Leadership

Brian D. Carr

Brian Carr serves as the Chairman of the Black Hawk Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to transforming lives by addressing housing insecurity. Under his leadership, the foundation bridges the gap between instability and stability by delivering permanent, affordable housing solutions and rapid response shelters for disaster relief. Guided by a mission to ensure everyone has access to a safe, dignified place to call home, the foundation empowers communities in need and provides hope during times of crisis.

Brian brings a wealth of experience to this role. Brian is a founding member and Chairman & CEO of both Black Hawk Equity Advisors Black Hawk Capital Ventures where he leads strategic investment initiatives focusing on early-stage companies with high growth potential. His background in mechanical engineering, with a master’s degree from Old Dominion University, equips him with the technical proficiency to understand complex projects, which is invaluable in developing sustainable housing solutions.

Brian’s leadership and commitment to community empowerment drive the foundation’s efforts to make a meaningful impact on housing stability and disaster relief.

Kirk A. Deutrich

Kirk A. Deutrich serves as the Vice Chairman and Secretary to the Board, and COO of the Black Hawk Cares Foundation. Kirk plays a pivotal role in overseeing the foundation’s operations, implementing strategies to enhance efficiency, and ensuring the seamless execution of its mission to empower communities and transform lives.

With over 25 years of expertise in operational efficiency, project management, and business development, Kirk brings unparalleled experience to the foundation. He has an extensive background managing domestic and international projects across several industry sectors which contribute significantly to the foundation’s innovative housing initiatives.

Kirk is a founding member and COO of Black Hawk Equity Advisors and also serves as COO and President of the Board of Managers for Black Hawk Capital Ventures. His dedication to community impact and operational excellence is central to the foundation’s success in addressing housing insecurity and disaster relief efforts.

Steve Barshov

Steve Barshov serves as the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications and a Board Member of the Black Hawk Cares Foundation. In his role, Steve is responsible for developing the foundation’s branding, messaging, and technology platforms to ensure a seamless experience for donors and recipients.

With over 30 years of experience leading various organizations, Steve has a robust background in construction, engineering, technology, business development, fundraising, design, and marketing. His leadership has enabled him to bridge the gap between state-of-the-art technology, business client functionality, and consumer experience. He developed a proprietary, accessibility-compliant technology ecosystem and digital marketing platform that Black Hawk Cares Foundation utilizes as well as the technical tracking and management system for all inventory and assistance deployment.

Steve’s mantra, “Do the right thing, not the easy thing,” reflects his commitment to excellence. His well-rounded expertise as a craftsman, technologist, and non-profit fundraiser—having raised millions of dollars for worthy organizations such as The Independence Fund, AHERO USA, Independence for the Blind, and many other Veteran and faith-based organizations —brings significant value to the foundation’s mission of impacting housing stability and disaster relief.

Jon Bussey

Mr. Bussey is an experienced coalition builder who connects across industries and constituencies and has managed response and recovery for some of the most complex response and recovery efforts in the last century. Starting his career in public affairs at the grass roots level, Mr. Bussey progressed through a series of roles in his career, from the Florida Chamber of Commerce to the Florida Hospital Association to the highest levels of government in the state of Florida. He has served, under two Florida Governors, as council director for the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, as chief of staff for the Florida Department of Transportation and the Lottery, and most recently as the Chief of Staff of the Florida Department of Emergency Management under Governor DeSantis. Mr. Bussey is currently the Founder and Principal of The Bussey Group in Tallahassee, Florida.

Michael W. Davidson U.S.

Major General (Ret.) Michael W. Davidson, USA, brings a distinguished career in military service and national security to his role as a Board Member of the Black Hawk Cares Foundation. A decorated Vietnam veteran, General Davidson’s military career culminated with six years on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon as Assistant Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard matters. His prior assignments included Deputy Commander in Chief for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs at U.S. Special Operations Command, Deputy Commanding General (National Guard) at U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and Adjutant General of Kentucky. He received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for his exemplary service.

Beyond his military career, General Davidson is an accomplished attorney and thought leader in defense strategy and national security policy. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Louisville and is the author of Victory at Risk: Renewing America’s Military Power.

With extensive board experience spanning public, private, and non-profit organizations, General Davidson contributes a wealth of expertise in governance and strategic oversight to the foundation. His leadership extends to roles such as Vice-chairman of the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation and Trustee of the Fund for Peace, among others.

General Davidson resides in Kentucky, dividing his time between Louisville and his family farm near Lexington with his wife. His commitment to service, both in uniform and through community-focused initiatives, aligns seamlessly with the Black Hawk Cares Foundation’s mission to provide transformative housing solutions for those in need.