BILL HOLMES

President
US Air Force Veteran 1981 - 1989

A Veteran Air Force fighter pilot, Holmes is a retired captain with American Airlines and Vice President of Chelsea Milling Company. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (BBA) as well as a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from the University of Michigan.

Holmes is involved in many community activities including Safe House Center, the YMCA, St Joseph Hospital, Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Chelsea State Bank.

In retirement, Bill enjoys travel with his wife Wendy, and putting his passion for his Veteran brethren to work. FHM is honored that he is lending his energy to this mission!

ANDY HOVE

Vice President
US Army, 1980-1995

Andy holds a bachelor’s degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, a master’s degree in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School and a master’s degree in business management from the University of Michigan. Andy is also board member of the Association of the United States Army, the Atlantic Council and a board member emeritus of the National Defense Industrial Association.

He is a former army officer who served in a wide range of operational, command and staff assignments. His industry positions include Chief Executive and Senior Executive roles with AM General, HDT Global, Oshkosh Defense, BAE Systems, United Defense, and FNSS Defense Systems. His international experience includes working assignments in Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey along with market expansion, business capture and business execution in the U.S. and around the globe.

HARVEY BERMAN

Secretary and Counsel

Mr. Berman is an officer of the Board of Directors of Fisher House Michigan and also serves as the organization's legal counsel. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Student Building Industry Program, Inc. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2020 under Construction Law and Michigan Super Lawyers 2019 under Construction Litigation. He has received the W. Nelson Vander Hyden Award for outstanding service to the construction industry (Washtenaw Contractors Association, 2004) and was named Associate of the Year by the Homebuilders Association of Washtenaw County (2004). He is listed as a 2020 "Top Lawyer" for Construction Law and Litigation-Construction in DBusiness magazine. He is AV Preeminent® Peer Rated by Martindale-Hubbell for the Highest Level of Professional Excellence; Endorsed for High Ethical Standing.

MELISSA JOHNSON

Treasurer

MICHAEL MCCARTHY

Mike joined Fisher House Michigan as Treasurer in 2019, bringing extensive experience in finance to bear. He joined Rehmann in January 2011 in connection with the firm’s business combination with Wright Griffin Davis and Co. He began his public accounting career in 1983 and focuses on trusts, estates, and employee benefit plans, as well as individual and business taxation. He is involved in research, analysis, planning, review, tax return preparation, and compliance with the increasingly complex requirements of state and federal law. On behalf of corporate and individual clients, he works closely with attorneys, trust officers, insurance firms, and investment advisors to define, anticipate, and resolve tax problems. Mike is also a Certified Financial Planner™.

KATE MELCHER

Executive Director
US Army, 2005-2020

Kate Melcher began her career in a research and speech writing position with the Supreme Court of the United States. Later, she would serve in the US Senate, as senior staff to three different US Senators.

After 9/11/2001, she left the Senate to enlist in the Army. She became an Apache Helicopter pilot, and a Legislative Liaison Officer for the US Army National Guard. Ms. Melcher is a seasoned military, non-profit, and private sector professional, with a passion for public service.

Since moving home to Michigan in 2017, she has had the privilege of serving as Executive Director for Fisher House Michigan. In this role, she and the FHM Board of Directors are responsible for raising funds and awareness to support Fisher Houses in Michigan. Additionally, she serves in leadership roles in other organizations promoting Veteran welfare, including Region 9 Veteran Community Action Team, Association of the United States Army, Women in Defense - Michigan, Veterans Radio America, and the Washtenaw County Veterans Affairs Committee.

Among her awards and accolades for her service, Governor Snyder named Kate the 2018 Michigan Veteran of the Year. The Daughters of the American Revolution named her an Outstanding Woman in American History, and in 2023, she was named Veteran of Distinction by the City of Detroit.

SAM KENNEDY

Director

Sam is President and founding partner of Strategic Partners, Inc. His areas of specialty include major gift development; annual, endowment and capital campaigns; leadership development and board and staff training. Sam has more than 40 years of experience with major gifts and campaign design and execution. He has supervised the raising of over $1 billion in his career and has managed fund development campaigns ranging from under $1-$2 million to more than $150 million, nationally.

Sam has completed post-Masters work in the Not-for-Profit Organization Administration Program of the Graduate School of Business at the University of Notre Dame. He received his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Oakland University. Sam is a charter member of the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Fund Raising Executive, achieving certification in 1986.

In 2014 Governor Rick Snyder recognized Sam with an honorary appointment as Commander in the Michigan Naval Militia in the Michigan Military Establishment.

With a family history of military service, including his brother Tim who is retired Navy Captain, Sam feels especially honored to serve Veterans and their families through his service on the Fisher House Michigan Board.

CARRIE MEAD

Director

Carrie is a dedicated civil servant who is committed to helping individuals, the Army, and the Veteran community perform to the highest potential. She believes in the power of the collective in making our communities strong, and aspires to always get the right people together to get the job done. Her family, my work, and my community service are the trifecta of a great life.

JIM “DOC” MCCLOUGHAN

Director
US Army 1968-1970

Born in South Haven, MI, Mr. McCloughan was raised in the rural area of Bangor, MI. He graduated from Olivet College in 1968 with a BA in Sociology. Drafted into the United States Army in 1968, Jim served as a combat medic with the Americal Division where he rose to the rank of Specialist Five. In one battle alone “Doc” McCloughan has been credited with moving into the “kill zone” on ten occasions, saving ten American lives and one Vietnamese interpreter’s life.
 
Specialist McCloughan was highly decorated receiving the Combat Medic Badge, two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars with “V” device for valor, The U. S. Army Valorous Unit Citation, The National Defense Medal, The Good Conduct Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal with three Battle Stars, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palms and one Oak Leaf Cluster and the M16 Expert Rifle Badge. In 2017, Jim was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military commendation.
 
In 1970, upon returning home, Mr. McCloughan resumed his contract with South Haven Public Schools and in 1972 earned a MA in counseling. Remaining with South Haven High School for thirty eight years, Jim taught psychology and sociology while coaching football, wrestling, baseball, and American Legion Baseball. In June 2019, Jim was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
 
Since retirement Jim has remained dedicated to his community and the nation, as a member of non-profit organizations, serving multiple charitable projects, assuming roles on boards and preforming as a vocalist. Representing the Medal of Honor, Jim speaks across the nation. He also serves as the Vice President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, chair of the Valor Outreach Program, and the Character Development Program, designed to instill ethical virtues in America’s youth, plus serving as chair of the CMOH Society Citizen Awards committee. He and his wife, Chérie, reside in Saugatuck, MI. They have four adult children, seven grandchildren, and two standard poodles.

MARK PALMUCCI

Director

Born on a Marine Corps base in Twentynine Palms, CA, Mark is the son, son-in-law, grandson, nephew, father-in-law and friend of Veterans who have served. While he never personally wore the uniform, he serves Veterans as Director of Fisher House Michigan.

In October 2013, Mark, his wife Beryl, and his father (a retired Navy Captain and 35-year Veteran) took a trip to a very remote part of Europe. Six days in, his father had a massive stroke and went into a coma. Fortunately, they were able to transport him to a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. It was there on that Army base that he and his wife could experience first-hand what it means to stay in a Fisher House. Though their stay there was only six days, they are forever grateful and humbled by the people at the Fisher House and the men and women in our armed forces.

Today, he is honored to have the opportunity to serve our Veterans and their families as Director of the Fisher House Michigan Board of Directors.

RICHARD K. SCHMIDT

Director
US Army 1966 - 1968

Richard grew up hearing stories from his father, uncles, and even mother and aunts, of what they did and where they were during WWII. So, when he received the draft notice while attending Grand Valley College, there was no question of his duty. He would serve as a Squad Leader in the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam.

In remembrance of friends who did not make it home and to honor all those who served, he has dedicated himself to many veteran and troop support projects.

After being discharged, he entered the family business and became President/CEO of a corporation distributing veterinary supplies in the Midwest. During those years he was on numerous boards and committees for animal health pharmaceutical, vaccine manufacturing, and distribution, until his retirement in 2005.

Richard and his wife Jean have been involved with events and fundraising for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. They enjoy volunteering at a USO Welcome Center and being members of many veteran organizations including VFW, American Legion, Combat Infantry Association, Vietnam Veterans Association, etc.

Richard became aware of the Fisher House mission through a donation from his son Matthew at Christmas in 2017. Wanting to learn more, he and Jean traveled to visit a Fisher House in Florida — after that, he was hooked. To him, being on the board of FHM is the dream position to help those who served and their families.

BRIG GEN (RET) DOUG “ODIE” SLOCUM

Director
US Air Force 1984-2019

Retiring as a Brigadier General in May 2019, Doug “Odie” Slocum joined the board of Fisher House of Michigan in June. He served in the U.S. Air Force/Air National Guard for 35 years with his last assignment as the Commanding General of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Under his leadership, the men and women of the base earned numerous accolades including awards for being the top Air National Guard Wing in the country, the top fighter aircraft organization, the most efficient aerial tanker Wing in the Air Force, and only the third Air National Guard Wing in history to receive the Meritorious Unit Award for “outstanding devotion and exceptional performance.” He is well known for his leadership style which has been branded as “violent positivity”. Prior to coming to Michigan in 2014, he was the Air National Guard Inspector General in Washington DC.

Personally, he is well known in Southeast Michigan for expanding partnerships to new levels and initiating several pioneering projects bringing together coalitions from across the community, state, and nation. He is the recipient of DTE’s 2019 Environmental Steward of the Year Award, Macomb County’s 2018 Economic Partner of the Year, and was inducted into the Macomb County Hall of Fame in 2017. Odie is a world-renowned educator and acclaimed motivational speaker having delivered more than 750 presentations or keynote addresses to over 150,000 attendees.

Odie is a career fighter pilot with more than 4,100 hours flying F-4, F-16, and A-10 aircraft – the top 1% of experienced fighter pilots in the Air Force. As an instructor pilot, he has personally authored more than 250 lessons, textbooks, and professional publications. He also served as the Air National Guard Director of Safety, where he is credited with leading the four safest years in the organization’s history. He personally created and championed several proposals including an innovative program that addressed human error in aircraft maintenance. Through this initiative the U.S. Air Force realized a 76 percent decrease in preventable mishaps, saving lives as well as more than $78 million. He also championed nation-wide programs for suicide prevention, fatigue management, driving safety, midair collision avoidance, and flight safety. He is also a trained and experienced aircraft mishap investigator. As a result of his safety innovations and results, Odie was inducted into the Air Force Safety Hall of Fame in 2013.

Odie not only has a passion to advocate for our nation’s veterans and their families, but is active in the community, serving on the board of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and as a member of Women in Defense (WID), the Selfridge Base Community Council, and the Macomb County Chamber. He lives in Macomb Township in Southeast Michigan with his wife Jenny and 13-year-old daughter Keira.

COL(R) MARK E. TELLIER

Director
US Army, 1988-2019

Colonel Mark E. Tellier is the former Army Chief of Staff, Michigan National Guard overseeing the command, control, and operations of plans and programs affecting more than 8,000 Soldiers and Officers. The broad range of responsibilities include ensuring combat readiness and mission capability of four major subordinate commands, capacity building installations and facilities, support services and logistical operations to achieve combat trained personnel to fight and win this nation’s wars and protect the homeland.

Colonel Mark E. Tellier began his military career when he enlisted into the Michigan Army National Guard on 25 May 1988 as Private. Col Tellier graduated from the Federal Officer Candidate School program at Fort Benning, Georgia and commissioned on 16 August 1991 as an Infantry Second Lieutenant.

His assignments include positions of increasing responsibility at Platoon, Company, Battalion and Brigade command and staff levels, to include aide-de-camp to the Assistant Division Commander for the 38th Infantry Division, Indiana. Multiple non-traditional assignments in support of operations, logistics, and personnel functional areas. In 2012, Col Tellier served a one year tour in Afghanistan as the 126th Cavalry Squadron Commander in support of Afghan National Security Forces and Special Operations Command. His previous assignment was Director, Information Management that provided network operations and developed premier leaders in cyber operations.

On April 1st 2020, Col Tellier retired from military service and currently serves as the President and CEO of COLT Cyber Security Consultants, LLC. He provides consultative services to federal; state; and local companies on cybersecurity programs and offers cyber defense solutions to new technologies.

His military decorations include the Federal Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Michigan Legion of Merit and the National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Medal, Global War on Terrorism –Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and numerous State awards. He is a graduate of the United States Army War College with a Master’s of Strategic Studies; Baltic Defense College in Estonia from the Senior Leaders Course; and has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Michigan State University.

Mark lives with his wife and children in Ada, Michigan, and is eager to continue his service to his military and Veteran brethren as a member of the FHM Board of Directors.

COLONEL (R) WARREN SPONSLER

Director
US Army, 1996-2022

Warren Sponsler is the Chief Operating Officer at The National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC).  In this leadership position, Warren is responsible for enabling the NAMC to achieve its mission of fostering innovations from the consortium’s 500 member organizations to support the US Military’s development and prototyping of advanced ground vehicle capabilities in the areas of robotics, mobility, survivability, energy, payloads, and related technologies.

Warren retired as a Colonel in the US Army in 2022 after serving more than 26 years on active duty with his last positions as the Deputy Director and Chief of Staff of the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional Team (NGCV CFT), Army Futures Command (AFC), at the Detroit Arsenal, Michigan. With the CFT, he led the team’s formative efforts in requirements development, technology investment, and experimentation for the US Army’s signature combat vehicle modernization priorities.

As a US Army Armor officer and combat veteran, Warren served in multiple command and staff positions during his career primarily with armored maneuver units both throughout the United States and deployed around the world. Some key later assignments in his career include serving as a senior trainer and coach at the US Army’s National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA and commanding an Armor/Infantry Combined Arms Battalion in the 4 th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. Warren has led Soldiers during multiple combat deployments and contingency operations including service in Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, Egypt and other locations around the world.

Warren is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, earned a master’s degree from the United States Marine Corps University and was a US Army War College Fellow with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Security Studies Program. Warren is an active member of the Association of the US Army (AUSA) and the National Defense Industrial Society (NDIA) and volunteer coach for multiple youth sports programs in his community. He and his wife, Loretta, live in Shelby Township, MI with their three energetic school-age boys.

COLONEL (RET) NANCY DAKIN

Director
US Air Force

A veteran fighter, bomber, and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) pilot, Nancy is a retired Colonel with three decades of military service in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard. She began her service as an enlisted aircraft maintenance specialist and over the course of her career progressed to various leadership roles, including three-time commander and Air National Guard Inspector General.

Since retiring from the military in 2019, Nancy has dedicated her time to community service, particularly supporting veterans and dogs, highlighting her commitment to serving others. She has been a volunteer with Fisher House Michigan since 2020 and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Dachshund Haus and Corgi Rescue, as well as Sarge’s House.

Nancy and her husband David, who is also a veteran, enjoy traveling and caring for their pack of rescued dachshunds.

CEMONE MOY

Director

Cemone Moy is a dynamic professional with a passion for community development, education, and leadership. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Community Development and a Master of Science in International Administration from Central Michigan University, Cemone brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her diverse roles. Cemone joined General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in 2017. In her current role as the Manager for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) & International Program Sustainment she is responsible for Global operations for all Abrams tank and Stryker Combat Vehicle field support to our soldiers.

Committed to education and community engagement, Cemone currently serves on the Board of Directors for Four Corners Montessori Academy (FCMA) since 2021, where she advocates for safe, secure schools and student achievement. She actively participates in committees focused on exceptional staff and community engagement & Fundraising, driving initiatives to promote a positive learning environment. A devoted member of the community, Cemone also serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County to assist with the mission to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.

She served on the Board of Directors for Women in Defense (WID) Michigan Chapter (2021-2023), as the Director of Events, and remains active as a Board Advisor in fostering professional networking and development opportunities for women and men contributing to national defense, and the well-being of our military service members. She is dedicated to inspiring women, cultivating leadership, and strengthening professional relationships within the defense industry.

Cemone's commitment to equity and inclusion extends to her role on the Human Relations and Equity Commission (HREC) for the City of Madison Heights [2020-2022]. Through her leadership, she advocated for positive human relations and equitable outcomes, successfully co-organizing Madison Heights' inaugural Juneteenth celebration in 2021.

Staff

STEVEN ROSE

Outreach Coordinator
US Air Force 2013 - 2015

LAURA EASTRIDGE

Program Assistant

LYDIA PINKHAM

Social Media Coordinator
US Coast Guard 2011-2017