About the Don’t Be Next Foundation
Our Background
The Foundation was conceived by best friends, practically brothers, who grew up together in the Rockwellian community of Rockton, Illinois. We are friends that share the core values of family, friendship, and loyalty. Together, we have confronted the struggles of life, including losing two of our own from early deaths. We want to honor these fallen brothers by contributing to the community in ways that will unify people of different backgrounds, provide support for mental health and addiction, and give to children with special needs.
The Don’t Be Next Foundation will never be a perfect organization. But like its founding fathers, it will try to adhere to the motto “Progress, not Perfection.” We hope when we leave this life that we have done just a little something to have made it a better place, not only for ourselves or our families, but for the individuals and families we call our community. We are honored and privileged to take on this endeavor in memoriam of fallen friends, friends that will never be forgotten. The Don’t Be Next Foundation will assure us of that, now and well into the future.
Meet the Board
Matt Weldon
President
Matt Weldon is a 1991 Hononegah graduate and has had the distinct honor and privilege to be the President of the Foundation since its inception. Matt has four incredible kids, Tatum, Brooklyn Jack and Liv. He loves to explore culinary hot spots, travel with his kids, and and continue his quest to break 80 on the golf course.
Matt sold his wealth management firm to concentrate on his newly formed company, Weldon Media Group. Through this endeavor, he hopes to help people with addiction via his podcast, “Single Dad, Sober Dad”, corporate speaking and life coaching.
Matt is dedicated to making the Don’t Be Next Foundation the premier 501(c) (3) in the region. He works tirelessly to share the mission and vision of the Foundation. He is always open to collaborating with other groups and organizations throughout the area in order to improve the lives of people throughout the community. Feel free to reach out to him directly with any questions, ideas or feedback.
Paul Jentz
Vice President
Paul Jentz is a Class of 1990 Hononegah High School graduate. Paul has been married to his spouse Sheree for 13 years and they have 3 college-age children, Rylee, Mattison and Zachary. Paul is the Director of Enablement and Support at AccuLynx, a construction management software. He has been there for 11 years. Paul was a student-athlete at Hononegah and continued his football interests at Drake University in Des moines, IA. In the Spring of 1991, Paul was introduced to the sport of rugby and has played or coached the sport for the last 30 years.
Paul is the current Head Coach of the Rockford Ravens Rugby Club which is the oldest athletic club in the Rockford area. Besides rugby, Paul enjoys golfing, reading, woodworking and listening to Pat Hughes call the Cubs games. As a founding member of the DBNF, Paul is dedicated to giving back to the community that has given him so much opportunity.
Paul Jentz
Vice President
Paul Jentz is a Class of 1990 Hononegah High School graduate. Paul has been married to his spouse Sheree for 13 years and they have 3 college-age children, Rylee, Mattison and Zachary. Paul is the Director of Enablement and Support at AccuLynx, a construction management software. He has been there for 11 years. Paul was a student-athlete at Hononegah and continued his football interests at Drake University in Des moines, IA. In the Spring of 1991, Paul was introduced to the sport of rugby and has played or coached the sport for the last 30 years.
Paul is the current Head Coach of the Rockford Ravens Rugby Club which is the oldest athletic club in the Rockford area. Besides rugby, Paul enjoys golfing, reading, woodworking and listening to Pat Hughes call the Cubs games. As a founding member of the DBNF, Paul is dedicated to giving back to the community that has given him so much opportunity.
Tom Faivre
Tom Faivre was raised in Rockton, IL and is a 1991 graduate of Hononegah High School. After graduating from Illinois State University, Tom relocated to Springfield, IL and got married to Susan. Tom went on to graduate from The University of Illinois – Springfield with an MBA.
Tom and Susan have 3 children in college and beyond. Tom has worked in risk management and insurance his entire career and has been with Intact Insurance since 2023. In his spare time, Tom and his family enjoy camping, sporting events, concerts, golfing and being outdoors. Tom is excited to be a part of the DBN Foundation and give back to the community which he will always consider to be his hometown.
Gary Stephens
Gary Stephens is a Class of 1991 Hononegah High School graduate. Gary currently lives in Bloomington, IL, with his wife Jennifer of 17 years and his two boys Roman and Max. He works as an Infrastructure Security Analyst for the past 21 years at the headquarters of State Farm Insurance in Bloomington. Gary is an avid fan of all sports but really enjoys watching the Cubs, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini, and the Dallas Cowboys.
In his spare time, Gary enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching his boys participate in various sporting events, travelling, finding new places to enjoy a meal, and playing fantasy sports. Gary volunteers his time helping coach his boy’s baseball teams as well as assisting with various jobs at their football games. Gary is proud and excited to be a member of the Don’t Be Next Foundation and is looking forward to giving back to the community that gave him so much.
Gary Stephens
Gary Stephens is a Class of 1991 Hononegah High School graduate. Gary currently lives in Bloomington, IL, with his wife Jennifer of 17 years and his two boys Roman and Max. He works as an Infrastructure Security Analyst for the past 21 years at the headquarters of State Farm Insurance in Bloomington. Gary is an avid fan of all sports but really enjoys watching the Cubs, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini, and the Dallas Cowboys.
In his spare time, Gary enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching his boys participate in various sporting events, travelling, finding new places to enjoy a meal, and playing fantasy sports. Gary volunteers his time helping coach his boy’s baseball teams as well as assisting with various jobs at their football games. Gary is proud and excited to be a member of the Don’t Be Next Foundation and is looking forward to giving back to the community that gave him so much.
Brady Castro
Brady Castro is a Hononegah High School graduate, Class of 1991. Originally from Rockton, IL, Brady has lived in Phoenix, AZ since 1998. He is a Principal and equity partner in PRO EM National Event Services. During his professional career he has been fortunate to work on projects including Arizona State University Sun Devil Athletics, the Chicago Cubs Spring Training, the Waste Management Phoenix Open (PGA), Super Bowl XLII, the 2006 and 2010 NCAA BCS National Championships, The Tostito’s Fiesta Bowl, the 2010 Winter Olympics, 2011 MLB All-Star Game, 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend, Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night as well as events with Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barrack Obama.
Brady is an avid sports fan and also enjoys listening to Pat Hughes call the Cubs games. His hobbies include hiking, golfing, cooking, reading and traveling. He has served on the Board of Directors of Ryan House, a pediatric palliative care center in Phoenix as well as Committee Chair for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona Golf Classic and Wish Ball, volunteer for the SEAL Future Foundation, American Heart Association, Special Olympics and Susan G. Komen Foundation. Brady has been a guest speaker on Ed Smiths “EZ Sports Talk” radio show, Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation and guest lecturer at Northwestern University and Arizona State University. Brady is proud to be an At-Large Member of DBNF.