Board of Directors

Daniel York, Founder of VetREST

Daniel York, Major General (ret) (USAR), EDD 

Top Strengths: Strategic, Positivity, Ideation, Activator, Maximizer

In 2012, Daniel L. York founded VetREST to provide farming and gardening opportunities for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress (PTS). Additionally, he serves as founder and president of Strength as One Leadership, LLC, and First Cause, a nonprofit leadership organization. Dan serves as a leadership coach, innovative and strategic thought leader, author, and certified CliftonStrengths coach to help leaders develop and improve the performance of their teams by addressing as needed character, strengths, risk management, change-reorganization, morale, and trust.

History:
Born in Colorado Springs, CO, Dan has over forty years of experience leading military and nonprofit organizations. An Airborne, Air-Assault, Jungle, and Ranger School graduate, he commanded at every level Platoon, Company, Battalion, Brigade, and three different Divisions, two of which were nationwide commands. He led the successful activation and formation of the 76th Operational Response Command, a two-star command that is the Army Reserve’s only response command for homeland defense.

Dan has trained senior military, political, business, and religious leaders nationally and internationally.  He started and pastored three churches in Oregon and is an artist with experience performing original music in concerts nationwide. It was during this time he founded the nonprofit, VetREST.

Strong in ethics and building high esprit and morale Dan addresses audiences international and national audiences on leadership and character development and is a sought-after motivational speaker.  He and his wife, Stacy, live near the southern Georgia coast with their two dogs. Dan has three children and seven grandchildren.  An avid athlete,  he enjoys pickleball, running 5K’s, golf, and hiking.

Honors and Achievements:

• Among his numerous military awards, Dan earned the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Legion of Merit.
• He is the author of eight books: I Keep Asking, I Pray Also, Lost on Mount Fuji, Something to Think About . . . in Reveration, Climbing Higher . . . in Reveration, The Strong Leader’s Hand, The Weak Leader’s Fist, and Escape to Ohadi.
• He has seven CDs of original music:  Seasons Ending, Salt, Choices, Of Seen and Unseen, Evidence, Where Were You?, and See His Star.

Higher Education:
Master of Divinity, Bethel Seminary (West), San Diego, CA
Masters of Strategic Studies, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks
Doctorate in Leadership, Liberty University

Rob Vicci, Ret. LC

Robert F. Vicci, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret), Chief Executive Officer & NE Regional Director. Rob is a Veteran of 34 years of Military Service, both Active Duty and the NJ Army National Guard. He is a decorated Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and flew over 30 missions as an Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot and commander. “Veech” received his Commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1981 as an Infantry Officer, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He was also a four-year Army Football player and brings a wealth of leadership and focus to our VetREST Team.

Rob is a proven leader in commercial and residential real estate for the past 37 years, managing nationwide portfolios and such trophy properties as The Empire State Building. He is presently the Senior Portfolio Manager for Diversified Management Plus and a NJ Real Estate Broker – Salesperson with The Agency. Veech still maintains his Private Pilot License and enjoys flying with his wife Nanette and friends. Veech works tirelessly with those in need of VetREST’s services, bringing as much assistance to Veterans and their families as possible. Rob holds degrees of RPA and LEED Green Associate, New Jersey Notary and holds seven Real Estate Broker’s Licenses. Rob lives in Long Valley, New Jersey, with his wife Nanette and they both support our Veterans with dignity, respect, and never-ending passion. God Bless America.

Ron White (LCDR, Retired)

Ron White, Executive Director, Portland, Oregon. Ron has worldwide experience working with programs and peoples across the globe in both the private and public sectors, including over 20 years of military service. He began his military career as an enlisted Army Infantryman while gaining critical understanding of the challenges of operating in an operational environment. An early leader, Ron later served as the Regimental Commander of over 200 cadets during his Navy officer training at Officer Candidate School, Newport, RI. While serving on active duty in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps, he designed, planned, managed and completed scores of projects across the globe including Spain, Tunisia and Thailand with the Navy Seabees. While in Thailand and as the Seabee Officer in Charge, Ron successfully and concurrently completed five projects spread out across Mainland Thailand. Living in the remote villages of Thailand for 3 months, the isolated desert of Tunisia for 2 months and in Spain for 5 months, Ron gained an acute, real-time understanding of peoples, operations and cultures. In 2005, Ron retired as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navel Reserves and began a private practice coaching and consulting small businesses in Portland, Oregon.

With a background rooted in operations and optimizing potential, Ron brings deep commitment and understanding for veterans and the mission of VetREST. Under his guidance, VetREST Oregon serves as a model for future chapters seeking definitive, positive impact to help veterans survive and thrive after their service to community and all of us.

Gary Odum, Air Force Veteran, Founder and CEO, BG LionStar Group

Gary served six years in the U.S. Air Force, supporting the War in Afghanistan, War of Iraq and he also served as Presidential Support for G.W. Bush as well as foreign heads of state. He accumulated nearly ten years managing assets and programs for facilities in excess of $20m. After honorably serving in the Air Force, Gary facilitated government contract acquisitions in real estate before his passions lead him to attend Georgetown’s Masters in Real Estate program. After completing his degree, he served as Adjunct Professor at Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies for Commercial Real Estate.

The opportunity start BG LionStar in 2013 presented itself after grad school. Based on his experience seeing the disparity working in inner city schools and depressed neighborhoods in D.C., Gary founded the company with the conviction that ALL communities deserve access to innovative facilities that are smart, green and sustainable. Living in a modern age requires new business models with creative solutions; he sought to find a better way to add value to those communities.

Gary’s 15 years of asset, facility, construction management, and sourcing project opportunities are used to serve communities, while providing stable investment opportunities for intuitional investors. The key to Gary’s success is his ability to form strategic partnerships and tackle issues that most would avoid. He understands nothing comes easily, and success does not come without hard work and commitment.

Gary serves on the Board of Directors for Andrews AFB Fisher House, Jane Goodall, and Coders Who Travel. He volunteers in the community and at local schools in his free time. Gary, along with his family live and work in the Charlotte Metro area.

Stacy Valdes, Medic, USAF (Ret.)

Stacy Valdes (Medic, USAF, Retired) has accumulated a diverse level of life experience. She was Honorably discharged from the US Air Force after eight years as a medic.

She served as a missionary to Mexico for 12 years, serving as a church planter, short-term mission trip leader, and project coordinator for outreach to the local community.

She currently serves as a volunteer Reserve Sheriff Deputy to assist law enforcement with Spanish interpretation and forensic interviews.

She is a Divisional Director for an international non-profit organization, coaching, leading and assisting with office development for seven sites across the United States.

She is a resourceful, optimistic, capable decision-maker, team builder, and trustworthy leader who strives to share Jesus through intentional conversations and transformational leadership.