We are honored to have the following individuals support the mission of the Snowball Express, honoring and assisting the families of Fallen Heroes, by volunteering to serve on our Corporate Advisory Board. We wish to thank each of these individuals publicly and praise their support in the past for all of their efforts in helping the children and spouses of military members killed since September 11, 2001. Without these supporters, last year's event and this year's activities under the umbrellas of Snowball Express could not occur.
E.V. Di Massa, Jr., President, VISTA Entertainment
Snowball Express is honored to have Ernni Di Massa, Jr. join our Advisory Board team to provide guidance and energy to this year's project.
'Erni' brings over three decades of experience as an EMMY® winning producer, writer and television executive to the organization. As Senior Vice President of the most successful independent syndication company in the history of television, KingWolrd he was in charge of all programming and development for shows from Oprah to Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! as well as several shows he helped create including Inside Edition. He also produced, The Mike Douglas Show, The Regis Philbin Show, Hollywood Squares and shows for NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox. He is an active member of the Writer Guild of America, the Producers Guild of America, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has been named to Who's Who In America every year since 2000.
"Snowball Express brings a story to light that needs to be told. The surviving children and spouses of our fallen heroes deserve the chance to connect with and be thanked by their 'American Family'. Snowball Express is doing its part to give the gift of new memories and new hope to those that have given so much. I'm honored to work with an organization that is doing its part to say thank you to these brave families. I encourage you to find your place on the Snowball Express team and volunteer your efforts to this worthy cause."
- Erni Di Massa, Jr. - President, VISTA Entertainment
Al Krueger, Director - Government Affairs, Oakley
Al Krueger has graciously offered to serve on the Advisory Board. Last year, Al was the key Snowball Express contact for Oakley Corporation and he currently serves as Director - Government Affairs. Al actively gives back to his community in many other non-profit organizations. Currently the President of the Foothill Business Association, he has served on many other community and charitable foundations boards. Al is an avid skydiver and was awarded in 2003 with the United States Parachuting Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. He inspires others with his incredible powers to overcome adversity. A Vietnam veteran, Al believes strongly in the Snowball Express and its mission.
"I am very proud to be a part of the Snowball Express and to participate in honoring the Snowball Express Families for their sacrifice. The 2006 events filled my heart and I was proud to be a part of this 'thank you' from the heart of a grateful nation. I look forward to working with the volunteers and supporters of the 2007 event and know that we will all walk away with hearts that are full and memories that will last a lifetime."
- Al Krueger, Director - Government Affairs, Oakley
General Peter Pace,USMC(Ret)
16th Chairman,Joint Chiefs of Staff
"These children have already sacrificed more for our country than most of us do in a lifetime. They deserve all the support we can provide. It is an honor for me to be a small part of that support via Snowball Express"
BONNIE CARROLL-President-TAPS
Ms. Carroll is currently the President of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). TAPS is the national non-profit peer-based veterans’ service organization addressing the emotional, psychological, and administrative needs of military survivors. Ms Carroll also serves as the civilian Co-Chair of the Department of Defense (DoD) Task Force on Suicide Prevention by Members of the Armed Forces. Ms. Carroll is an Army widow and a Reserve Major in the U.S. Air Force. In her civilian career, she has served as Deputy Senior Advisor for Programs, Ministry of Communications, Baghdad, Iraq; Deputy White House Liaison, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); Deputy Director, Governor’s Office, Anchorage, Alaska; and Executive Assistant for Cabinet Affairs, West Wing, The White House. She is a graduate of several Service schools, including the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute and USAF Logistics Officer Course. Ms. Carroll holds a B.A. in Public Administration/Political Science from American University in Washington, DC, and completed the JFK School of Government Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University (2003). Her military experience includes service as Chief, HQ USAF Casualty Operations. Ms Carroll also serves on the DoD Military Family Readiness Council, Board of the Association of Death Education and Counseling, VA Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation, and Sesame Street Advisory Board for the national “Talk, Listen, Learn” campaign. She has co-authored several books that address coping with traumatic loss, including Living with Grief After Sudden Loss; Living with Grief, Children and Adolescents; and Living with Grief, Who We Are, How We Grieve.