Board of Directors

Jack Randal Barnes, Chief Petty Officer, U. S. Navy Retired PERSONAL Two children; Son-Deputy Sheriff, Gunnison, Colorado Daughter–USN Nurse, Camp Pendleton, California. Twin Brother – John is USN Retired CPO. EDUCATION: Bachelor of business degree – West Texas State University, Canyon, Texas, 1978. ORGANIZATIONS: Member, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Aviation Committee, 1982-1985 Founder, Texas Aviation Historical Society, 1987 Board of Directors Texas Aviation Historical Society, 1987-2005, President, 2005 Kiwanis Member of the Year, Amarillo Downtown Kiwanis Club, 2008 Founder, CEO, & President, America Supports You – Texas, 2005-2012 Member, Amarillo Downtown Kiwanis Club, 2007-Present Chairman, Texas Panhandle Honor Flight Committee, 2008-2012 EXPERIENCE: Served 24 years active duty in the USN, 1971-1995 Retired from active duty USN in September 1995 Mathematics Teacher at Tascosa High School, Amarillo, Texas, 1995-2009 Retired from public school teaching on April 2009

For those who know Tonya Evans, it comes as no surprise when it is said that she is a remarkable woman endowed with truly unique and admirable talent. To them, this is a foregone conclusion. Born and raised in the beautiful Rocky Mountain west, Tonya has led an impressive career in the marketing and sales industry spanning more than 20 years. And Tonya’s success is no accident. It is owing to her inspirational leadership ability and dedication to both the people and causes she so faithfully serves. Her efforts consistently produce incredible outcomes in virtually everything she puts her mind to. Furthermore, Tonya’s professionalism is second to none.

Following one of her life long passions, in 1992 Tonya started her own award-winning photography business. The name of the company is commensurate with Tonya’s memorable and charismatic persona: Impressions Photography. Impressions specializes in high end photography and has included many well known celebrities in its distinguished clientele. Additionally, Tonya’s love for the visual arts led her to receive formal training under renowned Hollywood make-up artist Joe Blasco.

Pursuing another of her passions, Tonya is co-founder and CEO of AmericanHeroHugs.com, a company that creates memorabilia for the children of deployed service members such as pillows, night lights and teddy bears. AmericanHeroHugs.com products are laser imprinted with images of military personnel stationed overseas to keep their children reminded of what their moms and dads look like. In addition to these noble ventures, Tonya has dedicated countless hours of tireless service volunteering with her church and multiple other community organizations. The majority of her volunteer time has been devoted to helping children and families. And anyone who has seen her in action knows that Tonya has a preternatural ability to make any kid smile!

Tonya’s stellar career and impressive talent have not gone unnoticed. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the Kindness United US Award, the US Western Division Award for excellence in sales and management, as well as multiple awards in photography.Tonya has been recognized in the media for such things as her relief efforts during Hurricane Katrina, developing creative ways for the families of deployed service members to stay connected with their loved ones, and for her outstanding support for overseas service members by leading a massive effort sending Christmas cards.

Tonya also has an extensive background in public relations which has given her superlative skill in media relations. She has been featured on numerous news programs, raising awareness on matters of importance to the American public. By virtue of so much of Tonya’s work being out in front of the public, she has also developed some dynamic public speaking abilities. Tonya has served as a marketing trainer to thousands across the globe, gaining a reputation for being the principle motivator of countless success stories. When Tonya is called upon to speak before an audience, she can electrify any crowd with her charisma and rhetorical skill. In light of all this, it is not difficult to see why so many believe Tonya Evans is destined to do great things.

As the CEO and founder of the American Fallen Warrior Memorial Foundation she has been spearheading an effort to erect a war memorial honoring the fallen of Iraq and Afghanistan. The Fallen Warriors Memorial is envisioned to be “the largest of its kind in this country…a true national landmark.”

Tonya is not simply making the world a better place, the causes to which she has committed herself are making history. However, Tonya is grounded and grateful enough to give credit to those indespensible to her success, not the least of whom is God. All who have worked with her know that she is the ideal person to have in your corner, especially when the task at hand calls for going above and beyond. Those who know her best know that Tonya Evans not only follows her heart, she puts her heart into everything she does. Tonya is the mother of three beautiful children ages 14, 10 and 5.

Kathryn Taylor is the co-founder of the American Fallen Warrior Memorial and is the co-founder/co-owner of American Hero Hugs LLC, a company that specializes in making personalized comfort items for the children of deployed military personnel and their families. AmericanHeroHugs.com was founded with the mission of offering products which “Honor the HERO and the CHILD” for the selfless sacrifices they make for our country. Kathryn is the Author of Jimmy’s Challenge Coin.

Kathryn comes from a family that has been dedicated to service, community and country. She has particular strengths in organizing, creative troubleshooting, computer skills, creative writing and managing schedules.

Kathryn Taylor earned her BSN-RN from Westminster College in Salt Lake City Utah, in 1993. She served as the secretary for the Westminster Student Nurse Association her senior year and assisted in developing new by-laws for the organization. Kathryn has experience with developing care plans and patient education plans. She worked as charge nurse at the University of Utah Psychiatric ICU. She was the Director of Nursing for Sandy Home Health in Sandy, Utah and has experience with hiring, staff training, supervising, scheduling and implementing policy.

Kathryn Taylor lives in Springfield, Missouri with her husband, Dr. Jesse Taylor and has 3 daughters. When Kathryn Taylor is not working, she likes golfing, cooking, learning new computer skills, and spending time with friends and family.

For the past 7 years, Randy has served as president of Cornerstone Service Group, an organization he founded to help the homeless, preparing them to rejoin the societal mainstream. Since its inception in 2004, Cornerstone has placed a special emphasis on helping homeless veterans, who are homeless at a rate disporportiante to the rest of the population. Randy’s passion for service is not limited to helping Americans. He spent nearly three months in Indonesia teaching English in some of the poorest villages on the planet. Additionally, Randy also spent a week in a poor Puerto Rican neighborhood, repairing storm-damaged homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Randy’s love of serving among America’s poorer ranks developed while working as a youth counselor at an inner city YMCA. From there, he went on to become a case worker for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (Office of Juvenile Studies). Additionally, while in college, Randy founded an award-winning campus organization called Club Zero. During its first semester in operation, Club Zero was honored as “Best Campus Organization” by the university, won the “Outstanding University Service Award” from the Hispanic Student Association, “Most Creative Volunteer Organization” from Volunteer! UWF (University of West Florida), and “Best Volunteer Organization” from Hospice of Emerald Coast. Club Zero reorganized was incorporated with the State of Florida to become Cornerstone Service Group, which continues the legacy of mobilizing volunteers in service under the motto, “America’s compassion is her cornerstone.”

Ed Martin is a retired Army Sergeant Major now employed as a Department of the Army civilian as the Operations officer of the Training Education and Security Division of the Army Support Activity at Ft Sam Houston, TX. Ed is a native of Huron, South Dakota who, because of his military service, has been stationed all over the United States. Today, he calls San Antonio, Texas home and is looking forward to retirement next year. Ed is married to CW5 Candis Martin, also a native of South Dakota, and currently stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia. The Martins raised four children. Army 1st Lt. Tom Martin, a 2005 graduate of the United States Military Academy, was killed while serving in Iraq in October 2007. Sarah and husband (Jeff Hood) live in Fayetteville, Arkansas and are the parents to the Martin’s only grandchild – Colt. Laura and husband (Leo Rangira) make their home in Dallas, Texas. Becky is a graduate student at the University of Arkansas and resides in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is an active member of his church, a member of the SMA Leon L. VanAutreve Sergeants Major Association, is the State of Texas captain/coordinator for the Gold Star Dads of America, an auxiliary member of the United States Warrant Officer Association, and is an associate member of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Ed was active in scouting, serving as scoutmaster in Troops in South Dakota, Texas, and Arkansas from 1978 until 2000. For the last two years Ed and Candy have been actively involved in the support of the nationwide movement and exhibit of the Lost Heroes Art Quilt, in its travels to 66 sites in 43 states and which will soon be on permanent display in the Arlington National Cemetery visitor’s center. Ed serves as President of the board of directors of the 1LT Tom Martin Memorial Foundation, Inc., an organization founded to support tomorrow’s leaders today.

As a result of their Son’s death, the Martins continue to reach out in support of fellow Gold Star Families.