Operation American Heroes' Team
OAH was created by a team of Houston business professionals looking for a solution to the urgent needs of our American Heroes.
Board of Directors
OAH was created by a team of Houston business professionals looking for a solution to the urgent needs of our American Heroes.
Our Chairman, Mr. John Carloss, is a longstanding Houston Businessman and a graduate of the University of Texas. He served seven years (1966-1973) as an officer in the United States Army that included two tours in Vietnam.
Since September of 2008, when he founded Operation American Heroes, John has personally contacted and received the support of numerous Congressional Representatives including Senators John McCain, Jeff Sessions and Patrick Leahey. Perhaps his most impressive interest and support has come from his frequent correspondence with General David Petraeus, the Commander of all Allied military forces in the Afghanistan Theater of Operation.
Our President, Richard Christ, is a local real estate investor and property manager. A graduate of Lamar University in 1989 with an accounting degree, he initially moved to Houston to work for Coopers & Lybrand accounting firm. He later served on the Board of Directors of Lamar University and has been involved for years in fundraising efforts for the university and non-profits.
Our Vice President, Dan Bawden, is a local attorney and member of the Houston Bar faculty. He also owns an established and award-winning remodeling and building firm in Houston. He served as President of the Greater Houston Builders Association in 1999-2000 and has held many other volunteer leadership positions in the community, such as his long service on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Better Business Bureau. He has a long history of donating his time and money for charitable work in the community, including Habitat for Humanity projects.
Our Secretary, Steve McHale, currently serves as a Senior Vice President of the Private Client Group at Southwest Securities, Inc. He is a 1978 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and later earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Houston in 1991. He served on active duty in the Army from 1978 to 1985. He earned Airborne Wings and a Ranger Tab, commanded a Tank Company and served as a primary staff officer at both the Battalion and Brigade level. Steve is active in community service, currently serving as a Director for the West Point Society of Greater Houston and recently chairing the Employment Sub-committee for the Houston - Harris County Returning Veterans Initiative.
Our Treasurer, Michael E. Casey, served as an officer in the U.S. Army, where he received an Army commendation medal. He is a past director of the Community Bankers Association of Southeast Texas, the Savings and community Bankers Association of Texas, and is the founder and president of Forest Financial Services. He also serves as chairman of the Zoning Board of the City of West University, Texas, and was the founder and President of First Bank Savings of Texas. His many philanthropic and volunteer activities include serving as President of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ASR) of Fort Bend County. In addition, he has held executive offices in a number of Planning and Zoning Boards and City Municipal Utility Districts.
Ryan Bardo, is an attorney with BoyarMiller, a Houston-based business law firm. He is a 2001 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and earned his law degree from the University of Houston in 2009. Ryan was in the US Army from 2001 to 2006 and in the Texas Army National Guard from 2006 to 2008. During his time in the Army, he served as a communications platoon leader, company executive officer, and battalion staff officer and deployed twice to Iraq. Ryan is active in various non-profit and charitable organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America and SEARCH Homeless Services, and serves on the board of his homeowners association in northwest Houston.
Bill Shaw is founder and president of William Shaw & Associates, an award winning remodeling firm serving Houston, Texas since 1984. Bill has been a resident of Houston for over 50 years and earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston. Bill served as a Naval Aviator for ten years and was a Lieutenant Commander as a United States Naval Officer. He has also served as an Associate Professor of Naval Science at Rice University. Bill is the father of twin boys and exceptionally active in the Remodelor's Council, Greater Houston Builders Association, Texas Association of Builders and National Association of Home Builders, along with multiple charitable efforts.
Brad Follis graduated in 1990 with a degree in Applied Arts after attending the University of Houston and later the Art Institute of Houston. Follis joined IDEA Advertising Group as a graphic designer in 1990 and was promoted to Art Director and later agency president, managing IDEA from 1992-1998. There Follis produced print, broadcast, multi-media and web-based advertising and design materials for a variety of different clients. In 1998 he founded EdenComm, a full-service advertising and design agency, and continues to produce award-winning communications for public entities and private companies based in the Houston area.
His work has been recognized for excellence in advertising more than 150 times by a variety industry organizations including: The Art Director's Club, The American Advertising Federation, The International Association of Business Communicators and The Public Relations Society of America.
Brad is also an accomplished artist and illustrator with paintings hanging in both public and private collections.
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