Working Towards a Better Tomorrow for Our Veterans
Here at TVO we see the value in every veteran because he/she served our country. We want to be a catalyst for positive change, and since our beginnings in 2020, we’ve been driven by the same ideas we initially founded our Non-Profit Organization upon: helping our veterans find the help they need.
ABOUT US AND OUR MISSION
TVO’s mission is to provide Veterans awareness and/or assistance to contacts at the Department of Veterans Affairs and available social services within the Tallahassee community and the surrounding localities. There is a reasonable expectation that connections with these entities will yield positive outcomes as intended for Veterans.
These services will include and will not be limited to the following:
A. Use the resources and partnership of agencies providing housing, medical, jobs, food, financial, income tax preparation, education benefits and other activities to improve veteran’s quality of life.
B. Outreach and connect with veterans to make them more aware of effective alternatives, in lieu of prescribed medicines to combat PTSD, TBI, and viruses.
C. Promote awareness and educate veterans concerning Suicide Prevention.
D. Assist veterans with VA benefits and veterans’ widows with VA widows benefits and Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefit preparation.
OUR BOARD
Founder/Treasurer - Washington J. Sanchez, Jr. COL (ret USA)
Colonel Sanchez retired from the US Army with 28 years of service including 2 combat tours in Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal with “V” for Valor. He is a graduate of FAMU with a degree in Mathematics and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Kansas State University. Colonel Sanchez served for 3 ½ years as the Chairman of the Florida Veterans Foundation, the 2012 Florida State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and he is a 2016 Florida Veterans Hall of Fame inductee. In 2013, Col. Sanchez spearheaded the beginning of the Annual North Florida Veterans Homeless and At-Risk Stand Down which led to his present passion for helping veterans locally and statewide.
President – Donna Barron
Donna served seven years on active duty in the US Army as an Adjutant General’s Corps Officer. Following her tenure from the military in 1986, she has worked for private corporations and state government in administrative and educational management positions. She realized her passion for helping others and became enthralled with making a difference in the lives of others. Donna, worked as a disability service provider at Florida A&M University, 1998 -2011 and with Veterans at Workforce plus, 2011 – 2012. She joined the staff of the Florida Veterans Foundation (FVF) in 2016 and managed the Annual North Florida Veterans Homeless and At-Risk Stand Down for three years. She is committed to helping Veterans; working diligently to collaborate, creating a climate that understands, embraces, and provides access to services that will improve opportunities and the quality of life for Veterans.
Secretary – Carla L. Dean
Carla is the widow of Captain James T. Dean Jr. who succumbed to his disease caused by his herbicide exposures in Vietnam. She is familiar with the challenges facing widows of veterans and dealing with VA. Ms. Dean spent over 40 years working in the field of radiology in most aspects from Nuclear Medicine to mammography. She retired and became the President of the Bladder Cancer Foundation of Florida, Inc. a 501c3 to create a greater awareness and public education of bladder cancer. She works with veterans and their widows on many aspects. She is passionate in her efforts on behalf of our veteran and their widows.
Board Member- Ray Mobley, DVM
Ray is a former U.S. Army veterinarian. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years of service. In the Army, Dr. Mobley provided veterinary care to military working dogs and veterinary care to the pets of military personnel and families.
He has served as an Associate Professor in the FAMU Cooperative Extension Program where he was responsible for providing animal medicine support to community-based clients and also taught in the animal science program. While at FAMU, Dr. Mobley was partially responsible for the establishment of the veterinary technology program. Later, he served as Director of Cooperative Extension Program. He retired from FAMU as a Full Professor and was awarded Professor Emeritus status in 2015.
Dr. Mobley’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Medal (2nd Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU). He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University and his Master of Public Health from Tulane University.
Board Member - Gunnery Sergeant Anthony L. Reeves, USMC (Ret)
Currently, a certified Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Instructor and Teacher of Leadership Education at Leon High School, Tallahassee FL for more than 23 plus years. Before retiring from the United States Marine Corps with more than 21 years of active service, he held a multitude of Command billets at the Platoon, Company, Battalion and Brigade level. Additionally, he served with distinction at the highest level staffs within the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense. An Infantry and Drill Instructor Staff Non Commissioned Officer by MOS, he directed Marines at the Platoon, Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels, and as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor at Florida A&M University Naval ROTC. During his career, he was a valued asset to every position he ever held including developing guidance, policy formulation, budget management, training management, strategic, operational, and tactical planning during both peacetime and wartime scenarios. His educational credentials are well presented. He holds a Degree in Information Systems Technology, with a minor degree in Military Science. He has also completed several professional schools over his military career; Staff NCO Leadership Course, Advance Staff NCO Leadership Course, Drill Instructor School, Instructor Management School, plus several more.