About Us at The Garrison Foundation

Garrison: A military outpost where troops are stationed to protect an area. Also used to refer to troops who are at their home base rather than deployed to a forward area.

JR De Agostini

Founder

JR De Agostini spent almost ten years as a Navy SEAL conducting three overseas deployments. After separating from the Navy in 2013 he focused on his education receiving his BA in Economics from the University of Utah and his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. After receiving his MBA, JR began his career in investment banking with J.P. Morgan’s Healthcare Group in San Francisco. He then moved back to Utah to work in private equity for Peterson Partners as Principal and co-head of Peterson Search. After Peterson Partners he joined Farcast Inc. an 8VC portfolio company, as the COO. JR is a founding member of The Garrison Foundation.

Mark McCandless

Founder

Master Chief Special Operator (SEAL) Mark McCandless retired from the U.S. Navy in July of 2022 after 23 years of Service. During his 23 years on active-duty Mark conducted 15 overseas deployments and spent the majority of his time at Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He joined the Navy in 1999 out of Sandy, Utah and went on to graduate with BUD/S class 231 in October of 2000. He currently resides in Heber City, Utah with his family. Mark is a founding member of The Garrison Foundation.