Patricia Driscoll- President and Executive Director
Ms. Driscoll serves as President and Executive Director of the Armed Forces Foundation. Since 2003, when Ms. Driscoll assumed the position of President and Executive Director, annual revenues have increased from $100,000 to $8,000,000 annually. Of these contributions, 94% go directly towards the foundation’s programs. Ms. Driscoll’s vision and the subsequent successes of her organization have been celebrated and recognized by the President of the United States, the United States Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Education, and numerous other departments and organizations.
In 2008 Ms. Driscoll co-authored the book, Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts, Stories of American Soldiers with Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD, a publication which takes an intimate look into the life of service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The book focuses most of its attention on those service members who are affected by PTS (Post Traumatic Stress) and Traumatic Brain Injury. Hidden Battles, published through the renowned publisher of military history, Casemate Publishing, was one of the first books published on PTSD and its effects on the family and corporate America.
Through her work, Ms. Driscoll has close relationships with Members of Congress and senior military officials and has been a frequent guest of Former President George W. Bush at the White House. In addition to raising funds for the AFF and its efforts, Ms. Driscoll has been a frequent contributor on the Fox News Network, often tapped as an expert when discussing hardships facing military families.
Wendy O’Neil- Director of Family Services
Wendy has worked as the Director of Family Services in the AFF’s Fayetteville, NC office for over four years. Having been a military dependent for over 17 years makes Wendy uniquely qualified for her position as Director of Family Services. She has a firsthand knowledge and understanding of the challenges that military family life presents. Her insight into the day-to-day needs of soldiers and their dependents gives her a distinctive ability to assist them with their issues.
While growing up in Louisiana, Alabama and Texas, Wendy was an age group Jr. Olympic swimming qualifier, state qualifier and record holder and played on a Jr. Olympic Volleyball team. She then went on to attend college on a volleyball scholarship. During the 1996 Summer Olympics, Wendy served as the Mayor of Columbus, GA liaison between the city and the U.S. Olympic Softball Committee.
Wendy is a former classroom teacher, volleyball coach and has worked with special needs children. She also holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Columbus University. In her spare time she volunteers as a volleyball coach at the local middle school, participates in triathlons and enjoys boating and fishing. She is the mother of two active teenage boys.
Josh Stokes- Director of Operations
Josh joined the Armed Forces Foundation in October 2011, as the Director of Operations. Josh came to the AFF from the United States Senate where he served as aides to both Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Josh has always had a profound respect and deep appreciation for our armed forces; which became even stronger when working in the Senate.
Josh is from Huntsville, AL and has lived in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Josh is a graduate of the University of Alabama and as an undergraduate he founded the ice hockey team, known as the Frozen Tide. After Alabama, Josh entered the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service where he earned his master’s degree in public service.
Josh enjoys Alabama football, fishing, hunting, and anything competitive.
Sean Conway- Financial Development Officer
Sean joined the Armed Forces Foundation in October of 2009 as a recent graduate of University of Redlands in Southern California. With a background in Business Administration and experience in finance and accounting, Sean handles all day-to-day financial activities including donation processing.
With many friends and family in the military, including a former member of the OSS, Sean feels a strong commitment to giving back to those who protect our nation. As a Southern California native, Sean enjoys spending time outdoors, cycling, and playing for local WISL soccer league team, the Rockville Rangers F.C.
Zack Roday- Director of Public Affairs
As Director of Public Affairs, Zack manages the communications activities of the foundation, including media outreach, website updates, newsletters, social media and publicity for events. Zack joined the team in August 2011 after two years on Capitol Hill, where he served as an aide for Senator Joseph Lieberman. Zack has always maintained a profound sense of respect and gratitude for the men and women who serve their country in uniform. Working for a senior member of the Armed Services Committee only strengthened that deep appreciation. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to raise awareness about issues facing military families.
Zack hails from Connecticut and attended the University of Connecticut. In his spare time, Zack enjoys visiting his family and friends, and staying active. He has been a big New York sports fan since his childhood.
Erica Anderson- Director of Development
Erica came on board at the Armed Forces Foundation in October of 2011 as Director of Development. Erica has a long history in our nation’s capital that began on Capitol Hill, when she worked for United States Senator Conrad Burns in both his personal office as well as on the Energy and National Resources Committee. She then joined the National Association of Federal Credit Unions as the National PAC manager and later went to run the PAC at the Investment Company Institute. She brings to the AFF 10 years of experience raising funds for nonprofits and political candidates. Erica is originally from Montana where she attended the University of Montana.
Joe & Monika Finch- Hospital Liaisons
“Uncle Joe” became acquainted with the anguish of wounded troops early in his Army career. As a helicopter pilot he medically evacuated over 800 wounded troops from the battlefields in Vietnam. As wounded troops began to return from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan with not only amputations but also traumatic brain injuries, Joe and Monika found a way to help.
In 2002, they began with cook-outs and Christmas parties for the troops in the hospital. Monika has been preparing meals for over thirty seven years, knows how to set a table and has a knack for making people feel comfortable. Joe was medically retired from the Army in 1990 and is well acquainted with Walter Reed from both a patient’s perspective and as an outsider trying to help.
In late 2003, Joe and Monika discovered the Armed Forces Foundation saw how valuable a combined effort would be. They have been working with the Armed Forces Foundation in coordinating monthly hospital dinners for the troops and staff. This not only provides a break from hospital food but also an environment where the families of wounded troops can network and the AFF can identify patient and family needs that hospitals and government are not able to meet. Joe and Monika have devoted thousands of hours to helping our wounded veterans and Joe was recognized by the Marine Corps with Bob Hope’s “Spirit of Hope” award in 2008.
John Purcell- Program Manager
John joined the Armed Forces Foundation team in October 2011 and serves as Program Manager. He is a Connecticut native, who studied political science at the Catholic University of America located in Washington, DC.
During his senior year of college, John had the opportunity to intern for the Office of Senator Scott Brown and shortly after graduation began working for Senator Joseph Lieberman. During his time on Capitol Hill, he had the privilege of working with several of the exceptional men and women who serve in the military, which only went to further develop his deep and profound appreciation for our armed forces. While at Catholic University, John played both on the Lacrosse and Football teams. He still remains competitive today, participating in softball, kickball, and flag football leagues throughout the city.
Corrine Mis- Associate
Corrine joined the AFF team in June 2011, following her graduation from North Carolina State University. Starting off as an intern, Corrine has worked her way up to managing many aspects of the AFF’s monthly hospital dinners at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Hunter Holmes VA Hospital and continues to learn the ropes by assisting her team members on various projects.
As the granddaughter of a WWII and Vietnam Veteran, the daughter of an Army Special Forces Officer and sister of an Army Infantry Officer, Corrine truly believes in the mission of ‘Serving Those Who Serve’ and feels blessed to have an opportunity to do so. Corrine enjoys running, traveling and cheering on the Wolfpack.
