Alan joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17, serving 8 years in a Cobra Helicopter unit.  After Desert Storm, Alan left the Marines but stayed involved in many veteran charities and organizations as his passion has always been for the men and women that have served this great nation.

Alan got his degree in Industrial Design at Auburn University, where he also met his wife, Janet.  After working in the tradeshow industry for 14 years for other companies, he decided to open his own Exhibit House in 2006. Covid came along and shut down the Tradeshow industry, and Alan was fortunate enough to be able to sell his business and retire.  Since retiring, he keeps busy as the President of his HOA, on the Advisory Council for The Headstrong Project, playing golf, and building things around the house.

Russ grew up in Charlevoix, Michigan, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1991. He served 30 years combined active and reserve as a Surface Warfare Officer, retiring as a Navy Captain (O6). He served on multiple deployments including a year in Afghanistan and held key leadership roles, including advising the Admiral of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. In his business role, Russ has focused his career on AI and cloud technology, leading digital business transformations across telecom, sports, fintech, DoD, travel and hospitality industries.

Russ and his wife, Kathleen, of 30+ years, landed in Braselton, Georgia in 2021, where they built their home in the Chateau Elan community. Kathleen has been a registered nurse with HCA for over two decades, reflecting the family’s ongoing dedication to service. Together, they have two adult children: Kate, a third-year medical student at the University of Missouri, and Brian, a Procurement Forester with West Fraser in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Their family is completed by three beloved dogs—MoKa, Alabama, and Lila.

Since 2022, Russ has been volunteering at Chateau Elan Military Support Foundation (CEMSF) events. In 2026, he was elected to the Board of Directors for his first term. Russ is passionate about empowering veterans, particularly in the areas of business leadership, ending veteran homelessness, and mental health. He is especially committed to advancing support for PTSD and TBI treatment, leveraging his diverse leadership experience to make a meaningful impact. Russ is deeply grateful for his years of military service and strongly believes in CEMSF’s mission to support veterans in Northeast Georgia.

Jon joined the Chateau Elan Military Support Foundation soon after its founding.  He retired as a Colonel in 2017 from the United States Air Force.  Jon grew up in South Dakota and graduated from the University of South Dakota, ’83 BA, ’85 MA. He joined the Air Force and became a pilot flying the T-38 and KC-135R until being selected to be a Special Air Missions pilot, at the 89th Airlift Wing, flying the VC-137 responsible for transporting our nation’s leaders globally.  He transitioned to the AF Reserve at the Pentagon in 2001 and in 2006 became the Senior AF Director of FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta, supporting National Security and Emergency Preparedness, mostly involved in Hurricane Recovery as an AF Liaison to FEMA.

Currently, Jon is pilot for American Airlines and a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. In addition to being on the board of the Foundation, he is a member of the Kiwanis.

David grew up in Warner Robins, Georgia, and graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1985. He spent two years working as an Electrical Engineer for the Department of Defense before joining the United States Air Force. David served on active duty from August 1988 to December 1997 as an A-10 pilot. He transitioned to the Air Force Reserves in January 1998 and retired in December 2013 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. David started flying for Delta Air Lines in November 1998 and is now starting his 27th year with Delta.

He has been married to Debbie, a retired teacher, since 1990. They have a daughter, Sydney, who is currently working towards a graduate degree at UGA. David has been actively involved in the Chateau Elan Military Support Foundation since 2019 and a Board Member for two years. David is very thankful for his time spent in the military, and because his father and grandfather also retired from the Air Force, he is passionate about the CEMSF’s cause. He believes in the CEMSF mission of helping veterans in the Northeast Georgia area and looks forward to helping grow the foundation.