COBB VETERANS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
Board of Directors
James d. Bankers
MAJ. GEN. USAF (RET)
President & CEO
Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation
Board of Directors
James D. Bankers
Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret.)
President & Ceo
OVERVIEW
Maj. Gen. Bankers is a veteran of nearly 38 years in the United Air Force. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant through the ROTC program at North Dakota State University. He is a Command Pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours including 200 combat missions in Southeast Asia flying the A-37. His career included command of two bases and three Airlift Wings to include the operational testing and evaluation of the C-17, the Air Force’s newest airlift aircraft. Other assignments included Chief of Staff/ Assistant Vice Commander, Air Force Reserve Command at Robins AFB, Georgia. He retired as the Commander of 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 1999.
EDUCATION, SERVICE AND/OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science, North Dakota State University, 1968
- Air Command and Staff College, 1982
- Air War College, 1987
RELEVANT PERSONAL AND/OR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Since his retirement, Maj. Gen. Bankers has served in a number of positions mostly regarding military and veteran’s issues. He has served as a member of the Georgia Military Affairs Coordinating Committee, Chairman of the Atlanta Regional Military Affairs Council, Military Family Support Center as well as President of the Department of Georgia Reserve Officers Association.
Maj. Gen. Bankers and his wife, Dorothy have made Georgia their home for more than 20 years, the last 18 years in Kennesaw. They have 3 grown children, Stacy, Brad, and Sarah and 6 grandchildren.
It has been my honor and privilege to work with some of the finest people our country has to offer. People, who have, together with their families, volunteered to protect and defend the rest of us. They represent a small percentage of our citizens and yet their service and sacrifice is well out of proportion to their numbers.
It is our honor to be a part of building a lasting and sustainable memorial to the spirit of service and sacrifice of all veterans and their families. We hope you will join us in this effort.
Shelley o'Malley
USNA ‘87
Vice President
Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation
Board of Directors
Shelley O’Malley
USNA '87
Vice President
OVERVIEW
As a Navy veteran, a former Navy wife, and a current Delta Air Lines 767 pilot, Shelley has experience that crosses the spectrum. She has learned to balance the needs of her family, her community and her profession with integrity and honor–attributes that she honed in her time as a Naval Officer. She has established herself as a true professional in the cockpit, as a leader, and in all of her varied volunteer duties. At Delta Air Lines, Shelley was also selected to train and evaluate pilots, as a Seniority List Instructor, and also volunteered as a New Hire Pilot Mentor, ensuring that those traits would be highlighted to new pilots joining the team. Her world-wide and aircraft carrier experience both in the Navy and at Delta Air Lines, helped to instill in her the confidence that this is the greatest nation on earth, and that it is so, due to the selfless service of its citizens. She is a tireless advocate for ensuring the next generation is prepared to take its place in maintaining this mantle.
EDUCATION, SERVICE AND/OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science, with Distinction, United States Naval Academy, 1987
- US Naval Aviator Designation, 1989
- Delta Air Lines, Aircrew Program Designee/PCP/SLI
RELEVANT PERSONAL AND/OR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Shelley holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and served as Team Captain of the Women’s Varsity Basketball team as well as President of the Tennis Club at the United States Naval Academy. She was awarded the Naval Academy Alumni Association Award for the Class of 1987, for the midshipman who most exemplified the character and mission of the Academy. She has used those lessons throughout her adult life, volunteering throughout her time in the service at local schools, as a parent volunteer at Rocky Mount Elementary, Simpson Middle School and Lassiter High School. She was also the volunteer coordinator for Stingrays Swimming for 10 years, and a church school co-teacher at Transfiguration Catholic Church.
Shelley is the proud wife of Brian O’Malley, the humble mother of Shannon (UGA, Varsity Swim Team Captain, 2015), Lauren (USNA, Class of 2019), and Luke (14, awesome middle-schooler). She has also been a resident of Marietta for over 20 years.
Donna Rowe
CPT. ARMY NURSE CORPS
Secretary
Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation
Board of Directors
Donna Rowe
CPT. ARMY NURSE CORPS
Secretary
EDUCATION
- Formal Education – Registered Nurse (R.N.), Shock/Trauma/ Emergency Certified
- Licensed Real Estate Broker
- Certified Residential Broker (C.R.B.)
- Certified Residential Specialist (C.R.S.)
- Georgia Realtor Institute (G.R.I.)
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
- Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource Specialist (SFR)
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
- 32 yrs. real estate sales and management experience in metro-Atlanta market
- Managing Broker Buckhead Brokers REALTORS (1994 – 2001)
- President, Cobb Association of REALTORS 1994
- Director, Georgia Association of REALTORS 1990-2004
- Federal District Coordinator, National Association of REALTORS 1995 – 2002
- Chairman of Legislative Committee, Cobb Association of REALTORS 1994
- Instructor for Orientation, Cobb Association of REALTORS 1988-1995
- Past Secretary and Vice-President, Cobb Association of REALTORS
- Director, Cobb Association of REALTORS 1996-2011
- AE Search Committee, Cobb Association 2009
- Congressional Action Committee Chairman, Georgia Association 1997, Member 1996-2002
- RPAC Trustee, Georgia Association of REALTORS 1997
- R.I.A.C. Committee Member, Georgia Association of REALTORS 1997-2014
- Professional Standards Committee Chairman, Cherokee Association 1997 and Georgia Association of REALTORS 2002
- G.A.R. Transfer Tax Task Force; Chairman, GA.Assoc. REALTORS. Campaign 1998
- Georgia Association of REALTORS, Grievance Committee 1999
- Georgia Association of REALTORS, Professional Standards Instructor 1999-2006
- National Association of REALTORS, Federal District (7th) Coordinator 1992-2002
- National Assoc. of REALTORS, Issues Mobilization Committee, Member 2002
- Director, Cobb Association of REALTORS 1996-2018
- Chairman, Cobb Association of REALTORS Political Affairs 2018
AWARDS
- “Realtor of the Year – Management” Cobb Association of REALTORS 1997
- “Realtor of the Year – Sales” Cobb Association of REALTORS 1989 and 1992
- Diamond Phoenix Million Dollar Club (28 years)
- Life Member Million Dollar Club, Cobb Association of REALTORS
- Top 25 Team (Sales) in Coldwell Banker 2004, 2005,2006,2007,2008
- “Presidents Award” Georgia Association of REALTORS 1998
- “Dick McCrudden Award” – RPAC, Georgia Association of REALTORS 1998
- “Mary Aven Award” Outstanding Republican Woman of Cobb County 2001
- “Woman of the Year”, Cobb County Republican Women’s Club 2003
- “Woman of Achievement” honoree, YWCA Northwest Atlanta 2005
- “President’s Award”, Cobb Association of REALTORS 2009
COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Past Volunteer: Cobb Family Resources, American Red Cross, PTA of East Cobb
- Middle School, Wheeler High School and Brandon Hall PTAs school boards
- President, Cobb County Republican Women’s Club (2003)
- Chairman, Cobb County Republican Women’s Club’s “Veterans Celebration”
- Member of V.F.W., Post # 2681, Marietta, GA
- Member American Legion, Post # 29, Marietta, GA
- Director, Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance, Chapter One (Vietnam Veteran, 3rd Field Hospital, Saigon 1968-1969)
- Volunteer, American Diabetes Association
- Appointed Member, Citizens Oversight Committee, Cobb County Transportation Improvement Program
- Appointed Member, Atlanta Regional Commission, Environmental Collaborative
- Executive Board, Cobb County C.A.S.A. (Advocates for Abused Children)
- Fannie Mae, Atlanta Partnership Advisory Board Member, 1997-2005
- Senator Paul Coverdell Good Government Committee Speaker, 1992-2000
- Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer, 1993-2006
- Chairman, Women of Distinction Awards (7th Congressional District), 2000
- Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, Citizens Academy, 2000 -2001 (appointed by Governor)
- Citizens for Cobb Steering Committee (appointed by Cobb Commission Chairman)
- Cobb Development Authority 2010- 2018
PERSONAL
Donna has two sons, Richard and John, and is the widow of COL (Ret.) Al Rowe
Member, First United Methodist Church, Marietta
David Hambrick
CPT. U.S. MARINE CORPS
(RET)
Treasurer & CFO
Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation
Board of Directors
David W. Hambrick
CAP. U.S.M.C (Ret.) C.M.
Treasurer & CFO
OVERVIEW
Dave is a retired combat veteran Marine Corps officer having served 21 years in various commands and post overseas and in CONUS. After his retirement from the Marine Corps he served as Plant Manager at a Cryogenic Vessel manufacturing facility and then served as a division level manager in the Structural Testing Laboratories at Lockheed-Martin Aeronautics Company for over 23 years where he was responsible for the technologists, research mechanics, highly skilled general machinists, welders and instrumentation testing employees for the sophisticated F-22 aircraft at the Marietta site, and the same disciplines for the F-35 aircraft at the Ft Worth, Texas site. He brings to the Board over 50 years of various levels of management experience.
EDUCATION, SERVICE AND/OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Dave holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Management with post graduate studies in Operations Management and is a Certified Manager from James Madison University in Virginia.
RELEVANT PERSONAL AND/OR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Dave is of Scot/Irish and Cherokee descent and he, his beautiful wife Gail of 46 years, reside in Marietta and they have one son Matt (33) who resides in Columbus, OH. They have lived in the Marietta area for over 40 years. Their son Matt attended Sprayberry High School and is a graduate of the University of West Georgia.
Over the past ten (10) years Dave has been actively involved with many of the State and County veteran organizations.As one of the founding members of the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation he is a strong believer that the tens of thousands of Cobb Veterans need, want and certainly rate a first class memorial to be used as “their” place of respect for the multitude of sacrifices that they, and their families, have experienced for their steadfast service to this county, the state, and the United States of America.
Recently when talking to a veteran of Cobb County, and discussing this memorial he was asked “Why did it take so long”? And for that, Dave had no answer, so it is time to correct this wrong, and make things right! This is just one way, the right way, to simply say “Thank You”.
Curtis Williams
Maj. Gen. USAF
(RET)
Board Member
Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation
Board of Directors
Curtis L. Williams
Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret.)
Board Member
OVERVIEW
Maj. Gen Williams is a recent retiree (July 2019) of the United States Air Force after serving over 40 years of reserve and active duty. He spent his first 7 years as an enlisted member and went on to receive his commission as a Second Lieutenant through ROTC at San Angelo State University in Texas. General Williams is a career Logistics Planner. He has held key leadership and command positions as a Logistics planner, two Group commands, a regional support group command, Director of Logistics and Engineering, Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Ga. and Vice Commander at 22nd Air Force at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. General Williams has served multiple tours of duty on the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon with his final tour prior to retiring as the Deputy Director for Political Military Affairs for Africa.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters of Public Administration, Angelo State University
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Saint Leo College
- Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal, Community College of the Air Force
- Air Command and Staff College
- Air War College
- Executive Leadership Program, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia
- Executive Program, Maxwell School of Public Policy, Syracuse University
LogTech Executive Program, Kenan-Flagler Business School, UNC
Note: Full Bio HERE.
RELEVANT PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Throughout his career, Maj. Gen. Williams has been both supportive and an advocate of military families and veterans’ issues at both the local and national levels. He was a member of local military affairs organizations in New York, Ohio, Florida and Texas. During his four tours at Dobbins Air Reserve Base he was part of the local ARMAC program. At the national level, General Williams was a significant participant and contributor to the Air Reserve Policy Board in Washington DC and a seven-year appointee/voting member and Vice Chair of the Air Reserve Policy Committee. Maj. Gen. Williams and his wife, Ramona, are originally from Texas, but having been assigned to Dobbins for four tours, they decided to make their home in Cobb County. They currently live in Acworth, GA. They have four adult children, Damon, Chanel, Khala, Radaja, and 10 grandchildren. General and Mrs. Williams are excited and thrilled to be a part of an initiative that both honors and recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of veterans and their families. Service to country is embodied in the commitment to selfless service that both the veteran and their families subscribe. The Cobb Veterans Memorial will provide a lasting testament to honor Cobb County veterans and their families both now and well into the future.
Dan Valentine
Lt. Col. U.S. ARMY
(RET)
Executive Director
Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation
Board of Directors
Dan Valentine
Lt. Col. U.S. Army (Ret.)
Executive Director
Lieutenant Colonel Dan Valentine (retired) is a veteran of 25 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve. Commissioned as a second lieutenant from the University of Georgia, Dan was an infantry officer for three years before attending flight school and becoming an army aviator. After seven years on active duty, he transitioned to the U.S. Army Reserve and served for the next 18 years in various aviation assignments including commander of the 145th Air Ambulance Company (medevac) at Dobbins ARB.
Dan has lived in Marietta for 37 years, has been married to his awesome wife, Lindy, for 30 years with whom he has two grown daughters. For most of that time he worked as a sales executive at corporate technology firms. Most recently, he was the Director of Development for Veterans Empowerment Organization (VEO), a non-profit that helps homeless veterans. During this time, he has also been very active in a number of different non-profit/volunteer activities in the community. Dan had the privilege of leading several teams from his church to New Orleans to help local residents recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. He also was a co-founder of a 501(c)(3), IMPACT!, that was a forum for informing Marietta citizens of issues, elected official stances and options for action.
Dan believes that his life consists of three laps. The first lap was military service, the second lap was corporate sales and the third lap is giving back. In being the Executive Director of the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation, he wants to make sure that ALL veterans and their families know that the Cobb community understands and appreciates what they did to secure the freedoms, security and prosperity we enjoy in America today.
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