Veterans Village of San Diego
Board of Directors
Alyce Fernebok
Chairman
Alyce is the president of 4LNS Inc. providing program management, operations support, and software development primarily to federal government customers. Alyce does personal business coaching with a focus on small, start-up and woman owned companies with an emphasis on breaking into the government sector. Additionally, Alyce serves as the Chairmen of the Board for Veterans Village of San Diego and 4LNS makes in kind contributions of technology services to develop and maintain several non-profit websites and social media profiles.
Alyce played Division I basketball at the United States Naval Academy and graduated 1996 as a 2nd Lt in the United States Marine Corps. Alyce served as a CH-46E Sea Knight Helicopter Aircraft Commander. She was the first female CH-46E helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps to conduct a Western Pacific deployment. She also served as the Director of Training and Operations at the Navy and Marine Corps Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School. In February 2005, Alyce was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps.
Sandy Borum
Vice Chair
Homeless Veterans Community Employment Coordinator San Diego
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Sandy Borum
Vice Chair
Bio Coming Soon
John Clausen
Secretary/Treasurer
U.S. Navy (ret), Fleet Readiness Director, NAVWAR
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John Clausen
Secretary/Treasurer
A native of California, John Clausen was raised in North Carolina and Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Iowa State University and a Masters in Science in Administration from Central Michigan University.
John Clausen served as a commissioned officer in the US Navy for 30 years, serving in a variety of assignments afloat and ashore in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. His tours included assignment as Commanding Officer of USS PRINCETON (CG 59), USS CHAFEE (DDG 90), and USS SQUALL (PC 7).
Currently he is a U.S. government civilian employee serving as the Director or Maritime Operations on the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group 15 at Naval Base Coronado CA.
Dana Gemmingen
Director
Dana Gemmingen is the President of MARVETO – Hesperia Construction Inc which provides aviation support to the Utility Industry. He has been a leader in risk management and aviation safety in that industry. Mr. Gemmingen founded the company in 2015 after a decorated career in the United States Marine Corps.
During his time in the Marine Corps, LtCol Gemmingen (Ret.) had leadership roles at all levels to include Squadron Commander and Operations Officer of the largest Aircraft Group. He was an AH-1W Attack Helicopter pilot who achieved the highest tactical level as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor. As a fixed wing pilot and instructor he was the Chief Instructor Pilot of the Navy and Marine Corps primary training program. Additionally, he was a Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellow at the Boeing Company where he studied Lean Manufacturing and Process Improvement.
Prior to his commissioning in the Marine Corps, Dana Gemmingen worked in the semiconductor industry for SEMI, a trade association. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA and Masters of Business Administration from Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO. He is married with four children and resides in Ramona, California.
Bobby Brown
Director
Bobby Brown, a United States Navy veteran, and Business Development professional, brings 20+ years of senior leadership, command management, customer engagement, public speaking, and strategy experience at the highest levels of industry and government within complex and diverse organizations.
Before he retired in 2019, he deployed in support of several military campaigns to include Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and flew over 2,300 hours as a naval aviator. His impressive military career spanned assignments from Commander Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron FOUR NINE (HSM-49), Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Commander Naval Air Forces, Pacific, and the Navy’s Military Aide to former Vice President Joe Biden. Brown joined CSA in 2023. He is on the Board of Directors for Veterans Village San Diego, and he is on the Board of Trustees for the United States Naval Academy. Brown holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy, a Masters-of-Science in Technology Management from the University of Maryland University College in 2006, attended the Joint Forces Staff College in 2013, and earned a Certificate of Management from UCLA Anderson School of Management in 2018.
Benjamin Felleman, Ph.D.
Director
Licensed Clinical Psychologist VA SD Health Care
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Benjamin Felleman, Ph.D.
Director
Dr. Felleman is a licensed clinical psychologist at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. He is also an Assistant Volunteer Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego. Dr. Felleman has expertise in the delivery and dissemination of evidenced-based interventions for a range of behavioral health conditions. He has been involved in Veteran related mental health research and clinical care since 2011. He has served on the VVSD Board of Directors since 2019.
Ian Clark
Director
Ian Clark is a retired Marine Corps Officer and former Commander of MCAS Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369. He also served as U.S. Africa Command’s Director of Strategic Outreach and Communications Directorate. His most recent duty assignment before retiring after 33 years of service was the Deputy Commander of Marine Corps Installations – West / MCB Camp Pendleton. He currently works for Deloitte Consulting LLP as a Specialist Leader in the Government and Public Services practice with a focus on Sustainability, Climate and Equity.
Ian graduated with a BA in International Affairs from the University of Cincinnati, has a MA from the Naval Postgraduate School in National Security Affairs, a MA from the Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies, and attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, UK.
Mike McNerney
Director
Mike leads Lowe’s Western region commercial property development, investment and management activities and is a member of Lowe’s Executive Committee. He oversees Lowe’s investments in Denver, Seattle, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. He is responsible for $2 billion of current development projects and 1.5 million square feet of commercial properties managed. Mike is a past-President of the San Diego Chapter of NAIOP, President of the San Diego NAIOP Foundation, board member of Veterans Village of San Diego and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. Education: United States Air Force Academy, BS; Chapman University, MBA
Meredith Marshall
Director
A Native of Connecticut, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall attended Villanova University, graduating with a degree in Political Science in 1993, and enrolled in law school in 1995. She was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in August 1998 and returned to American University to complete her Juris Doctor in 1999. After passing the Pennsylvania Bar Exam and graduating from The Basic School and Naval Justice School, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall reported for duty as a Defense Counsel at the Joint Law Center, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California.
In 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island where she served as Series Commander then Company Commander, November Company, Fourth Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Marshall concluded that tour serving as the Senior Defense Counsel at the Depot Law Center.
In 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall served as the Officer-In-Charge, Joint Legal Assistance Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and then the Senior Defense Counsel at Legal Services Support Team – Delta. In 2008 Lieutenant Colonel Marshall deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, serving as a Rule of Law Attorney on the staff of Multi-National Force – Iraq at the United States Embassy. After redeploying, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall returned to Legal Services Support Team – Delta assuming responsibility as Officer-In-Charge.
Lieutenant Colonel Marshall then spent two years at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar as the Senior Defense Counsel and Deputy Staff Judge Advocate. She was selected to attend The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2012 and graduated with her LLM degree in Military Justice in 2013.
Upon graduation, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island to take charge of the newly created Defense Services Office, Parris Island. Six months later she took over as Officer-In-Charge, Legal Services Support Team – Parris Island and held that billet until 2017.
In 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall was assigned as Force Marine Officer, Expeditionary Strike Group SEVEN in Okinawa Japan. She served as a liaison with the Navy’s Amphibious Force and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.
In 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall received orders to Marine Corps Installations West – Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton where she served until recently as the Staff Judge Advocate.
Lieutenant Colonel Marshall’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various campaign and service awards.
Lieutenant Colonel Marshall retired from the Marine Corps after 23 years of service. She is currently a Senior Attorney, Government Relations at Crown Castle in San Diego, CA.
Lieutenant Colonel Marshall resides in Ramona, California with her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Diaz, US Army, and her children, Jenna (20) and twins, Aidan and Sierra (16).
Bob Willingham
Director
Bob has spent the last 20+ years working in the commercial real estate industry, focusing on brokerage of industrial and office properties. His clients include occupiers of commercial space as well as developers and investors. He is an Executive Vice President at Kidder Mathews where he also serves on their Board of Directors.
Bob graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1996, after which he went to Coronado, CA for BUD/s training where he graduated with Class 209. He served at SEAL Team ONE and Special Boat Unit Twelve, completing several overseas deployments.
Spencer Scott
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Spencer Scott
Bio Coming Soon
Marco Cromartie
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Marco Cromartie
Marco retired from Naval service in January 2014, after serving in numerous challenging and rewarding operational and staff positions over his 30-year career. He accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours and 300 carrier arrested landings in the F-14 Tomcat and is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).
Following his retirement from Naval service, Marco’s passion for service led him to the Port of San Diego, where he serves as Director, General Services, leading the Port’s largest department in the repair and maintenance of Port facilities, infrastructure, vehicles and vessels.
Passionate about education and continued growth, Marco holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland; a Master of Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate School; and an MBA from the University of West Florida.
Marco has served on the VVSD Board of Directors since January 2024. His focus on community collaboration has led him to a number of other volunteer opportunities and community leadership roles, including serving on the Board of Directors, Unselds’ School, Baltimore, MD; Board of Directors, National Naval Officers Association (NNOA); Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, USS Midway Museum; and Board of Directors, California Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Marco resides with his family in Coronado, California.
Johnny Nilsen
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Johnny Nilsen
Johnny Nilsen retired as a Captain in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps after twenty-nine years on active duty to become the fourth retired Naval Officer to serve as the Military Affairs Advisor to the San Diego Padres, baseball's "Team of the Military." A graduate of Syracuse University's College of Law (JD) and the University of San Diego School of Law (LLM, Environmental Law), he is a member of the New York State Bar and sworn to practice before the Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces. He retired as the Navy's Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General for Environmental Law (Director of Environmental Law) and served all over the world and at sea, including as the Force Judge Advocate to Commander, Naval Air Forces, the Staff Judge Advocate to Commander, Navy Region Southwest, Deputy Legal Advisor to Generals Petraeus and Allen at Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Afghanistan, and Command Judge Advocate aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76). Johnny is a passionate life-long baseball fan and former all-conference baseball player at West Virginia University.
John Turpit
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John Turpit
JOHN B TURPIT
Brief Resume , July 17, 2023
BORN: Whittier, CA.
EDUCATION:
Harvard School, North Hollywood, Ca. (now Harvard Westlake) 1964
University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. - BA Economics, 1968.
US NAVAL FLIGHT SCHOOL – Wings, Oct. 1970.
University of Texas, Austin—Bachelor of Architecture, 1978.
MILITARY SERVICE:
United States Marine Corps- 1968-1974
VMCJ-1, VMCJ–2, RF-4 Phantom Aircraft
3rd Battalion 9th Marines, Okinawa, Japan -Forward Air Controller (FAC)
Honorable Discharge – Captain
PROFESSIONAL:
Licensed Architect State of California. 1982
Turpit Architects Inc. 1983 – 2003 Designed office / industrial buildings in San Diego County.
RJC Architects Inc. 2003 – 2014 Architect, 700,000sf County Operations Center, a public private partnership with Lowe Enterprises.
Michael Merrill Architecture and Planning, 2014-2018.
Currently consulting on projects in Coronado, Ca.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS, VOLUNTEER WORK:
NAIOP- Commercial real estate association, board member 2000-2009.
Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation- MCAS Miramar, board member 2000-2010.
City of Coronado Design Review Commission- 1988-2000; 2006- 2010
City of Coronado Historic Resource Commission- 2018-2020
NATIVITY PREP ACADEMY, a private middle school for low to middle income families, mentor 2013-to present.
FAMILY:
Married 40 years to Virginia Riley Turpit
Two daughters—Julia, age 33; Anna, age 31
Residence in Coronado, Ca. since 1988, San Diego since 1979.
Brief Resume , July 17, 2023
BORN: Whittier, CA.
EDUCATION:
Harvard School, North Hollywood, Ca. (now Harvard Westlake) 1964
University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. - BA Economics, 1968.
US NAVAL FLIGHT SCHOOL – Wings, Oct. 1970.
University of Texas, Austin—Bachelor of Architecture, 1978.
MILITARY SERVICE:
United States Marine Corps- 1968-1974
VMCJ-1, VMCJ–2, RF-4 Phantom Aircraft
3rd Battalion 9th Marines, Okinawa, Japan -Forward Air Controller (FAC)
Honorable Discharge – Captain
PROFESSIONAL:
Licensed Architect State of California. 1982
Turpit Architects Inc. 1983 – 2003 Designed office / industrial buildings in San Diego County.
RJC Architects Inc. 2003 – 2014 Architect, 700,000sf County Operations Center, a public private partnership with Lowe Enterprises.
Michael Merrill Architecture and Planning, 2014-2018.
Currently consulting on projects in Coronado, Ca.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS, VOLUNTEER WORK:
NAIOP- Commercial real estate association, board member 2000-2009.
Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation- MCAS Miramar, board member 2000-2010.
City of Coronado Design Review Commission- 1988-2000; 2006- 2010
City of Coronado Historic Resource Commission- 2018-2020
NATIVITY PREP ACADEMY, a private middle school for low to middle income families, mentor 2013-to present.
FAMILY:
Married 40 years to Virginia Riley Turpit
Two daughters—Julia, age 33; Anna, age 31
Residence in Coronado, Ca. since 1988, San Diego since 1979.