Board Members

CPT, US Army Nurse Corps

Donna Rowe was born and raised in Massachusetts. She entered the Army Nurse Corps in 1964 through the Student Nurse Corps ROTC Program; and upon graduation with a “Certified Emergency Room/Trauma” Registered Nurse certification she was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and was assigned to Brook Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Her military career spans many years and prestigious assignments in Emergency Rooms at Womack Army Hospital (Ft. Bragg, N.C.), Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Washington, D.C.) with attachment to DeWitt Army Hospital (Ft. Belvoir, VA), and in 1968 -1969 was, as a Captain, the Head Nurse of the Emergency Room/Trauma Triage area at 3rd Field Hospital, Saigon during the Vietnam War. Donna and her husband, Col. Al Rowe, were married 2 years prior to volunteering to serve together in the Vietnam War, after which Donna was honorably discharged from the US Army. Her decorations include Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Col Rowe remained on active duty and served almost 30 years in which Donna assumed the role of Military (Army) wife and mother.

Captain Rowe continued to serve her community as a Red Cross Nurse with the America Red Cross, served on the Southeast Disaster Response team, and volunteered for Georgia Homeland Security- GA Nurse Alert System after the attack on 9/11. Donna continued her community volunteer service in various and many organizations including Habitat for Humanity, CASA (Child Advocate), Atlanta Regional Commission, Cobb County Development Authority, Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance (Director), and was President of the Cobb Association of REALTORS.

Donna expanded her professional career by becoming a Real Estate Broker in 1983 and worked for 40 years in the Atlanta area during which time she was Vice President of a major Brokerage Firm in Atlanta; and was in the premier building sector of the residential real estate market for over 30 years.

Captain Rowe has been given many prestigious awards in her many years of service both in nursing and her real estate careers. She was inducted into the Georgia Association of REALTORS Hall of Fame and in 2016 was the first woman inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame.

She lives in Cobb County, is the widow of Col Rowe to whom she was married for over 47 years, and is the happy and blessed mother of her son, Richard, and step-son John. She is a dedicated and tireless advocate for veterans and active-duty military and their families’ causes and issues in the County, the State, and the Nation.

COL, USMC, Ret

A son of an Army, World War II veteran, and graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Mike enlisted in the Marine Corps during Operation DESERT SHIELD and retired in 2021 after serving more than 30 years of active duty.  He is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, Army Command and General Staff College, and the Air War College where he graduated with academic distinction earning a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.

Mike served in multiple leadership positions throughout his military career and around the globe, including battalion command as a Lieutenant Colonel and regimental command as a Colonel while commanding one of the largest regiments in the Marine Corps.  He was also nominated for two Joint tours serving as the Chief of Current Operations at United States Southern Command and as the Emergent Sourcing Chief on the Joint Staff.

Mike’s service included deployments to the Persian Gulf and Kuwait for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, the Defense of Kuwait, and participating in combat operations during Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.

As a Lieutenant Colonel, Mike helped lead the consolidation and combining of leadership teams for two Toys for Tots campaigns resulting in one of the largest Toys for Tots programs in the nation with the distribution of over 800,000 toys to less fortunate children in the greater Atlanta area.

After leaving active duty, Mike worked for a brief period at the Home Depot Corporate Headquarters in project management operations before stepping down to help care for his father.

Mike is a member of the Wounded Warrior Project, Marine Corps League, Cobb County Honorary Commanders Association, and Navy Mutual Aid Association where he also has served as a nonresident director.  He is a proud supporter of Marine Corps Toys for Tots, the Shepherd’s Men/SHARE Military Initiative, and other local charities.  Mike and his wife Rebecca have made their home in Cobb County, Georgia, and are blessed with three children.

CDR, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, Ret.

Secretary

OVERVIEW

Frank Strickland serves as a court-appointed special master and receiver in commercial litigation matters and is a certified mediator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Mr. Strickland’s practice also includes assisting clients with interests in legislative and public policy matters. He has appeared before legislative and congressional committees and has represented legislators and candidates before the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission (and its predecessor). He served as an adjunct professor at the Georgia State University College of Law teaching a course in election law.

With more than 40 years of experience in the field of higher education, Mr. Strickland has represented educational institutions in litigation and accreditation matters; federal funding; discipline of faculty, staff, and students; tenure; state licensing boards; athletics; board governance; and various types of financing, including bond financing. He has acted as special counsel to foundations located at numerous institutions of the University System of Georgia in connection with financing of student housing and related facilities.

President George W. Bush nominated Mr. Strickland to the eleven-member bipartisan Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Washington, DC. After Senate confirmation, Mr. Strickland was elected Chairman of the Board of LSC and served in that position from April 2003 until April 2010. He continues to serve on two LSC board committees. LSC is the single largest funder of civil legal aid in the nation. Congress established LSC as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that promotes equal access to justice and provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. With an annual appropriation of $489 million, LSC distributes more than 94 percent of its total funding to 132 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in all 50 states with more than 800 offices.

By appointment of Governors Sonny Perdue and Nathan Deal, from 2003 to 2016 Mr. Strickland served on the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), which reviews candidates for judicial appointments throughout the State of Georgia.

Mr. Strickland served as an officer in the United States Coast Guard and is a retired Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

SGT, US Army

Bob is a native Georgian. He has traveled to many states and countries but has lived in Georgia, except for 1966 -1967, when he served in the military. He had three duty stations: Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia; Advanced Training at the Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky; and the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. In Vietnam, he was assigned to a tank company where he served as a tank crewman. After his discharge, Bob enrolled in college taking advantage of the GI Bill to help with the expenses. Upon graduating with a BBA in accounting he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to Cobb County to practice his profession. He has provided accounting services, tax preparation, and financial consulting to clients in the automotive, banking, construction, and manufacturing industries, as well as providing tax advice to countless individual clients.
Bob is married to Toria Estes Morgan from Waycross, Georgia. They have lived in Cobb County since 1970 and have two children — Paige and Rob. They also have one grandchild, Thai Johnson. Bob enjoys traveling, fishing, hiking, and gardening.

EDUCATION, SERVICE AND/OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
BBA Accounting Georgia Southern, 1970
Received CPA certificate, 1973
Member American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the North Atlanta Chapter of Certified Public Accountants
Relevant Personal and / Or Community Activities Information
• Charter member and member of the Board of Directors of the North Atlanta Chapter of Certified Public Accountants
• Treasurer and member of the original Board of Directors of the Southwest Cobb Youth Soccer Association
• Board of Directors of Calvary Children’s Home
• President of the Cheatham Hill Farms Homeowner’s Association
• Distinguished President of Metro Marietta Kiwanis Club
• Vice Chairman of the Development Authority of Cobb County
• Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of Franklin Gateway Community Improvement District
• Managing Partner of the Accounting Firm Cerqueda, Morgan, & Collins – Established in Marietta, GA in 1952

COL, US Army, Ret.

Colonel (Retired) Carl “Skip” Bell is a Georgia native. He was born at Emory University Hospital, received a Bachelor of Science degree from North Georgia College in 1967, and received a Master of Business Information Systems degree from Georgia State University in 1977. Colonel Bell spent a total of 31 years in the Active Army or the Army Reserve. He completed two tours of duty in Vietnam (one as an Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader and Troop Commander, and the second one as a helicopter pilot). He also deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield.

Colonel Bell is a member of several Veteran organizations, including the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance, the Society of the First Infantry Division, the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment Association, the Army Ranger Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In addition, he has served as a Mentor in the Cobb County Veterans Treatment Court, and as a Board Member on the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Ranger Tab, and Army Aviator Wings. In 2023, Colonel Bell was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame.

In his civilian life, Colonel Bell was in senior management or analyst positions in several different government contracting and computer software companies. He has lived in Cobb County since 1992. He was married for 46 years to Carole. They had three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

US Air Force
Board Member

Kelvin King, originally from Macon, GA, was an accomplished athlete and scholar, earning a spot at the United States Air Force Academy. After his graduation and five years of service as a Contracting Officer in the Air Force, he transitioned to the corporate world. Kelvin's diverse career path led him to prominent roles in procurement and business development, including serving as a General Manager in an international construction firm. He's garnered accolades, such as being named Top 20 Under 40 in ENR Magazine and Manager of the Year. Kelvin eventually founded his own successful construction company, Osprey Management, recognized as the fastest-growing business by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Married to Janelle, a prominent figure in Fox 5 Atlanta's "The Georgia Gang," the couple is deeply engaged in Georgia politics, advocating for conservative values and community engagement. Together, they established Let's Win For America Action PAC, focusing on spreading their message in diverse communities. Kelvin takes pride in his role as a father to Christian Ward, an Air Force veteran like himself.

Melissa Krudwig
US Army

Board of Directors

Melissa Krudwig is known as the Bear of Real Estate! Her team helps people buy and sell Residential and Commercial Real Estate. Like a mama bear, Melissa is very protective of her clients’ interests. She is a proud US Army Veteran. Melissa served as a PATRIOT, Air Defense Artillery officer and deployed twice to the Persian Gulf.

Melissa takes great pride in the relationships that she builds and is an active member of the community. She, her family, and her team have four military drives throughout the year providing donations and services to the Georgia National Guard and their families. Melissa has served on the University of North Georgia’s Corps Advisory Council for 5 years. She has volunteered with her local PTSA for 17 years.

Melissa was recognized as a Top Realtor in Georgia by Best Agents. US. Melissa’s team was featured on the cover of Real Producers – Greater Atlanta and the Cover of Top Agent magazine in Georgia.

Melissa was born in Wilson, NC and has called GA home for 20 years. Melissa graduated and earned her Army commission from North Georgia Military College in 1992. She is married to John Krudwig, a former Infantry Officer. They have two grown sons, Jack, and Seth. Melissa enjoys volunteering with local military units, writing, shooting, singing karaoke, camping, reading, and learning to play the guitar.

Supt. Marietta City Schools, Ret.

Dr. Emily Lembeck served as Superintendent of Marietta City Schools (MCS) from 2005 until her retirement began on January 1, 2017, becoming just the 12th superintendent since 1892. Lembeck holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia, a Masters in Administration and Supervision from Nova University in Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College in New York.

Under the direction of Dr. Lembeck, Marietta City Schools became one of Georgia’s first Charter School Systems; became one of only a few school systems nationwide able to provide the full International Baccalaureate (IB) (K-12) continuum; and launched Marietta Reads!, a citywide effort to foster reading and literacy that is now in its 20th year. For advancing student achievement and support for learning she was named the Superintendent of the Year by the Georgia School Superintendent’s Association in 2012; and has received the Cobb NAACP “Living the Dream” Award, the Boy Scouts of America Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award, Blacks United for Youth (BUY) Justice Robert Benham Award, and the Marietta Daily Journal Cobb County Citizen of the Year Award – to name a few.

Dr. Lembeck has served on many professional committees and organizations including Leadership Cobb Class of 2000, Cobb Education Consortium, and the Governor’s Office for Children and Families Georgia Children’s Cabinet. Her service made a positive difference on the boards of the Marietta Schools Foundation, the Cobb County Boys and Girls Clubs, Cobb Community Services Board and Board of Health, United Way Regional Commission on Homelessness, Communities in Schools of Cobb/Marietta, Cobb County Library Foundation, and a long-term affiliation with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

Upon her retirement and after working for decades to recognize the gifts and address the challenges of our youth, she decided it was time to work on behalf of others who deserved some needed recognition and attention. Our Veterans were at the top of her list. Married to Harry Lembeck, a USMC Vietnam Veteran, it was time to honor him and all who served at that time and those who came before and after in this important service to our nation. As with most other important aspects of our lives, education is critical, and the building of a Memorial will provide the place and focus to honor and support our Veterans and educate our citizens of all ages.

Additionally, she enjoys her family with 5 grandchildren, travel, painting, hiking, providing consultative support for charter systems state-wide, and volunteering at the Early Learning Center, which is named in her honor, and in the community through her long association with the Kiwanis Club of Marietta.

Margie Medlin is a seasoned professional in the real estate industry, commencing her career in 1989. She has held numerous leadership roles, including the prestigious position of President of the Board of REALTORS, Regional Vice President (RVP) for Certified Residential Specialist (National Designation – only 3% of the REALTORS hold this designation.)  In addition to leadership roles, Margie has been a continual Top Producer for the last 30 years, earning the Life Member of the Million Dollar Club.  She has, also, received the Tony Serkedakis Lifetime Achievement Award, REALTOR of the Year, Dick McCrudden Award to name a few.  She recently was awarded the National Association of REALTOR “Hall of Fame” award 2022.

Margie has a strong connection to the military through her family. Margie’s late father, Austin Jacobs, served in the Army in the 1950s during the Korean conflict.   In addition to her father and nephew, her father-in-law served in World War II and received a Purple Heart.  Her uncle was in the Vietnam War.   Her nephew is on active duty in the Air Force.   He is currently deployed to Africa.  Margie’s late stepfather was a veteran of the Korean conflict and retired as a City of Atlanta motorcycle cop.     Her family has a strong dedication to serving their country.

Margie has an innate passion for Veterans and is focused on the mission of seeing the Cobb Veterans Memorial be built to honor, educate, and serve this community and region.

Roy G. Thurston
US Army

Board Member
Overview:
Roy Thurston is originally from Rome, Georgia. After graduating from Model High School, Roy joined the US Army and completed his basic training at Ft Benning, Georgia. Roy was awarded his Top Secret Crypto Access. He was assigned to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey US Army Signal Center and School and completed his specialty training Fixed Plant Carrier and Radio Equipment Course in January 1970. Just in time to receive orders for Vietnam. Roy was stationed at a strategic Signal Relay Site at Vung Chua Mountain in Vietnam and was then was transferred to Camp Walker in Taegu, South Korea. Roy returned the United States to be stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey as an instructor for his specialty.
Roy continued using his knowledge and training after his discharge from the Army working in the Electronic Security Industry for the next 40 years. Roy held several high positions in the Electronic Security Industry with Radionics, Bosch, Detection Systems and Honeywell. He pioneered Cellular Data transmission signals. With his top secret clearance, Roy designed many military and government electronic security systems. He finished his career retiring from Honeywell Security Group.
Roy and Joanne have been married for 56 years. They have resided in Marietta for 53 years, have one daughter, Dyvonnda. Roswell Street Baptist Church has been their church home for the same 53 years. He enjoys his hobby of Woodworking by making cabinets, tables, and furniture.

Administrative Assistant

A fifth-generation Atlanta native, Adair graduated from LaGrange College and is an alumna of Up With People. She is excited to serve and honor American Military Veterans and their families in an organization where she can put her experience in non-profit administration to good use. Having worked in organizations focused on working with the community and serving others, she finds CVMF’s mission is a perfect fit.

As the daughter and daughter-in-law of Vietnam Veterans and the Granddaughter of a WWII veteran, Adair has always felt a pull to support the US Military and Veterans of all branches of service. She can trace her family back to the Revolutionary War and is proud of each family member’s service. To work where she can honor all of these wonderful ancestors is a blessing.

Adair participates in the WALK MS - Marietta each Spring to improve funding for research and maybe a cure someday. She also does her best to support the Lewy Body Dementia Association, The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, as well as her beloved schools, The Westminster Schools and Rabun Gap Nachoochee School - located where she finds her peace away from home, Rabun County, GA.

She and her husband, Brian, have lived in Smyrna for the past 24 years and have two grown children who work in the theatre industry. One resides here in Cobb County working in production, and one currently lives and works with a theatre in New Jersey. The Flowers family attends church at Smyrna FUMC and RGPC when in Rabun County. Both places are special and have special people who are connected to Adair and her family.