NO ONE LEFT BEHIND!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 15 years as head of the resource department and as special assistant to Shad. Micheal is the go-to guy of the Foundation. His initiative and perseverance have kept the Foundation’s ability to support veterans all over the country at a peak. Micheal’s dedication and talent have spearheaded many of the Foundation’s fundraising events. He continues to be a major contributor to the Foundation’s realizing its mission.
“I especially like finding resources to provide food and clothing for homeless veterans and non-veterans with various programs throughout the Los Angeles area.”
Richard Rudnick, Director of Operations
Rich Rudnick served in the U.S. 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.”
Bill Morgan, Development Director
The son of a retired USMC Master Sergeant, Bill Morgan is a non-profit fund raising professional and Veteran advocate with more than a dozen years leading organizations and their development efforts. Prior to being the Development Director at the National Veterans Foundation, Bill worked with Feed Our Vets, the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, St. Anne’s Maternity Home, the Foundation for the Junior Blind and the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus.
”I’m proud to be part of the National Veterans Foundation’s work helping Veterans in need and their families. Our Veterans deserve all the help they can get transitioning back to civilian life.”
Gerald Hillard Jr II, Information Services Representative
Gerald Hillard joined the NVF as an Information Services Representative. He is a Los Angeles native and comes from a family of veterans. He got involved with the NVF to be part of a movement that can actually make a difference to 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.”
Mary Ann Mayer, MSW, ASW, Women Veteran Outreach Director
Mary Ann Mayer brings extensive experience working with veterans, most recently at New Directions on the VA Campus in West Los Angeles, where she conducted individual and group therapy for homeless men and women vets, including crisis intervention. Prior to that, she was with the Clare Foundation in Santa Monica, working with dual-diagnosis homeless adults, securing housing and providing individual and group therapy. Before that, she was a grants researcher and developed volunteer training programs for the Downtown Women’s Center on Skid Row, Los Angeles. She holds a degree in English and an MFA in creative writing. She completed her MSW at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Mary Ann’s father is a Navy combat vet who served in Korea and later joined the Air Force until his retirement. Her mother was an OR nurse in the Air Force. They met on an Air Force Base in Germany. Mary Ann married a Desert Storm Navy combat vet.
“As the daughter of two veterans, I am proud to serve my country by serving those who served. I have always believed in going the extra mile for each and every veteran that is seeking help. The mission of The National Veterans Foundation is in line with my personal ethics as well as my ethics as a social worker. I’m thrilled to be part of such a dedicated and compassionate team!”
Christina Noguera, Outreach Coordinator
Christina Noguera joined NVF this April. Christina served 6 years in the US Army as a Heavy Motor Transport Operator. Christina holds a degree in Geography and has a civilian background in freight. She is a tireless advocate for women veterans and has already assisted many with securing employment, benefits, and equitable access to VA
Apolonio “Apple” E. Muñoz III, Information Services Representative
Apolonio “Apple” E. Muñoz III, a disabled US Army OIF Veteran, launched the NVF’s Community Outreach Program when he was with us from 2009 – 2012. Untreated combat-related PTSD flared up and he left the NVF in 2012. He eventually becoming homeless, living in a Veteran Shelter in Hollywood. With help from the VA and other local providers, he found stable housing and is now on the Lived Experience Advisory Board for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Prior to returning to the NVF, he worked for one of LA’s largest homeless providers as a Grant Compliance/Internal Auditor, responsible for 17 Veteran Programs in Los Angeles and Orange County. Before this, he was a Peer Support Specialist for the VA’s HUD-VASH Program where he helped homeless Veterans gain stable housing using local Section 8 Vouchers. Apple’s lived experience as both a combat vet and a homeless vet make him a very valuable member on our team. In addition to providing services and information on our Lifeline for Vets crisis hotline, he directs our Community Outreach. But that’s not all: he’s a volunteer, advisor and board member with several local, regional and national LGBT and Veteran non-profits. Originally from South Texas, Apple now lives in Downey with his PTSD service dog, Marcee.
