Meet Our Board

Mark McQuate

A Veteran U.S. Marine, former Professional Fire Fighter and Politician, Mark was involved in conflicts in both the Middle East and Central America. Mark had the honor of serving as a Professional Fire Fighter, running for State Legislature and working for former Vice President Al Gore while living in Wisconsin. His health began to deteriorate in 2001 but was able to successfully establish the Ride with Kelly Foundation and the Kelly McQuate Memorial Scholarship in 2010 and the Bikers for Backpacks Ride in 2015. In 2017 his health took a turn for the worse and spent the next 4 years struggling with the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD. Through the help of faith, family and the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, Univ. of Colorado, Mark is now able to slowly venture into giving back to his community. Mark currently is on the Board of Directors for Catholic Care United and the Good Thief Foundation. Mark, a practicing Catholic, lives with his wife, Melissa, his daughter Savannah and stepchildren, Landyn and Rhylee in Rock Island, Illinois.

Joshua Tweet

Joshua has been happily married for 17 years to his wife Tami. They are the proud parents of two boys Gabe and Evin. Joshua served in the US Air Force for 6 1⁄2 years before being medically retired in 2012.  He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom serving at Balad Air Base, Iraq.  Joshua has continued serving his country by working as a civilian employee at The Rock Island Arsenal JMTC supporting the US Army. Joshua has served on the local Board of Directors for Combat Veterans Association 24-4 for two years giving back to veterans in the community. Joshua also serves his local community by serving on the Board of Directors of Biker4Backpacks which has grown into two rides to help the Quad Cities community.

Missy McQuate

Missy is the mother of two, Landyn and Rhylee and stepmother of Savannah. After High school graduation, she began her career as a Hairstylist in 2004. She will successfully celebrate her career, 20 years in 2024. Her love and passion for helping those in need has always been one of her top priorities amongst her beautiful family of 5. As she understands some of life’s tragedies, suicide, cancer, brain trauma, PTSD, the list is endless. Along with disabilities, Down Syndrome and special needs and more, she has since turned to help raise awareness amongst those. She met her now husband, Mark, in 2010. They both share a passion to giving back to communities in need, riding motorcycles, being active in their kid’s events and lives, sports, vacationing, and relaxing. She truly enjoys the involvement and being around her family and friends, boating, fishing, relaxing when she can and giving back to her community.