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About our Officers, Directors and Consultant President/Executive Director & Secretary/Treasurer This couple has been happily married for 35 wonderful years! Jerry Reed, the President/Executive Director, was a fundraiser for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund until he was drawn into this Christian ministry by exposure to the unmet needs of those fighting alone in this global war against terrorism: our military personnel and their families. Jerry retired from Chevron Chemical Company in July, 2000, and from that date forward he and Debbie have been doing philanthropic work in a number of areas involving our military including work to assist our seriously wounded and their families as well as supporting those serving in the combat theater of operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq.Jerry spent thirty years with Gulf/Chevron from June, 1970, through July, 2000, holding positions of increasing financial responsibility during his career. Prior to a career with Gulf/Chevron, Jerry was in the Marine Corps from April, 1966, through January, 1970, having served in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Air Wing, Marine Air Group 13, VMFA-314, The Black Knights, from 10/’67 – 11/’68 in support of the fabled 1st Marine Division. He attended the University of Houston majoring in Finance with minors in economics and marketing and graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in Houston. Jerry is an avid hunter and a fisherman and he keeps a kennel full of good bird dogs and uses fine Tennessee Walking horses for hunting quail and competitively field trailing his English Setter bird dogs. Jerry is a member of the VFW, the Marine Corps League and is active in the Houston Chapter, 1st Marine Division Association, Inc., as well as the National First Marine Division Association, Inc. Debbie Reed, Secretary/Treasurer, graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Technology. She then worked full time in the family business (her dad owned an office machine business) for 5 years in various positions such as Sales Secretary, Service Secretary, and finally Executive Secretary, then part time for 8 years. She also worked for Compaq Computers for 6 years as Human Resources Manager Administrative Assistant, and then as Executive Administrative Assistant. She is currently a part time Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Reflexologist. Debbie’s hobbies include fitness and nutrition, scrapbooking, fishing, and reading. Both of Jerry and Debbie's sons are currently on active duty in the United States military. Vice-President Brenda Alford Kaiser: Brenda was born in Alvin, Texas, and grew up in Meridian, Texas. She is the sister of Cpl. George Allen Alford Jr., USMC, who was killed in Vietnam on July 31, 1968. He was part of 3rd Platoon of Echo Company 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division and he is her inspiration for helping today’s warriors. She graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Elementary Education and Psychology. She also attended Houston Baptist University where she received her Bilingual certification in Spanish.She is married to Wallace Kaiser and has one son, Mark Kaiser, and one step-son, Phil Kaiser. Mark has two children and Phil has three children. She is very active in her church, her community and in politics. She taught second grade in Houston for many years and taught at Salem Lutheran School while her son was attending that school. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her son, grandchildren and her wonderful Mom who is Brenda's personal hero and the one whose never-quit attitude and positive outlook has been such a source of inspiration for Brenda. She is an avid hunter and enjoys fishing. She grew up hunting with her Dad and big brother. She knows the price for freedom. Her family has paid the price when her only brother was KIA in Vietnam, and this indirectly led to the loss of her Dad and little sister. Brenda feels that she should help the military families of today because there was no help for the families during Vietnam and there should have been. DIRECTORS Eric Salley: Eric is a native Texan and left to join the United States Marine Corps in June, 2001, at the age of 18, not long after his high school graduation. After boot camp and the consequent training as a combat engineer, he joined the Fleet Marine Force as a member of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. He spent the remainder of his time after initial training in this unit. Shortly after joining his unit in December, 2001, he began the training buildup for a deployment on the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC). The deployment began in January, 2003, and it's mission was the invasion of Iraq to begin Operation Iraqi Freedom. Having participated in the initial 6 weeks of this operation he was redeployed to his ship to continue the further mission of the MEU. After returning to the U.S., in July, 2003, he joined Charlie Co. of 1st CEB and again began buildup for an additional deployment with his new unit. The next deployment began in February, 2004, and lasted seven months. He has spent time in many now well-known locations in Iraq and participated in some very well-known operations.Eric is currently a student at Texas A&M University, though he is also still in the Individual Ready Reserve as a Sergeant. He is pursuing a degree in Construction Science. He is deeply indebted to all those who have sacrificed their lives and health for our Nation and feels genuinely blessed by God to be involved in this charity. Mark A. Kaiser: Mark was born in Houston, Texas. As a young child he enjoyed hanging out with his two best friends, Matt and Jonathan Reed. They did a lot together growing up and are still best friends to this day. During his summer vacations in high school, he worked for his father and his uncle, the owners and founders of Just Trees, Inc. During that time, he mainly worked with the field crews trimming, fertilizing and potting trees. He attended college at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where he majored in horticulture. He graduated in 2002; following graduation he went to work for Just Trees, Inc., where he is currently the vice-president of sales for this operation. He later married Erin Lively, who he met in college; they have two children, Katie and Allen. Some of his personal hobbies include fishing, hunting and playing basketball. Mark’s middle name, Allen, was given to him in honor of his uncle, George Allen Alford, Jr., who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1968. Mark’s son, Allen, carries on the name of Mark’s heroic uncle who is one of the heroes featured on the OME Logo. During his youth, Mark made frequent visits with his mother and grandmother to the graveside of his namesake uncle who is buried in the cemetery iin Alvin, Texas. Terry Hester: Terry is a native Houstonian and has lived in Texas all her life. She currently works for an Executive VP of International Exploration at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Far more important and rewarding than her day job is her role as wife and mother to husband, Mike and their three children now ages 22, 20 and 15. Today when not at work she enjoys time spent with family, grand-dog (General Patton), traveling, reading and anything outdoors.
Having many friends with sons and daughters in the military Terry is very eager to be part of the Reed's "Operation Military Embrace, Inc." venture. She will strive to do whatever it takes to help those in need who have been wounded fighting for our freedom and will provide support wherever needed to help Operation Military Embrace, Inc. exceed beyond all expectations. Mike Hester: Mike Hester has worked in the oil and gas industry for 26 years. He has managed startups and turnarounds for multimillion dollar corporations. He has held leadership roles for the past 15 years in competitive intelligence, strategic planning, and business development. Mike holds a BS in Geology, an MA in International Relations, and has Graduate Certificates in Competitive Intelligence and Military History. He is currently doing research for a book about energy security and its relationship to national security interests throughout the globe.In 2000 he founded the Center for Strategic Global Energy and Intelligence Studies for the purpose of developing valuable research in an effort to assist companies better understand the volatile geopolitical climate that exists today. He holds the position of Managing Director along with his “real job” in business development for an oil and gas technical consultancy. Mike is a member of the following: · American Association of Petroleum Geologists
· Society of Petroleum Engineers
· Society of Professional Well Log Analysts
· Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals
· Society for Military History
· Houston World Affairs Council
· Association of Former Intelligence Officers In his spare time Mike enjoys spending time with his family, bird hunting, fishing, golf, and many other outdoor pursuits. Although never having served in the Military, Mike is strong supporter of the US Military and believes that in order to remain the sole superpower in the world today and in the interest of national security a strong and well supported military is vital to the success of the Nation. Mike is a Conservative and believes in the principles of less government, a strong defense, national security, and social as well as fiscal conservatism. Martha Wells: Martha has been married to Fred for thirty-two years, living in many places with him as he worked in the oil industry. With 3 sons and 6 grandsons, she was privileged as a homemaker to still have the time to serve in many volunteer organizations, most notably Pro America and Daughters of Liberty in Houston; and serving as the Philanthropy chairman for the American Women’s Association in Dubai, UAE, where her husband was stationed. It was during this Dubai assignment that Martha developed an even deeper admiration for our military through a program that allowed her and Fred to entertain US military during their R & R. Martha has stated that “being able to host the Sailors and Marines in our home was the highlight of our time in Dubai.”
After their return to Houston, Martha heard about Operation Military Embrace through a friend and sought out the people involved. After her first trip to BAMC in San Antonio to visit the “Warriors in Transition,” she was hooked on the program. “I find it very uplifting personally to visit these men and women and experience their enthusiasm for serving our country. I also find it very uplifting to see the positive response in support of OME from friends, my church, and other local organizations and foundations.”
Pam Moritz: Pam is a native Houstonian. She has worked for Harris County for 24 years in the court system. She currently is the Court Coordinator for Judge Tad Halbach, Jr. in the 333rd Civil District Court. She is a single mom to her son, Richard Dudman, and is constantly amazed at how wonderful he turned out. She credits that to Lutheran schools and a belief that a firm hand of discipline is the only way to show true love to a child.Pam came to Operation Military Embrace after her dear friends lost their son, LCpl. Ryan Adam Miller, in Iraq. Her feelings were “It just couldn’t end that way. I adore that family; they were my second family growing up.” She found Operation Military Embrace from a donation to the Semper Fi Fund in Ryan’s name, and an office visit from an attorney and a former Marine, and a bit of Divine Guidance. Pam says, “I love my visits to the BAMC. I am hooked. Seeing these kids and their positive attitudes are addicting, and I want to be there until I can’t take another step.” Susie Helms: Susie was born in Miami, Florida, and moved to Texas in 1976 to attend South Texas College of Law. She has been practicing law as both an outside and in-house counsel for 30 years and is currently works as an independent legal consultant for energy-related companies. Susie is married to Brent, who is also an attorney, and has a wonderful teenage son, Cody. When not working or volunteering, she spends time with Brent and Cody fishing and relaxing at Lake Livingston or helping her hunter family on their property near Crockett, TX.
Susie has been volunteering and serving on the Board of OME for over 2 years. Martha Wells, her fellow director, told her about the trips OME made to Brooke Army Medical Center and invited Susie to come along. After her first trip in January 2008, she was hooked. Seeing the incredible strength and positive attitudes of the seriously wounded and their families, she continues to work tirelessly to help ease their plight. In addition to serving on OME’s board, she also served for six years on the board of the South Texas College of Law Alumni Association. COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT Kimberly A. Conon: Kimberly, a native Texan, currently resides in Chicago, where she is pursuing her MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Upon graduation, she will head back to the East Coast to join Medco Health Solutions, embarking upon a career in Corporate Strategy within the healthcare industry. In her previous life, Kimberly worked on Madison Avenue, serving in advertising/marketing research roles at Forbes Magazine and OMD NY. Kimberly completed her undergraduate degree at Syracuse University (Go Orange!) in Business and Advertising Management. She is a certified Balloon Artist and spends much of her free time traveling, reading, enjoying Spanish culture, and involved with various art projects.
More importantly, Kimberly is the sister of USMC Sergeant Eric S. Salley and friend to many other members of the armed forces. Thankful for her "little" brother’s safe return following two tours in Iraq, she jumped at the chance to join the Reeds in establishing Operation Military Embrace, Inc. She will strive to give our wounded heroes a voice and will work closely with Operation Military Embrace, Inc. on communication strategy and other development projects.
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