Staff

Meet the Adopt A US Soldier Volunteers

Adopt A US soldier is staffed entirely by volunteers, just like you.

While each volunteer and supporter of soldiers deserves not only our thanks and appreciation, but the gratitude of the nation, these people
keep AAUSS going behind the scenes. Here you can meet and contact volunteers, administrators, and other key personnel of Adopt A US Soldier.
While AAUSS numbers are over 700,000+ supporters, these key people have volunteered their time, talents, and efforts to help keep Adopt A US Soldier growing and functioning.

Ann Johnson

Founder & CEO

When Ann knew that her only son, Paul, was going to be stationed in Iraq, she asked some of her friends if they would help support Paul’s company. The response was great and grew! One of her friends, an air traffic controller at Denver International Airport, asked her boss if they could adopt Paul’s group. They ended up sending almost $3,000 worth of goods. Then a mistake was made…the soldiers, thinking that they were thanking the DIA group, addressed their letters in care of DIA. However, all of the supporters didn’t work at DIA, so the letters, after being opened, were sent to Ann to re-address and send out to the appropriate people. In tears reading them, Steve W., a retired LT COL U.S. Air Force Pilot and friend of Ann’s, called and alerted the media of Ann’s efforts and the Adopt A US Soldier organization was born. Paul has been redeployed since October, 2006 for his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Email Ann Johnson

Ann Johnson is one of our: Board Of Directors •

Mona Willson

Director of Ambassadors

Mona is originally from Maryland, where she grew up outside of the Baltimore/Washington area. The vast military affiliations, abundant patriotic memorials and historical surroundings there have helped to shape and influence her strong dedication to our great country, and to the armed forces which continue to defend its liberties and freedom. Her personal mission within Adopt A US Soldier is to ensure that the American public is aware of how their support affects the lives of our US troops, and to provide them with the most accurate information and resources to participate in these important efforts. Veterans’ organizations have played a critical role in the work that Mona has done for Adopt A US Soldier, and continues to do so. These organizations have been extremely supportive of her mission and have helped her to realize how important this work truly is, as most of these veterans did not have a program such as this at their disposal during their service at war time. Many have stated that it would have made a huge difference in their lives. She has been able to spend many hours with these veterans of past and present wars, hearing their stories, listening to their needs and trying to bring a supreme sense of gratitude to them for all that they have done. The young wounded troops of the current wars have brought a heightened awareness to her as well. During her visits to Walter Reed and to the National Naval Hospital at Bethesda, she was able to see, first hand, some of the extensive price that is being paid to bring justice and liberty to the oppressed, in the name of our country. After witnessing the resilience and bravery of these young heroes, her motivation to advocate for our United States military and its endless sacrifice, is unstoppable and immeasurable. Mona participates in many major events in New York, in order to bring attention and support to Adopt A US Soldier, she provides speaking presentations and informational sessions, and continues to collaborate on numerous projects with veterans groups and military installations in New York, such as the annual Toys for Tots program with the USMC Reserves, and assisting the USMC League with their mission to help wounded Marines with the cost of medical necessities not fully covered by insurance. She is also a huge sponsor for helping educators become informed on how they can help military families during times of deployments or misfortune that may come with military life, especially young children.

Mona Willson is one of our: Ambassadors •

Scott Johnson

VP

Scott Johnson serves as general Vice President for Adopt A US Soldier

Scott Johnson is one of our: Board Of Directors •

Rebecca Mitchell

CCO

Rebecca is AAUSS’s CCO

Rebecca Mitchell is one of our: Board Of Directors •

Steve Weaver

CFO

Steve Weaver is one of our: Board Of Directors •

Wendy Lynch

Chief Liaison Officer

Wendy grew up in the Great Lakes area of Illinois and has been around the Navy most of her life. Her mother started her young on volunteerism and she continues to spend much of her time on the Navy Base and volunteers when her schedule allows. She has been involved and volunteering for several different organizations recognizing the Troops for many years. While in Hampton Roads she learned of AAUSS and immediately adopted in November 0f 2007. Having family members who have served or are serving she truly understands how much it means to have the support of us at home. Reminding the Troops how much she appreciates them for their service, dedication, and sacrifices remain to be one of her top priorities.

Email Wendy Lynch

Wendy Lynch is one of our: Board Of Directors • Adoption Administrators •

Kelly Corrado

CYO Director of Youth Services

Kelly adopted her first soldier in February 2008, became an admin 2 months later and then our youth director that summer. She’s married with a 12 year old son and lives on Long Island NY. While working at a local college, she is also working on becoming a history professor specializing in military history.

Email Kelly Corrado

Kelly Corrado is one of our: Board Of Directors • Adoption Administrators •

Dorean Sandri

Executive Secretary and Adoption Administrator

My name is Dorean but I go by De. I was born and raised in Boston, MA and have been living in Green Bay, WI for the last 12 years (I still say “GO PATRIOTS”)! My husband is a Vietnam Vet (1st Cav - Medevac) and our son is in the Army (infantry), so, I am an Army mom and presently also a Blue Star mom.

Dorean Sandri is one of our: Board Of Directors • Adoption Administrators •

Michelle Richards

Geek Group, Project Frontlines

Michelle Richards has been the driving force behind our Project Frontlines and has been with us for over 3 years now and loves it. Growing up, Michelle was not privy to the military life, nor did she know or was taught much about it. It wasn’t until she was 18 years old and her mother married a soldier that she began to learn about the military life and the sacrifices our heroes in uniform make every day. Just a little while later, Michelle had several friends who were deployed to different areas in the world. That is when she started sending care packages and realizing just how much they truly meant. Soon after, Michelle went in search of a program where she could support our troops. This is when she found Adopt A US Soldier.

Michelle Richards is one of our: Volunteers •

Tammy Waldrip

Forum Director

Tammy was born in the great state of Texas but grew up in New Mexico. She returned to Texas in 1987 and currently lives in a small town in the central part of the state. She began adopting when her son went into the Army in 2003. She wanted to give back to those who give so much for our Country. In September of 2009, she stumbled upon AAUSS. She loved the feeling AAUSS it gave her, like a part of the family! It is an amazing place. Thank you Ann!

Tammy Waldrip is one of our: Moderators •

Moderator Team

Beth Miller

Kathleen Youngworth

Kathleen first adopted a Soldier through AAUSS in January 2008. Later that year, she was asked to help moderate the forum and have been doing so ever since. She enjoys helping supporters negotiate the sometimes confusing process of supporting soldiers - especially how to get something through the mail system efficiently. Some of our younger supporters have never sent anything via USPS, not to mention to a funky military address with a customs form attached. She also likes to help supporters solve problems, find budget-conscious ways to support troops, and get their creative juices going so that they can personalize their letters/packages.

Kistin Pena

Kistin “Kiss” Pena was born and raised in California. She made her career in firefighting and misses it very much. She began supporting soldiers through other sites, when her oldest son told her he would be joining the Army. “I had no idea what I was doing or what to expect, and adopting soldiers not only taught me so many invaluable things, but gave me tremendous emotional support to get through my sons deployment.” Her youngest is also planning on a career in the Marine Corps. (Won’t holidays be fun at her house??) “Finding AAUSS felt like ‘coming home.’ The people I have met and work with are amazing and at the end of the day, I feel such a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Ann has truly made such a difference in so many peoples lives, along with such awesome Admin and Volunteers who work tirelessly to make this all possible. It is an honor to be part of such an amzing group of people.”

Moderator Team is one of our: Moderators •

Magdalena Krug

Facebook and Twitter Admin

Magdalena joined AAUSS in February 2009 after hearing about it on the Today Show. She lives in Germany and was happy to find a program that lets her show her support for the troops so easily (unfortunately, there are no such programs in Germany). Magdalena loves writing letters and postcards which comes in handy when supporting deployed troops . Her passion for writing is certainly also an advantage for her work as a Facebook and Twitter admin. that she’s had since Summer 2010. Magdalena tries to spread the word about AAUSS as much as possible and answer your questions and comments. If you are outside of the US, Magdalena is the person to ask about postal service concerns. Magdalena can be reach by e-mail, magdalena.krug@arcor.de .