The Army Heritage Center Foundation is pleased to announce five new members have joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Elected at the April 7, 2010 meeting of the Foundation Board of Directors were Mr. Russ Clark, Ms. Maria Darby, Dr. William Harner, Mr. Joel B. (J.B.) Hudson, and Mr. Thomas Quinn. 

 MG (Retired) Robert Scales, the Foundation Chair, commented that “These new Board members arrive at a significant moment for the Foundation.  They bring skills that the Foundation will need as we transition from a focus on construction to one that seeks to increase visitation, provide services to visitors, and continue efforts to grow the campus.  These new members will enhance the Foundation’s ability to improve outreach and public knowledge of the AHEC (US Army Heritage and Education Center) campus, develop business operations that will support visitors to the AHEC, and enhance the educational programs that the Foundation and the AHEC offer.  We are glad that they are willing to donate their time and their expertise to our efforts.” 

 Mr. Russ Clark joins the Foundation with more than 45 years of military and Defense Department related industry experience.  He currently serves as Vice President, Partnered Solutions for DRS Technologies and is responsible for Information Management Systems strategies and solutions.  A military mustang, Mr. Clark retired from the US Army in 1986 at the rank of Major after having spent 24 years in varied positions as both an enlisted Soldier and as an Officer.

 Ms. Maria Darby is a Senior Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Va.  She leads the firm’s strategic communications business, including capabilities in organizational communications, stakeholder relations, change communications, public and media relations, social media and risk communications.  With 29 years of experience assisting federal clients in developing and implementing communications and change strategies, Ms. Darby leads communications strategy development for a variety of Department of Defense (DoD) USG Strategic Communication initiatives; change initiatives that involve business and technology transformation; maturing Joint programs and initiatives; and personnel transformation.   Ms. Darby also serves as thought leader and advisor on numerous DoD Communications Plans and campaigns for topics ranging from Wounded Warrior to recruiting and retention of military personnel.

 Dr. William E. Harner, is the Superintendent of the Cumberland Valley School District in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.  Prior to Cumberland Valley, Dr. Harner served in a variety of educational leadership positions in Gainesville, Georgia; Hilton Head, South Carolina; Greenville County, South Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and in New Orleans where he was responsible for redesigning the high schools in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.  A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Dr. Harner served as an Infantry officer during his 20-year military career that included command and staff positions and a tour on the staff and faculty at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

 Mr. Joel B “J.B.” Hudson of Rockledge, Florida is an independent government consultant.  He retired in 2004 after 42 years of federal government service.  At the time of his retirement, J.B. was the Administrative Assistant (AA) to the Secretary of the Army, a statutory position dating back to 1789 and the Senior Career Civilian Position in the Army.  As the Administrative Assistant, he was responsible for advising the Secretary of the Army on a variety of matters including the orderly transition between political administrations, the development and oversight of policies, and a variety of administration support services. He managed nearly 3,000 military, civilian, and contract personnel who provided a wide range of administrative support services to the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Defense Agencies; the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and the Military Services.

 Mr. Tom Quinn has worked in the financial services industry for nearly 20 years and is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer for Orrstown Bank with 21 offices from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania to Hagerstown, Maryland.  Prior to his current position Mr. Quinn served in a variety of leadership positions at Fifth Third Bank in South Florida and with Citibank. Mr. Quinn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Edinboro University, Edinboro, Pennsylvania in 1983.

 The Army Heritage Center Foundation coordinates a public-private partnership that seeks to expand the US Army Heritage and Education Center campus and programs.  The Foundation has achieved its first goal of funding Phase One of the Visitor and Education Center—a $12 million capital project that will open to the public in 2011.  Phase One of the Visitor and Education Center (VEC) will provide a 37,000 square foot facility that will include the AHEC's first exhibit and interpretive gallery and urgently needed public space for educational programs, veterans’ reunions, and other public gatherings.  Phase One will also include a store and other support services for visitors.

 The construction of Phase One of the VEC was funded through donations from numerous private individuals, corporations and foundations as well as grants and other financial support from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

 The AHEC is open to the public for tours and for research.  See www.usahec.org for hours and directions.