Sharene Brown launched the Five & Thrive initiative in 2021, with the goal of improving quality of life for Air Force families by focusing on 5 key areas (childcare, education, healthcare, housing and spouse employment). Her dedication to military families is felt across the country, and ADC is honored to recognize Mrs. Sharene Brown as the inaugural recipient of the National Impact Award.

Dr. Greene and her late husband, Parker Greene, formed The Moody Support Group, a civilian network with the sole purpose of honoring our servicemen and women in any capacity possible. Dr. Greene has been a leader in Moody Support for over 40 years. Additionally, Dr. Greene is involved in a multitude of initiatives on and around Moody Air Force Base, including leading Moody Support Group, working with the Governor on his defense initiative, authoring daily updates for local civic leaders, authoring a monthly Volunteer Volume that captures all the support efforts for Moody AFB and working with local schools and universities to support the education of our military and their families.

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A retired Army officer, Mueller has a keen interest in, and passion for, our military, and has committed the majority of his adult life to serving our nation. Mayor Mueller has advocated for service members, their families and veterans as a member of the Governor’s appointed Military Affairs Commission for several years. He has also participated in and supported Sierra Vista’s United Veteran’s Council and led environmental efforts in the Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca area.

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Through founding and leading Broken Warrior Angel, Alvarado has provided opportunities to homeless, disabled and OTH (other than Honorable) men and women veterans. He is a Vietnam veteran himself, and is dedicated to reaching out to, supporting, and providing relief to homeless veterans in the San Antonio area.

As President of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chesshir has been a consistent advocate for LRAFB’s mission, airmen and families at the local, state and federal levels. He has also spearheaded fundraising efforts to create scholarships, support the LRAFB Spouse’s Organization and the First Sergeant Groups’ Warm Hearts Program. His leadership at state and national levels to protect and enhance the missions of LRAFB have helped assure awareness of the many vital roles the Base plays to assure national security.

Through running the Unaccompanied/Unaccounted for/Unclaimed Veterans Program, David pays tribute to service members by laying them to rest with honors. He ensures standard internment procedures with military honors for veterans with no known next of kin or those whose next of kin are unable to attend. David and his team hold quarterly burial services, open to the public, to honor the service of these veterans.

As co-chairman of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee, Decker has been a strong advocate for military members and their families. As part of the committee, he has helped retain the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing during the 2005 BRAC, create one of the first veteran courts in Ohio and contributed to the Ohio Federal Military Jobs Commission.

As chair of New London’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, Kinsall has been a champion of veteran, service member and military family support, appreciation and inclusivity. His efforts revitalized the U.S. Submarine Veterans Groton and helped found the City of New London Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.

Serving close to 2,000 military-connected students, Livengood has developed and implemented a multitude of programs and practices to meet the unique needs of military-connected students. Through establishing and/or supporting programs like the Military Child Education Website, Scorecard Working Group and Wayne School of Technical Arts, Livengood has been a strong advocate for military families.

As commander for Vandenberg Space Force Base’s (VSFB) Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch and Test Range, Colonel Long has been committed to continuous improvement of the base’s relationship with the City of Lompoc, a city of nearly 44,000 that neighbors VSFB. Col. Long established the VSFB Community Partnership Program to strengthen the base’s relationship with the city and created the Integrated Resilience Center for sexual assault and domestic violence victims in the Vandenberg community.

Dr. Rowe has worked for a number of years to help defense communities become more sustainable, resilient, and mission ready. He has led and supported a multitude of initiatives and programs to do so, including leading Booz Allen’s BRAC campaign from 2005-2011, volunteer work with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, guiding Northern Virginia’s Cyber Training & Roadmap program and much more.

As CEO of Abound Credit Union, Springsteen has led efforts to support soldiers and their families while strengthening Fort Knox. He promotes financial literacy among service members, leads workshops for veteran entrepreneurs, serves as the board chairman of the Knox Regional Development Alliance and has supported expansion of healthcare access in the Fort Knox region.