- Linda M. Davidson
Linda
M. Davidson serves
as an Executive Director of Our Military Kids, Inc. Ms. Davidson
is responsible for the development of the nonprofit corporation’s
program and focuses on the financials and administration of the
business. Prior to Our Military Kids, Inc., Ms. Davidson was Vice
President of Administration & Finance for Salute Our Services,
Inc.- Other previous work experience includes 19 years with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in their National Federal Marketing Contracts Department, Commission Accounting, and in Sales Administration servicing federal government customers. Prior to IBM, Ms. Davidson served as an accountant and membership campaign director for the Madison Chamber of Commerce in, Madison, Wisconsin.
- Ms. Davidson holds a degree in Accounting with additional studies from University of Wisconsin.
- Gail C. Kruzel
Gail
C. Kruzel is an Executive
Director of Our Military Kids, Inc. and is responsible for the
development, promotion and fundraising aspects of the nonprofit
corporation. Prior to joining Our Military Kids, Inc. Ms. Kruzel
was Director of the Mentor Program for Salute Our Services, Inc.
- Ms. Kruzel’s career has included work in private industry and state and federal government. In private industry, she was responsible for the management, marketing and promotion of commercial real estate holdings. In the federal government she directed programs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health Affairs (DoD) and the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs. In state government, she developed policy for the Ohio Medicaid program and also directed and evaluated health care programs in the Medicaid area, including a hospice program, AIDS drug program, and childhood immunization program.
- Ms. Kruzel holds a BS degree from the University of Maryland, and did additional coursework in business administration at Ohio State University. Ms. Kruzel was married to the late Joseph Kruzel who was killed on a peace mission to Bosnia in 1995.
- Michelle L. Nelson
Michelle
L. Nelson serves
as Director, Family Programs and Community Relations of Our Military
Kids, Inc. In this position, Ms. Nelson serves as the point of
contact for the families of the deployed National Guard and Reserves
and as the interface with the military. Michelle’s responsibilities
include raising awareness and support in the local communities
from which the National Guard and Reserve units are deployed.
Ms. Nelson has first hand knowledge of the challenges families face when a unit is deployed; she was extremely effective in her role as Family Readiness Group leader for her husband’s National Guard unit which was deployed to Afghanistan. In addition to working with the unit’s families, Michelle mobilized local community support by utilizing the news media to keep the community informed as to the needs of the families and the well-being of the troops. Ms. Nelson was an effective fundraiser, developing and implementing a plan that engaged support from the local business community.
Ms. Nelson holds a BA in Russian Studies/Russian Language from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan.
The Staff of Our Military Kids consists of:
- Linda Davidson, Executive Director
- Gail Kruzel, Executive Director
- Michelle Nelson, Director Family Programs and Community Relations
To help with the work of the company, the staff is assisted by scores of enthusiastic volunteers who are donating their time to this worthwhile cause.