Advisors to the Board of Directors
Committed to the Fisher House mission, our Advisors bring years of experience, relationships, expertise, and heart to the team.
We appreciate their support and willingness to serve our Michigan military and Veteran community with their individual gifts and graces.
DON SCHENK
Brigadier General, Retired
US Army 1969 - 2004
Brigadier General (U.S. Army, Retired) Donald Schenk has devoted his life to service to the Nation.
Commissioned as an Armor officer in 1971, he spent 33 years on active duty in peace and war in wide-ranging assignments in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. His operational assignments included leadership in tank formations from platoon thru division. As a Defense Program Manager, he led some of the largest Army and Marine Corps modernization programs before retiring in 2004.
Subsequent to retirement from the Army, he dedicated his work to supporting those who serve through various defense-related business ventures that provided needed combat equipment to America’s forces and allied nations.
In 2017 he transitioned to post-employment volunteer work where he serves those who served. He does this as a leader in his Veteran Service Organization and as an advisor to Fisher House Michigan.
He is married to the former Janet Greenspan and resides in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Together they have two sons: Joshua and his wife Elizabeth reside in Chicago, and Zachary resides and Washington, DC.
TED MICKEVICIUS
GREG SCHUPRA
Planned Giving Advisor
DR. GUY STERN
APRIL LAROCK
Fisher House Manager, VA Ann Arbor
April LaRock is the Manager for the VA Ann Arbor Fisher House located at the LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center. Mrs. LaRock has a life-long commitment to serve Veterans and their families. Her father served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and because of him, she began her career as a social worker at VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS) in 1999 after completing an internship there from 1997-1998 while attending the University of Michigan School of Social Work where she earned her Master’s in Social Work (MSW). During her career at VA Ann Arbor, she has served in a variety of roles including working as a social worker on various inpatient units, in the Community Living Center, Caregiver Support Program, Home Based Primary Care and Medical Foster Home programs. April transitioned from Social Work & Community Based Services to the Office of Public Affairs in November 2014 where she served as the first Outreach Coordinator for VAAAHS. Since 2007, April has also been the VAAAHS Advocate for Former Prisoners of War and their families.
She transitioned to her role as the Fisher House Manager in 2019 which she describes as her “dream job”. She is originally from Atlanta, GA, is married and has two young children who keep her very busy when she is not working at the Fisher House.
BILL BROWNING
VA Detroit VAVS Chief
Pamela Tolliver
Fisher House Manager, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center