Co-Founder
Steve Exceen
Steve was born in Medford, Oregon, and raised in Roseburg, Oregon. After graduating from Roseburg High School in 1997, he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving six years on active duty. During his service, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan; Camp Pendleton, California; and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism. While on Recruiter Assistance, he experienced a personal tragedy when his four-month-old nephew passed away, and his father suffered severe burns from the neck down.
After leaving the Marine Corps in 2002, Steve returned to Roseburg briefly before relocating to Boise, Idaho, where he currently resides. With a decade of experience in sales, he later pursued higher education, earning a degree in Communication from the College of Western Idaho and Boise State University.
Steve is dedicated to raising his daughter, Sarai, and enjoys spending time with her, riding his motorcycle, and working toward his fitness goals. He firmly believes that maintaining a healthy body is essential for a healthy mind.
Alongside Doug and Debbie, Steve is committed to making a difference in the veteran community by raising awareness about veteran suicide and supporting families affected by it.
Co-founder
Debbie Knehr
Debbie's connection to the military comes through her husband, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. As a military spouse, she gained a deep understanding of the challenges and sacrifices that come with military life.
Currently, Debbie is retired and dedicating all her time to Ride for 22. Before shifting her focus to the organization, she spent 15 years as an Accounts Payable Coordinator at Republic Services until September 2016.
An avid rider, Debbie enjoys hitting the road on her 2024 CanAm Spyder.
Her involvement with Ride for 22 began in December 2015 when Steve shared the story of his friend Brandon and the staggering reality that 22 veterans die by suicide each day due to PTSD. When he proposed organizing a ride to raise awareness, Debbie immediately said yes. Since then, she has remained dedicated to spreading the message, attending events weekly, and working tirelessly to ensure veterans receive the support they need.
Co-founder
Doug Knehr
Doug is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran with 20 years of service. As a Crew Chief (mechanic), he worked on B-52D model bombers, KC-135A aerial refuelers, and B-1B bombers. His career took him all over the world, including multiple tours to the desert. Spending approximately seven months of each year away from home, he remained dedicated to his mission and wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again.
Currently, Doug works at Western Aircraft as a Lead Technician and Project Manager, a role he has held for 24 years.
A passionate rider, Doug has owned several street bikes, including Hondas, Suzukis, and Yamahas. His current ride is a 2012 Harley Street Glide, which he purchased new and has since put 37,000 miles on—he loves that bike.
Doug became involved with Ride for 22 after meeting Steve at a charity event. The two bonded over their shared love of motorcycles and quickly became great friends, riding together almost every weekend for charity runs. When Steve shared the heartbreaking story of his childhood friend and fellow Marine who had taken his own life, Doug was deeply moved. After researching veteran suicide rates and learning about the organization “22 Too Many,” he realized how little awareness there was about this crisis.
Determined to make a difference, Steve enlisted Doug’s help in organizing a ride to raise awareness and funds for veterans in need. Their first event, with the support of High Desert Harley, was a success, with all proceeds going to the local veterans’ home. But Steve wanted to do more. That drive led to the creation of Ride for 22, a local organization dedicated not only to raising awareness but also to supporting veterans, local programs, and the families left behind by those who paid the ultimate price.