Committee Members Backup Feb 2

EXECUTIVE BOARD/OFFICERS/VOLUNTEERS/ADVISORS

New York

Mrs. Jeannine M. Mannarino, Chief Executive Officer and Visionaire

Master Sergeant (retired) Jeannine M. Mannarino is a twenty-four year veteran of the New York Army National Guard. MSG Mannarino served the National Guard in many roles as an office manager for the State Education Office, a member of the elite Mobile Recruiting Force and Chief Public Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer for the Joint Force Headquarters, Latham, NY.
Since her retirement from the New York Army National Guard in 2004, Jeannine worked as a civilian Federal Technician for the Army National Guard as an Alternate Agency Program coordinator for the Government Purchase Card program since 2014. Jeannine served as a Contract Specialist and managed the New York Army National Guard Government Purchase Card program for over 5 years and served two years on a contract for the Department of Defense, Comptrollers Review Team, as a Resource Management Reviewer for the PeopleTec, contracted by the National Guard Bureau, Arlington. VA.

March 2003, MSG Jeannine Mannnarino, established a small grass roots effort to address difficulties of the transition and reintegration for the members of the National Guard, Reserves and Active Duty members. The grass roots effort was incubated and developed by civilians and several members of the Enlisted Association of the New York National Guard (EANYNG) and members of the Military Association of the New York.
Patriot Hills of New York, mission was nationally endorsed August 12, 2009, by 245 members of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS).

Patriot Hills of New York mission is to take care of our Veterans. Patriot Hills of New York is a portal of services and resources for our Veterans and their families. Providing morale, welfare and recreational services for our military members and their families. Our vision is to establish a customized community-based resource and retreat center for our Veterans and their Families.

Jeannine serves on Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s, Military Academy Selection Committee.
Jeannine served for 5 years as the Resolutions Committee Chair and Co-Chair for www.EANGUS.org
Jeannine currently, serves as the Area 1 Chair for the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS). Jeannine has an Army and Air Guard Director that assist Jeannine in managing eight States, MA, NY, NH, ME, CT, NJ, VT, RI.
Jeannine earned a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Management from Nyack College and Associates in Science from Regents College. MSG Mannarino’s military education includes: Photo -Journalism, Defense Information School, Ft. Benjamin Harrison and Recruiting School, Fort Benjamin Harrison. MSG Mannarino attended Advanced and Basic Non-Commissioned Officers School, Empire State Military Academy.

Major General (Ret) Ferg Foley, President General Foley enlisted in the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC, before being commissioned in 1980. He had numerous leadership assignments including Platoon, Company, Battalion, and Brigade Command. He served as Joint Task Force Deputy Commander for Operation Trade Center following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Other assignments included serving in Joint Task Force leadership roles for the 2003 New York City “Blackout” and the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.

General Foley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist College. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United State Army War College as well as an honorary PhD in Humane Letters from the State University of New York (Canton)

General Foley served as Chairman for the Dutchess County Veterans Affairs Committee, Chairman of the Military Association of New York, Vice Chairman for the Hudson Valley Regional Community Health Center.

General Foley’s last civilian employment was Manhattan Field Office Manager for the United States General Services Administration overseeing federal facilities and courthouses.

Dr. Mark Michels Dr. Mark Michels served in the US Army for over thirty years, retiring from active duty in October 2019 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He enlisted in the infantry in 1988 as a private and accepted a full Green to Gold Scholarship to the ROTC program of Syracuse University. Through his varied career he achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7) and in May 2001 was commissioned a Second Lieutenant as an Air Defense Artilleryman, later transitioning to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Officer (FA-52) functional area. He has deployed to the Middle East and Africa in various campaigns and missions.
Dr. Michels has earned an associate’s degree from Mohawk Valley Community College, a bachelor’s from SUNY Poly Technical Institute, a master’s from American Military University, a graduate certificate from Post University, and a doctorate from Northcentral University. Dr. Michels is married to Gabrielle, with whom he has four children, Tanner, Mason, Hunter, and Haley. He currently resides in Boblingen, Germany and is the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Advisor to the U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.

Mr. Dave Benamati, Co-Founder, Board Member

Ms. Jamilee Marino, Co-Founder and Board Member

Mr. Don Leinfelder, Executive Director Patriot Hills

(Open), Executive Secretary

Mr. Michael Burdick, Vice President

Ms. Christine Benedict, Board Member, Site Realtor

Christine was born and raised in Colonie, New York where she continues to live today. She attended Vincentian Institute High School in Albany and earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Political Science at the College of Saint Rose. She also earned her master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Christine has over twenty years of experience working as a civilian for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs in Latham, New York (New York Army and Air National Guard). From 1995 until 2000, she served as the Director of Government Affairs. Her responsibilities included the administrative interaction with the New York State Legislature (60 Senators and 161 Assembly members), New York’s Congressional delegation (31 Congressional Representatives, 2 Senators at that time) and the Executive Branches of New York State Government. She reported directly to The Adjutant General and was a member of the Joint Staff. She coordinated all activities related to the development and passage of the National Guard’s State and Federal legislative initiatives and served as the primary point of contact with State and Federal legislative members and staffs. She interfaced with the State’s representatives in the Nation’s Capital for the purposes of exchanging information and soliciting support for funding for the National Guard’s program initiatives and military construction.

Some of her accomplishments included securing New York’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Unit at Stratton Air Base for FEMA Region 4, prevailing over New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Securing the unit in our home State was extremely competitive since only one unit was allocated per FEMA Region. One year after President Bush announced the formation of these ten (10) units, New York was selected as the host State for FEMA Region 4.

Under the direction of Christine, the New York State Tuition Assistance Program Bill for New York Army and Air National Guardsmen was passed by the New York State Legislature. This bill allowed New York National Guardsman to attend State Colleges or Universities tuition free.

In addition, she was involved with BRAC (Base Realignment Committee), Fort Drum Family Support Group and other committees and groups that involved the NYARNG.

Christine is a proven leader in her community. She understands how government works; she understands the day-to-day issues soldiers and their families face.

Christine has participated in many not-for-profit organizations as a board member, too many to mention. She currently serves as a board member to the “Patriot Hills of New York.” Their mission is to take care of our Veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom and to establish a place for soldiers, with PTSD, and their families to rehabilitate and reintegrate into their communities.

Mrs. Mary Ann Sonnenfroh - Volunteer and doTerra Representative

Mrs. Gail Connell - Volunteer and Advisor

Mrs. Melovee Porter
Melovee is a Registered Dietitian (RD) with a desire to motivate adults and children in acute or outpatient settings to treat weight loss, address eating disorders, and improve self-reliance skills. My leadership experience will assist in improving and inspiring clients and the community with healthy lifestyle choices and disease prevention.

Tele-Health Vet (Compassionate Care Contact Program)
Tele-Health VetAlbany VA Stratton ·Albany VA Stratton · Part-time Jul 2017 - Present, Albany, NY
Eddy Visiting Nurse & Rehab Association (St. Peter's Health Partners) HomeCare RD (6 counties) 433 River Street Suite 3000 Troy, NY
Feb 2023- Present
Melovee graduated from Russell Sage College Master of Science - MS in 2022'
Sage Colleges Dietetic Internship, Nutrition Sciences 2020-2021
Melovee is licensed and Certified - Registered Dietician (RD)
Certificate of Training in Pediatrics & Adult Obesity - Issued Dec 2022
Credential ID Commission of Dietetics Registration Chicago, IL
Melovee is a Registered Dietician (RD) Commission on Dietetics Registration-Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Issued Sep 2022 · Expires May 2028
Credential ID 86119678
NYS Certified Dietician Nutritionist (CDN) In-process FY Oct 22

Awaiting Charity Registration Florida

Ms. Jamilee Marino, President, Co-Founder, Jami is currently working on setting up our Charity in Florida (Big Pine Key Florida)

Mr. William Hahner, Operations Manager and Assistant

Pennsylvania

John P. Kovac III - President, Johnstown General's All Veteran's Hockey Team

John Kovac is a 1996 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School. On July 11, 1996, John started Boot Camp for the US Navy at Great Lakes Illinois and graduated in September of 1996. Following boot camp graduation, I attended Basic Submarine Training and SONAR A School in Groton Ct. In May of 1997 he was then assigned to the USS Oklahoma City SSN 723 that was stationed in Norfolk VA where I earned submarine warfare designation. In May of 1999 I suffered a life-threatening injury that led to a medical discharge on July 12, 2002, at which time I started working for AMSEC a government contractor that performed various upgrades to US Naval War Ships. In September of 2004 I was then hired to build Nuclear Submarines by Electric Boat where I worked until 2006 when I decided as an only child it was time to move back home and be closer to my parents. In spring of 2006 he moved back to Johnstown and was hired by DRS Technologies. After 1 year there I applied for my first oilfield job with Superior Well Service and was hired as a field electronics technician. After two years of employment, I was hired by Halliburton where I remained until 2017. In 2017 I was by TE3CO where I held the positions of Northeast Service Manager, Operations Manager, and Technology Integration Manager. In 2022 I was hired as the Electronics Maintenance Manager at Westinghouse Specialty Metals Plant in Blairsville PA.

Legion and veteran affairs background.

As a legionnaire at the post level, I have held the offices of Trustee, Financial Officer, 2nd Vice Commander, 1st Vice commander and starting my 9th year as Post Commander. At the District level I held the positions of Deputy Commander, 2nd Vice Commander, Fundraising Chairman, and District Commander. At the Department level I served as the Western Section Adjutant. In 2018 I joined the I joined the ranks of Patriot Hills of NY Ligonier Chapter as President. In 2019 I introduced the Johnstown Generals all veteran’s hockey team that promotes healing through hockey and into Patriot Hills. The Johnstown Generals started as group of 12 veterans and active military personnel and in 3 short years has grown to over 50 members and has donated over $20,000.00 to local charities and youth programs.

Personal

On August 24th, 2008, I married my soul mate, Gwen Kovac. In October of 2019 I received my most prestigious title of dad when Gwen and I welcomed our first son John Paul in our lives. In 2020 John and Gwen welcomed their nephew and now adopted son Maddox into our family. In March of 2022 we were blessed with the birth of our third son Antonio.

Bethanie Bernabo

Gwen Kovac

Collaboration and Partnership

Excelsior College
Diane Sonnenfroh doTerra
Diane and Howard Vics - Thermography
National Veteran's Business Development Council - Military Veterans Organization TaskForce

College Intern

Mrs. Christina Ilowiecki, SUNY Cobleskill, Bachelors of Science, Psychology Intern Program
Michael Burdick, Bachelors SUNY Delhi
Jodi Ankabrandt, Masters, Southern New Hampshire University

First Eagle Scout - 2008 and 2009

Mr. Matthew Murray

Special Advisors and Council

Major General (ret) Ed Klein, New York Army National Guard
Brigadier General (ret) Ferg Foley, New York National Guard
SGM (Ret) PJ Higgitt, Rensselaer County Sheriff
LTC (Ret) Kathy Poynton, NBDVC MVO Task Force
General George Leibner, Former General New York Guard
Mrs. Kathy Van Derloo, CEO ADG Communications
Mayor (former) Joanne Yepson, Saratoga Springs, NY
Mr. Peter Peduzzi, Peduzzi Associates Ltd
Ms. Joan Bender, Retired Geriatric Nurse

Facility Advisors

Mr. Michael Mannarino
Mr. James Scott
Mr. John Humphrey
Mr. Billy Hahner
Mr. Greg Louks, IronSword Enterprises
Mr. Cliff McAuliffe, San Francisco, California

Military Advisors

Mr. PJ Higgitt
Ms. Elizabeth Condon (Alumni Board Member)
Ms. Paula Gabris (Alumni 1st Ambassador - Rest In Peace)
Mr. Robert Chen, New York National Guard
Mr. Claude Imagna, New York - Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States
Mr. Dean Miller, Phoenix - Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States

Ambassadors and Alumni

Mr. Alvin Philips Alumni
Mr. Gerald Barr (Rest In Peace)
Ms. Carmen Kerber Alumni
Leah R. Leonard (Rest In Peace)
Paula Gabris (Rest In Peace)