Leadership & Committee
Meet the dedicated individuals working to honor Pennsylvania's fallen heroes.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Dave Henderson
Founder and President
Dave is currently the owner of Stronghold Group. After graduating from West Point in 2007 as a Field Artillery Officer, Dave served two combat tours in Mosul, Iraq and one combat tour in Khost, Afghanistan. While Dave left the active duty Army in 2013 as a Captain. He still serves as a Major in the US Army Reserves. He received his MBA from Penn State University in 2015, and his Bachelor's from West Point in 2007.
Steve Phillabau
Vice President
Steve is the Board President of The Veterans Group, Founder of the Philadelphia Veterans Parade, and a speaker for the Travis Manion Foundation. He served five years in the U.S. Navy during Operation Iraqi Freedom, leading Sailors and Marines in critical combat and defense missions.
He later advanced through technical and leadership roles at Datalogic Industrial Automation. A Veteran of Influence awardee, Steve is a published author, active community leader, Naval Academy graduate, and MBA holder from Saint Joseph’s University.
Paul Fischer
Treasurer
Steve is the Board President of The Veterans Group, Founder of the Philadelphia Veterans Parade, and a speaker for the Travis Manion Foundation. He served five years in the U.S. Navy during Operation Iraqi Freedom, leading Sailors and Marines in critical combat and defense missions.
He later advanced through technical and leadership roles at Datalogic Industrial Automation. A Veteran of Influence awardee, Steve is a published author, active community leader, Naval Academy graduate, and MBA holder from Saint Joseph’s University.
A Message from Our Team
"We are united by a common purpose: to ensure that the sacrifice of Pennsylvania's fallen heroes is never forgotten. Every day, we work with gratitude in our hearts, knowing that we serve those who gave everything for our nation."
— The Board of Directors
Our Team
Board Members and Advisors
Ebony Thomas
Advisor
Ebony Thomas is a United States Army veteran who is still serving on active duty with the US Army in the Judge Advocate General Corps. She currently holds the rank of Major (O-4). Ebony graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2010 with a degree in Engineering Management, completed her Juris Doctor degree in 2017 from William and Mary Law School. She served in Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and proudly served in the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division for many years. As a Philadelphia native, Ebony takes great pride in serving as a mentor and leader in many organizations, including her own non-profit the Urban Dream Initiative.
Amanda Po
Design Committee Chair
Amanda is a CW2, 125D, Geospatial Engineer Technician for the 28ID, Pennsylvania Army National Guard. I've served two tours in my 14 years of service and preparing for my 3rd. As a full time civilian, I support the Warfighter at the Army Geospatial Center in Alexandria, VA. I provide Geospatial Support and services to the warfighter and their units as they prepare for mobilization. .
Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) , 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard (14 years in service). HHBn, Bravo Company - GEOINT Chief. 2 military deployments ( Iraq 2009, Kuwait 2018).
Bryan Lentz
Advisor
Bryan Lentz attended Valley Forge Military College and Georgetown University before being commissioned as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer. He served four years on active duty as an Airborne Ranger with the 82nd Airborne Division. Afterward, he earned his law degree from Temple University and worked six years as a Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney, specializing in prosecuting violent gangs and juveniles.
Lentz continued serving as a Civil Affairs officer, deploying to Bosnia in 1998 and later volunteering to command a Civil Affairs unit in Mosul during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received the Bronze Star for his service. He is now an attorney at Bochetto & Lentz, PC.
Carlo Aragoncillo
Design Committee
Carlo Aragoncillo was born in Yokota, Japan and raised in Philadelphia and Deptford, NJ. He holds a B.A. in Forensic Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an M.A. in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University–Camden.
Carlo joined the U.S. Army in 2011 and commissioned as a Signal Corps officer in 2012. Throughout his career, he served in roles including Battalion IT Manager, Platoon Leader, DSST Officer in Charge, Company Commander, Public Affairs Officer, and Brigade IT Director. He supported the New Jersey National Guard during Hurricane Sandy and deployed to the Middle East from 2016–2017 for Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.
He has served in multiple units across Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Tobyhanna Army Depot, Bristol PA, and overseas, including as DSST OIC at Al Asad Air Base in support of Task Force Al Asad and CJTF–OIR.
Debby Derricks
Advisor
Debby Derricks is a proud third-generation Philadelphian and dedicated advocate for local Veterans. She has extensive experience in the private, non-profit and public sector, including diverse projects within political campaign management, communications consulting, and business development. Most notably, Debby was one of the original founders for the Pennsylvania GWOT Memorial and helped spearhead the initial concept design, fundraising, community outreach, and partnership development.