EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With over 25 years experience growing several businesses in various industries Joe now runs The Connective which is a group of companies that open doors for each other and share in commissions. The Connective currently runs chapters in 5 states with over 100 members. Joe has run a marketing company, magazine, beer company, wedding site, and music festivals to name a few. He also put out his first album of 12 songs he wrote and produced with various artists.

Joe has always been committed to charity starting with Big Brother program in college to 10 years in The Rotary Club, United Way and now sits on the board of Children’s Specialized Hospital. Joe became involved with the American Legion in Hoboken after Superstorm Sandy wiped out the legion. Joe was President of the Hoboken Rotary Club at the time as was the catalyst for getting the new legion built in town. From there he has made it his mission to build new Veteran housing across the country to provide homes for at risk veterans which is why he started the Foundation for Sustainable Veteran Housing.

VETERANS RELATIONS CHAIR

Major ( Ret ) Jim Scanlon USA is a national award winning Veterans Advocate who is known for his work with At Risk / Homeless Veterans. He owned and operated a Consulting firm that specialized in Talent Acquisition with Major Accounts to include Loreal, Avon Products and Johnson and Johnson. Jim earned his Bachelors Degree from The University of Dayton and his Masters Degree from Rutgers University. He is a Past Vice Commander of the American Legion Department of New Jersey and currently serves as a consultant on the American Legions National Commission on Homelessness. His mission is to continue working in the affordable housing space on behalf of At Risk / Homeless Veterans.

MARKETING CHAIR

Whitny Sobala is a purpose-driven brand strategist, social innovator, marketing executive and mentor. In her 20+ years of experience, Whitny has built brands and engaged communities for both established CPG companies and emerging startups. Whitny started her career at PepsiCo, where she spent 12 years honing her Marketing expertise through various leadership roles including, brand management, media strategy, sports marketing and innovation.

Motivated by her strong entrepreneurial instincts, innovative spirit, and passion for unlocking the potential of people and brands, Whitny founded Added Perk, a brand consulting firm that collaborates with social impact ventures and conscious business leaders to deliver brand “purpose”. She is also the co-founder of ŪMEWE (‘you-me-we’), a social cause organization that turns ‘Optimism into Action’ through products and projects that are collectively generated with companies, communities, and creatives. Whitny holds a BA degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is the proud sister and cousin of combat veterans.

CONSTRUCTION CHAIR

Thomas Chartier, PE, LEED AP, CPHC is the owner of Chartier Homes: a 17 year old home building & real estate development firm based in Union City, NJ. Mr. Chartier brings over 24 years of experience in the acquisition, design & construction of energy efficient and environmentally sustainable buildings. Past projects include the first LEED Platinum and LEED Gold high rise residential buildings in NYC; the first LEED Platinum certified condominium building in Hoboken, NJ; the first LEED certified restaurant in Hoboken, NJ; the first LEED Platinum certified homes in Union City; and the first LEED certified office and retail building on Long Island.

Mr. Chartier also has many years of past experience with 501c3 and volunteer organizations: as the former Chairman of the Committee for a Green Hoboken; the former Chairman of the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce’s Urban Planning & Sustainability Council; and a founding member of the Hoboken “Green Team”. Formerly, Mr. Chartier was an instructor for the Green Building Initiative: a four week course he developed for the NYC local union 32BJ, aimed at educating building managers, superintendents and handymen about energy efficiency, health & safety, and environmentally sustainable building practices.

FINANCE CHAIR

For nearly five years, John has been involved in addressing the needs of homeless veterans as a member of Hoboken American Legion Post 107. Along with a dedicated group of Post members and other volunteers, he has been involved on a day-to-day basis in the Post’s Phase I and Phase II efforts to house homeless veterans in the Hoboken area. In 2019 the Post completed Phase I with the construction of a six-unit apartment style building to house homeless veterans and in 2020, the Post commenced Phase II, a plan to construct an 18-unit apartment style building adjoining the Post’s Phase I building.

Before his retirement, for over 40 years John was a Certified Public Accountant including 22 years as the founding partner of a risk management consulting firm serving banks and other financial institutions.

Long active in community activities, John was Mayor of New Providence, a member of the Borough Council as well as the Planning Board, and was the former President of the New Providence PAL. Presently he is also Board Chairman of the Summit Speech School, a school for hearing impaired children.

Before attending college, John enlisted in the Marine Corps and is a Vietnam Veteran and was awarded the Purple Heart. After military service he graduated from Boston College and received an MBA from the University of Vermont.

John and his spouse, Pat, reside in New Providence and are the parents of three children, Kara, John. Jr., and David and they have three grandchildren.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CHAIR

Bill Noonan is the Business Development Director at Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit economic development organization.

Bill manages a team of business development officers and oversees the Technology, Financial Services, Film & Television, Logistics and Gaming sectors to identify growth opportunities, nurture client relationships and develop strategies to promote interest in New Jersey as an ideal business location.

Bill has deep connections within New Jersey’s technology ecosystem including the Jersey City/Hoboken startup community. Prior to joining Choose New Jersey, Bill served as the Senior Director of SPHERE Technology Solutions – an IT company specializing in cybersecurity – responsible for marketing, sales and business development.

Bill has volunteered at JBJ Soul Kitchen for over two years. He has served on boards at various organizations including the Hoboken Charter School; Hoboken Rotary; Hoboken Elks; Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee; and served as the Chair of the Hoboken Housing Authority. He is an active S.A.L. member of the Hoboken American Legion Post #107.

IN-KIND SPONSOR CHAIR

James Evers, architect and owner of Evers Design Build LLC, has been providing design, construction, and management services for residential and commercial projects for over 30 years. In the role of Design Architect, Contractor or Builder, his projects have ranged from designing furniture to a fast tracked, design-build of an office building.

Mr. Evers is a graduate of Syracuse University’s School of Architecture where he completed a thesis on a Shelter for Homeless Men in the Bowery, New York City. Today, he brings that mission to the historic Post 251 in Montclair, NJ, where he is architect for a homeless veterans housing project.

On a larger scale, he gained experience in project feasibility, financing and management through prior employment on turnkey development projects for the New York City Housing Authority

As a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 174 in Wayne, NJ, Mr. Evers is also the SAL Liaison to the American Legion Committee on Affordable Housing for At Risk and Homeless Veterans. His role is to support new projects and forge alliances with service providers, building product manufacturers, and local partners.

Bringing a varied skill set to any sized project, he is grateful for this opportunity to serve by combining his creativity and building experience to provide housing for homeless veterans.

VA LIASON

Mr. Vincent Kane was appointed Director for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilmington in May 2017. Wilmington is a level 2 complexity facility serving more than 40,000 Veterans throughout Delaware and southern New Jersey. Prior to this appointment he served as the Interim Associate Director for Operations at the Wilmington VAMC. Other prior assignments include Special Assistant to the SECVA. In this role, his task was to help VA resolve litigation, advanced a new master plan for the GLA campus to include enhanced clinical services and housing for homeless Veterans while developing plans to prevent and end Veteran homelessness. Mr. Kane also served as Associate Director at Lebanon VAMC, the National Director of the VA National Center on Homelessness among Veterans and VHA’s Executive Officer for Mental Health Services. He was instrumental in the implementation of HUD-VASH, adoption of Housing First, SSVF and VA’s Community Resource and Referral Centers He has published in peer review journals on issues related to mental health, homeless and improving the Veteran Experience. He is a recipient of both a Samuel J. Heyman Award and the John D. Chase Award for Executive Excellence and recently received the 2022 Thomas Wynn Sr. Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. He brings a wealth of clinical/ field experience, global perspective, and a proven track record of building community partnerships to care for Veterans. A graduate of Bryn Mawr School of Social Work and Social Research, Mr. Kane has more than 30 years of experience as a clinician, educator, and administrator. Currently resides in Mullica hill, NJ.

FUNDRAISING CHAIR

Lauren is an engaging and results-driven fundraising executive known for her ability to captivate and inspire others. She has a reputation for leveraging a vast network to drive revenue while building trusting relationships with corporate and community leaders to further philanthropic missions. Lauren has a knack for envisioning innovative and creative approaches which enables her to lead teams through all facets of fundraising with resounding success.

Prior to launching LG. Philanthropy, Lauren held esteemed positions, including Senior Vice President and Interim Chief Development Officer at Girl Scouts of the USA, Executive Director at the American Diabetes Association, VP of Development for the American Heart Association, and Senior Director of Development at the National MS Society. Her expertise extends beyond fundraising, as she excels in delivering compelling presentations, orchestrating remarkable events, and providing exceptional leadership.

Lauren earned her B.S. from Miami of Ohio, and she currently resides in the vibrant city of New York with her beloved dog, Ru, who adds an extra dose of charm to her life.