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OFFICERS OF THE FOUNDATION

Jump to:   Heather McMahan   |  Russell K. Best   |  Steven Ward

Heather McMahan, daughter of Bruce McMahan Lauren Heather McMahan, Founder, CEO,COO, AFS; CEO MCM Creative Enterprises LLC; Founder, McMahan Sculpture Projects; Vice Chancellor, World Academy Of Letters

heather.mcmahan@artforsoldiers.org

Heather conceives, designs and implements all AFS Projects and Activities.

Heather McMahan defines herself as a Patriot. Growing up under Franco's dictatorship in Spain and the horrors as a NY resident on 9-11 solidified her belief that Freedom should never be taken for granted. "Taking something... anything! For granted, is the first step towards losing it."

This is the philosophy that inspired her to form the Art For Soldiers Foundation.

It began with a sculpture she created and installed at the Austin Bergstrom International airport for any troops passing by: www.heathermcmahansculpture.com/piece.htm

The sculpture has inspired hundreds of heartfelt e-mails from soldiers and their families who were deeply moved by this piece of art: www.artforsoldiers.org/art-soldiers.html

Art is clearly an effective venue for expressing appreciation and gratitude to the men and women who are willing to die for our Flag and our Freedoms; yet Heather felt limited by what her two hands could create: more artists were needed to contribute.

She began speaking to children in schools, churches and daycare centers, asking them to draw a picture with a note for our Soldiers as she read them THEIR letters of appreciation for the art, thereby empowering them not only as artists but as Patriots. The response from the soldiers that received their Art and notes was empowering.

Inspired by the emphasis on contributing and "giving back" by her Father, Bruce McMahan (www.McMahan-Philanthropy.com), she founded AFS, a 501(c)3 corporation.

Heather adds:

"I must constantly emphasize this point: AFS has absolutely no interest in promoting any politics...pro or anti-war. AFS is interested in supporting the men and women who have answered their call to duty... regardless of the administration that issued the call.

I quote my friend Zach Wobler, KIA in Mosul, Feb 6 2005: 'Nobody hates war more than the soldier. We are simply doing our job.'"

Heather speaks five languages fluently; holds a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwondo; a brown belt in Kuk Sool Won; achieved financial independence through enterprise in 1995; and is a single mother of four outstanding children....and a silver standard poodle named Coco.

She has received awards such as:

  • 2008 Presidential Volunteer service award and personal letter from the President
  • Aquired the status Of Official Certifying Organization for AFS from The Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, a division o fThe Points Of Light Foundation
  • Was awarded title Vice Chancellor from The World Academy Of Letters at Oxford, England in August of 2008 for breakthrough achievements in the Arts
  • 2008 Award of Excellence from CSM Lawrence Holland, Ambassador for The US Army Reserve Affairs
  • Is listed as a member in the 2008/2009 Edition of the Presidential Who's Who
  • The Award Of Excellence From The 208th Regional Support Group, Fort Hood, TX
  • The Fisher Houses for Providing Comfort, Care and Compassion Beyond the Call of Duty
  • Voted Woman Of The Year 2006 by The American Biographical Institute at the Library Of Congress and is included in their 2006/2007 Publication
  • Is included as a VIP Member in the Manchester Who's Who Registry Of Executives and Professionals for 2005/2006 as CEO of AFS

Russell K. Best, xxxxx, AFS Russell K. Best, AFS

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View the American Legion Post #218 website and blog: groups.yahoo.com/group/post218

Steven Ward Steven Ward, Director of Operations for the First Art For Soldiers Center; a new Project underway.

I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could. I'm Stephen Ward, I casually met Heather two years ago and we connected when she noticed I was wearing desert issue boots. We reconnected three weeks ago after two years and nominated me the Director of Operations for the Art For Soldiers Center in Austin, Texas. I feel really fortunate to be in the position that I am in, working with an organization that allows vets to harness the artistic abilities and talents they have and give them an outlet, a vehicle to use them. Growing up, I developed a passion for writing and planned on being an English major in college. Instead of attending the University of Iowa's writing workshop after graduating high school, I attended Army basic training instead.

I feel awfully strongly about the work to be done at the Art For Soldiers Center, knowing what the Vietnam generation went through when they came home. It's incredibly important for us as Americans, maybe the true calling of this generation, to ensure that today's vets aren't confronted with the same barriers and stigmas so many had to contend with the in the 1960's and 70's as they disembarked from a plane fresh from Southeast Asia.

Like I said writing was a great avenue for expressing my thoughts when I came home, and something I still get a lot of clarity from today. And it was my music, the bands I listened to while overseas that kept me alive, sane, and connected to the idea that there is a future and a life to go home to no matter how difficult things became. I attribute surviving a combat zone not to my marksmanship, and not just to good soldiers next to me, but to guys like Chris Carrabba, Jim Adkins, Stephan Jenkins, Chris Connelly, Kristopher Roe- singers and songwriters from Dashboard Confessional, Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, Saves The Day, and The Ataris, respectively-- bands that had a message to me more powerful than the bullets I carried. That's what we are doing at the Art For Soldiers Center, art and ideas that can very well change in their own way, the way the world sees vets, especially today's generation. That's far more effective than any weapon.

So many vets have an interest in something such as playing a guitar, sketching, painting. There needs to be a place where those interests and concerns are understood and an outlet for emotions and burdens is offered, something beyond just what the military offers these guys returning home. It's as close as the tip of a pencil or a paintbrush, a guitar pick or the screen of a laptop. That's the mission and the drive and the pulse of the AFSC.

Beyond AFSC, my real favorite job is as a husband to an incredible wife, Cynthia, and the dad to a really cool little girl named Jaecyn. My girls are my world and why I love to get up in the morning.