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 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.”
Chuck Ashman, Chief Marketing Director
As CEO of Business Matchmaking, Chuck and his team have been honored by federal and state agencies for their help in launching and growing veteran owned small businesses. Business Matchmaking is now in its tenth year as a public-private non-prot foundation and twice selected as the nation’s leading veteran small business support program. The former TV anchor for KTTV and talk show host at KABC and KFI in Los Angeles and moderator of “The Devil’s Advocate” nationally syndicated personality program, has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Larry King and Sixty Minutes. He currently host a global internet weekly program called “Diversity American Style”. He is the author of several biographies including “Diplomatic Crime”, “The Nazi Hunters” and is past president of worldwide marketing at 20th Century Fox Studios.
Chuck is an Army Veteran and Vice Commander of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States.
“If there was Olympic competition among veteran organizations, Shad’s team would win the Gold as both the thought and action leader. To quote the Poker players, “I am all in!”
Gerald Hillard Jr II, Information Services Representative
Gerald Hillard joined the NVF as an Information Services Representative in February. 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!”
Leaphy Khim, Women Veteran Outreach Coordinator
Leaphy Khim served the United States Marine Corps for 8 years from 2002 – 2010 as an Electrician and PWST (Peacetime / Wartime Support Team) officer. She served with the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Bridge Company Bravo in Folsom, Pennsylvania. During her time in service she supported a few charitable and humanitarian projects which fueled her passion for helping others. She is happily married to her husband, Chris (who is also a former Marine), for 7 years.
Wendell Guillermo, Information 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.”
Steve Duby, Information Services Representative
I was born and raised in Midland Michigan. In 1978, at the age of 18, I joined the Air Force to serve my country and my fellow man/woman. Due to an injury during training I was discharged under honorable conditions for medical reasons. My goals and aspirations were to work with military like-minded individuals but that was cut short.
Years later after receiving five college degrees and numerous certifications, I achieved my goal and became an addictions counselor. I am currently employed by the National Veterans Foundation (NVF), as an Information Specialist and Crisis Hotline Counselor. Also, through the NVF I do fund raising and outreach feeding homeless veterans and any homeless that need assistance.
“I have been blessed with a support network that not many can claim. Every day, I’m grateful for my freedom and work hard to give back to my community. I take my freedom as a gift that I will never take for granted.”
Gregory Flowers, Information Services Representative
greg@nvf.org
Gregory Flowers served in United States Navy from May 1996 – March 2007 as Machinist Mate 1st class Petty Officer. He served in the Submarine force on the USS Michigan blue crew, USS Houston, USS Hampton and the Deep Submergence Unit. After leaving the service, he worked as a Plant Engineer for Cintas Corporation. Then Greg took a job as a Quality Control Technician for First Wind Energy. His most recent place of employment was at Unical Aviation as a Quality Assurance Inspector. Simultaneously and between jobs, Greg has been working towards a Bachelors degree in Sociology. Greg has 6 kids 4 adult aged and 2 minor children, and has been married to his lovely wife Angela for almost twenty years.
“It gives me great pleasure to help people in general, but as a Veteran it is really special to help those that I have so much in common with.”