Meet the Board
The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation was founded by John W. Blankenship in 2003 with a personal gift from Pierre Claeyssens. With his wife, Hazel, he has assembled an Executive Board and an Advisory Board that is involved with several projects which honor all veterans of all wars. An extensive collection of artwork, memorabilia, and personal histories are collected and ready for exhibit. Our famous Santa Barbara and the Tri-County areas from Ventura to San Luis Obispo have played vital roles in all of the wars and conflicts of the 20th Century and have a proud history of service to our nation. The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation hosts many events throughout the year to support and honor Veterans and Active Duty Military.
Advisory Board
Gen. Bill Begert, USAF (ret.)
Honorable A. Brooks Firestone
Capt. Florent Groberg, US Army (ret.)
Gen. Paul X. Kelley, USMC (ret.)
Honorable Robert J. Lagomarsino
Cpt. Karl Marlantes, USMC (former)
BGen. Henry Muller, US Army (ret.)
Captain Charlie Plumb, USN (ret.)
Gen. Anthony Zinni, USMC (ret.)
Board of Directors
LT. John Blankenship, USN (former)
Hazel Blankenship
Sheriff Bill Brown, Santa Barbara County
Col. Phil Conran, USAF (ret.)
LT. Mike Conroy , USN (former)
Capt. Joe Danely, US Army (former)
BGen. Fred Lopez, USMCR (ret.)
Lt. Col. Maureen Masson, USAF (ret.)
Barney Melekian
Sgt. Dennis Merenbach, US Army (former)
Dana Newquist
LT. Steve Penner , USN (former)
Capt. Dennis Peterson, USMC (former)
Maj. Jose Ramirez, USMC (ret.)
Lt. Col. Patricia Rumpza, USAF (ret.)