NVMM Reads Author Series
We’re kicking off our “NVMM Reads Author Series” by introducing two U.S. Army Veterans and authors who will discuss their new releases and answer audience questions. New York Times bestselling author Don Bentley, former Apache helicopter pilot and FBI special agent, will share his latest thriller Forgotten War. Bentley’s experience includes his role as the air mission commander for the Apache and Black Hawk aerial quick reactionary force during Operation Red Wings, the mission to rescue four Navy SEALs including Marcus Luttrell. This action formed the basis of the book and film Lone Survivor.
We also will speak with Alan Mack, a 35-year Veteran, master aviator, and author of the memoir Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars. Mack was a member of the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and participated in many historically significant missions including Operation Red Wings. Alan has logged more than 6,700 hours of flight time, nearly half flown with night vision goggles, and deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq seventeen times over a ten year period. Moderating our panel is Doug Huber, U.S. Army Veteran and Chair of Nationwide’s Veteran Employee Resource Group (VERG).
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on how their military service impacted the stories they bring to life in their fiction and non-fiction works.
Copies of the books discussed will be available for purchase and signature by the authors before and after the program. We encourage you to purchase your copy of Forgotten War and Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars on Shop NVMM for pick-up that evening.
Don Bentley is the New York Times bestselling author of the Matt Drake thriller series including “Hostile Intent,” “The Outside Man,” “Without Sanction,” and “Forgotten War.” Don also writes in the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan, Jr. universe with “Zero Hour,” “Target Acquired,” “Flash Point,” and “Weapons Grade” and will take over Vince Flynn’s “Mitch Rapp” series beginning in 2024.
Don spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot during which time he was stationed in South Korea, Germany, and Texas. While deployed to Afghanistan as a Troop Commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VI, Don was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with “V” device for valor. Following his time in the military Don worked as an FBI Special Agent and was a member of the Dallas Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. After leaving the FBI, Don worked for companies that developed technology for the U.S. Special Operations Community.
He holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Ohio State University, and an M.F.A in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.
CW5 Alan C. Mack is an elite aviator, war hero and author of “Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars.” The call to adventure was persuasive and he moved up the ranks from aircraft mechanic to Night Stalker Flight Lead, flying MH-47 Chinooks with the 160th SOAR over his 35 years in the Army. His experience and leadership put him at the forefront of clandestine special operations, some still too classified to discuss in an open forum. His awards include the Legion of Merit, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 10 Air medals – 1 with “V,” and a Combat Action Badge.
Alan finished his military career as Commander of the West Point Military Academy’s Flight Detachment before taking on public service in Orange County, New York serving as Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Management. Learn more at AlanCMack.com.
Doug Huber is an Ohio native and served in the U.S. Army for eight years as an armor officer. He was stationed in Europe, Fort Knox, and Fort Hood; with tours in Bosnia (1998), Kosovo (2000-2001), and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004). After leaving the service, Doug moved back to Central Ohio. He works for Nationwide in financial services and led the Veterans Employee Resource Group for several years.
Doug is currently the president of the Army ROTC Alumni Society at Ohio State. He lives in Upper Arlington, Ohio with his wife and two children. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Finance from Indiana University.
