Vet Voice Foundation Announces Two New Board Members
WASHINGTON, DC – The Vet Voice Foundation is announcing two new members of its board of directors, both of whom have a depth of experience with military and veterans issues. The new board members are retired Major General Tammy Smith and Marine Veteran Mike Riordan.
“I’m excited to join the Vet Voice Foundation Board of Directors. Empowering and educating veterans to become civic leaders and policy advocates in their own communities is vitally important to America’s national security. Veterans have witnessed first-hand the chaos and injustice that occurs in nations that fail to progress. It’s critical that today’s generation of veterans are educated to advocate in the public square and keep our government leaders focused on maintaining sound institutions and democratic processes. I look forward to engaging with veterans and contributing to VVF’s mission.”
Major General Tammy Smith
"From my time in the Marines, and in the years since, I've been concerned about elevating the voices of our veterans, and making sure they're connected with the resources they need, and deserve, to thrive. There is no shortage of challenges our veterans face today, and I'm excited to join the board of the Vet Voice Foundation to ensure our veterans are properly heard."
Marine Veteran Mike Riordan
Tammy Smith is a recently retired Army Major General. At the conclusion of her 35 year career she was serving at the Pentagon as the Military Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). She was responsible for developing innovative policy and providing oversight for the Army Quality of Life portfolio. Her oversight included child and youth programs, spouse employment, soldier transition and employment programs, Morale-Welfare-Recreation programs, Defense Warrior Games, Army and Air Force Exchange activities, soldier credentialing, and GI Bill/Tuition Assistance programs. Upon her promotion to Brigadier General in 2012, mere months after the repeal of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell (DADT), then-BG Smith gained unexpected visibility as the US military’s first openly LGBT General/Flag officer. Rather than downplaying the significance of this unanticipated status MG Smith leveraged her role by promoting inclusion and diversity in the Army and Department of Defense, contributing to a culture of trust in a post-DADT military.
Mike Riordan served three years as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. He is the President & CEO of Premier Health, based in Dayton, Ohio. During Mike’s career, he has served in CEO positions for nearly 20 years with prominent health systems across the nation, including Greenville Health System/Prisma Health in South Carolina and the University of Chicago Medical Center. He served as an Independent Director with Owens & Minor from December 2019 to January 2022. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Upstate Warrior Solution, which is a community based organization in South Carolina that is focused on connecting veterans and their families to resources.
