Board of Directors
AVET Project established a Board of Directors with a broad based background for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the fact we wanted cultural diversity as well as diverse opinion. Our Board is composed of three women and three men, ranging in age from 47 to 69 years old. AVET Project’s Board Members perspective ranges from Native American, to Korean War veteran, lifelong educator, to female entrepreneur, disabled war veteran turned legal advocate for veterans, to retired auto mechanic. Each and every one possessing patriotic love for our country and each deeply devoted to helping our troops, their families and veterans. The following is a biographical synopsis of AVET Project’s Board of Directors.
AVET Project’s President and Chairman of the Board, Garren S. Cone, is uniquely qualified to lead our nonprofit for a variety of reasons. An Air Force Veteran of the Cold War and Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada), he later became a Legal Advocate and Attorney In Fact as a National Service Officer for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), representing both active duty troops and veterans before the Board of Appeals for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC.
During the 1990’s, as Chairman of the San Diego County Memorial Day Committee, Mr. Cone successfully orchestrated memorial events which remain unequaled to this day. Weaving competing interests together for a common goal – to honor our fallen soldiers – Mr. Cone was heralded as a “unifier” and congratulated by the likes of a United States Congressman (Rep. Bob Filner) and DVAMC Director (Gary Rossio), to name a few.
As the Executive Director and Vice President of AVET Project, Kim Cone brings her experience as a business owner/entrepreneur; affiliate broker in the transportation industry; former Chief Fundraiser and Organizer for SDVETS.org; Volunteer Coordinator for FKMMRT (Florida Keys Marine Mammal Rescue Team); and past Project Coordinator and Fundraiser for SSL4HABITAT.org to this nonprofit endeavor of assisting our troops, their families and other military veterans. Contact Kim by email or through Facebook, as she is always communicating with our troops, their families, and veterans.
Capitalizing on her Native American heritage, AVET Project’s Director of Counseling, Joanne Ivens, contributes in the development and implementation of our Empowerment Packets and is instrumental in the PROJECT PATHFINDER program. Drawing on her background as a Certified Hypnotherapist, Joanne holds a certificate in Cognitive Processing Therapy from the Center for Deployment Psychology, Mental Health Coordinator for the American Indian Education Program, Elder Spiritual Advisor and Volunteer Assistant with the Indian Education Center of Santa Barbara. Ms. Ivens takes a lead role in AVET Project’s PROJECT R&R program. Throughout AVET Project’s website, numerous exercises in stress reduction/mediation and relaxation techniques presented by our Director of Counseling can be viewed. Joanne is available for speaking at your next seminar or event regarding various health issues including PSTD and TBI.
Being a retired science teacher, author and editor of numerous science related articles and digests, Florida Keys Marine Mammal Rescue Team volunteer and past Americorps Project Literacy teacher, Susan “Ali” Widmar serves as AVET Project’s Director of Research and Development. Her talents lend themselves well to our research into the needs and wants of our troops stationed in combat theatres.
Retired as a Sales Associate for a steel and sheet metal corporation, where his public relations skills were polished and honed, Donald Powell, a Korean War veteran of the United States Navy, serves on AVET Project’s Board of Directors as our Director of Entertainment and Recreation. As a band leader and volunteer musician, his talents are put to good use arranging venues and outings for PROJECT R&R, as well as our upcoming MUSIC MAGIC program, providing outreach to VA medical centers and care homes.
AVET Project’s Director of Volunteer Services, Douglas Wagner, who spent thirty three years as a lead foreman, service writer and automotive repair specialist, lends his passion of volunteerism and organization to our endeavor. Having spent years as a Volunteer Coordinator for a classic and hot rod car club, while generously donating his time and talents as a volunteer caregiver for the elderly, Mr. Wagner is a natural for this position on our Board.
The combined skills, talents, and patriotism of the individuals serving on AVET Project’s Board of Directors, assures our programs and services of assistance will continue to have a positive impact on past and present members of the United States Military, including their families.