Philip Dwight Hunt: A Legacy of Leadership, Service, and Giving Back

Natalie Worthan — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 11:51:55 -0500

I recently shared that Philip Dwight Hunt is a dream partnership for our work at Veterans Collaborative—and I meant every word.

My first introduction to Dwight was nearly a year ago when he spoke on a panel for Veteran Entrepreneurs at a local Chamber’s VetNet event. Walking in behind him, I heard his unmistakable southern accent in passing, talking about a recent knee surgery and a beloved game of golf. That accent stuck with me, and I turned to him and asked, “Where are you from?”

“Dalton, GA,” he replied—a town just up the road from where I grew up in Marietta. From there, we talked about the Carpet Capital of the world and the Big Chicken—the connection was easy.

Growing up in the northern mountains of Georgia, Dwight played football and always had a deep respect for service. His father-in-law was drafted into Vietnam, and his two older brothers served in the Georgia National Guard and US Army Reserves. When it was time to go to college, Dwight visited West Point, where he was immediately "All In!" That visit led him to a 20-year career in the U.S. Army, eventually retiring as Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) before stepping into the defense industry.

A Leader in Innovation and Service

As President and CEO of B3 Group, Dwight spearheaded digital transformation projects for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enhance technology capabilities and improve services for veterans—a mission that resonated deeply with him.

His leadership at B3 Group was an extension of his time in the Army, where he held critical leadership posts overseeing Future Combat Systems, innovative new weapons, and unmanned aerial vehicles. But at his core, Dwight has always been a servant leader, believing that true leadership means putting people first—a value he instilled throughout B3 Group, earning the company recognition as one of Virginia’s “Best Places to Work.”

The Next Chapter: Giving Back

When Dwight exited B3, he faced the same question many leaders do: “What’s next?” But instead of stepping away, he saw an opportunity to continue serving—this time, by investing in the leaders and communities closest to the challenges veterans face every day.

That’s where Veterans Collaborative stepped in. I knew Dwight's voice, vision, and values were a powerful catalyst for change—so when I met him and his daughter for lunch last April, instead of asking him to support our mission to increase access to vital resources and opportunities at the local level for our veterans, I pitched him something bigger:

» A long-term vision for strategic impact.
» A way to invest directly into the challenges of our community at the local level.
» A philanthropic arm to champion a mission he holds dear to his heart.

Now, I must be honest, I thought I blew it. I was throwing out terms like fiscal sponsorship and asking him to imagine what this thing could be like over an hour lunch. But thankfully, he got it.

That vision became the Hunt Family Foundation, empowered by Veterans Collaborative, a strategic initiative that directly supports our veteran and military community through connection and targeted support of local community organizations in Georgia and Virginia—where Dwight, his wife Kimbra, and daughter Ashley had deep family ties and a strong desire to give back.

A Legacy of Impact

In 2024 alone, the Hunt Family Foundation donated nearly $200,000 to 16 incredible organizations serving veterans, military families, and local communities. What started as an idea became a movement—one that empowers grassroots leaders, fills service gaps, and ensures that the people closest to the challenges have the resources they need.

For Dwight, this isn’t just another chapter—it’s a full-circle moment. From Dalton, GA, to West Point, to leading national innovation efforts, he’s never stopped serving, leading, and giving back.

And now, with Veterans Collaborative and the Hunt Family Foundation, his legacy is just getting started.

Learn more about Veterans Collaborative’s current projects: https://rly.pt/CurrentProjects
Learn more about the Hunt Family Foundation and donate today: https://rly.pt/HuntFamilyFoundation

Our Projects — Veterans Collaborative

Response by CPT David Gowel made Feb 3 at 2025 2:02 PM

CPT David Gowel — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:02:18 -0500

Natalie Worthan I couldn't agree more with your praise for LTC Philip Hunt. He was generous enough to fund a military family-focused monster truck event at a suite (!) in the center of the action at Capital One arena a few weeks ago. It (and he) was awesome!

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Feb 3 at 2025 3:24 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:24:58 -0500

Good afternoon Natalie Worthan. Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this Ma'am. :->

Response by SSG Benton Miller made Feb 4 at 2025 1:18 PM

SSG Benton Miller — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 13:18:39 -0500

Outstanding! I work for Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership "CNCAP" as Peer support for SSG FOX SPGP. I am thankful for organizations and leaders like you that do so many great things to help veterans!

Response by COL Vince Lindenmeyer, Ph.D. (Retired) made Mar 17 at 2025 1:52 PM

COL Vince Lindenmeyer, Ph.D. (Retired) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:52:42 -0400

Excellent post, Natalie Worthan Thank you for your vision and leadership for veteran's initiatives!