Veterans Council Officers - Veterans Council of IRC

Colonel (retired) Darryle “Sam” Kouns

President

Sam served 29 years in the United States Army which included three combat tours in Vietnam. He is a West Point graduate and also received a Master’s Degree from Purdue University. Sam is a Director of the local Military Officers Association of America and a member of the West Point Association of Graduates and Chapter 1038 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He has served as 2nd Vice President for three years of the Veterans Council.

Curtis Holden

First Vice President

Curtis served as an enlisted Marine and as an Army officer with over 25 years of service. He was deployed four times and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He graduated from Army ROTC at Northeastern University and received a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Western New England College.

Curtis’ first deployment was as a Military Police Combat Officer during Operation Desert Storm, serving in Iraq. Months after the terrorist attack on 9/11 he was deployed a second time, serving as the J-1 for Joint Task Force GTMO at Guantanamo Bay Cuba, which house Afghanistan Detainees.

From 2005 to 2006 Curtis was in charge of 11,000 Iraqi Police Officers in Salah ad Din Province, Iraq. He served under the 3^rdBrigade Combat Team (Rakkasun), 101^stAirborne Division.

From 2009 to 2010 Curtis was the BLD Commander responsible for transferring 30,000 detainees to the government of Iraq. He served under Joint Task Force 134.

Curtis served as a civilian police officer in the Metropolitan Boston area, holding numerous positions during his career. Before retiring, he was a Police Supervisor during the Boston Marathon Bombing and shutting down the city of Boston in 2013.

Ken Dale

Second Vice President

Kim Pilger

Secretary

Kim is a retired Air Force Major – Communications/Computer Officer. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and a Master’s Degree in Systems Management. Kim’s work experience after her military service included Program/Project Manager for ACS Government Solutions; owner of two small businesses;and manager for an organic citrus business. She is a member of the Indian River Chapter of Military Officers Association of America and the Veterans Council where she serves as an Executive Board member.

Dillon L. Roberts

Judge Advocate

Dillon served for four years in the United States Army as a Cavalry Scout officer. He was a distinguished military graduate of Officer Candidate School, Armor Officer Basic Course and U.S. Army Ranger. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2017, Dillon was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain and went on to attended law school at the University of Florida where he earned both Juris Doctor and Masters in Taxation. Dillon returned to Vero Beach and works with the law firm of Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A. His interest include fishing, hunting and spending time with his wife and children.

Matthew Scheidel

Treasurer

Father Dave Newhart

Chaplain

Father Dave Newhart was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and grew up in a military family. After graduating from high school and one year at the University of New Mexico he joined the Air Force in January 1975 serving at Eglin AFB Florida, Spangdahlem AFB, Germany, and Luke AFB, AZ. His specialty 4317C working on F-4 D, E’s and F-15’s. Following his time in the military he attended Arizona State University and received a BS in Ag-Industry with an emphasis in Food Service. Upon gradustion and two years of post-graduate studies he worked 18 years in the food industry as Quality Manager for a food distribution company until 2002 when he entered the seminary. As an Episcopal priest he served in Boerne, Texas and is currently serving at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Sebastian. He is an active member of the American Legion 189, a Legion Rider, and a member of the of the Men’s Auxiliary at VFW Post10210.

Carroll Oates

Special Project Officer

Carroll entered US Army September 1969 as an enlisted soldier and was commissioned a 2^ndLT. in 1972. Spent a total of 27 years in Army and active Army Reserves. Retired March 1997 as a Lt. Colonel.

Deployed overseas three times:

1977 to Europe as a member of a logistics team surveying potential depot sites for prepositioning of equipment in preparation to fight the Russians.

1984 to Honduras as a Company Commander with Joint Task Force BRAVO operating out of Soto Cano Joint Base, Honduras.

1990 -1991 to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait & Iraq as S4 of a major support brigade to the 3^rdArmored Division during operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War.

Was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, 4 Army Achievement Medals, 4 Army Commendation Medals and various overseas and campaign ribbons.

Upon retirement from service was employed by primarily by Honeywell in various leadership positions mostly dealing internationally with military and non-military aircraft propulsion engines and power production equipment.

Very active with the IRC Veterans Council and the Military Officers Association of America. Was awarded The Leadership award for 2017 by the Florida MOAA Chapters Council. Team Leader of Vets in the classroom programs for IRC-VC. A manager (volunteer) at Victory Center Military Store (at IR Mall) and is Special Projects Officer on the Veteran’s Council Board of Directors.

Col. Marty Zickert, USAF, Ret.

Development Officer

Martin J Zickert served in the United States Air Force for 30 ½ years including Thailand, the Philippines, Germany and numerous stateside locations. He has accumulated over 4500 flying hours in the KC/RC-135, C-124 and the F-4 Phantom. He was the Base Commander at Spangdahlem AB, FRG. As the Air Force Operations Test and Evaluation Center Detachment Commander at Edwards AFB, CA, he oversaw the successful testing of the B-2 Stealth Bomber, the C-17 Cargo aircraft, the Fly off of the F-22 and F-23 Fighter aircraft and other aircraft related testing. He was President of the Veterans Council, a 501(c)3, for three years and helped raise awareness of veterans in Indian River County establishing the Upward American Veterans helping financial distressed families and Veterans Outreach which serves to integrate those veterans who were involved in the War against Terror. During his tenure, the Veterans Council was able to procure two buses used to transport Indian River County veterans to the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach. The Council also established The Victory Center Military Store, a 501(c)3, in the Indian River Mall which is not only a retail store but also a meeting/greeting place for veterans. He has been the Liaison for the Blue Angels for the 2014, 2016 and 2018 Airshow. He was instrumental in helping United Way set up their VITA tax program to prepare taxes for those people with limited funds.

Tony Young

Past President

Tony served 30 years in the Army Medical Department. Retiring in 2006, he has been an active community volunteer. He is the Chair of the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary Advisory Committee. He is on the Board of the Genealogical Society of Indian River County. Tony has served as 1st Vice President of the Veterans Council for three years prior to being elected President. He has a Master’s of Business Administration and also a Masters of Strategic Studies.