2025 Board of directors
Fort Kennedy’s Board of Directors are responsible for oversight of Fort Kennedy’s business operations, and providing direction for long-term goals. Our Board is comprised of eight (8) incredible Volunteers - to learn more about them, please continue reading below.
Open Board Seat
Diana Ferguson
Role: Board Member
Diana brings to Fort Kennedy’s Board an expertise in real estate, excellent business acumen, and her passion to support our Veteran community.
Personal Bio
As a Clackamas County resident since 1988, I have served our community for over 19 years as an award-winning licensed Real Estate Principal Broker. My areas of expertise include serving Veterans and our fellow community members in Oregon and Washington as they navigate the process of selling or buying real estate and real estate investing. A home is more than just a roof over someone’s head – home ownership means stability, a path to wealth, and gives people the freedom to live life on their terms. I believe every Veteran deserves a chance to have a place of their own.
My passion for providing housing to our Veterans led me to Fort Kennedy. I have proudly served Fort Kennedy since its inception, starting out as a Volunteer in 2015, and joining the Board of Directors in 2016.
Fred Gaittens
Role: Board Member
Fred brings to Fort Kennedy’s Board his experience gained in the military, his workplace leadership skills, and his outstanding and extensive service for many local charities, which provides him with a different perspective to offer the Board.
Personal Bio
I was born and raised in here in Portland. I graduated from Centennial High School, then attended Portland Community College.
After graduating from PCC, I joined the United States Army and reported to Fort Knox for Basic and Fort Benning for AIT. I served from 1978 to 1985 - I was stationed at Aschaffenberg, Germany and Fort Carson. After several years in the civilian sector, in 1991, I joined the Army Reserves, where I was stationed in Vancouver, Washington, until my retirement in 2016.
Over my varied career, I’ve worked in Assembly, Quality Control, Facility Maintenance, Research and Design, and Safety.
I have been involved in multiple local charities for a total of 29 combined years. I’ve previously volunteered at community events like VA Stand Downs, and have worked extensively with The Salvation Army and Oregon Impact. In addition to serving on Fort Kennedy’s Board, I’m also a current volunteer for My Father’s House in Portland.
Carlene Lodeski
Role: Board Member
Carlene brings to Fort Kennedy’s Board her experience from years of active involvement with local nonprofits, and her ability to educate and support those searching for housing.
Personal Bio
I am an AVP and Senior Sales Executive for Lawyers Title of Oregon specializing in providing services to financial institutions and attorneys. I have worked in real estate-related industries since 1982.
I have been an active member in our community, supporting nonprofits that educate and provide housing. I serve as Secretary on the Board of Community Vision Inc., as Co-Chair of the Board of Proud Ground, and in 2017, I joined Fort Kennedy’s Board to support their vision and to serve our Veteran community.
Mark Simpson
Role: Treasurer & Board Memner
Mark brings to Fort Kennedy’s Board his excellent communication and leadership skills, as well as his experience as a financial advisor, making him an excellent addition to our Board as we continue growing and serving more Veterans.
Personal Bio
I started life as an Army brat, born at Fort Riley, Kansas just before my father left for a tour in Vietnam. After some moves, I grew up locally in St. Helens and attended Oregon State University (GO BEAVS!), graduating with a BS in Business and my ROTC-derived commissioning in the US Army as a Field Artillery officer. After 23 years of service, numerous duty stations and combat deployments, I retired in 2015.
My new career as a financial advisor allows me to continue to serve in a much different capacity but many of the skills are the same – integrity, communication, time management and professional aptitude. My goal is to bring those skills to the Board at Fort Kennedy to serve veterans in need in our local community in a fiscally responsible manner.
Trevor Tyree
Role: Board Member
Trevor Tyree brings invaluable expertise to Fort Kennedy's Board as a fellow Veteran and business owner in the construction industry. His extensive experience allows him to provide exceptional insights into hiring practices, housing market trends, and other critical issues directly impacting Fort Kennedy's day-to-day operations. Trevor's wealth of knowledge effectively bridges the gap between practical industry insights and the strategic needs of Fort Kennedy, enhancing the board's decision-making abilities and driving positive outcomes for our Veterans.
Personal Bio
Coming Soon!
Andrew “Andy” Williams
Role: Board Member
Andy brings to Fort Kennedy’s Board his experience in effectively communicating with people of all cultures and walks of life. He understands hardships and maintains healthy boundaries in his ability to help others make positive progress through life.
Personal Bio
I grew up in Moultrie, Georgia, where segregation and inequality were mainstream. I got involved to invoke change and make a difference by participating in the Civil Rights Movement and was part of an active effort in the community to get people registered to vote.
I ventured off to Oregon in 1965 through a Job Corps program, where I furthered my education in heavy equipment, then redirected my career to become a Residential Youth Counselor for the Job Corps.
In 1968, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sent to Vietnam and in 1970 I was honorably discharged as a Sergeant for the U.S. Army.
After I completed service to our country, I returned to Portland, Oregon, and continued my career as a Residential Youth Program and Disciplinary Officer. I was employed as a Loss Prevention Officer in the retail industry and for the Vancouver School District in a Day Treatment Program that helped our youth with getting an education and mainstream them back into society. I am also a long-time and active member of the New Hope Community Church and serve on the Deacon Board.
William “Will” Wolfe
Role: Board Member
Will brings to Fort Kennedy’s Board his excellent communication and advising skills, as well as his passion to honor those who selflessly gave their service to our country.
Personal Bio
I am a USAF Cold War Veteran. I have a combined 25 years of Military and Law Enforcement experience and have served as an adviser to the Afghanistan National Police for three years.
I joined the Board of Fort Kennedy to honor those that I served with overseas and for the ones that didn’t make it home. Helping our Veterans that our country sent to war, then upon return are ignored by our government, is my way of honoring their service to our country.
In my spare time, I enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, and kayaking.
