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Snowball Express TrusteesMajor Bill Major Bill "Monsoon" Mimiaga USMC (Ret) Secretary A Marine for 31 years, Bill Mimiaga started as a Private and retired as a Major. A combat veteran decorated for valor, he feels that for the past seven years he has been in his toughest assignment… a special education teacher at Stephens Middle School. Bill was nominated for a second year as California State Teacher of the Year for Middle Schools and received the coveted honor in 2006. For 2008, Bill was nominated and received the Council for Exceptional Children Star Award for Teacher of the Year. Bill is a dedicated advocate for veterans and their families in need. He strongly believes that it is a community responsibility to come together in support for the wives and children of our fallen American heroes. As a Trustee, Bill welcomes and challenges everyone to provide whatever support that they can to make this year's Snowball event a success. Bill joined the Snowball Express BOD in February 2007. Lt. Col. Tom Mackie Tom Mackie works for Northrop Grumman developing the next generation of Unmanned Aircraft for the U.S. Navy. Tom is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves and continues to fly F/A-18 Hornets out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in support of Global Operations. Tom serves as a Trustee because of his desire to support the families of our fallen heroes and the extensive community work in which he has been involved over the years. His 18 years of service (and having lost many friends along the way) allows him to identify first-hand with this great cause and provide continuity between the military services and the families. Tom is proud to be among those to further the vision and outreach of Snowball Express for the spouses and children of our nation's heroes. Greg Young Greg served in the US Army and was a flying crew chief on the OV-1A Mohawk gunship where he served with honor and distinction. Upon returning to his home after Vietnam, Greg served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and retired as a Detective. He then worked as a security consultant until his recent retirement. He is past President of the Vietnam Veterans Association 785 in Orange County and has provided voluntary assistance to many veterans and their families over the years. Greg was instrumental in last year's event by providing logistical support in moving families around as well as exposure to other veteran groups to the value of the Snowball Express. Many volunteers were convinced to help with this wonderful event thanks to his efforts. We are pleased to have him on our team. Alfredo Anguiano Born and raised in Orange County, Alfredo was named after his grandfather, Alfredo F. Garcia, U.S. Army, who served in World War II. As Director of Operations of the prestigious Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel, Costa Mesa, California, Alfredo was a welcoming face to 75 Snowball Express families in 2006. "My heart was warmed by the appreciation expressed and felt by the families and all volunteers involved in the event. It is my honor to dedicate my services again this year and lend my expertise to the logistical challenges of this amazing operation. It’s a privilege to serve these deserving families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Although nothing can make their pain go away, providing new memories and a network of support is a step towards continued recovery." Brigadier General Albert E. Brewster USMC (Ret)
Brigadier General Albert E. Brewster USMC (Ret) served in the Korean War as a Platoon Leader, flew 105 combat missions in Vietnam, and served in all levels of command, before retiring in 1980 after 3 years as the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant in Washington, D.C.
He was then employed by the Northrop Corporation as Vice President, Legislative Affairs, to obtain Congressional funding for Northrop’s military programs. He retired from Northrop in 1989 and he and his wife spent several years sailing in the Caribbean and South America before returning and settling in St. Leonard, Maryland. There, he became deeply involved in volunteering for service to the community, joining Rotary, taking leadership positions in the Red Cross, Literacy Council, volunteer teaching, and was appointed by County Commissioners to serve on the Board of the County’s multi- million dollar Sculpture Garden.
In 2000, they moved to Virginia to be closer to their children, and in 2005, to California to be with his wife’s aging mother. Upon her death in 2006, they moved to Frisco, Texas. General Brewster holds a Bachelor Degree in Business from the University of New Mexico and a Masters Degree in Education from Pepperdine University.
Gen Brewster first learned of the Snowball in September 2007 and immediately began volunteering. He joined the BOD in January 2008.
"My passion for working with Snowball Express stems from my belief that military families face many unique challenges everyday, however, the loss of a loving parent in defense of the nation is something that too many people take as an "everyday occurrence", without understanding its long term effect on the children. I’ve seen and heard the difference Snowball Express makes in these children’s lives. I hope you will also, and that you will support our efforts."
John Mavros
"I have been a Rotarian for nearly 30 years and supported hundreds of wonderful local, national and international charitable activities. But helping to bring a few days of happiness into the lives of the children of our fallen US military has been the most rewarding charitable experience of my life. We owe the children and spouses of our fallen military an immeasurable debt of gratitude, since they, too, are heroes." Trisha Marshall Aside from continuing to proudly serve on Snowball’s Board of Directors, Trisha serves as National Co-Chair for Snowflake events. These are events already planned that our families are invited to enjoy all year long throughout the Nation in cities where they live. Please go to the Snowflake Link on the homepage to see what they are all about and how you or your corporation might participate. Trisha is presently a Residential Real Estate specialist with Coldwell Banker in Orange County. She enjoyed a lengthy career with a major airline as an In-Flight Service Manager, Flight Attendant Instructor and Corporate speaker. Her commitment to “Service Above Self” is further exemplified as a Rotarian. Trisha’s Newport-Irvine Rotary was one of the co-sponsors of the first Snowball Express which was held in 2006 in California. “The fact that we were successful in our first year in providing hope, healing and creating new memories for close to 917 Snowball Express attendees was a miracle and the experience has continued to , well, “Snowball”!! Trisha’s father and brother have both proudly served in the Marine Corp and Snowball Express is especially meaningful to Trisha, as she and her six younger siblings lost their mom to a heart attack at a very young age and she knows full well the impact and challenge of having only one parent for support, love and guidance. One of the joys of her life is her daughter, Meghan, who will complete her third year of Law School this year. “It has been my honor for the last four years, along with thousands of volunteers, corporations and fellow Rotarians and countless other service groups to help provide this opportunity of healing for these deserving children of our fallen heroes. The experience of feeling the joy and the cathartic bonding of child with child, widow with widow throughout this special time together is life-changing and is etched in my heart." |
With over 35 years in the hospitality industry, John is a well-recognized and respected leader, both in business and the various communities he has lived in. He has been President of Preferred Hotel Management for the last thirteen years, prior to which he held multiple high-level luxury hotel management positions in Europe and Asia. His international experience and service to those in need as a Rotarian expanded his understanding of how the world views the USA.