WHO
WE ARE
Meet The North Georgia Veterans Assistance Foundation Board of Directors. We are proud to have some of the best local leaders and veterans on our team!
Meet The Board of Directors of the
North Georgia Veterans Assistance Foundation
Our Vision
To provide services to veterans in need. This will include services which can't be obtained thru the traditional Veterans Administration programs. These services will provide an “avenue for transition” dependent on their “needs to succeed”. These services will include general information exchange and referrals, job training, medical and therapy referrals, immediate emergency assistance, food, transportation and shelter as required. This will be a collaborative effort matching the critical needs of the veteran with the skill sets already available in the area.
Ken Brenneman
Chairman
Ken is a retired Lt Col, US Air Force, serving 21 years where he was a successful helicopter pilot and staff officer. After military retirement, Ken worked in the waste industry in Alabama and Georgia. He went back to work overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq before moving to Blue Ridge in 2015.
Ken is from Athens, Ohio where he was commissioned as an Ohio University ROTC graduate.
He is currently retired and has served on a number of local non-profit and community boards. He has been very active in fundraising for local organizations.
Ken has two children and one grandchild.
Mike Panter
Vice Chairman
Mike is the CEO and President of Southern Financial Consultants (SFC). SFC is an insurance, investment and estate-planning firm based in Blue Ridge, GA with over 400 brokers in 22 states.
Mike was born and raised in Blue Ridge, GA. He served three years in the US Army with two years in a special operations unit.
He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Education with a minor in Risk Management.
Mike has started and served on a number of boards and has coached youth sports for over 40 years.
Mike is married with six children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Amy Bevan
Secretary
Amy is a professional with a degree from Ohio University, and a 22-year background in Human Resources.
Amy grew up in Athens, Ohio.
During her husband’s military career, they lived in several states before moving to the Atlanta area in 2004. Amy calls Lake Arrowhead, GA home since 2021.
As a former Marine Corps military spouse, Amy spent several years in Cherry Point, NC and Kingsville, TX as a volunteer for Navy Relief helping active service members.
Amy has 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren.
Jeff Lake
Treasurer
Jeff served 4 years in the US Army as a Military Intelligence Officer, separating honorably as a Captain in 1992.
Jeff was born and raised in Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Science in CIS from Bryant University in 1988, graduating Magna Cum Laude & Distinguished Military Graduate.
Jeff moved to Atlanta in 1993 and began his career in the Information Technology software field. He was a co-founder of Python Safety as the Chief Operating Officer. Post acquisition, he left 3M in 2017. Over his career, Jeff was involved with 3 acquisitions and 4 IPOs.
Jeff lives in Blue Ridge with his wife Renee. They have two adult children. He has been actively involved in a number of local non-profits and associations.
Foundation Members at Large
Rick Glueckert
Rick is a retired senior executive, event planner and entrepreneur with experience in Healthcare, as well as a diversified background in corporate management, budget controls, and government regulation at the state and local levels. The last twenty-five years of working life concentrated on building a network of ice-skating rinks world-wide for seasonal family recreation.
He moved from the Atlanta area to Blue Ridge, Ga in 2010 where he resides with Cindy, his wife of 52 years. He is past President of the Humane Society of Blue Ridge where he served for 6 years. Rick and his wife continue as avid volunteers with service to Lake Blue Ridge Civic Association, North Georgia Veterans Assistance Foundation (NGVAF) and the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association. Rick and Cindy have two grown children and four grandchildren.
Donna Turek
Donna grew up in the metro Atlanta area and has called Blue Ridge home since 2015. She is married to Steve, a retired DeKalb County police officer. She has 2 children and 2 grandsons. Donna’s family has a long tradition of service, with her son having served in the United States Navy Reserves and her father being a proud WWII veteran. Donna’s son and son-in-law both currently serve as police officers. During her 29 year career as a computer analyst for DeKalb County Government, Donna oversaw multiple large-scale projects that directly impacted the efficiency and operations of over 7,500 employees.
Since retiring, Donna has become actively involved in her community, including serving as an active member of The Ridge Community Church, where she served on the ladies' leadership team for 3 years. She is also passionate about animals and enjoys promoting animals for local shelters, and has successfully lead initiatives that positively impact the community. She served for 2 years as the Alzheimer’s Champion for her district in honor of her father, who died from this disease.
In her free time, Donna loves spending time with her grandsons, gardening, boating on Lake Blue Ridge, and accompanying her husband riding motorcycles. She also enjoys the company of her dog, Rocco, who is always by her side. Donna’s strong sense of community, leadership, and love for life continues to inspire those around her.
Ed Stinson
Ed and his wife, Connie, have owned a home in the Blue Ridge area since 2013 and have lived there full-time since 2020. Ed is a former U.S. Navy submarine officer, and the founder/owner of a global employee relocation management company headquartered in Roswell, GA.
Ed is a current Board member of the Lake Blue Ridge Civic Association. His wife, Connie, is on the Board of Impact Fannin.
They have three children and 6 grandchildren, all living within 90 minutes of Blue Ridge. Ed looks forward to working with others to ensure the continued development and impact of NGVAF.
Ray Griffith
Ray served over 22 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1997 as a LT Col. He served in various positions as a staff anesthetist, chief anesthetist, and consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General, Southeast Medical Command, and Commander, 7th Medical Command in Europe. He was the Assistant Program Director for the U.S. Army Nurse Anesthesiology Program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Ray was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Penn State University and a Masters of Health Science in Anesthesiology from Texas Wesleyan University. He began his civilian career at the Medical College of Georgia after moving to Augusta in 1997. He then worked for a private practice group before becoming a partner with Anesthesia Resources of Augusta. After leaving the partnership in 2013 he continued his anesthesia practice as a locums provider until retiring in 2021.
Ray lives in Mineral Bluff with his wife Cindi. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Ralph Kahlan
Ralph is second generation military, retiring as a Colonel, US Army. He served 30 years in wide variety of command, staff and advisory positions. After military retirement, Ralph spent over 20 years in higher education retiring as Assistant Dean for Finance and Accounting and faculty member in the School of Accountancy, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. Ralph has over ten years’ experience working with 501(c)(3) corporations, serving in a variety of board positions that included President and Treasurer. Ralph has a Master of Business Education degree, a Master of Strategic Studies degree, and a Bachelor of Business Administration, with an accounting major.
Ralph and his wife Linda moved to Blue Ridge, GA in 2013. They have a blended family of seven adult children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild.