MEET THE TEAM

Darcella K. Craven, Executive Director:  Darcella has over 15 years of experience in corporate, government, non profit and military organizations. She has worked with several non-profit organizations specializing in program implementation, change management and creating group training programs.  Her career has taken her to several corporations and positions including corporate communications and project management to non profit executive director.  Darcella has worked with several veterans organizations to assist veterans develop soft skills and life skills in order to transition from military to civilian life successfully.  Recently named by the YWCA as a Leader of Distinction in Nonprofit and by the SBA as the Regional and Eastern Mo Veterans Business Advocate of 2009.  An Army veteran, she holds a Bachelors and Masters of Arts in Management from Webster University, is working on her doctorates and is the proud mother of two children. Darcella was in the U.S. Army from 1988-1996.

 

Patrick T. Heavey, CEO:  Pat is an experienced financial manager, entrepreneur and small business operator.  With over thirty years of experience as an advocate for Veterans, he has developed extensive contacts and expertise throughout the local and National Veterans community, with government and corporate entities and across the political spectrum.  He was chosen as the U.S. Small Business Administrations National Veterans Advocate/Champion in 1983 and again in 2005.  Pat served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1972.

Roger D. Horn, Director of Community Outreach:  Roger has a masters degree from Webster University in Saint Louis, MO, and worked in the education field for over fourteen years.  Roger has an extensive background in teaching and specializes in assisting in writing business plans and teaching seminars and classes for the center.  His primary duties include scheduling clients, arranging classes and maintaining the web.  He was in the military for many years and worked in areas of administration, personnel and aircraft controller career fields.  Roger was in the U.S. Air Force from 1971-2004.

 Debbie Fanning, Administrative Coordinator:  Debbie is a former real estate broker and served as administrator/accountant before joining the VBRC staff. She handles all the adminstrative and database functions to make the Center's communications more efficient and effective.  Debbie lives in St. Louis county with her husband Bob and is the proud mother of son Ryan, who is attending Brandeis University and daughter Katie, who is attending Johns Hopkins University.