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Meet the ORS Team

Meet the passionate team driving our mission forward. From our leadership to our board, each member brings dedication, expertise, and heart to everything we do.

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Thomas Miller

President & Founder
Thomas Miller is the Founder and Executive Director of Operation Rising Sun, a nonprofit dedicated to disaster relief and community resilience in Western North Carolina. A retired Sergeant First Class of the 82nd Airborne Division and decorated combat infantryman, Thomas brings the same commitment and leadership from his military career into his service at home.
 
In addition to his military background, Thomas is a certified Disaster Case Manager and a 1st degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His journey into nonprofit work was shaped by his ongoing role as a proud member of Warrior Clan, a veteran-led organization that instilled in him a passion for serving others. This calling inspired him to establish Operation Rising Sun in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, when he saw firsthand the urgent needs of his neighbors.
 
Under his leadership, Operation Rising Sun has quickly become one of the region’s most respected disaster relief organizations—providing safe housing to displaced families, delivering vital supplies, supporting veterans, and rebuilding lives across the community. His efforts have been recognized multiple times in the Mountaineer newspaper for their impact.
 
Beyond disaster relief, Thomas continues to give back as a youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach and veteran advocate, showing the next generation “what right looks like” and creating opportunities for service and resilience. His mission is clear: to build a stronger, safer, and united Western North Carolina—one act of service at a time.  

Jesi Kalwat

Chief Operations Officer
Jesi Kalwat brings over 20 years of upper management experience and a strong background in disaster relief to her role with Operation Rising Sun. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and has served in leadership roles including district and territory management.
 
For the past five years, Jesi has specialized in disaster relief management, earning her Disaster Case Management certification through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh. She has guided countless individuals and families through recovery processes, ensuring they receive the resources and support needed to rebuild their lives. Jesi has also partnered with Lowe’s Home Improvement, leading teams into affected stores to restore operations quickly—ensuring that life-saving supplies reach impacted communities without delay.
 
With proven expertise in emergency response planning, interagency coordination, and risk mitigation, Jesi is recognized for her strong communication and collaboration skills. Her dedication to efficiency, compliance, and community resilience makes her an invaluable part of Operation Rising Sun’s mission to rebuild lives and strengthen communities in times of crisis.
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Operation Rising Sun Board of Directors

Joseph S. Langford MD, FAAEM

Scott, originally from East Tennessee, has called Western North Carolina home for the past 26 years. He works as a traveling physician practicing emergency medicine throughout the Southeast, with a focus on Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and Alabama. Scott lives in Fines Creek with his wife, Heather, their son, Cameron, a variety of dogs, and a small flock of sheep.

After breaking his ankle during last year’s hurricane, Scott witnessed the founding of Operation Rising Sun in the early days following Helene. While recovering from surgery, he traveled with the organization’s founder, Tommy Miller, through devastated counties and saw firsthand the need for organized, on-call relief efforts—not just for Helene, but for future disasters. He has since watched Operation Rising Sun develop into a true “circle maker” for Western North Carolina relief, bringing together resources and partnerships in readiness for the next major event.

He is proud to serve on the Operation Rising Sun Board of Directors and looks forward to supporting its growth into one of the nation’s leading disaster relief organizations, focused on Western North Carolina.

John P. Driver

John is a retired Police Officer, U.S. Army, and U.S. Army National Guard Soldier with a total of 28.5 years of service across multiple local, state, and federal agencies and military operations. He has extensive experience providing training and assistance through operations under the Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for emergency response.

John has directly assisted in multiple state and national emergencies in North Carolina and overseas. He served as part of an operations team and later as a supervisor within local ICS operations. His primary responsibilities included safely patrolling devastated areas and providing basic safety, first aid, water and food distribution, waste management, education, and supplies to victims of emergencies—while communicating the ongoing needs of affected communities to command staff for further operational planning.

John has dedicated his life to volunteering through numerous organizations and churches, offering support to those less fortunate. He looks forward to continuing to serve his community and neighboring communities in times of need.

Kimberly M. Miller, BSN, RN

Kimberly Miller serves as the Board Secretary of Operation Rising Sun and brings both compassion and professionalism to the organization’s leadership team. She is a Registered Nurse (RN, BSN) with extensive experience in emergency care, trauma, and critical care, and has built her career around service to others.
 
A dedicated wife and mother, Kimberly is married to Operation Rising Sun’s founder, Thomas Miller. Her journey into disaster relief began during Hurricane Helene, when she helped stand up a community aid center in Clyde, North Carolina, providing vital support to survivors and advocating for the most vulnerable. Her actions reflected true compassion, kindness, and selflessness at a time when her community needed it most.
 
Kimberly continues to serve as a vital part of Operation Rising Sun’s mission—combining her medical background, organizational leadership, and heart for service to help guide the nonprofit’s ongoing efforts to rebuild lives and strengthen communities across Western North Carolina.

Every member of our team shares one goal — to serve our community with compassion, dedication, and action. You can be part of that mission, too. Whether through volunteering, donations, or partnerships, your support helps us continue the work we’re passionate about.”

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