Meet the Team
Founder & Executive Director
Robert Heavilin
Robert Heavilin served in the United States Marine Corps from 2013 to 2018, where he dedicated himself to protecting and serving his country. After his military service, Robert deployed as a contractor to Afghanistan in 2019. Driven by a deep desire to make a difference, Robert founded The Heavy Hitters Project with the belief that together, we can combat the stigma surrounding mental health. By leaning on each other, sharing our stories, and learning from one another, we can create a supportive and open community. Robert is committed to balancing the scales he feels he helped tip in the wrong direction, striving to help others find strength and healing in unity.
Through the foundation, Robert aims to foster a space where those struggling with mental health can feel heard, supported, and empowered to seek the help they deserve.
Vice President
Tyler Wilson
Tyler Wilson, a proud Lutz, Florida native, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of South Florida and has since built a thriving lawn and landscape company. As Vice President of the Heavy Hitters Project, Tyler combines his entrepreneurial skills and deep community roots to help advance the charity’s mission of making a lasting impact. With a passion for giving back and fostering growth, Tyler is dedicated to empowering others and enriching the community that has shaped his success.
Treasurer/Secretary
Paul Irwin
Paul Irwin is a founding member and Secretary of The Heavy Hitters Project, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness and advocacy. With a background in management for a contract security company and experience in a civilian law enforcement role, Paul brings strong leadership and organizational skills to his work with the nonprofit. In his role, he is responsible for tracking the organization’s objectives, ensuring its goals are met, and contributing personal insights to discussions about mental health, drawing from his own unique life experiences
Chief Operations Officer
Evan Davis
Evan Davis served in the United States Marine Corps as an 0811, field artilleryman, from 1998 and leaving in 2002. He missed the clowns and the circus so he then reenlisted in 2004 until his medical retirement in 2012. Father to a ridiculously smart teenager, husband to an absolutely charming and wonderful wife, they have kept him grounded through the trials in his life. These days after being retired, Evan focuses on veteran advocacy and believes that veterans are a cornerstone to our society. They bring a unique perspective and outlook on life that is hard to acquire through anywhere else but service in the military. Evan has a strong sense of justice for the underdog. Through his leadership, worldly experience and mission oriented mind set, Evan brings a can-do work ethic, and solutions first attitude to the Operations Manager position.
Chief Strategy Officer
Justin Welikson
Hey everybody! I'm Justin, the Chief Strategy Officer for HHP, where I utilize my professional background in strategy and process improvement to help vets. I founded Service and Sacrifice, a company geared towards active military, veterans, and their families to help with common issues such as transitioning and career planning. I am an Army veteran who served from 2010-2013 as a 13M MLRS crew member at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I hold a Bachelors in business and a Masters in Management. I completed my Six Sigma Green and Black Belt from Villanova University. Additionally, I obtained my Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification from Scrum Alliance. I have a decade of professional experience in logistics, finance, and project management. I previously volunteered at a military nonprofit as their vice president of operations, managing a team of volunteers to create services to help vets and their families. In my free time, I work on my business, lift, shoot, play video games, and relax with my two pups, Ranger and Pepper.
Media Manager
Johnny Trentacosta
Hi, I’m Johnny! As a Media Manager with a background in graphic design and creative arts, I thrive at the intersection of creativity and strategy. I’m also a retired and disabled Navy Veteran, bringing discipline, resilience, and a unique perspective to everything I do. Beyond my professional life, I’m a passionate genetic biologist who has spent the last five years working with the royal Python species. In my free time, I focus on socializing and caring for my animals, preparing them to become loving companion animals for individuals in need. When I’m not immersed in my work or with my animals, you can find me on Discord—I’m always free to chat and connect!