Meet The Team
It only makes sense that you would want to meet the captains of the Freedom Fishing Foundation ship. Each board member has a direct connection to military service and several of our board members have suffered as a result of their service.
They volunteer their time because they know firsthand just how challenging it can be and they want to help others. We know going fishing won’t magically fix everything, but we also believe in the power of time in nature and a good fishing buddy.
We love fishing and helping vets and their families!
Meet Our Team
Dorothy Radermacher
President
Dorothy’s late husband is a decorated Vietnam Veteran and she has a heart for veteran-related causes. Dorothy has been a tremendous help to Freedom Fishing Foundation, she brings an organization and get stuff done attitude to each meeting. She keeps everyone on track all the while building our presence in the community and forming connections wherever she goes.
Tadd Vanyo
Vice President
COLONEL Tadd E. Vanyo is the G3 Director Policies and Operations for the Army National Guard, Minnesota. He has a long and decorated military career. He is also a Project Manager with BlueCross Blue Shield. After participating in one of our trips he wanted to become more involved. Tadd will be leaving on another deployment soon and we look forward to his return.
Tori Blaisdell
Secretary
Tori Blaisdell Bio
I served in the MN National Guard for 18 years before medically retiring. During this time, I served three tours in Kuwait and twice at Guantanamo Bay. Fishing is one of my son’s and I’s favorite things to do as outdoorsy people. We were selected for a trip with freedom fishing years ago and I couldn’t attend but they allowed my parents to attend with James and his love for fishing grew. This is why I wanted to join Freedom Fishing to help give back to other veterans and their families.
Brent Schlieff
Ambassador
Brent retired from the Air Force in 2017 after serving for over 34 years. He served on two deployments in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Brent was a heavy equipment operator and a vehicle fleet manager. After retirement, he began spending more time fishing in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He signed up for an ice fishing trip with Freedom Fishing Foundation and thought it was the perfect fit to help other veterans enjoy the benefits of fishing.
Eric Anderson
Founding Director
Eric Anderson is a MN Army National Guard veteran who deployed to Iraq in 2006. During his deployment, while escorting a convoy en route to Baghdad was struck by an IED. Since the explosion, he has suffered from TBI and PTSD. During his recovery, he and Jim Flermoen who was severely injured in the same attack discovered there was a peace that came when fishing. Eric and Jim spent time fishing together and felt a responsibility to help others experience the benefits too. The pair worked together to form Freedom Fishing Foundation.
Jim Flermoen
Founding Director
Ben Elfelt
Past President
US NAVY, SEABEE’S
“Freedom Fishing Foundation allows me to share the sport of fishing with people who may not otherwise have means to go.”
Join Our Team?
If you have an interest in serving our veteran community and enjoy fishing, we’d love to have you in the boat with us! Visit our Volunteer Page to learn about opportunities to get involved.