Leadership of JCVA
The JCVA endeavors to provide support to a variety of veteran activities and to veterans themselves.
Incorporated as a 501(c)(19) organization under the laws of the state of Georgia and pursuant to the IRS Code of 1986, the Association is governed by a Board of Directors and elected Officials (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) as defined in its Bylaws and as determined, in part, by its membership.
Biographical Info
Bio: Captain, JCVA Color Guard Served in the US Air Force from April, 1974 to March, 1979. Upon discharge from the USAF, attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning Bachelor degrees in Accounting and MIS. Following graduation, Keith spent a 35+ yr progressive career in the Information Technology field, working for or providing consulting services to many Fortune 500 companies, combining his accounting and MIS fields of study.
Following being aged out of his career field, Keith has been running a real estate redevelopment company, focused on reviving existing communities and neighborhoods, bringing increased quality of life to the neighbors, communities and localities, while at the same time increasing city/county tax revenues. Keith has been a member of the JCVA since the early days. An active member of the JCVA Color Guard, now its leader. Keith previously served as Secretary of the JCVA.
Biographical Info
Bio: Janice Hiers is a Retired Lt. Col. USAF Nurse Corp, who served Active Duty and Reserves for 20 years with honorable service and decorations. Janice retired from the Active Reserves in 2000. She hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin and the daughter of a career CWO 4 Army National Guardsman. Janice holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of WI – Oshkosh and a Masters Degree in Human Relations with an emphasis in Counseling from the University of Oklahoma. She has carried certifications in Case Management.
Janice retired after 45 years total in the nursing profession in various capacities (military and civilian) Janice was also an Adjunct Professor for 10 years and is is married to Tony Hiers, US Army Veteran. She has one daughter, son n law (Navy Veteran), two grandsons and a bonus family of a son, daughter, and granddaughter. She is a member of Mount Pisgah UMC, American Legion, Georgia Military Women, Society of Air Force Nurses Military Officers Association of America, VFW, past Rotarian President and Business Womens Club.
As an active member of JCVA, she is the Director at Large – Women’s Programs. Janice’s efforts have impacted the growth of women membership, supporting women veterans, and leads the JCVA Annual Women Veterans Day Ceremony. Her name is listed on the Women’s Memorial Wall in Washington DC. She is still serving and remains instrumental in supporting women veterans. In retirement she enjoys family time in Roswell, GA, photography, friends, sports, and shopping. She is an avid Braves and Green Bay Packer fan.
Biographical Info
Bio: Dick was born in Miami, Florida and grew up with a lot of nautical experience from owning several boats since he was 12 years old. Likewise, in July of 1959, after graduating from Andrew Jackson High School, he decided to join the Navy’s “Kiddie Cruise” program. After a short term in the Navy, he entered the University of Miami in September of 1963 with a partial scholarship as a miler, 2-miler, and cross-country member of the Miami Hurricanes track team.
Graduating in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in education, he decided to return to his alma mater high school as a track and football coach for the next few years, then had the opportunity to join Shell Oil Company as the sales and marketing manager of their 17 service stations between Miami International Airport and Key West, Florida. Those years of experience provided him the opportunity to join Petersen Publishing Company in 1973 who produced several magazine publications for the interest and activities of those interested in sports cars, 4-wheel off-road trucks, motorcycles, scuba diving, and of course.., boating. In 1985 he launched his own Holcomb & Associates advertising and marketing firm which is still today delivering the needs for successfully publishing magazines for those interested in playing golf and the golf industry including Golf Illustrated, Golfweek, and Troon Magazine.
Throughout all these years of successful experiences he still has strong memories of the Navy and still owns a boat.., and he restores the meaningful days of his high school teaching years by being a substitute teacher at Holy Redeemer and Mount Pisgah schools. His previous positions as the Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator within the Knights of Columbus council and assembly within Saint Brigid Catholic Church have been and will always be a proud memory of his participation in building the Bostian Gazebo, the Vietnam Wall That Heals, the sponsoring of the Afghanistan Memorial, and the “good deeds that were done” for all of our service members, our veterans, and their families over the years.
Biographical Info
Bio: Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. John entered the Navy via the Navy ROTC Program at the University of Louisville. Graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a commission as an Ensign in the US Navy. Reported aboard the USS Dubuque (LPD-8), did three tours to Vietnam. Retired from after 20+ years in the Reserves. Active member of the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association, American Legion, VETBUDS, Knights of Columbus St. Benedict’s Council 10633, Knights of Columbus Fr. Mychal Judge Assembly 3086. Married 49+ years to wife Carol, 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren. Resident of Johns Creek, 25+ years.
Biographical Info
Michael Mizell, Lt. Colonel ( R ) US Army Military Police Corps, 1973-1994, is a Life Member of American Legion Post 201, VetBuds, MilBuds, DAV and a founding member of the JCVA. Michael is a member of the G2R class at Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church, and Emmaus walk participant, and an avid hunter.
Michael’s company, Millennium Security Services, LLC, is a Veteran Administration, Certified Veteran Enterprise (CVE), Service Connected, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that prides itself in always Hiring Veterans First.
Michael’s first job upon leaving the military in 1994, was Venue Security Manager for the 1996 Olympic Village and Atlanta Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He served as a District Manager for Pinkerton Security before taking 51% control of Millennium. In 2001 he bought out his partner and has been 100% owner since. He has received state and national recognition by the Georgia and National Offices of the American Legion, 6 times and 4 times respectively, as the Georgia or National Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year. Currently over 65% of his company are veterans.
Millennium provides armed or unarmed guards to federal contracts, unarmed staffing for commercial companies, executive protection, and security consulting services throughout the southeast.
Michael and Laurel Mizell live in Chartwell Subdivision and enjoy their 4 children, their spouses and their five ( 5 ) grandchildren, all residing less than 30 minutes of home. Networking veterans is a dedicated part of Mike’s life and business and he does not pass up an opportunity to help our vets whenever and wherever needed.
Biographical Info
Bio: William and Mary ’66, Williamsburg, VA Denbigh, VA – High School Teacher: Earth Space Science, Chemistry, Physics, Varsity Baseball Coach ’66 – ‘67 Air Force Pilot (22years – 5 years active duty) 9 th Special Ops (C-47) Nha Trang and Tuy Hoa, Vietnam 1969 C-141 McGuire AFB, NJ (Instructor, Standardization Flight Examiner) Eastern Air Lines F/O / Captain (’73 -’74) (’78 – ’91) Type Ratings (B-727, B-757, B-767, CE-500, DC-3 C-47), DC-9, L-300 (C-141) Chief Pilot – Av Atlantic Air Director of Training – Private Jet/National Airlines, Atlanta Director of Operations – Viscount Air Lines Travis AFB, CA, C-141-Air Reserve Technician – Chief of Standardization and Training FAA Flight Standards Aviation Safety Inspector Principal Operations Inspector (GS-15) – Delta Air Lines Certificate Management Office Atlanta ISO Quality Management Systems Auditor/Senior Auditor/Lead Auditor
Biographical Info
Martina Schmidt served in the United States Air Force as a Bioenvironmental Engineering Technician. After her time in the military, she worked for a few years for Battelle Memorial Institute as an Air Force contractor, but finally answered her real calling and joined the Circus! She attended the Creative Circus portfolio school and became a commercial photographer.
Martina’s passion for Veteran Women and photography led her to create the She Served Initiative. Martina is married to her wonderful husband Bill who supports her in all her new ventures! Both love to travel and play pickleball. When Martina is not photographing or traveling, she loves to crochet