Meet Our Board

Our board is an amazing group of veterans, caregivers, and civilians that meet monthly to plan events, brainstorm new programming, and share success stories of the veterans and caregivers we serve.

Board President – Mel Shane

Mel Shane is our Board President, and has been a vital member of Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support since joining our board over 5 years ago. A veteran himself, who served a tour in Vietnam from 1967-1968, he knew that there was a need in the community that he wanted to be actively involved in filling. He is the Chairman of our Annual Golf Scramble, and he is responsible for making that event the highlight of our fundraising calendar. We can always rely on his quiet wisdom to steer us on the right path! Mel serves the local community not only as our Board President but also as the Treasurer for the City of Troy, OH. Thank you for your service Mel!

Director – Valerie Mullikin

Director Valerie Mullikin had a vision to provide a resource network for caregivers, recognizing they are the means of attending to the needs of the whole veteran family. The wife and caregiver of her medically retired Navy veteran husband for 27 years, she has experienced a lapse in effective support resources for the family. We can always count on Valerie to keep us true to our mission “Connect, Empower and Transform,” and she is always coming up with innovative and creative ways to meet the needs to those we serve. Valerie has degrees in Social Work and Healthcare Management, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration in Nonprofit Management, which enable her to meet the mission of Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support and all those who seek our services.

Treasurer – Kayleen West

Kayleen West is our Board President for Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support. She manages our meetings and keeps us on task. She is always looking for ways to incorporate technology to better serve our veterans. Kayleen has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Western Governor’s University, and is currently employed in IT Support at Congruent. She is also an Ohio State Licensed Insurance and former Certified Nursing Assistant. A Navy veteran’s wife of 40 years, Kayleen loves to help people, solve problems, and listen with empathy.

Director of Development – Tamara Hegi

Tamara Hegi serves as our Director of Development. After leaving her position as an Area Director in the hospitality industry, she was looking for a way to stay active in her community and give back to others. A proud Army wife of 15 years, and the child of a fully disabled Navy veteran, she felt that OVCS was a great fit! As Director of Development, Tamara is responsible for fundraising and social media on behalf on Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support. She co-chairs the golf scramble along with Mel, and has been working diligently to update our social media presence.

Outreach Coordinator – Christina Webb

Chris is a Navy veteran, having served from 1985-1995. After being undesignated at NAS Pensacola, she received her Boatswain’s Mate designation and went on to serve on the USS Hunley, USS Monoghela, and then SIMA in Norfolk, VA. She met her husband Adam while they were both serving in the Navy in Virginia. After the both got out of the Navy, they moved to her husband’s home state of Ohio. Chris first served with Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support as one of our most enthusiastic volunteers, helping with all of our events and frequently stopping veterans – wherever she saw them – to talk to them about our programming. She felt that the rational next step was to become a board member, as long as we promised not to ever make her secretary! As our Outreach Coordinator, she continues to reach veterans where they are, from the VA to Walmart, and offers them a friendly face and someone who understands them. Volunteering with Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support has also helped Chris with some of her own issues related to her time in the Navy. Seeking out and talking to her fellow veterans has forced her out of her comfort zone and has helped her to become more social.

Diane Miller – Board Secretary

Diane Miller is a life-long resident of Piqua. She’s a single mom who raised two boys and now she’s helping her son raise his two daughters. She has been active in Boy Scouts of America, the Piqua Youth Soccer Association, the Piqua Lions, and CORSP. When she retired from her job of 31 years in January of 2021 she was able to devote more time to her passion of helping others. While not a veteran herself, she has been close friends with a military family for over 25 years, and it that relationship that inspired her to come on the board with Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support. Diane’s expertise in the non-profit and community service sector has been invaluable to us as we continue to grow and reach more veterans.

Josh Parry – Member at Large

Josh is an Army veteran, serving from 2010-2013. During his time in the Army he was an EOD and worked in Ammo Supply. He is currently employed in biomedical production and he does bookkeeping on the side. He joined Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support to help with events (we appreciate his muscle!) and also to help his fellow veterans. He wants to become more active in the veteran community and he knew that becoming involved with Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support would be a great way to do that!

Tishaunda Rowland

Our newest board member is Tish Rowland. After helping Chris organize the PiquaFest Car Show, Tish decided to come on board officially. Tish has been married to Jeremy for 15 years, and they have a 12 year old daughter and 4 fur babies. She is currently working as a customer service rep at a Lincare, a local DME company. Her family is everything to her, and that shows in her work with Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support. Whenever Tish is volunteering for an event, we know that her husband and daughter will be there too! Even though she is new to our board, she has made an impact in big ways. Her favorite event so far has been serving lunch during the veteran ceremony at the Miami County Fair. She loved seeing all the veterans and their families that day, making them smile and making sure they were fed. A crafter in her spare time, Tish is taking lead of our Craft Co-Op events. Her and her husband Jeremy can often be found at local car shows in their orange truck, so if you see her, say hi!