Meet the Board
The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation was founded by John W. Blankenship in 2003 with a personal gift from Pierre Claeyssens. With his wife, Hazel, he has assembled an Executive Board and an Advisory Board that is involved with several projects which honor all veterans of all wars. An extensive collection of artwork, memorabilia, and personal histories are collected and ready for exhibit. Our famous Santa Barbara and the Tri-County areas from Ventura to San Luis Obispo have played vital roles in all of the wars and conflicts of the 20th Century and have a proud history of service to our nation. The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation hosts many events throughout the year to support and honor Veterans and Active Duty Military.
Member’s Emeritus
COL Philip J. Conran, USAF, (ret.)
LTC Maureen M. Masson, USAF, (ret.)
CAPT Dennis Peterson, USMC, (former)
MAJ Jose A. Ramirez , USMCR (ret.)
Advisory Board
Gen. Bill Begert, USAF (ret.)
Honorable A. Brooks Firestone
Capt. Florent Groberg, US Army (ret.)
Cpt. Karl Marlantes, USMC (former)
Captain Charlie Plumb, USN (ret.)
Gen. Anthony Zinni, USMC (ret.)
Board of Directors
LT. John Blankenship, USN (former)
Hazel Blankenship
Sheriff Bill Brown, Santa Barbara County
LT Michael Conroy, USN, (former)
CAPT Joe Danely US Army (former)
Sgt. Mike Fogelsonger, USAF (former)
Eric Friedman
BGen Frederick R. Lopez , USMCR (ret.)
CPO Barney K. Melekian, USCG (ret.)
Sgt. Dennis G. Merenbach, US Army (former)
Robert Minter
Sgt. Dana Newquist, US Army (former)
Sgt. Max Peck, USMCR (former)
LT Stephen E. Penner, USN (former)
SPC Jeremy Purves, US Army (former)
LTC Patricia Rumpza USAF (ret.)