Who We Are
Founded in 2006 by Tom " Smitty" Smith with a vision of closing a gap for our hometown heroes that were in need. Today, we have built this vision into a non-profit organization run 100% by volunteers that work throughout the year to help 100's of military veterans and soldiers.
Board Members
Paul Faris - President
Paul Faris - President
Paul Faris - President
Joining in 2018, Paul is a medically retired veteran that served during operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and was based in Ft. Stewart GA, joining service shortly after 9/11. Paul and committee wife Stephanie have four children along with four-legged kids. They have a veteran owned business Jellyfish Graphics.
Bill Giesie - CFO
Paul Faris - President
Paul Faris - President
Joining in 2017, Bill is a retired Controller and Financial Planning Director. He joined us to give back to the men and women who have continuously defended our country and ideals at great personal sacrifice and also to honor his veteran father. Bill and committee wife Nicole have two children and several four-legged kids.
Nicole Giesie - COO
Paul Faris - President
Katie Ogdahl - Vice President
Joining in 2010, Nicole is one of the founding committee members and helped the organization gain 501(c)(3) status. She joined the cause in honor of her veteran father, grandfather and uncle and because of her gratitude to our military for her freedom. She is the Vice President of Operations at Ryerson in her day job. She and committee member Bill have two children and several four-legged kids.
Katie Ogdahl - Vice President
Julie Emery - Director of Marketing
Katie Ogdahl - Vice President
Joining in 2014, Katie wanted to thank those who so selflessly put themselves in harms way to make her freedom possible. She also honors her grandfather who served with the Air Force in Korea. Katie co-owns American Independent Remodelers with her committee member father Dale and is the fur-mom to several four-legged kids.
Julie Emery - Director of Marketing
Julie Emery - Director of Marketing
Julie Emery - Director of Marketing
Joining in 2021, Julie joined to give back a fraction of the sacrifice made by our military that signed up to serve and protect without knowing us, which she believes is the very definition of "selfless" and "hero". She is the mom of two children and a very active dog while working as a massage therapist and building her business Tranquil Massage.
"America without her soldiers is like God without His angels!"
- unknown
Committee Members
Sheila Behnke
Stephanie Faris
Stephanie Faris
Joining in 2014, Shelia wanted to give back to those that have served. She has many family members that have served in the Military and she is very proud of their sacrifice. She and her husband Dave are active members of the American Legion, where Shelia is also part of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Stephanie Faris
Stephanie Faris
Stephanie Faris
Joining in 2018, Stephanie is the wife of a veteran. She has a deep respect for the military and the sacrifices made by military families knowing firsthand the effect it has. She joined the organization to give back to those not able to help themselves.
She and committee member Paul have four children along with four-legged kids. They have a veteran owned business Jellyfish Graphics.
Bob and Dar Nelson
Bob and Dar Nelson
Bob and Dar Nelson
Joining in 2010, Bob and Dar are also co-founding committee members helping to grow and shape this organization to who we are today. Bob is a retired Marine, while also serving in the Army Reserves for 11 years. He is now retired from the Railroad. Dar is a retired postmaster who has a deep love for our military and actively works to support them. Both Bob and Dar spend many hours giving back in many ways and are also a true definition of "selfless". Together they have nine children and several grand and great-grand children.
Dale Ogdahl
Bob and Dar Nelson
Bob and Dar Nelson
Joining in 2019, Dale wanted to do more with the organization he had worked with as a volunteer. He has a deep passion for patriotism and is grateful for the freedom our military defends. Dale owns American Independent Remodelers with his committee member daughter Katie. He and Gail have one daughter and several four-legged kids.
In Memory Of
Tom "Smitty" Smith - Founder
Founding the organization in 2006, retired Army SFC E7 Tom had a single vision to form an organization that would be focused on finding a way to help local military families in need as they came home. Tom passed in 2014 and is greatly missed. We continue to work to grow his vision.