Leadership
Board of Directors
The Friends of Fisher House St. Louis is guided by a dedicated volunteer board committed to serving military families in our community.
Committed to Our Mission
Our board members bring a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, military service, healthcare, business, and community engagement. Together they provide the strategic direction and oversight that allows the Friends of Fisher House St. Louis to fulfill its mission year after year.
DeAnn Farr, PhD
DeAnn is a retired Navy Medical Service Corps officer. During her career, she was heartbroken to see families already under stress about the health of their loved ones camped out in hallways or waiting rooms so they could be close when their loved ones needed them. DeAnn came across the first Fisher House on the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda Maryland compound in the early 1990s and asked if they were putting in another Navy Lodge. She was told it was a place for the families of those who have served and need our help. Serving the Friends of Fisher House in St. Louis is just a small way to honor the vision, honor, courage, and commitment of those leaders who started the Fisher House program.
John Stieven
John says he helps because when a serious sickness hits your family, the last thing you want to contemplate is being far from home to receive treatment — all alone. The Fisher House allows family members to come support their loved ones in their time of need. Helping others is John's prime motivation for serving, and supporting, the Fisher House in St. Louis.
Sandra Davenport
Sandi served as the Public Affairs Officer at the VA, and so was aware of the great work done at the Fisher House, where many Veterans and their families are served with respect, love and compassion. She jumped at the chance to be a part of such a wonderful organization.
Margaret DeMotte
While there are many charities that help veterans, Fisher House is one of the few that helps their families as well. Margaret is grateful to Veterans for their service and sacrifice in keeping our country free. She is hopeful that Veterans will do better physically and mentally when their families are near and secure, and she finds great meaning in volunteering her financial and reporting skills to the Fisher House.
J. Patrick Wiese
Service has been the overarching theme of Pat's life. He graduated from the Coast Guard Academy, then served for 25 years. On retirement from the USCG, he worked for the Maritime Administration, then went on to the Department of Veteran Affairs where he served as St. Louis Regional Counsel.
Rose Epplin Garland
Rose serves on the board because she loves her country and appreciates the freedoms we have — freedoms she knows exist because of those who have served.
Michael Banton, M.D.
Michael's father, Dr. William C. Banton II, raised him to believe in the importance of our military, public health, caring and community service. Fisher House covers all these touch points. Michael said it is an honor to serve our Veterans in this way.
Marna' Coleman
Marna's injuries during wartime put her in the infirmary far from home for many months, so she knows the importance of having carers around patients. She is very active in the St. Louis community at many levels, and deeply committed to service, advocacy, and the pursuit of meaningful change.
Roger E. Rosenberg
Roger served 26 years in the Air Force, including operational tours as a B-52 navigator/radar navigator and F-4 Weapons Systems Officer. His flying career included combat missions in Southeast Asia. Roger says serving on the Fisher House Board is an opportunity to help veterans and their families who gave so unselfishly to their country.
Brandi Smith
Brandi cares deeply about the St. Louis Fisher House because it provides an incredible source of comfort, stability, and support to military families during some of life's most difficult moments. These families sacrifice so much in service to our country, and when they are faced with the uncertainty of medical care for a loved one, Fisher House gives them the gift of being together without the added burden of financial or logistical stress. This mission has taken on an even more personal meaning for Brandi recently, as her son has joined the Air Force. Stepping into the role of a military parent has given her a new appreciation for the unique challenges and sacrifices that come with being part of a military family — the pride, the worry, and the resilience it requires. Knowing that there are places like the Fisher House that allow families to stay close to their loved ones during times of need brings her peace and gratitude. It's a reminder that behind every service member is a family who also serves, and the Fisher House honors and supports that service in such a meaningful way.
Matthew Stacker
Matt retired as an Army Reserve Colonel after 33 years of service. He recently retired from federal civil service, working for the Department of Defense in operations, planning, strategy, and acquisition roles. He first learned about the Fisher House mission while stationed at Fort Bragg in 1993. He is active with the American Legion and has a passion for caring for Veterans and youth development — Matt coaches the Legion's Post 218 Youth Trap Shooting Team. Matt said what the Fisher House does to support our veterans and their families is truly remarkable and makes a tremendously positive impact on their lives in difficult times.
Kenneth A. Young
Ken retired as an active duty Colonel from a 28-year career in the Army, then went on to serve the Army another nine years as a senior civilian. He sought out opportunities to bring his many skills to support the needs of our larger military family. Throughout his military career, Ken witnessed numerous benefits provided by Fisher Houses throughout the world and saw first-hand the hardships faced by active-duty members, veterans, and their families while loved ones were hospitalized. Ken is very active in the St. Louis area military community.
Bob Marsh
Bob is retired from the Army and feels a strong need to continue to serve others.
Interested in Getting Involved?
We are always looking for passionate community members to support our work. Reach out to learn more about volunteer and leadership opportunities.
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