RJ enlisted in the Air Force at age 17 in 1972. Following basic training, he received a
direct duty assignment to Beale AFB, serving as an audio-visual specialist. In August 1974, he was accepted into the Airman Scholarship and Commissioning
Program (ASCP) receiving a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication as well as
being commissioned a second lieutenant. RJ attended joint flight training with the US Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He was awarded his pilot wings in May, 1980. Subsequent assignments include ICBM missile site support, VIP airlift, flight test
support, and Space Shuttle contingency coordinator. Non-flying assignments include airport manager, flight management, operations/plans program officer at joint task force, and expeditionary force chief of safety. After retiring in 1995, worked in civil aviation as a secondary aircraft dispatcher, regulatory compliance analyst, station manager, GPS and systems instructor for Boeing 727 and 737. He also spent a year working as a helicopter tour pilot. He was recalled to active duty in 2001 and was trained as a flight safety officer. Following 9/11, he did a deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the chief of safety. After the second retirement in 2005, the VA awarded him a 100% unemployability rating based on health issues pre- and post-deployment, including light sensitivity. RJ joined Jim Lytner in 2010 for the radio show Veterans Talk/The Forgotten Promise and co-founded the Veterans Transition Resource Center. RJ is a member of the American Legion and has life memberships in the following veteran organizations: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Air Force Association (AFA), and the Order of Daedalians (a fraternal order of military pilots).

Email: ericlunda@vtrc.us

(Bio Under Construction)

Email: d.davis@vtrc.us

My name is D’Nese Davis and I am the daughter of a WWII Navy Veteran and the wife of a U.S. Navy Veteran, Dan Davis. I was born in Oceanside, California in 1962. I am a mother and a grandmother and I couldn’t be more proud of my beautiful family.

I was raised in Southern California and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1989. I studied at CCSN and UNLV in secondary education and business administration. I am an artist and small business owner where I’ve been fortunate to travel all across this great country, as well as different parts of the world, painting and teaching art techniques.

I have been a veterans advocate for the past 31 years and have much experience in helping our veterans obtain their VA benefits. My father introduced me to the “veteran world” at a very young age. Whether we were marching in the Veteran’s Day Parade or collecting goods for our troops to send overseas, he educated me on patriotism and respect for our active duty and veteran community. I got hooked! I consider it an honor and a privilege to give back to those who sacrifice so much for our freedom.

I am very active in organizing fundraisers that benefit very specific 501c3 foundations. While most of my advocacy is for our veterans, I also help organize and participate in events for children with cancer and other life threatening diseases. The foundations and veterans groups that I am proud to be active in are:

* The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation
* Veterans Care Foundation
* The Veterans Transition Resource Center
* Nevada Veterans Foundation (Benefitting the Fisher House)
* One Hero at a Time
* Bridging the Gap

While I have sat on many different Board of Directors in various 501c3 organizations, I am currently on the Executive Board of Directors of the Veterans Transition Resource Center and Board of Directors of Bridging the Gap. My veteran advocacy includes helping veterans get their benefits, navigating the VA/VBA, SSDI claims, and suicide prevention.

I was also the Northwest Regional Director of 2 Million Bikers, a conservative, faith based patriot group who supports God, Country, our military and all of our first responders. We at 2 Million Bikers believe in God, Country, our constitution and our Bill of Rights as written by our founding fathers. I ride a Harley, pack a gun and I am in love with my country.

Email: martyhagans@vtrc.us

Martin “Marty” is a US Coast Guard Veteran having served honorably from 1977 through 1981. After completing his enlistment he entered the criminal justice program at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia California, receiving his Peace Officers Standard of Training certificate. He began his career in Porterville CA as a Patrolman, then joining the Farmersville CA Police Department. He then applied and was accepted to the California State Police, Los Angeles field office. Marty held the positions of Patrolman, Field Training Officer, Assistant Range Officer, Application Background Investigator, Detective, and Case Filing Officer with the LA County District Attorney’s Office. He was certified as an Expert Witness in LA County Superior Court. Marty was then selected to apply and test for the Governor’s protective service detail. He was assigned to the detail and performed such services as Threat assessment not only to the Governor, but to other State Constitutional Officers who resided in the Southern California region. Marty was the secondary agent to the State Controller and Insurance Commissioner. He also participated with the internal rotation of assignment with the US Secret Service. In October of 1991 while on assignment with Governor’s Detail, Marty was involved in a vehicle accident which ended his career.
After approximately two years of convalescence, Marty was hired at Staples Center in Los Angeles and ultimately achieved the position of Security Director. His first position in title was the opening of the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas Nevada. An opportunity presented itself and Marty left the arena industry and was named Security Director to the International Market Center located in downtown Las Vegas. His duties included investigation of construction cost overrides, design of the security infrastructure for a proposed 12.2 million square foot campus, and internal HR investigations (certificate of training from George Washington University). Marty was then contacted by Staples Center in Los Angeles, with an opportunity that he couldn’t turn down. So after almost ten years at International Market Centers, Marty was hired as the Security Director of Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. He fulfilled his contractual obligations ahead of schedule and, not wanting to endure a third East Coast winter, retired for a second time and returned to Las Vegas.
Marty was a director of the Kline Veterans fund in Las Vegas, NV. He resigned that position after serving nine years, due to relocation to Northern Nevada. Marty ran for the State Assembly 2014, but was not elected. His hobbies include fly fishing, fly tying, sailing, hunting and scuba diving, and is a certified scuba stress and rescue swimmer.

Email: ash@vtrc.us

Ash is a disabled mom that spends her time with family, volunteer opportunities, and the occasional hobby. She is the granddaughter of a WWII Navy Veteran, the stepdaughter to a US Navy Veteran, and daughter to a US Senate candidate.

Ash has had a diverse career, previously working as an artist, in a government position specializing in tech services, lived in a constant state of adrenaline as a stuntwoman, worked as a model (print and tv), piano teacher, tattoo artist, and sales/marketing. She is also a certified early childhood educator, specializing in the renowned Montessori method. She previously was an educator and an assistant art teacher in Idaho, two titles she wears proudly behind mom, wife, and daughter.

Ash’s dedication to making a positive impact extends beyond her professional life. She has actively volunteered alongside her mother, D’Nese, with various foundations. She began volunteering in kindergarten, baking for local firehouses and assisting her mother with an in-house preschool. She has also coached various youth sports for numerous years.

One of Ash’s standout qualities is her ability to adapt to any situation with ease. She is patient, friendly, and always ready to lend a helping hand. Whether it’s managing events or handling website tasks, Ash’s versatility shines through. Currently, Ash serves as the Secretary of the Board and coordinates events in Northern Nevada.

Email: dandavis@vtrc.us

Bio coming soon!

Email: markstewart@vtrc.us

Bio coming soon.