About Us – Iron Will – Veterans Battle With PTSD

filmmakers

Sergio Valenzuela

Director

Sergio Valenzuela is a U.S. Veteran. Sergio’s perspective brings a unique vision to the film as a director, Veteran and someone who is battling PTSD himself. An award-winning Director, Editor, and recent Silver Telly Award winner for his documentary, MY STRUGGLE. Sergio has edited numerous award-winning documentaries, most recently the Midsouth Emmy Award winner, HUNGER IN AMERICA by Skydive Films, in association with Casting Life Films, Indiewood Pictures, and Blue Conduit Films. Based out of Nashville, TN, Sergio has built a relationship with some of the top artist and management companies Music City has to offer. This has allowed him to work on projects for Music City Media, Cowboy Troy, and James Denton from "Desperate House Wives." Sergio is the founder of Silver Phoenix Pictures.

Zac Adams

Writer / Producer

Zac Adams was born in Baton Rouge, LA. After graduating from Watkins Film School in Nashville, TN, Adams wrote, produced, and directed 5 short films. Each of these films played at several film festivals, and two screened on PBS stations across the country. Adams' PBS Mini-Series, SOUTHERN HAUNTS is a program that delves into the myths and mysteries behind some of the most fascinating ghost stories of the south. It has won 6 International Awards, been viewed by millions on PBS, and is narrated by national TV and radio personality, Charlie Chase, from "Crook and Chase" fame. He has also written, produced, and directed music videos, feature films, TV Pilots, and marketing videos. His work has been seen on PBS, VH-1, MTV, GAC, CMT PURE, and CMT. Adams is the president of Skydive Films, where his company is currently developing several new TV shows, documentaries, and feature films. His film, NASHVILLE RISES, a documentary about the epic 2010 Nashville flood, was nominated for a 2012 Emmy. It is narrated by Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton. Adams is the director/producer of the Midsouth Emmy Award winner, HUNGER IN AMERICA; a powerful look at the secret hunger crisis happening in America’s own back yard. The film is narrated by "Desperate Housewives" star, James Denton. He also directed/produced the Midsouth Emmy nominated AUTISM IN AMERICA; is a film focusing on autism acceptance and awareness. It’s narrated by "Grey’s Anatomy" star, Chandra Wilson.

Mike Stryker

Co-Producer / DP

Mike Stryker is the founder of Casting Life Films, a production company. He is a 9-time Golden Addy Award winner, 2-time Silver Telly winner (for producing, directing and cinematography), and a Midsouth Emmy Award winner. Past projects include: Paramount Pictures/MTV's "The Wild Wonderful Whites of West Virginia", music videos such as CMT country artist Danielle Peck's "Impossible Dreams" (placing top ten on CMT), Julie Roberts’ "Whiskey and You" (top ten on CMT), Beau Davidson's "Blessed", (which became the 2012 campaign video for Mitt Romney), and Rick Monroe’s "Just the same” (nominated for a Grammy for best Music video category). He has co-produced four feature documentaries narrated by celebrities including “Autism in America”, “Hunger in America”, and “Iron Will”. His cinematography work includes; "Two, The Story of Roman” and “Nero" starring Jon Bon Jovi and Desmond Child, which has received a numerous amount of awards and is currently playing in international festivals. Most recently Stryker created a short film commissioned by the Thailand Tourism Board to help promote Northern Thailand globally.

Judy Diethelm

Executive Producer

Judy Diethelm and Robert Moore are partners in WagTree; a company specializing in the identification, development, and distribution of new business concepts, talent, and content. With extensive backgrounds in branding, marketing, management, media development, and public relations, WagTree is one-stop shopping for clients who want their brand, business, or story to achieve its fullest potential.

Robert Moore

CEO, Gideon Entertainment, LLC

Robert Moore founded Gideon Entertainment after acquiring the Iron Will documentary from High Speed Films in 2017. Prior to 2017, Rob worked as an Executive Producer on the documentary and provided funding to complete the project. Rob made a commitment to Tim VandeSteeg, producer and founder of High Speed Films, to release the documentary so it would have the most impact in helping raise awareness to veterans committing suicide. Tim unfortunately passed away in 2018.

Rob was a founding partner of maxIT Healthcare, LLC, selling the company in 2012. Since his departure, Rob, along with his wife Kristi, started the non-profit organization Moore for Kids, a 501c(3) focused on helping children and families in their times of need.

In addition to his philanthropic pursuits, Rob loves the great outdoors, baseball, and most importantly, spending time with his wife, three boys and four grandchildren.

"My hope is that audiences will get a better understanding that our heroes are people and deserve our help. Also, to understand what they are going through and how they can join the movement to help these deserving heroes. We need to serve them since they served us in the most profound way." - Robert Moore, Executive Producer/IRON WILL