About
OUR STORY
In 2016, during what was once an annual event that brought Veterans, and the community together for an outdoor Spring-time run/walk: three leaders from different organizations gathered for an after action meeting. The conversation led to prompting a survey to hear why Veterans and the community enjoyed the event so much. Due to unforeseen organizational shifts and restructuring, 2017 would become the last year of the annual event.
Collectively, the passion to bring people together in celebrating military service while also promoting camaraderie continued to be discussed. After several years of various meetings, something more tragic than organizations shifting strategies happened, Covid 19!
After the “lockdown period” in an attempt to bridge the gap, bringing Veterans from all eras together (Camaraderie) while offering the community to learn of our military tradition’s, customs, and courtesies the STL Veterans Ball was founded.
A celebration of Service; highlighting the great work of local Veteran’s and the people who work effortlessly behind the scenes in supporting Veterans and military families. All are welcomed!
Vision
STL Veteran Service Organizations (VSO's) working together as a unified collaborative. Collectively we embrace our regions Veterans with one joint force of service. The STL Veterans Ball brings Veterans together while sharing the success of VSO’s and calling to action the service of others in our region.
Mission
Bringing STL regional Veterans from all eras together for an evening of camaraderie, tradition and FUN.
Our 2026 Committee
Mark Jeffries – Chair
Rachel Simmons– Vice Chair
If you are interested in being on the committee, come share your ideas and let’s have a “Ball”.
We would love to have you as part of our
team, please contact us!
stlveteransball@gmail.com
STL VETERANS BALL BOARD MEMBERS
George Herrera
FounderGeorge is an advocate for Veterans. After 14 years of honorable active duty service he has continued working alongside Veterans providing compassion. He is known for asking the tough questions in order to fully understand what might be needed to act on. His own experience has helped other Veterans with questions they might not have known to ask. “We don’t know what we don’t know.” He uses his working experience in the VA to streamline certain processes. “As Veterans we should all be working together, combining our Services; We are stronger United.”
George Herrera
Co-Founder
Jay Kurtz
Co-FounderJay is an integral part of who we are and where we began as the Veterans Ball; bringing Veterans, Families, and the Community together for a night of celebrating military service. As a leader with Team Rubicon, Jay was instrumental in bringing the same energy and vision from the Run As one event into the fold of what is now the Veterans Ball! His continued service outside of his military career is a true testament to how much he cares for others and seeks to bring others together in unity!
Jay Kurtz
Co-Founder
Kim Dunman
Co-FounderKim is a military spouse whose husband served 20 years as a Navy Seabee. After retirement, she knew she wanted to continue to serve and be a voice for Veterans. She joined a national VSO and led the local chapter helping Veterans transition by connecting them with their community. Uniting and working together to make an impact in the lives of all Veterans will always be her mission.
Kim Dunman
Co-Founder
Bernard “Skip” Mann
TreasurerI have great pride for my unique history of serving in the USN, USAR and the USAFR in both the Enlisted ranks and as an Officer. I have served on land, air, and sea. I have served in peace and war. I served the Saint Louis community for 34 years as a Registered Nurse. I have had management and fiscal responsibilities throughout my many roles. I retired from the military in 2005 and from Siteman Cancer Center in 2021. I have been affiliated with and am a supporter of many Veterans groups here in Saint Louis. I am on the local committee of Wreaths Across America at Jefferson Barracks. I am also a Team C0-Captain for a cycling fundraising event annually to raise funds for Siteman Cancer Research. Pedal the Cause. I feel that the Veterans Ball has the potential to unite, inform and enhance the pride of Veterans from all generations and the greater community at large. Many of the benefits available to Veterans do not get used today because of many reasons within the generational history, misconceptions and overall politics experienced by Veterans and organizations in the past. It’s time to bring Veterans out for an event that creates respect for their service, promotes unity and informs them and is fun and similar in tradition to many events they may have experienced in the Service.
Bernard “Skip” Mann
Treasurer
Rich LaMonica
Strategic Engagement OfficerRich LaMonica Is a 22-year veteran of the United States Army who was deployed on multiple occasions in support of the Global War on Terrorism. It was during this career he evolved as a leader of people. His education came from great mentors who showed him how to take care of people. He retired in 2015 and went through an entire year of self-reflection as he transitioned to civilian life again. Those 365 days from retiring to finding a job taught him valuable lessons about transition. This has powered his drive to help other veterans as they go through the transition and any other roadblocks they are hitting. He is a Motivated Speaker who discusses Mindset, Resilience, Grit, and more skills that will make you find your Purpose no matter the journey you have been on. He is currently finishing up two books while pursuing a Ph.D from Liberty University in Homeland Security. He lives by rules and has a motto that resonates with fans of How I met Your Mother “Challenge Accepted”. He is the Executive Producer and host of The MisFitNation Podcast
Rich LaMonica
Strategic Engagement Officer
Penny Northern-Phanse
Board SecretaryRevenue content cycle Director, Bethesda Health Group - Penny has worked in the Senior Care non-profit world for 21 years, navigating through the always changing government financial regulations to ensure that seniors are able to get quality health care when needed. Having multiple family members that served in the military, she holds a special place in her heart for Veterans. For this reason, one of her missions is to increase availability in top-tier skilled nursing facilities for disabled Veterans that need long term care. Penny has become a passionate advocate of the STL Veterans Ball because she appreciates the "all are welcome" mission that brings together Veterans of all eras, from all branches of service together under one roof to celebrate each other's service. In her spare time, she provides a foster home for Giant Breed dogs in need as well as shows her team spirit as an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan every chance she gets. GO CHIEFS!!!
Penny Northern-Phanse
Board Secretary
Rebecca Tallman
AdvisorExecutive Director, Veterans Community Project - St. Louis. USAF, MSgt (Ret.) Rebecca is an advocate for all Veterans and continues to break the mold in caring for others regardless of discharge or their background. Leadership is in having a vision and implementing it into fruition while caring for those around you. Rebecca is one of the few leaders around to be emulated.
Rebecca Tallman
Advisor
Event Photos
Scroll through these photos, and view the Excitement, Camaraderie, and FUN being shared since our inaugural event 2021.
