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Board of DirectorsFrancis X.(Buck) Kern, Chairman of the Board
Buck has more than 30 years of executive management experience with extensive experience in retail operations, Corporate Loss Prevention/Security, and remodel operations. He has worked for Neiman Marcus for the past 15 years. He has been Director of Operations in Dallas for the past 8 years, and prior to this assignment, he was Director of Loss Prevention for the Western Region and resided in Los Angeles. Prior to working for Neiman Marcus, Buck was employed by Bullock’s Department stores and Macy’s in Los Angeles, where he held store and corporate management positions in both Operations and Loss Prevention. Career highlights include:In 2007, Buck was selected to receive Neiman Marcus’ most prestigious award, the “NM BEST” award. This honor is awarded to a very select few individuals nationwide who exemplify high standards and professional excellence. While working for Bullock’s Department stores in Los Angeles, Buck was selected to manage the most aggressive and complex store remodel ever undertaken by the company. He completed the project in record time and was honored with the CEO’s “Profiles in Excellence” award for his achievement. Current and past community affiliations include:
Buck is the son of Commander Francis X. Kern III (USN ret., served from 1942 to 1970). Cdr. Kern served as a Naval Intelligence officer for more that 25 years. Buck was privileged to witness the example of his father’s service to this great country, and to learn from the example he set. Buck resides in Richardson, Texas with his wife Nina. "Growing up as the son of a U.S. Naval officer, I went without seeing my father for periods of six months to a year at a time. Being without a father present on a daily basis is difficult, but I was one of the lucky children whose dad always returned home. I can only imagine the devastation of being a child and losing your dad for the rest of your life. Snowball Express does extraordinary work that truly helps these children cope with their life altering loss. It is a privilege for me to serve these children who have given so much."
Gary Sinise, National Spokesman, Strategic Planning Gary Sinise began acting at the age of 16 during his sophomore year in high school but it was his portrayal of Lt. Dan in the Oscar winning film Forrest Gump that brought him mainstream attention and earned him nominations for an Academy Award, Golden Globe and the Screen Actors Guild Award. He received the Best Supporting Actor Award from the National Board of Review, and the Commander’s Award from the Disabled American Veterans for the role as well. He then went on to take starring roles in the acclaimed Apollo 13 opposite Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon; the thriller Ransom with Mel Gibson and Rene Russo; and Brian DePalma’s psychological thriller Snake Eyes. Gary’s Humanitarian Work: In addition to his acting, and supporting Snowball Express, Gary devotes a tremendous amount of time to other humanitarian efforts that support our nation’s defenders and their families.
Neil A. Raaz, Vice Chairman Neil became a third generation Army Aviator when he graduated pilot training as the Distinguished Honor Graduate in 1991. He has served on active duty as an Aeroscout helicopter pilot with the Second and Fourth U.S. Cavalry Regiments as well as being selected to receive the 1997 Intelligence Asset of the Year Award while assigned to the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion as an RC-12 Reconnaissance Pilot. In 1999 he began his career as a pilot with American Airlines where he currently flies the MD-80 while serving as a spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association. Neil has been a volunteer charter pilot for Snowball Express since 2007, the Airlift Coordinator since 2008, and the Vice-Chairman since 2012. He holds a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, an Airline Transport Pilot rating, and both Senior Army Aviator and Naval Aviator designations. He is the fourth of five generations that have continuously served our Nation's armed forces since 1932. He and Shannon, his wife of over twenty years, call Ft. Worth, Texas home.
Chris Ornes, Treasurer Christian J. Ornes, Chris, is a retired banker and corporate financial executive who is currently serving as Snowball's Treasurer and sits on the Executive Committee. Chris has 20 years of commercial banking experience in Maryland and Dallas, last serving as Sr. Vice President, First City Bank of Dallas. Among other posts, Chris managed the banks Large Corporate clients, Correspondent Banking relationships, spent time working in the restructuring area and Energy banking.
Chris joined DSCCommunications Corporation, Plano Tx., in 1986 as VP & Treasurer. DSCwas a publicly owned manufacturing company, making large telecommunication switches and other network type equipment. He retired when the company was purchased by Alcatel, the large French Telecom equipment manufacturer.
Chris is active in several non-profits organizations and is a guest lecturer at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Management and Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business. His current other affiliations include:
Chris and his wife, CJ, split their time between Keystone Co., and Dallas, where their 5 grandkids live.
Chris graduated from the University of Maryland with an accounting degree and did his graduate work at Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland. He has taught accounting and finance for the American Institute of Banking, The National Management Association and has attended numerous post graduate courses and seminars including the American Bankers Association's, National Graduate School of Commercial Lending.
Brenda Collins, Volunteer and Donor AppreciationBrenda Collins is currently the National Purchasing Director for Thomas Reprographics, a full service specialty document management, document communications and distribution company located in Dallas, Texas. She is a highly creative, self-motivated professional with proven insight for facility operations, problem analysis and resolution, and customer relations. In her current role Brenda provides superior customer service to high profile clients such as Neiman Marcus and Wilson Associates, an Interior Design Firm. She trains purchasing agents nationwide, coordinates new location openings and location moves, negotiates service contracts, vehicle and equipment leases, and selects and establishes nationwide vendor partnerships. Prior to her current position at Thomas Reprographics, Brenda was the City Support Manager responsible for staffing and operations for 10 DFW locations. Before joining Thomas Reprographics in 2001, Brenda spent 12 years working for Ridgway’s, a multimillion-dollar reprographic service provider to the Design and Construction Industry. During her tenure she held several positions including Customer Service Manager, Facilities Manager, Store Manager and Branch Manager. Her client companies included NASA, Bechtel, Fluor Daniel, 3DI, CRSS, Continental Airlines and Amoco. Brenda trained and empowered employees to be solution providers. In 1992, she was responsible for the installation and implementation of the first Digital Press allowing transition of flight manuals to a digital workflow reducing production time from weeks to days. She managed various projects requiring one million copies in twenty-four hours with overnight distribution. Brenda provided 24-hour support to attorneys and government in confidential classified cases. She was responsible for consolidating operations of the underperforming Denver locations. Her restructure efforts resulted in the Denver operation achieving the number one ranking for the most profitable store. Brenda was responsible for developing budgets and projecting revenues and expense for three profit centers. She identified opportunities and collaborated with the technical team to train managers on accounting processes. She also implemented a digital workflow on-site facility for Amoco. Brenda volunteers for several organizations including Ronald McDonald House, Susan G. Komen, and the Dallas Life Foundation General Paul William (Bill) Essex, Transportation Bill Essex and his wife Nancy, have lived in Southlake, Texas since 2005, when the US Air Force assigned then Major General Essex to serve as CEO and Commanding General of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). AAFES is a $9 billion dollar multi-channel retail organization headquartered in Dallas, which serves military customers in 34 countries. It operates on a “co-op” model, running almost entirely on its own sales-generated revenue and using very few tax dollars. Bill served 34 years in the USAF in a variety of jobs and locations around the world. An air mobility and logistics expert, Bill commanded large flying organizations, served in NATO, worked in the Pentagon, and was responsible for multi-billion dollar acquisition portfolios. Among his projects were all upgrades to Air Force One and other VIP aircraft, acquisition of the Lockheed Martin C-130J fleet, the Boeing C-17 fleet, and all the support equipment required for the nation’s air mobility aircraft. Bill’s formal education includes an undergraduate degree in zoology and physiology, and two masters degrees in business management and international security from Central Michigan and the US Naval War College, respectively. He is also a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School, Program for Executives, and from two senior executive programs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Bill is president of On-Time Supply and Logistics, Incorporated, a freight forwarding and third party logistics company in the DFW area. He also serves as a senior associate in the Burdeshaw Associates and Durango Group companies in Washington, DC. He is a member of the Ft Worth Airpower Council and a director of Career Solutions Workshop, a 501C3 which assists the unemployed . He is also a proud supporter of Snowball Express, a charity which supports the families of our nation’s fallen heroes. Mark Kelsey, Event Coordination & Survivor Outreach Mark retired from American Airlines as a Supervisor in Weight & Balance Planning in 2004. In 2006, Mark was mobilized to Active Duty with the Army where he served as a Casualty Notification/Casualty Assistance Officer for the Fort Hood Casualty Assistance Center at Fort Hood, TX, until his retirement in July, 2010. Mark is a proud member of the Patriot Guard Riders of North Texas, works on lowering his handicap at Shady Valley Golf Club, is the Communications Officer for the Chester Nimitz Squadron of the Texas Navy and is on the Board of Directors of the Eagle Mountain Classic Boat Club. Mark resides in Pantego, TX with his wife Michele, daughter Molly, and dog Kirby. “Unfortunately, I have had to notify many children of the death of their parent. I know from firsthand experience how children do not get the full measure of attention they deserve during this most tragic time. This is why I am so completely drawn to Snowball Express. When children attend Snowball Express they are transported to a place where they can share their stories with one another and develop lasting memories of fun and fellowship. I am honored to be able to be part of the effort to provide these children with a comfortable place to find a moment of happiness and hope.” Gary B. Lawson, Legal Advisor Gary Lawson received a J.D. from St. John's University School of Law in 1970 and an LL.M in Tax from New York University Law School in 1974 He is the father of two boys, ages 29 and 17. Selected as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazines in 2007, Gary is the author of numerous legal articles and is a frequent speaker before such groups as the National League of Cities, Guns & Hoses and the State Bar of Texas. He has also served as an expert witness before the U.S. Congress on pension and health matters. Gary's affiliations include Founding Board Member of Medisend International 1989 and today is a member of its Advisory Board, Going Home With America’s Huey 091- Board Member 2003-2005 and America's Huey 091 Foundation – Board Member 2007- present. "There is no more important job any of us undertake than becoming a parent. The men and women of our Armed Forces who defend our nation, risk their lives in service to our country and our country's allies, and those who are parents, knowingly and bravely place in jeopardy not only their own lives, but risk not being there to help their children grow, mature and enjoy that process. Now I have been given the opportunity to serve on the Snowball Express board and to help it to provide a measure of love and appreciation, to help create new memories of honor and joy for the children of our fallen heroes, children who otherwise are too quickly forgotten. Please join us in providing all Americans a way to say ‘thanks’ to these children."
Tom Lee, Business Development Thomas Lee is Director Business Development for Monogram Systems, an aerospace company, part of Zodiac Aerospace. Tom develops new technologies for the commercial airline industry including galley equipment and inflight entertainment systems. Tom holds numerous U.S. and international patents and accepted the "President's Award" for the development of the most innovative new equipment for commercial aircraft inflight operations during 1994. Tom flew on the inaugural flights of the two largest commercial aircraft in history including the Pan Am B747 flight from New York to London in January 1970 and the Singapore Airlines A380 from Singapore to Sydney in October 2007. Tom is a partner at Morale Entertainment that brings the "Best of America" overseas to build troop morale. During May 2008, five NCAA Head Football Coaches visited five bases in the Middle East. Tom and the coaches were greeted in the Oval Office by President Bush after their return to Andrews Air Force Base on Memorial Day 2008 (see picture). During 2009, Tom will be escorting seven Head Coaches to visit the troops in Afghanistan. Tom serves on the Board of Alumni Affairs of Tulane University. He is a member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), the World Airline Entertainment Association and International Flight Catering Association. "Our country owes these families and amazing children our compassion, love and honor. Snowball Express is uniquely positioned to fulfill this obligation on behalf of our grateful nation. As we prepare to greet our growing Snowball family community in Dallas, we have a unique opportunity to thank them with our famous southern hospitality. It is one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve on the Snowball Express Board."
Captain Jim Palmersheim, Managing Director - Veterans Initiatives, American Airlines Jim earned his bachelors degree and received a Regular Army Commission in 1984 as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Army ROTC Program at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was selected for follow-on training as an Aviation Intelligence Officer and subsequently transitioned to the RU-21H and OV-1D Reconnaissance aircraft. Jim left active duty in January 1990 to pursue a career as a pilot with American Airlines. With the exception of a recall to active duty in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Jim served in the US Army Reserves until 1995, flying UH-1H Huey Helicopters. In 2002, Jim and a group of volunteers flew Vietnam-era Huey Helicopter 65-10091 in support of the documentary film, "In the Shadow of the Blade." In 2004, Jim spearheaded the delivery and donation of Huey 091 to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where it is the largest artifact in a major 30-year exhibit, "The Price of Freedom, Americans at War." Jim serves in an advisory role to the Huey 091 Foundation, whose purpose is to educate future generations about the Price of Freedom and to provide resources, such as the iBOT mobility device, to severely wounded service members. Jim serves on the board of Snowball Express, a non-profit organization whose mission is to create new memories for the children of fallen service members killed on active duty since September 11, 2001. American Airlines is the official airline of Snowball Express, donating the use of charter aircraft and airfare to transport nearly 1,500 family members to the annual event each December. Jim is an advisor to the Gary Sinise Foundation, established in 2011 to serve military service members and their families Jim served as Honorary Commander 457th Fighter Squadron, NAS JRB Fort Worth from 2010-2011 and in 2010 was named an Honorary Nightstalker with the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment based at Fort Campbell Kentucky In 2007, Jim was named Managing Director - Veterans Initiatives at American Airlines and also flies as a Captain on the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft. Jim and his wife, Patricia, reside in Grapevine, Texas, with their daughter Lauren. Their son, Josh, is a Captain in the Army; currently deployed to Iraq, he is a Pilot in Command of the Army RC-12 aircraft. Dan Ronan, Media Relations Dan Ronan is the Senior Director of Communications for the American Bus Association. He joined the ABA in 2011 after three years with the American Automobile Association of Texas and New Mexico as the Manager of Corporate Communications and Community Affairs in Dallas. Prior to moving into corporate communications, he was a television correspondent and producer for 20 years with CNN, WFAA in Dallas, WAGA in Atlanta and CBS Newspath. Transportation issues have been Dan's specialty as he has done hundreds of stories for CNN and the other stations about highway construction, safer buses and car and commercial and general aviation. Dan is a licensed commercial pilot and has been trained an advanced airplane crash investigator at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona. During his career he was awarded a National Emmy for his reporting of the Oklahoma City bombing, seven regional Emmys and two RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards, one for his reporting on the explosion of the Space Shuttle Columbia. Dan is on the Board of Directors of Snowball Express, a 501©3. Snowballexpress.org. Snowball is "The Charity for the Children of Our Fallen Military Heroes." Each December Snowball Express holds an all-expenses paid, five day, four night gala for the surviving spouses and children of the men and women in uniform who died defending our nation since September 11th, 2001. A native of Chicago, Dan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met his wife Lori, a Manager with American Airlines.
Mike Rubin, Volunteer Development Mike Rubin is a pilot for American Airlines and a U.S. Navy (Viet Nam Era) veteran where he served an aircraft mechanic and flight crew engineer. Mike has a son that separated from the U.S. Navy recently as a Lt. and served two tours in the gulf, one on an Aegis Cruiser and the other on an Amphibious Assault Carrier. Mikes dad was a WWII veteran where he was a hospital corpsman attached to the second marine division and saw action on Tarawa and Saipan in the Western Pacific. After his military duty Mike returned to Dallas, attended college and worked for Henry S. Miller Company where he worked in the property management division. He returned to Amarillo, his place of birth, and worked in a family oil and gas business,real estate business and managed property for other clients in Amarillo. Mike was a police officer and reserve deputy in Amarillo also during this time.Mike is Vice President and COO of Moore County Gas Partners, an oil and gas operating company. Mike is the Operations Coordinator for American Airlines Veterans Initiatives and involved in numerous Volunteer projects for Veterans. Mike is married to Marianne, a Flight Attendant and volunteer for Snowball express. Mikes son David is also a volunteer in many Veteran Initiatives and projects "With me it's personal and about family. When I get around anybody that served in the cloth of the Nation the hair on my arms stands up. When I see a soldier, sailor, or their young child smile and I get to hug mom or dad, it has truly made my day. You can sit and watch the telethon,read the poster,watch the DVD,read the article, and shed a tear wondering and move on with the rest of your day. You can also get up and volunteer for family. Here is my choice..."
Micki Sander, Snowflake Coordination, Donor Development Micki Sander is married to Robert Sander, her life and business partner she is an avid golfer, who now teaches her grandchildren about the game of golf. Attended the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida and Berkeley College in New York. She has been a free lance writer with articles in the New York Times, of Westchester Magazine, Travel Navigator, Florida Golf, Avid Golfer Magazine and past Travel Editor of both Avid Golfer and Women’s Golf Magazine, Texas. Former producer of The Golfspot Radio Show. Member of the Golf Travel Writer’s Association. Women’s Editor of the PGA Magazine Fore Texas. Past Community affiliations include the Dallas Arboretum Board of Directors, Trinity River Commission, Cable Board of Dallas, North Dallas Chamber Board of Directors, Chairman of the Turtle Creek Parknership, member of Board of Directors of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Board of Executive Women Golf Association, Dallas Chapter, 2008-2009 President of SKAL (an international organization of the Hospitality Industry), past President of the Four Seasons Sports Club Women’s Golf Association Received The City of Dallas Proclamation for creating ArtPicks, first majBoard of Executive Women Golf Association, Dallas Chapter, 2008 President of SKAL (an international organization of the Hospitality Industry), immediate past President of the Four Seasons Sports Club Women’s Golf Associationor art festival in Dallas, voted Woman of the Year for AMC Cancer Research Center and Hospital’s National Council of Auxiliaries in 1979, received the Crystal Award from Cable Access of Dallas in 1987 and 1988 and co-chaired the first annual Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum. In September 2010 she was appointed an Admiral in the Texas Navy by Govenor Rick Perry. She is President of The Golfspot, a golf travel company owned and operated by Bob and Micki Sander. Mike Snyder, Strategic Planning & Media Relations MIKE SNYDER is Sr. Vice President and Director of Communications for the Wolf Group, a leading national strategic communications firm offering state based grass roots & public relations services across the nation from headquarters in Dallas, Chicago and Washington DC. Mike consults both corporate and political clients from initial meetings through creative and execution of campaigns, engaging the deep resources of the Wolf Group to achieve efficient and successful results. On July 1, 2010, Mike finished a 30 year run at NBC-Television (NBC-5 Dallas/Fort Worth). Mike was the lead male anchor from 1990 to 2010. He and co-anchor Jane McGarry are the longest running anchor pair in Texas history. Prior to assuming the anchor desk, Mike traveled the world as the station’s chief correspondent. Over the years Mike has amassed a rare mix of skill sets in broadcast, internet and emerging media. Those abilities are blended with his journalistic acuity to assess public relations, political situations, marketing challenges, reputational and crisis exposure/management/prevention. Mike is an award winning professional journalist, experienced and accomplished digital/social media and branding consultant, philanthropist, entrepreneur and specialist in harnessing emerging media trends, and a skilled business and professional coach. Mike is a sought after voice talent and business consultant. Mike consults corporate, non-profit foundations, private individuals and political candidates on digital and social media strategies and crisis management, and guides clients on how to harness emerging media trends for local/global branding and marketing. Mike is an accomplished philanthropic fundraiser, organizer and manager of large scale public events. As Chairman of the Airpower Foundation, Mike partnered with American Airlines and other strategic partners to assist the families of our deployed and wounded military. Over the years Mike has served on the boards of several 501c3 foundations, and is deeply involved with military veterans, the Salvation Army Angel Tree, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Junior Achievement. In addition to supporting Snowball Express, Mike’s latest philanthropic projects were Sky Ball (4 thousand patrons at the AA Fort Worth hangar to raise financial support military families), Tribute to the Troops (taking 150 wounded warriors, most amputees and burn casualties, on a 4-day Las Vegas extravaganza to begin their transition from hospital to private life). Honors and Awards Mike is a member of the Investigative Reporters and Editors Association and the Society of Robert (Bob) Woodward, IT Management Robert A. Woodward “Bob” is Vice President, Engineering for Elbit Systems of America in Fort Worth, Texas and leads the Fort Worth Operations engineering organization providing strategic guidance for the development of defense systems. Elbit Systems of America is a leading provider of high performance products and system solutions focusing on the defense, homeland security, commercial aviation, and medical instrumentation markets. Bob graduated from San Diego State University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSAE) degree. He started his career at Lockheed Martin in California working on the first digital autopilot for the L-1011 airliner. He soon moved to the Skunk Works, developing and fielding avionics systems for various complex military aircraft. He has 28 plus years of engineering experience in fielding avionics, software systems, hardware platforms, communications systems, and managing technical organizations. He holds four patents and has received many engineering awards in his field of expertise. He has supported all branches of the military in developing systems to provide operational advantages to our military and has found throughout his carrier that working with military personnel is one of his most rewarding experiences. Bob is an Eagle Scout and continues to support scouting causes. He is a member of Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) North Texas Chapter and Association of United States Army (AUSA), which advances the cause of current and former members of the US Army. He participates in many technical development organizations including DirectNet, Network Centric Operational Industry Consortium (NCOIC), International Data Link Society (IDLS), and IEEE. He has also volunteered in the Pohick Creek bald eagle survey program for three years which is an especially important eagle concentration area. Bob and his wife, Kerry, live in Fort Worth, Texas. He enjoys golf and has a passion for woodworking. Marty Johnson, Board MemberMarty Johnson is the Director of Government Sales for Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery. He oversees all systems related to sales, customer development, and government relations pertaining to the Military
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Francis X. Kern “Buck” is Director of Operations for Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas and is responsible for leading the support operations for the company’s Flagship store, Corporate Executive offices, and the Company’s Buying and Planning Organization. He also serves as Vice President, Board of Directors for the Neiman Marcus Federal Credit Union.
Re-sale systems. He is also the Chairman of the American Logistics Association's Exchange Council.