As the "Friends" of the Fisher House Puget Sound Board of Directors, we appreciate the trust our stakeholders have placed in us. Our all-volunteer Board is humbled by the opportunity to advance the generous intentions of our donors. We will continue to act as prudent stewards of your gifts with transparency, integrity, and heart! Your 100% tax-deductible donations are meaningful in supporting military families during times of medical emergency. We appreciate your support!"
Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound Board & Advisory Members 2024
Rocco Bagala, President ~ As an Army Veteran, Rocco has always valued the Fisher House's mission. During his career as a social work leader in the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, he became actively involved with the development of the Fisher House policies as well as extensive involvement in social work leadership at the National Fisher House network and on the local level. Rocco's experience working with Veterans and their families has allowed him to develop a variety of skills and expertise in the field of social work. He is excited to be on the Board of Directors, bringing his knowledge of military culture along with his insight of the needs of military families to the board. Rocco looks forward to continuing to serve Veterans and their families in his role as President. John Park, Treasurer ~ John has worked the last 29 years at the Seattle VA Medical Center/Puget Sound Health Care system in roles that allowed him to have an impact on operations and services for Veterans. As someone who has dedicated his life working for Veterans and their families, John finds it extremely rewarding and satisfying. Serving as a Director for the Friends, has allowed him to continue to make positive contributions to Veterans and their families during difficult times in their lives. John looks forward to helping ensure continued support for house guests in the future. Joel Wirasnik, Secretary ~ Joel has a life-long commitment to serve Veterans. His recent retirement following 38 years of service with the Department of Veterans Affairs, lead him to serve on the board of Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound. It continues to be his mission to faithfully serve the men, women, and families that diligently share their time, talents, and lives to protect our freedom. As a participating member of the Board of Directors, he works to provide housing and comfort for military families impacted by illness and injury.
Gail Eck, Director ~ Right out of college, with a business degree in hand, Gail accepted a position in management with the VA. Little did she know that her entire career would be spent serving in seven different VA health care systems across the country. It was the VA's mission of caring for those who gave so much in support of our nation and other nations around the world that Gail couldn't leave. Having a son who served as a Marine in Iraq brought the importance of that mission home in a personal way. After retirement, her involvement as a Board Member of the Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound Board has allowed her to continue to provide support for Veterans, active-duty military, and their families.
Alan Myers, Director ~ Alan began his journey in the Marine Corps in 1968. Earning his Naval Aviator wings as a Fixed Wing Aviator in 1970, Alan flew reconnaissance aircraft and served in various staff positions including: Operations, Intelligence, Maintenance, and Supply. Alan possesses a unique skill set, being one of a few individuals who have been certified in the military on both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. During his time in the States, Alan was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point in North Carolina and served overseas, based at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. In 1973, Alan completed his active duty with the Marine Corps and transitioned to a career with Eastman Kodak as part of their Digital Imaging sales and support team. He maintained a customer base, providing services to the U.S. Military, NASA, and Law Enforcement. In 1981 Alan joined the Indiana Army National Guard and over the next 21 years served in the Guard in Utah and Washington until his retirement in 2002. Following retirement, always a heart for service to others, Alan helped found the Seattle Chapter of "Stand up for Kids," a non-profit mentorship program focused on supporting homeless teens. Now, we are grateful to have Alan as a part of the Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound team. With his passion for supporting active Military, Veterans, families, and caregivers during times of medical need and a wealth of experience, Alan will undoubtedly play a crucial role in fulfilling our mission.
Viviana Davis ~ Viviana has a diverse background, having been born in Lima, Peru, before being raised in Kirkland, Washington. Her bilingualism is a notable trait, as she is fluent in both English and Spanish. Viviana is a family-oriented person, married to Master Sergeant Justin Davis, sharing their lives with three children, and an Old English Bulldog named Roxy. Viviana's commitment to education led her to the University of Phoenix, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. In her professional life, Viviana holds a full-time position at PepsiCo, where she serves as a Merchandiser Manager. Outside of her career, she finds joy in a range of activities. Viviana is an enthusiastic traveler, often exploring new destinations with her family. Volunteering is another significant part of her life; she began contributing her time and effort to the JBLM Fisher House in July 2023. In addition, she maintains an active lifestyle by engaging in running and hiking. Looking ahead, Viviana aspires to establish a permanent home for her family in Washington once her husband, Master Sergeant Justin Davis, retires.
Melanie SImmons ~ Melanie has and continues to faithfully and diligently served active Military and retired Veterans at the Seattle VA for over 25 years. Melanie shares, "I have a deep affection for our heroes, those we serve." A former member of Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound for 6 years, I am excited to be a part of all that is happening today! I participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Marianne Marks Garden as a memorial to my mother. I am honored to be a member of the Advisory Support team for Friends. I enjoy spending time with the families during mealtime, providing support and listening to their stories. The time together is healing.”
Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound ~ we keep families together because a family's love is good medicine!
Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound PO Box 18253 Seattle, WA 98118 206-501-8860 [email protected]
