Leadership/Board of Directors

Central Valley Veterans’ Board at their annual meeting. We are hard at work planning an exciting year!

We have come a long way! In 2020 Central Valley Veterans had a $180,000 operating budget. When Central Valley Veterans started in 2011, our operating budget was $30,000! Thank you so much to all of our volunteers, donors, board members, and above-all else, our veterans!! We couldn’t have done it without you!

2020 Board Members:

Deb Riordan, President
Bill Gonzalez, Vice President, U.S. Army, Veteran
Chelsea McCliment, Secretary
Alex Riordan, Treasurer
Thom Miller, Board Member, U.S. Army Veteran
John Schuler, Founding Board Member, U.S. Army, Retired
Michael Russell, U.S. Navy Veteran
Sarah Brown-Monroe, Board Member
Kayla Unruh, Board Member
Christofer Thrailkill, Board Member, U. S. Navy Veteran
Jack Torrey, Board Member

Meet the Board:

Deborah Riordan, President
Deb is a U.S. Marine Corp Veteran's Mom, mother of 3 sons and has 5 grandchildren. She works with her husband and oldest son in the family's dairy nutrition business. Deb and her husband Tim enjoy spending time at their cabin in Huntington and traveling. She serves as Co-chair of our annual Star Spangled Ball Fundraiser and is on the planning committees for both the Central Valley Veterans' Stand Down and the Central Valley Women's Stand Up. She also serves on several other veteran community organization committees in the Fresno/Clovis area

Bill Gonzalez, Vice President
Bill is a U. S. Army veteran. He spent 13 years working for Pepsi, Co. and 12 years with Brinks before being medically retired. He made it his goal to help local veterans and their families. Bill has been extremely instrumental in the success of our Hospitality House. He serves as Chairman of our annual Holiday Meal program. He is also co-chair, of the annual Warriors on the Lake and the Central Valley Veterans Stand Down in Fresno. Bill also supports seven other Stand Down events in the valley.
"Since joining CVV, it has made me a proud and humble veteran"

Chelsea McCliment, Secretary
Chelsea is the daughter and granddaughter of U.S. Navy Veterans. She works for a well-known law firm in Fresno as a transactional paralegal. In Chelsea’s spare time she enjoys hiking, trying new places to eat, hanging out with her family, friends and her handsome dog, Shadow. Chelsea serves as Secretary of the Board and the Chairman of the Spring Fundraiser Committee who put on the annual Vino For Our Vets event at Engelmann Cellar. Chelsea serves on the board because “being able to help United States veterans who have been over looked by the system is the least that I can do to give back to those who fight or have fought for our beautiful country!”

Alex Riordan, Treasurer
Alex is project manager for a local dairy environmental consulting firm. He is also a Reserve Deputy with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. He and his wife recently welcomed a sweet baby boy. He is committed to supporting our local valley veterans in the memory of those that we have lost. He serves as Treasurer and committee member the annual Star Spangled Ball Fundraiser.

Thom Miller, Board Member
Thom is a U. S. Army veteran, 1966-68. Thom along with his wife Kelly run “Bullard Uniforms Shop”. Thom also helps with his son’s local business’, “The Press Box Sports Grill” as the controller. Thom is a volunteer at the Veterans Treatment Court. Thom also enjoys riding his Honda VTX motorcycle with the American Legion Post One, "Dragon Riders". He serves as part of our Grant Writing team.

John Schuler, Founding Board Member
John is a retired U.S. Army veteran. John is well known in the “Veteran Community” for his dedication to helping veterans. He founded Central Valley Veterans in 2010. John was instrumental in the development of the “Stand Down” in Fresno which began in 1989. He serves as Chairman of the Central Valley Veterans Stand Down and supports seven other Stand Down events throughout the Valley. John and his wife Cheri are looking forward to utilizing their new camp trailer. He serves as chairman of our annual Warriors on the Lake event for disabled veterans.

Michael Russell, Board member
Mike is a U.S. Navy veteran. Mike served as President of our Board for 5+ years. Mike and his wife Ashli both work in the real estate field. Besides being active with CVV, Mike enjoys Researching his genealogy and traveling to Ireland as often as possible. He serves on our Grant Writing Team. He supports the Vino For our Vets fundraising event and supports the Fresno Stand Down event.

Sarah Brow-Monroe, Board member
Sarah joined our board after working closely with Central Valley Veterans through her employer, Central Valley American Red Service to Armed Forces. She is the Volunteer/VAVS rep/Veterans along with her partner "Freckles" ARC K9 Action Team and Therapy Dog. Her son proudly serves in the U.S. Army! Sarah has already stepped in to co-chair our Stand Down Committee.

Kayla Unruh, Board Member
Kayla is the daughter of an Army veteran. Her brother, aunt and grandpa served in the Air Force. It's no surprise she loves veterans! Kayla is employed by Clovis Unified School District where she is Program Supervisor for Child Development. She serves as Co-Chair of our annual Star Spangled Ball event. She is also the Social Media and Communications contact.

Christofer Thrailkill, Board Member
Christofer is a retired U. S. Navy veteran and is a member of local Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion service groups. Cristofer also volunteers at the VA Hospital with Community Services and No Veteran Dies Alone programs. He serves as part of the Cigar Fest committee as well as helping whenever possible with day to day requests. Christofer is also a volunteer at the Veterans Treatment Court of Fresno.