Team Members
CEO & Board Chair
Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, David Swarts’ journey has been marked by unwavering dedication, resilience, and an exceptional commitment to serving others. Joining the Navy in July 1999, David embarked on a remarkable 20-year career as a US Navy SEAL, driven by his passion for tackling the toughest challenges and serving the nation with honor. His distinguished service included multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe, Africa, and South America, where he honed his leadership and operational skills, earning numerous awards for valor on the battlefield and exemplary service to our nation.
David’s formative years were marked by a strong work ethic and a desire to contribute. He worked in restaurants during high school and later in construction before enlisting in the Navy at the age of 19. Beyond his professional achievements, David enjoys several hobbies that reflect his adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors. He is passionate about being on the water, spearfishing, hunting, cooking and grilling, physical fitness, and automotive performance. Additionally, he cherishes spending quality time with his children, often riding dirt bikes and ATVs together.
After retiring from the Navy, David focused on his family and personal development. He completed a Bachelor of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management at Norwich University and subsequently attended Harvard Business School. His professional journey has included various roles in the private sector, providing him with diverse experiences and insights.
David’s inspiration to create the Trident Table Foundation, a certified non-profit organization, stems from his belief in the power of family and community, and his passion for cooking. He understands the unique challenges faced by Navy SEAL and Gold Star families and has dedicated himself to offering them support through culinary education and family bonding activities. The foundation’s mission is deeply personal to David, reflecting his experiences of grounding and reconnecting with his family around the table. His love for cooking and sharing meals with family and friends further motivated him to start the foundation, aiming to bring those same moments of joy and connection to other military families.
As a father, David considers his children his greatest accomplishment, and he aims to inspire them through his actions and values. He is passionate about helping veterans transition to civilian life, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to succeed.
David’s vision for the Trident Table Foundation is rooted in three core principles: People, Purpose, and Value. He believes that people are the most valuable asset, that purpose should drive every action, and that everyone deserves to feel valued and appreciated.
Through the Trident Table Foundation, David Swarts is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of Navy SEAL and Gold Star families, fostering a community of support, and helping others achieve their fullest potential.
the crew
Christina Rose
Christina Rose brings order, clarity, and heart to everything she touches at the Trident Table Foundation. As Director of Financial Operations & Strategic Impact, she ensures that every dollar entrusted to the foundation is used with purpose—stretching resources, strengthening programs, and maximizing the support delivered to Navy SEAL, military, and Gold Star families.
Raised across multiple states in a military family, and later a military spouse herself, Christina has lived the highs and lows of military life. She knows the importance of family, community, and stability during times of uncertainty. Those experiences—combined with her own journey as a mother of four—deeply inform her role at TTF and her drive to make every initiative as impactful as possible.
Before joining TTF, Christina spent over two decades in the medical field, leading operations in a high-volume clinic. Her natural talent for structure and efficiency eventually led her to launch CBK Finance, a firm supporting small businesses and nonprofits with expert-level financial management.
At the Trident Table Foundation, Christina is more than a financial advisor—she’s the one who keeps the mission on track, builds systems behind the scenes, and ensures that the vision turns into reality. From budgeting for custom cooking solutions to planning multi-day retreats, her work ensures TTF stays grounded, efficient, and forward-focused.
As both a committed leader within the foundation and someone personally connected to its mission, Christina’s values, experience, and belief in service through family make her a driving force behind TTF’s impact.
Tim Speer
Born in Castaic, CA and raised in Sahuarita, Arizona, Tim developed a love for challenge, teamwork, and the outdoors from a young age. After briefly attending Northern Arizona
University, he pursued his calling and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2009, where he earned his place as a Navy SEAL.
transitioning SEALs in their next chapter.
A builder, mentor, and motivator at heart, Tim also works in construction management, is a certified personal trainer and life coach, and even hosts a part-time podcast. Whether he’s leading operations, helping families reconnect through shared meals, or empowering veterans to thrive after service, Tim brings focus, heart, and an unshakable commitment to those he serves.
Jason Thompson
Foundation. A U.S. Navy veteran with 15 years of service and five deployments—including a combat tour in Iraq—Jason served as a Culinary Specialist, where he led teams and delivered mission-ready meals under pressure.
Food has always been more than a job for Jason—it’s a passion and a way to connect with others. As a husband and proud father of two boys, he knows the importance of family, shared meals, and showing up when it matters most. That’s exactly why he joined the Trident Table Foundation: to use his skills to serve and support military and Gold Star families through purpose-driven, food-centered experiences.
Jason plays a key role in developing and leading our culinary programs, from immersive cooking retreats to equipping families with the tools they need to reconnect in the kitchen. His leadership ensures that every meal we share is rooted in care, connection, and community.
Outside the foundation, Jason also serves as an Installation Manager with California Closets and sits on the board of The Bad Boyz of Culinary, continuing his commitment to mentorship and excellence in the food world.
