: About Us
Meet the NVF Staff members
Our Staff
NVF staff members have been trained and certified by the International Critical Incident and Stress Foundation (ICISF) in Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention, Individual Crisis intervention and Peer Support, and Group Crisis Intervention.
Micheal Washington
Director of Resources
Micheal Washington served in the Army’s 193rd infantry battalion from 1976-1979. Micheal has been working with the National Veterans Foundation for over 5 years as head of the resource department and as special assistant to Shad. Micheal is the go-to guy of the Foundation. His continuous and relentless efforts have kept the Foundation’s ability to support veterans all over the country at a peak. Micheal”s initiative and talent has spearheaded many of the Foundation’s fundraising events. He continues to be a major contributor to the Foundation realizing its mission.
“I especially like doing resources to provide food and clothing for homeless veterans and non-veterans alike with various programs throughout the Los Angeles area.”
Tyrone Ballesteros
Office Manager
Tyrone Ballesteros served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division as a Field Artillery RADAR operator and mechanic. He first joined the NVF back in 2004, and has since worked in the private sector as a Software Support and Customer Service Specialist. Driven by a deep passion for serving other veterans, Tyrone re-joined the NVF as the Office Manager in February of 2006.
“Reaching out and helping fellow veterans and their families is not a job - it is a responsibility and an honor.”
Eric Skinner
Information Services Representative
Eric Skinner served in the United States Navy as a Radio Communications Specialist. Eric has been in the customer relations field for over 6 years, and joined the Foundation as an Information Service Representative in March of 2005. Eric previously worked for Kedren Community Health Center where he counseled youth as part of the center’s summer camp programs.
“I would like to help other veterans get the same second chance at life that I got.”
Todd A. Stenhouse
Communications and Resource Development Specialist
Todd Stenhouse joined NVF in August 2004 as a Communications & Resource Development Specialist. Based in Sacramento, Todd has nearly 10 years of experience working with non-profits, and currently supports a variety of fund raising, program development, and communications projects for the Foundation.
“I’m honored to be serving such an important cause with such an extraordinary team.”
Wendell Guillermo
Informations Services Representative
Wendell Guillermo served in the US Army and was assigned to “Americas Guard of Honor”, the 82nd Airborne Division. He served as a Paratrooper with 2nd/325th Airborne Infantry Regiment having 2 deployments to Iraq. He is currently attending college in Southern California. He joined the National Veterans Foundation in January 2007 as an Information Service Representative.
“Like land-navigation, at times a veteran is lost and needs to be pointed in the right direction…we are the compass and map that leads to the objective.”
Richard Rudnick
Information Services Representative
Rich Rudnick served in the US Navy from 1977 through 1983 as an Interior Communications Electrician’s Mate aboard the USS Manitowoc out of Little Creek Virginia. After leaving the Service, he worked as a bench tech and as a system specialist, designing multistory building heating and ventilation systems. For the last 15 years, he has worked for organizations serving the homeless. He joined the NVF in February 2007.
“I’m very happy and honored to have joined an organization with such a strong history of helping veterans.”
Gerald Hillard
Information Services Representative
Gerald Hillard joined the NVF as an Information Services Rep. in February. He is a Los Angeles native and comes from a family of veterans. He got involved with the NVF to be a part of a movement that can actually make a difference & improve the lives of veterans across the nation through our Hotline and Street Team.
“I am honored to be accepted by the NVF. And I am thankful they have given me the opportunity to help veterans who have risked their lives to serve this country”.
Rudy Williams
Information Services Representative
Rudy Williams joined the NVF team in March as an Information Services Representative. He is originally from Indianapolis Indiana and moved to California where he studied Business in college. He is a former Marine and a great addition to our staff. He is happy to be making a difference and using his wide array of knowledge about PTSD and its effects on veterans, as well as the individuals around them, through our Lifeline.
Freddy Cordova
Informations Services Representative
Freddy Cordova joined the NVF in June 2008 as an Information Services Representative after completing his last 15 month deployment in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division as an Airborne Infantryman. He was with 2nd/325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, and was deployed 4 times to Bagdad, Mosul, Tal afar, and Tikrit.
“I was a team leader on the front line in Iraq walking point every night now I’m on the the front line at home helping other vets when they find themselves falling out.”
Lindy Williams, MSW
Lindy Williamson is AAETS Board Certified Expert in Crisis Response and has responded to many disasters including the World Trade Center, Indonesian Tsnami and Hurricane Katrina. She is an approved instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and teaches 13 courses in Critical Incident Stress Management. She is also an approved trainer for the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and the Police Suicide Awareness Foundation and has been involved with a local 211/crisis hotline since 1999
An educator and speaker, she has been primarily involved in the field of crisis and trauma and her audiences include military, first responders, mental health, medical, clergy ,business and industry.
Apolonio E. Muñoz III
Information Services Representative
Apolonio served in the US Army from 2001-2004 as a Radio Telecommunications Operator with the 440th SIG BN, 22nd SIG BDE, V Corps. Apolonio completed one tour in Iraq from March 2003-March 2004, attached to HHT, 2nd ACR, where he ran a communications site in Baghdad, Iraq. He joined the NVF in March 2009 to assist the Veteran Community, and has been working with the Los Angeles Homeless Veteran Community since December 2007. Apolonio utilizes his knowledge of the VA system, and various other Veteran Programs to assist his fellow Brothers & Sisters in Arms receive all that is due to them for their selfless service to their country.
“Being a Combat Veteran, I have an understanding of what my fellow Veterans are going thru out there as they try and adjust to civilian life. I am extremely proud to be a member of such a great organization to assist all Vets across the country.”
James Montgomery
Information Services Representative
James Montgomery served in The U.S. Army from 1998-2006. He served as a Paratroop Combat Infantryman, Combat Medic, and Behavioral Science Specialist. He was a Sergeant and was deployed to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Charlie Med where he received a Bronze Star for his actions in combat. He is currently attending college in Southern California to pursue a Bachelors Degree in History. James is now on his second tour with the NVF as a Outreach Team Specialist using his street savvy and Veteran services expertise to build relationships with the local Homeless population.
“ The Government and Civilian sector are now learning from prior mistakes with the dealing of Veterans. There are programs that are now being implemented to help these heroes. It is the National Veterans Foundation job to get this information to these soldiers!! I timelessly dedicate myself to this charge. Airborne!!”
