Mission
Our mission is to ensure that military and veterans’ family members can be with their loved ones who are receiving medical treatment in St. Louis. We accomplish this by raising money to build and then support ongoing needs of Fisher Houses in the area.
Board of Directors
Officers
President: James B. Donahoe
Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Canteen Services, Director (SES ret). Col., U.S. Air Force (ret)
Jim retired from a 31-year career in the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Colonel. He then served 15+ years in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a member of the Senior Executive Service. In this position, he regularly visited VA hospitals across the country. He saw first-hand the personal and financial hardships faced by Veterans, and their accompanying families, who traveled to the VA for hospitalization. He became an early advocate for Fisher Houses when he saw the FREE services offered to families, and the resulting morale and financial benefits for hospitalized Veterans. As a volunteer, he served as the first President of the St Louis Fisher House Board with its founding in 2007, and he has held a seat on the board ever since.
Treasurer: Thomas M. Kozloski, PhD, CPA
University of Missouri – St. Louis, Associate Professor of Accounting. Captain, U.S. Army Veteran.
Tom earned a commission as an Army armor officer through ROTC in college, and served on active duty in the early 1980s. He was inspired to serve in the military by his father, an Army veteran. Tom feels that looking after the health and welfare of those who helped to defend our great nation is a responsibility we all share. He believes it is a great honor to serve veterans and their families by assisting Fisher House.
Secretary: Sandra Davenport
Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Public Affairs Officer (ret)
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 said “of course I jumped at the chance to be a part of such a wonderful organization!”
Directors
Michael Banton, M.D.
Mercy Hospital St. Louis, Psychiatrist. Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve (ret)
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.”
Kim Dixon
Maritz, Corporate Accounting Manager
Kim is proud to have come from a Navy family. The board is very grateful that she has volunteered to oversee the bookkeeping for the Fisher House in St. Louis since 2015.
Paul Eichholz
U.S. Navy Machinist’s Mate (MM1/SS); Pharmaceutical Industry Quality Assurance and Operations Executive
Paul served in the Navy aboard nuclear-powered submarines for 10 years. He is a two-time recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. As a disabled veteran Paul has experienced the use of the VA Healthcare system firsthand and understands the critical role the Fisher House plays in the overall healthcare experience for veterans. Paul said “I want to make sure every person in our community knows about the Fisher House, its mission and the critical role it plays in the healthcare for a veteran and their families. I can think of no better cause, and I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors.”
Rose Epplin Garland
Greater St. Louis Federal Executive Board, Executive Director (ret)
Rose’s answer to why she serves on the board is “I love my country, and I appreciate the freedoms we have. I know we have them because of those who have served.”
Joyce Midgett
Conagra – Commissaries, Vice President of Military Sales (ret)
Joyce is from a military family, and gained her respect for the service by seeing the sacrifices her family made during war and peacetime. During her 40-year career with ConAgra Foods, she became Vice President of Military Sales. In this role, she traveled worldwide, interacting with military personnel, and becoming knowledgeable of the needs of military families. At the Fisher House, Joyce says “I found my place to help military families!” where she has been volunteering since 2010.
Roger E. Rosenberg
Stock Broker, Edward Jones (ret), small business owner (ret); Col., U.S. Air Force (ret)
Roger served 26 years in the United States 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.”
Kenneth R. Schieler
AT&T Supervisor (ret). U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Ken says he was fortunate to serve for the Marine Corps during peaceful times. His support for the Fisher House is how he “repays” the service members and their families who have experienced much more difficult conditions that he did.
Matthew Stacker
Col., U.S. Army Reserves (ret), U.S. Department of Defense; Transportation Command, and Watch Commander, U.S. Strategic Command Global Operations (ret).
Matt retired as a U.S. 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.”
John Stieven
Central Trust Company, Executive. Lt.Col. Air Force (ret)
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.
Kenneth A. Young
U.S. Air Force Transportation Command IT (ret). Col., U.S. Army (ret)
Ken retired as an active duty Colonel from a 28-year career in the U.S. Army. He went on to serve the Army another nine years as a senior civilian. Ken sought out opportunities to bring his many skills to support the needs of our larger military family. Throughout his military career, he witnessed numerous benefits provided by Fisher Houses throughout the world. He 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.
J. Patrick Wiese
Department of Veterans Affairs (ret); Captain, U.S. Coast Guard (ret)
Service has been the overarching theme of Pat’s life. He graduated from the U.S Coast Guard Academy, then served for 25 years. On retirement from the USCG, he worked for the U.S. Maritime Administration, then went on to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs where he served as St. Louis Regional Counsel.
Board Members
Advisors
James W. Kienker
Maritz, CFO (ret). U.S. Army Veteran
Jim served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot, on active duty for four years in the early 1970s. He had very good experience in the Army, but knew other Veterans in that period who did not fare as well. Jim went on to become the Chief Financial Officer for Maritz, Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in St. Louis. He met Jim Donahoe when the Fisher House in St. Louis was just getting off the ground. Knowing that he could help Veterans in need inspired him. Jim served as Treasurer of the board for 14 years. He says “Fisher House is the best non-profit organization I’ve ever been associated with.”
Executive Director
Laura Neuman-Howe can be reached at (314) 621-6182 or FisherHouseStLouis@gmail.com