Board

Richard Graham

Richard Graham is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps from McMinnville, Warren County Tennessee. Country and gospel music is his heartbeat. He is an icon within the country gospel communities throughout the nation. Richard has performed at the Country Music Fanfare in Nashville, Tennessee, for years. Also the Bob Hope U.S.O Show, Jerry Lewis Telethons, March of Dimes, Continental Hotel in Las Vegas, the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Drive, Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree in Tennessee, and numerous other jamborees nationwide. Television appearances include the Johnny Carson Show, Merv Griffin Show, KMPH TV 26, Great Day, plus numerous radio interviews nationwide and regional. This is not including his performances at many festivals, churches, community centers and events in the southeastern region; Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Mississippi, Ohio, and Texas.

The past 11 years Richard has been in the central valley of California doing much more of the same, concerts, churches, gospel choirs, community events, all while attending Fresno City College.

To accomplish our vision we ask that the inspiration of God be with all who is reading this, whether you in the room, building, churches, gospel choirs, and community events and making a decision to support Vet Net. We thank everyone in advance for supporting Vet Net educational center.

All, to help us move this project forward for the people’s sake. We are organizing ourselves as a 501c3 entity for religious and mutual benefit to accomplish our immediate objective. Then we will proceed to participate and produce shows and events that will create cash to make the larger music productions possible, but also enable us to be organized amply to be able to contribute a portion of our earning for local nonprofit agencies in this area. The larger subsequent objective is to market our productions and in doing so create employment in the marketing and production areas of our enterprise. So we will be giving back in more than one way.

John Hernandez

Training:

Dr. Sondra L. Savage

Dr Sondra L Savage has been writing for many years and has been serving the public for many years. She is passionate about helping others and making a difference in many people’s lives, including veterans. She is an educator and a life coach and has been teaching at the college level for many years. She’s also a board member for the Youth Accountability Board. She worked and participated in a Recovery Poetry Program event and has appeared on a Podcast segment to talk about Self-Care, taking care of yourself mentally and physically. She participates in outreach, providing resources for crisis centers, recovery, mental illness, and substance abuse. She also participated in an Art Show, where the art focused on mental health and healing. She also presented a powerful poetry presentation to an audience, for the opening of a New African American Museum. 

She co-wrote portions of a book called “The Eagle” and she has written a 1^st and 2^nd edition poetry book, called Words of the Heart: A collection of poems and she is working on a 3^rd and 4^th edition and a collection of her poems can be found on sondrasavage.wordpress.com She has also written a novel called Betrayal Unraveled that can be found on https://www.amazon.com.au/Betrayal-Unraveled-Sondra-L-Savage-ebook/dp/B00NH0L1BW

She has a BS in Communication, a BA in Psychology, a MS in Counseling Psychology, and a Doctorate in Higher Education. 

Heidi C. Holguin

Heidi joined the Army in April 1997 and is from Madera, CA. She retired from the Army in April 2017.
Some of her awards are Afghanistan Campaign, Iraq Campaign, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), She was a Army Medic, her deployments include, Panama, Honduras, Kosovo, Korea, Iraq 2 Tours, Afghanistan, and retired on recruiting duties in Southern California. After retirement she moved back to the Valley with her daughter. She is half way done with her Master Program in the studies of strategic organizational leadership. Heidi said the following… “I am committed to being a positive role model to my daughter. I believe in the spirit of community service, and giving back to veterans.”

Betsey Champ – Betsey Champ lives in Corcoran CA and runs the business Journey of the Heart that focuses on the power of the mind, body and spirit to heal from trauma. She also performs as Can Can the Clown at community events and runs the Relaxation Stations at the Central Valley Stand Down each year.

Betsey Champ

Betsey Champ – Betsey Champ lives in Corcoran CA and runs the business Journey of the Heart that focuses on the power of the mind, body and spirit to heal from trauma. She also performs as Can Can the Clown at community events and runs the Relaxation Stations at the Central Valley Stand Down each year.

Circle of Freedom Board Advisors 

Denise W. Holmes

Denise W. Holmes has always been a loving, caring and compassionate person. She tries to see the good in everyone. She sincerely believes God has a purpose for us all. She believes everyone has been blessed with unique gifts that need to be cultivated. She is known and respected for her perseverance and passion for life. God has blessed her with many wonderful experiences, talents and a well-balanced life. She loves helping women, children and the homeless.

Denise has directed productions for youth and adults. She has coordinated events for churches, schools and the community. Her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies is from California State University of Fresno. She has a Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential for (K-12) Students and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, also from CSUF. Denise loves the beauty and fragrance of roses. She is the creative and innovative business owner of The Esther-A-Rose Collections With Gift Items and More… Denise used her creativity to also self-publish her first book through a worldwide publisher. ( Xlibris Publishing Company.) Her book is in approximately 100 on-line stores, including Amazon. The title is “Johnny Lee & Me Sittin’ In the Tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” It is a faith based (cultural) book for families and entertainment. Denise looks forward to sharing more of her gifts and talents with the world. Together Everyone Achieves More..

Damead Holmes

Russell Gross

TRiO Student Support Services Veterans Counselor
Student Support Services Veterans Counselor
Fresno StateFresno State Nov 2015 – Present · 8 yrs 6 mos
Nov 2015 – Present · 8 yrs 6 mos
Fresno, California Area

From 2015 to 2019 has directly helped grow TRIO Student Support Services Veterans (SSSV) population from 0 students to 178 students. This number represents nearly 50% of all Veteran undergraduate students at Fresno State. The persistence rate holds at 97% and the good standing percentage reports at 98% according to TRIO’s 2017-2018 U.S. Department of Education Annual Performance Report.

Developed, implemented, and trained SSSV’s Veteran University Community Builders (VUCBs). These positions are held by Veteran, Reservist, and National Guard students. Working as a team worked to ensure that their fellow military-affiliated students incorporated their personal and academic goals into objectives that give them a new mission to become a successful college student.

Spearheaded the 2016 Veteran’s Day exhibit and Armed Forces Walk of Honor events which resulted in increased veteran awareness among Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni, Veteran students and the local community.

Steve Haze

Executive Director
Tranquillity Resource Conservation
District · ContractTranquillity Resource Conservation
District · ContractMar 2023 – Present · 1 yr 2 mos
Mar 2023 – Present · 1 yr 2 mos
Fresno County, California, United States · HybridFresno

ED for TRCD in the west side of Fresno County. The district covers over 130,000 acres of prime agricultural land, which is the economic engine within the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The district is partnered with others including SGAs – Sustainable Groundwater Agencies such as McMullin Area Groundwater Agency (MAGSA); other RCDs within the region that are focused on improving the conservation of the land, air and water (LAW), farming communities and workforce essential for sustaining the ag economy of the future – today. The district is driven towards improving the capacity, capabilities, effectiveness and efficiencies of all farmers and ranchers within the west side of Fresno County and the workforce essential to its continued success.

Principal Partners include the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Services) under the USDA, CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture), CCI (Carbon Cycle Institute), Farm of the Future (West Hills Community College, Coalinga) and Bar 20 Dairy’s GHG (Greenhouse Gas) capture for energy production.

Silverio Montoya

A self-motivated and goal-oriented sales and marketing professional that has built strong relationships with the educational and business community in California and around the country. Recognized for exceptional achievement and the ability to create trust and build lasting business relationships

With extensive experience in the K12 educational market and a track record of success in consistently exceeding annual quotas that were set for specific territories. Bi-lingual (English/Spanish), strong presentation and public speaking skills are a plus in delivering products and services to a diverse market. Experience with Sales Force to maintain and track customer pipeline.

A small sample of my professional expertise includes:

• eCommerce Customer Sales Relationships
• Key Account Management
• eCommerce Customer Strategy Development
• Supply Chain Management
• Go-to-Market Strategy
• Customer Feedback Analysis
• Sales & Marketing Inputs
• Internal & External Stakeholder Management
• Customer Experience (CX) Improvement