Three veterans showing off rockfish catch on the boat
Group of five veterans with lingcod haul on fishing trip
Veteran holding large halibut with coastal mountains behind
Captain at the helm of the Pescador on foggy day
Veteran proudly holding bass catch on Monterey Bay
Angler showing off rockfish catch near Monterey coast
Veteran unhooking fish on the deck of the Pescador
MBV volunteer with truck and trailer at event setup
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca IndyCar event paddock
MBV shuttle leading parade with crowds and American flags
Fleet of blue MBV ADA shuttles in downtown parade
MBV volunteer driver in blue shuttle with American flag
Volunteer ready to drive MBV shuttle at community event
MBV blue shuttle parked with event shuttle signage
MBV shuttles lined up alongside military vehicles at parade
Veterans holding lingcod catch on Monterey Bay fishing trip
ADA shuttle boarding passengers at Laguna Seca
MBV truck towing ADA shuttle trailer at airshow
Full ADA shuttle transporting passengers at event
Wheelchair assistance shuttle with veterans at Laguna Seca
ADA shuttle in parking area at Laguna Seca event
Two blue MBV shuttles on trailer ready for transport
MBV shuttle inside C-5 Galaxy cargo plane at airshow
Veterans riding MBV shuttle out of C-5 Galaxy aircraft
Patriotic volunteer in American flag shirt driving MBV shuttle
Volunteer driving MBV shuttle through parade crowd
Veterans in Monterey Bay Veterans golf cart number 12
MBV event shuttle full of passengers at community event
Wheelchair-accessible shuttle transporting veteran at Laguna Seca
Monterey Bay Veterans fishing boat heading out on the water
Blue MBV event shuttle picking up passengers
WeatherTech Raceway paddock overview with MBV shuttles
Silhouette of woman fishing at sunset on Monterey Bay
Veteran holding large lingcod catch on fishing trip
Fresh halibut catch on the deck of the Pescador
Pescador boat being lifted at Monterey Harbor marina
Two veterans proudly showing rockfish catch
Crew hauling Dungeness crab net aboard the Pescador
Veterans fishing on overcast day on Monterey Bay
Young angler holding rockfish catch aboard the Pescador
U.S. Navy veteran holding rockfish and lingcod catch
Fresh rockfish and lingcod haul in cooler
Veterans fishing together on Monterey Bay trip
Monterey Bay Veterans boat docked at harbor at dusk
Three veterans showing off rockfish catch on the boat
Group of five veterans with lingcod haul on fishing trip
Veteran holding large halibut with coastal mountains behind
Captain at the helm of the Pescador on foggy day
Veteran proudly holding bass catch on Monterey Bay
Angler showing off rockfish catch near Monterey coast
Veteran unhooking fish on the deck of the Pescador
MBV volunteer with truck and trailer at event setup
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca IndyCar event paddock
MBV shuttle leading parade with crowds and American flags
Fleet of blue MBV ADA shuttles in downtown parade
MBV volunteer driver in blue shuttle with American flag
Volunteer ready to drive MBV shuttle at community event
MBV blue shuttle parked with event shuttle signage
MBV shuttles lined up alongside military vehicles at parade
Veterans holding lingcod catch on Monterey Bay fishing trip
ADA shuttle boarding passengers at Laguna Seca
MBV truck towing ADA shuttle trailer at airshow
Full ADA shuttle transporting passengers at event
Wheelchair assistance shuttle with veterans at Laguna Seca
ADA shuttle in parking area at Laguna Seca event
Two blue MBV shuttles on trailer ready for transport
MBV shuttle inside C-5 Galaxy cargo plane at airshow
Veterans riding MBV shuttle out of C-5 Galaxy aircraft
Patriotic volunteer in American flag shirt driving MBV shuttle
Volunteer driving MBV shuttle through parade crowd
Veterans in Monterey Bay Veterans golf cart number 12
MBV event shuttle full of passengers at community event
Wheelchair-accessible shuttle transporting veteran at Laguna Seca
Monterey Bay Veterans fishing boat heading out on the water
Blue MBV event shuttle picking up passengers
WeatherTech Raceway paddock overview with MBV shuttles
Silhouette of woman fishing at sunset on Monterey Bay
Veteran holding large lingcod catch on fishing trip
Fresh halibut catch on the deck of the Pescador
Pescador boat being lifted at Monterey Harbor marina
Two veterans proudly showing rockfish catch
Crew hauling Dungeness crab net aboard the Pescador
Veterans fishing on overcast day on Monterey Bay
Young angler holding rockfish catch aboard the Pescador
U.S. Navy veteran holding rockfish and lingcod catch
Fresh rockfish and lingcod haul in cooler
Veterans fishing together on Monterey Bay trip
Monterey Bay Veterans boat docked at harbor at dusk
Three veterans showing off rockfish catch on the boat
Group of five veterans with lingcod haul on fishing trip
Veteran holding large halibut with coastal mountains behind
Captain at the helm of the Pescador on foggy day
Veteran proudly holding bass catch on Monterey Bay
Angler showing off rockfish catch near Monterey coast
Veteran unhooking fish on the deck of the Pescador

Ready to get involved?

There are many ways to make a difference in a veteran's life.

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