Advisors to the Board of Directors
Committed to the Fisher House mission, our Advisors bring years of experience, relationships, expertise, and heart to the team.
We appreciate their support and willingness to serve our Michigan military and Veteran community with their individual gifts and graces.
BRIAN GAWNE
Capt. (Retired), US Navy
Brian Gawne, CAPT, US Navy (Retired), served for 28 years as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO). He is a combat veteran with 3500 flight hours in fighter aircraft (F-14A Tomcat and F/A-18F Super Hornet) and commanded the Black Aces of VF-41 aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during the start of Operation Enduring Freedom. His staff tours included NATO HQ North (Stavanger, Norway), OPNAV staff at the Pentagon, and command of the NROTC unit at George Washington University.
Following his naval service, Brian served for over 13 years as a vice president for Fisher House Foundation, Inc. in Rockville, Maryland. In that role, he worked with Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs program managers to provide supplemental support to operational Fisher Houses, coordinate construction of new houses, and mentor local nonprofits that raise funds to support the local Fisher House in their community.
JT IACOVETTA
US Navy, 2010-2019
JT Iacovetta assists the Board and Counsel to the Board in matters of corporate governance and statutory compliance. He is based in Colorado where he is an Associate in the Denver office of Holland & Hart, guiding clients through energy industry project development, financing and strategic transactions.
JT served in the US Navy for over nine years as an enlisted mechanical operator, where he held several leadership and supervisory roles, including managing a team of over 20 Sailors in the construction, maintenance, and upkeep of nuclear energy support systems. JT continues his service by maintaining active roles in Veteran Treatment Courts and the VFW. He has held leadership positions in the Student Veterans of America chapter at the University of Michigan and various bar associations.
APRIL LAROCK
Fisher House Manager, VA Ann Arbor
April LaRock is the Manager for the VA Ann Arbor Fisher House located at the LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center. Mrs. LaRock has a life-long commitment to serve Veterans and their families. Her father served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and because of him, she began her career as a social worker at VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS) in 1999 after completing an internship there from 1997-1998 while attending the University of Michigan School of Social Work where she earned her Master’s in Social Work (MSW). During her career at VA Ann Arbor, she has served in a variety of roles including working as a social worker on various inpatient units, in the Community Living Center, Caregiver Support Program, Home Based Primary Care and Medical Foster Home programs. April transitioned from Social Work & Community Based Services to the Office of Public Affairs in November 2014 where she served as the first Outreach Coordinator for VAAAHS. Since 2007, April has also been the VAAAHS Advocate for Former Prisoners of War and their families.
She transitioned to her role as the Fisher House Manager in 2019 which she describes as her “dream job”. She is originally from Atlanta, GA, is married and has two young children who keep her very busy when she is not working at the Fisher House.
MISTY MARTIN
Lt. Col. (Retired), US Army
Misty Martin’s military career began with her commissioning as a second lieutenant in Military Intelligence in 1995. Misty’s tenure as a Military Intelligence Officer saw her pioneering as the Hunter UAV Platoon Leader for the Army’s inaugural UAV platoon, shaping intelligence operations as the Operations Officer for I Corps G2, leading as the Group S-2 for the 555th Combat Engineer Group, commanding the HHC Garrison at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and deploying to Iraq twice with Special Operation Forces (SOF) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her last assignment in the Army before she retired was as the Program Manager for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) test program.
After retiring from 21 years of distinguished military service, including three combat tours, Misty Martin embarked on a new venture by establishing M3 Defense Consulting (M3DC). Leveraging her extensive experience, Misty founded the firm with a mission to demystify the complexities of the defense industry for her clients. Under her leadership, M3DC has flourished, securing over $3M in awards within six years and becoming the go-to consulting firm within the defense community. Misty’s efforts have transformed M3DC into an essential conduit for military operations and technological innovation, significantly contributing to national security and defense advancements.
In addition to her professional achievements, Misty’s personal life is marked by a deep commitment to her family and country. Married to Christina Ponce, she is the proud mom of Tyler and Isaiah, embodying the values of dedication and service both in and out of uniform. As an advisor to Fisher House Michigan, Women in Defense, as a board member of the NDIA Michigan Chapter and currently the chair of the Michigan Defense Exposition (MDEX), Misty has played a pivotal role in promoting collaboration and innovation within the defense industry.
DON SCHENK
Brigadier General, Retired
US Army 1969 - 2004
Brigadier General (U.S. Army, Retired) Donald Schenk has devoted his life to service to the Nation. Commissioned as an Armor officer in 1971, he spent 33 years on active duty in peace and war in wide-ranging assignments in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. His operational assignments included leadership in tank formations from platoon thru division. As a Defense Program Manager, he led some of the largest Army and Marine Corps modernization programs before retiring in 2004.
Subsequent to retirement from the Army, he dedicated his work to supporting those who serve through various defense-related business ventures that provided needed combat equipment to America’s forces and allied nations.
In 2017 he transitioned to post-employment volunteer work where he serves those who served. He does this as a leader in his Veteran Service Organization and as an advisor to Fisher House Michigan.
He is married to the former Janet Greenspan and resides in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Together they have two sons: Joshua and his wife Elizabeth reside in Chicago, and Zachary resides and Washington, DC.
GREG SCHUPRA
Planned Giving Advisor
PAMELA TOLLIVER
Fisher House Manager, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center