Maria Palozola - President & Founder
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Maria Palozola is a nationally known Golf Professional and owner of St. Louis Golf Lessons and the Lead Instructor for the Golf Channel Academy with Maria Palozola in St. Louis, MO. Since 1994 Maria has dedicated many hours to grow the game initiatives working with handicapped golfers, juniors, women golfers, beginners and the like to make golf more accessible. She decided to take action on her long time dream of developing a foundation that could use golf to help others in May of 2018. Having a Father who fought in WW2 in the Battle of the Bulge and Grandfather that fought in WW1 (both who loved to golf) and a nephew that fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Maria had planned to work with her nephew (who dedicated his life to helping his fellow veterans), before he passed to use the game of Golf to better the lives of veterans and their families. She resides in St. Louis with her 2 sons.
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Mindy Berry - Vice President
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Mindy Berry is an Information Technology Executive with more than 30 years experience leading all areas of IT. Prior to a successful career as an executive consultant she gained significant experience in the international marketplace working for Nestle Purina as the Head of
Technology for their international division. Mindy is experienced in leading teams, creating strategic and operational plans, and researching new technologies in multi-cultural environments. Mindy also worked for McDonnell Douglas for many years managing teams supporting the defense missile and military aircraft computer centers. While at MDC, Mindy volunteered at various military air shows and as a liaison with the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Mindy's father was a retired Marine and was the Curator of the Soldiers Memorial in downtown St. Louis where she also volunteered as a teenager with the USO. Mindy has a B.S. in Computer Science and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. She lives in St. Louis with her husband, Jim Giacin and 4 children. |
Ryan Whitaker - Treasurer
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Ryan Whitaker attended UMSL where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, He started his career working as an analyst for a large local corporation while working to earn his Masters of Business Administration, graduating in December 2017. He is currently Director of Finance and Partner at an Engineering firm in the St. Louis area. Ryan is very active in his church where he serves on the world missions team and is the co-chairman of their annual golf tournament which raises funding to support missionaries all over the world. He lives in Imperial, MO with his 2 children and wife Sarah.
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Retired Brigadier General David Irwin -
Secretary
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Retired Brigadier General David Irwin served more than 31 years in the United States Army and National Guard. He began his military career as a Field Artillery Officer at Ft. Sill, OK. After leaving active duty, he joined the Missouri National Guard where he held command positions in the 128th and 129th Field Artillery Battalions. He commanded the 70th Troop Command in St. Louis before being promoted to Brigadier General and command of the 35th Engineer Brigade. General Irwin is Chair of the Salute to the Troops, an annual event during Fair St. Louis to thank troops and families for their service. He is on the Board of Directors for Care Packages for the Troops Foundation doing business as Operation Sunscreen, an organization founded by his wife, Karen, which sends care packages to deployed service members each year. He retired from service as Deputy Commanding General for the 35th Infantry Division in 2013, and is currently an International Training Program Manager with The Boeing Company. David and his wife Karen live in Ballwin, MO and have two sons, David and Stephen.
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Retired Captain James Muir
Board Member
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Retired Captain James A. Muir, P.E. served 27 years in the United States Navy as an officer in the Civil Engineer Corps. His early career was spent with Naval Reserve Construction Force (SEABEES) units. In 2003, then CDR Muir was called to active duty to serve as the Operations Officer for the Navy’s Anti-Terrorism and Force Protections Ashore Program. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 as a member of the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan’s Detainee Operations Directorate. During that tour he was wounded by a suicide bomber near the detention facility in Pol-e-Charkhi. He completed his deployment in April of 2007 and returned to reserve status. He was recalled again in 2009 to serve as the Head of Emergency Management at the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) in Washington, DC. In 2010 he was assigned to the Afghanistan – Pakistan Hands Program and deployed for 12 months to Kabul to serve as the in-theater Program Manager. Upon return he was assigned as a Division Chief on the Joint Staff Pakistan – Afghanistan Coordination Cell. Jim retired at the rank of Captain in 2014. CAPT Muir is Seabee Combat Warfare qualified, and authorized to wear the Joint Staff Identification Badge. His numerous decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2 awards), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (4 campaign stars), and Combat Action Ribbon.
Jim currently works as a lab manager for Boeing Research & Technology. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Missouri and holds 4 patents. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Rolla and a Master’s in Business Administration from Maryville University. Jim is a lifelong resident of St Louis (except during his active duty recalls). He is married (Pat) with three daughters (Jenny, Jessie & Jamie) and three grandchildren (Reagan, Madeline & Henry). He’s an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and serves on the Parish Council for St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Manchester, MO. |
Patrick Lepski
Board Member
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Patrick Lepski a is Civil Engineer from the Missouri University of Science & Technology and has extensive experience in leadership and management. He has served as National Sales Manager for Schneider Electric, a Fortune Global 500 company. He is presently Assistant Director of Investment Relations for Visionary Private Equity Group which is headquartered in Saint Charles, Missouri. Pat also serves on Board of Directors for FAST (Foster Adoption Support Team) which brings food and services to families with foster and adopted children as well as for TREE House of Greater Saint Louis, an organization that is a leader in the field of equine-assisted therapy (horse-back riding) for children and adults with special needs to help them develop core strength to lead a more fulfilling life. Pat is also involved with Boy Scouts of America and is currently working to improve the Scouting for Food program that is done nationwide every Thanksgiving to support food pantries. Pat currently resides in Saint Peters, Missouri with his wife Christine and son Daniel.
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Jim Gabel
Board Member
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Jim Gabel was born and raised in South St. Louis County. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy following high school. After completing basic training at RTC Orlando and Advanced First Term Avionics school in Millington Tennessee, Jim was assigned to the Sea Operational Detachment at NAS Cecil Field, Fl. During this time, Jim spent time on 4 different aircraft carriers, maintaining and repairing the Forward Looking InfraRed system for the S-3, A-6, and F/A-18 aircraft. During his time on the ships, he obtained dual qualification as Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. After his assignment in Florida, Jim returned home and was assigned to Navy Recruiting District St. Louis where he obtained numerous awards including Recruiter of the Year and Recruiting Station of the Year for a six-state area. During his Naval career he was issued numerous awards and recognitions including a Navy Commendation Medal, 4 Navy Achievement Medals, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and many other medals and ribbons for outstanding service. Jim currently works for Hudson Services, providing security solutions throughout Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. He has served on advisory boards before always focusing on fundraising opportunities that assist Veterans. He is a volunteer for the Gateway Disabled Ski Program and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans organization. After visiting 15 countries and 23 different cities with the Navy, Jim lives a short mile from his childhood home with his wife Christie, son Logan (a recent graduate of Vianney High school attending Mizzou) and his daughter Delanie, a Freshman at Oakville High School. In his spare time, he enjoys watching his kids play soccer, golf, camping, and various other outdoor activities.
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