Class of 2024
Click on photo to view more information on each hall of fame inductee.
Kathy grew up in an Army family and both she and her two brothers followed their father, US Army Colonel Maurice (“Chuck”) Gainey into the Army. The family did tours in the Continental United States, Alaska, South Korea, and Germany. Along the way, Kathy attended three different Senior High Schools. She along with her brothers claimed they would never join the Army and all three did!
She received her commission as a second lieutenant through ROTC in 1978, after graduating from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., with a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. Later, she attended Babson College, Wellesley, Mass., to complete her Master’s in Business Administration in Contract Management and Procurement. Her military education includes the Army Command and General Staff College, Army Contracting Course, and the Army War College.
Her most recent assignments include Deputy Commander, US Transportation Command where she led the command through a major strategic review and period of increasing forces in Afghanistan and decreasing forces in Iraq. General Gainey also served as the Director of Logistics for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Here she led a review of the dependency of contractors on the battlefield, updated guidance and equipment divestiture for the departure of forces from Iraq and established an Interagency Logistics Council.
Kathy’s other flag officer experiences include Commander of US Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command; Director of Resources and Sustainment for Multi-National Force Iraq (during Operation Iraqi Freedom); Director of Distribution for the Defense Logistics Agency; And Director, Force Projection and Distribution, Office of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4.
Kathy's other assignments include chief, Container Freight Branch, Military Ocean Terminal Bay Area, MTMC Western Area, Oakland, Calif.; program analyst, United States Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command, Rock Island, Ill.; executive officer, 2d Area Support Group, 22d Support Command (during Operation Desert Shield); S-2/S3, 702d Transportation Battalion, Saudi Arabia (during Operation Desert Storm); Division Transportation Officer, 24th Infantry Division (Mech), Fort Stewart, Ga.; special assistant to the Chief of Staff, Army, Washington, D.C.; Commander 7th Corps Support Group; and Chief of Joint Operations Directorate for US Transportation Command. In addition to various performance and service awards, she wears the Army Staff and the Joint Staff Identification Badge.
Following retirement in 2013, Kathy served as Executive Vice President for Logistics in Cypress International. Currently, she volunteers her time at her church and by feeding the homeless and feeding veterans at the Veterans Restoration Quarters located in Asheville, North Carolina. She keeps busy with other volunteer efforts in serving as the Western North Carolina Ambassador to the Military Women’s Memorial, President of The Views of Asheville Homeowners Association, and on the board for Sweeten Creek Neighborhood Association.
She also serves on the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Board of Directors and on three committees (Contractor Assurance, Compensation, and the Executive Committee); and as the Civic Engagement Committee Chair at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNC Asheville. At OLLI she also co-leads two interest groups focused on travel and hiking. She keeps in shape by training new hike leaders and by leading hikes for her fellow OLLI students once a month.
LTG Kathleen M. Gainey
USA, Retired
Maj. Gen. Birckhead has commanded Army units at the company, battalion, and brigade levels. Before her current role, Maj. Gen. Birckhead served as Commander of the Maryland Army National Guard and the Deputy Commandant for Reserve Affairs at the U.S. Army War College. Under her leadership, the Maryland Army National Guard-led Vaccine Equity Task Force ensured COVID-19 testing vaccination access to vulnerable populations across Maryland. Later, Maj. Gen. Birckhead commanded more than 15,000 National Guard members from across the nation during the National Guard mission to secure the U.S. Capitol following the events of January 6, 2021. During her command, the Maryland Army National Guard deployed dozens of units and hundreds of Soldiers to defend the United States at home and abroad.
In 2004, Maj. Gen. Birckhead mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as Tiger Team Leader and Designated Military Officer for the Office of Administrative Review for the Detention of Enemy Combatants. In 2011, she deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, and served as the NATO International Security Assistance Force deputy current operations officer for security partnering.
Maj. Gen. Birckhead's military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Maj. Gen. Birckhead graduated with honors with a B.A. in political science from Hampton University and earned her commission as a distinguished military graduate through the Reserve Officers Training Corps. She later completed an M.A. in management from the University of Maryland University College and a master’s in strategic studies at the U.S. Army War College.
In her civilian career, Maj. Gen. Birckhead began as an aide in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. She later served as a state equal employment opportunity manager, Special Agent in Charge for the Defense Security Service, and Deputy Chief of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights at the Office of Personnel Management, before joining the Department of the Interior. There, Maj. Gen. Birckhead served as a senior advisor for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Trust Fund Administration, advising the bureau director on various issues related to the organization’s personnel, management policies, and organizational culture. ” When not serving in her official capacity, you may find her supporting flag placement at Veterans Cemetery with her two children on Veterans and Memorial Day, supporting the Salvation Army as a Bell Ringer for the Red Kettle Campaign or participating in veterans outreach, fundraising, food distribution, and support to Women Veterans Initiatives. She is a life member of the American Legion Post 166 and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Maj. Gen. Birckhead is a married mother and two and a native of Maryland’s eastern shore. During her formative years on the shore, she was raised by her father, a Navy veteran, and her mother, a community leader and organizer who served as a Judge of the Worcester County Orphan’s Court.
MG Janeen L. Birckhead
USA
She is experienced at transforming broad strategy into implementable plans for large organizations. Her passion is creating positive, inclusive workplaces where all employees can thrive. Tammy is a member of the Toyota Motors North America (TMNA) Diversity Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the VetVoice Foundation, the Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee of Blue Star Families, and volunteers at the Reagan National Airport USO.
At the conclusion of her 35 year career she served at the Pentagon responsible for Army Quality of Life and Military Family policy within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Mobilization and Reserve Affairs. She was responsible for developing innovative policy and providing oversight for the Army Quality of Life portfolio including child and youth programs, spouse employment, soldier transition, financial readiness, Morale, Welfare and Recreation program policy and more. She transitioned the Department of Defense disabled veteran Warrior Games into a public/private endeavor and reorganized the Army Resiliency and SHARP agencies.
Upon her promotion to Brigadier General in 2012, mere months after the repeal of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell (DADT), then BG Smith gained unexpected visibility as the US military’s first openly LGBT General/Flag officer. She chose to be a visible role model for an inclusive military that is representative of the nation’s all-volunteer force, contributing to a culture of trust and understanding in a post-DADT military.
She has received numerous recognitions including the Out and Equal Advocate Award, Department of Defense LGBT Leadership Award, West Point Knights Out alumni Courage Award and Secretary of the Army Diversity in Leadership award. Lincoln University in Jefferson, Missouri awarded her an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Her military awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal and Senior Parachutist Wings. She is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and is an inaugural member of the Army ROTC Hall of Fame.
MG Tammy S. Smith
USA, Retired
A direct commission out of St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y., via the Army’s Junior College Women’s Program, Maureen entered the United States Army in 1976. At that time, fewer than one percent of Army’s commissioned officers were women. As a result, Maureen was often the only woman in the room.
During her 28-year Army career, Maureen held various staff and leadership positions as well as piloting UH-1 helicopters in the continental United States and Europe. Most noteworthy was her assignment as the Professor and Head of the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1997 until her retirement in 2004. Her position carried the unique title, “Master of the Sword.” She was the first woman department head in the storied history of West Point. In that role, she was responsible for educating and training the academy’s 4,400 cadets through a four-year curriculum, fitness testing, and competitive sports, ultimately preparing them for the physically demanding role of U.S. Army officer. Under her leadership, courses became more inclusive, and women were given the opportunity to box and wrestle within the competitive sports and intramural programs.
Maureen served for nine years as a member of the Board of Trustees at St. Bonaventure University, and for three years as the executive director of the Feagin Leadership Program at Duke Sports Medicine. She also served as a member and vice chair of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. During her four year term, several major initiatives were addressed, including the adequacy of equipment and uniforms, support for expanding roles of women in the military, and prevention of sexual harassment and sexual assault. She also served as vice chair and then chair of the USO of North Carolina.
An educator, author, and keynote speaker, Maureen is a senior advisor and faculty member at Thayer Leadership at West Point where she educates, and inspires leading corporate executives. Author of the book, Developing a Philosophy of Living and Leading One Moment at a Time, Maureen is a sought-after speaker around the topics of leadership and wellness. She is currently serving as a member of Mission: Readiness, a group of retired admirals, generals, and top military leaders who are working to strengthen national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit, and stay out of trouble. She also mentors student-athletes at St. Bonaventure University.
Maureen received an honorary degree (Doctor of Humane Letters) from St. Bonaventure University, holds a Master and Doctor of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of Georgia, earned an Executive Diploma in Strategic Leadership from the U.S. Army War College, and received an Executive Diploma in Management and Leadership from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Maureen has been married for 41 years to her husband, COL(R) Joseph N. G. LeBeouf. They have two children, U.S. Army Reserve Major Jay LeBoeuf, daughter Jackie, a son-in-law, former U.S. Marine Lieutenant Stephen, and one delightful granddaughter, Keegan.
BG Maureen K. LeBoeuf
USA, Retired
Developed for the first time, the Army's Strategic and Implementation Plans for diversity and inclusion, serving 1.2 million Army, National Guard, and Reserve military and civilian personnel. Army Senior leadership referred to the plan as the "Pinckney Diversity Plan". It was used by other DOD and non-governmental agencies.
Served as the first female and first African American Commanding General of the Army's Morale, Welfare and Administrator to the Recreation Board of Directors; built consensus among the Army's most senior military and civilian leaders (four-star level) serving on the Board that led to a total revamping of the conduct of the Board and its oversight capability. Another First!
Serving as a battalion commander, developed and executed the following programs that were non-existing: Command Inspection Program; property accountability plan; acknowledged for developing the best personnel security plan at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Another First!
Serving as brigade commander, drastically reduced the amount of cash in the European Theater and eliminated theft in a deployed environment by working with the US Treasury Department, Department of State, Department of the Army, and the
banking communities throughout Bosnia, Kosovo, Italy, and Germany by testing and employing the Smart Card for use in underdeveloped countries. This was a first-time effort.
As DOD's primary appropriations link to Congress on finance and personnel matters, it effectively developed a congressional strategy that successfully held Defense Budget marks where they should be. Built solid relationships in the Department of Defense and on the Hill to help ensure DOD's position was heard, understood and supported. During that time of war, effectively protected funding in the following areas: personnel pay entitlements for Active duty and the Reserves, permanent change in station moves for service members, military and civilian pay raises, and health care and financial management.
Developed and executed a strategy that justified a 100% increase in appropriated funds for Army-wide family programs, going from $700 million to $1.4 billion, the largest increase in family program spending in the history of the Army. This was another first-time effort.
BG Belinda H. Pinckney
USA, Retired
While serving our nation in the armed forces and post service, Lt. Col. Jackson-Kelley served as the Program Manager for a 40-bed substance abuse ward and as the Women Veteran Program Manager with the Department of Veterans Affairs – West Los Angeles. During her term on executive staff, she was instrumental in implementing programs, and increased funds and resources for women veterans. During her time at the Veterans Hospital, she also served as one of the initial board members during the inaugural formation of U.S. VETS.
Patricia Jackson-Kelley is also a Commissioner for the County of Los Angeles, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, 2nd District, Military and Veterans Affairs and Commander for the American Legion, Jackie Robinson 252 Post. Most recently, she was appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Sexual Assault and Harassments Prevention Task Force Working Group, covering national concerns and issues.
Lt. Col. Jackson-Kelley has received awards and commendations from President George W. Bush, California Governor’s Offices 2006-2009, NAACP, Blacks in Government, and many top community organizations. In 2010 she was selected as “Southern California Women Veteran of the Year” by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, and she was the inaugural recipient of the “PFC Gladys Schuster Carter Trail Blazer Award (August 2012.)" Jackson-Kelley was recognized by former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Robert McDonald for her service on the National Center for Minority Veterans committee from 2015-2017. In 2017, Lt. Col Jackson-Kelley was awarded the "Lifetime Legacy Award" by Connected Women of Influence, and in 2018 she received the "Crystal Eagle Award" by Los Angeles County African American Employees Association. Also in 2018, Lt. Col Jackson-Kelley was honored with the "Holeman Community Development Corporation Quiet Champion Award," the "City of Los Angeles Hall of Fame Award," and was named "UCLA Veteran of the Year." In 2019 she was the "Hollywood Business and Professional Women Black History Month Honoree."
Lt Col. Jackson-Kelley was one of the honorees for the National Daughters of The American Revolution Women In American History 2021-222. August 2022, she received the prestigious "African Focus Goodwill Lifetime Achievement Award".
LTC Patricia Jackson-Kelley
USA, Retired
A few of her assignments as a warrant officer include Chief, Military Personnel Office, Fort Detrick, Maryland; Deputy SGS, Fort Lee, Virginia; G1 Chief, Strength Management, HR Planner/Technician, Assistant Executive Officer to the Brigade Commander and Senior HR Advisor to the 3rd Infantry Division Commanding General and Chief of Staff, Fort Stewart, Georgia; Adjutant/S1 HR Technician for Army South, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; Assistant Executive Officer to the Supreme Allied Commander and the Commander, United States European Command, Detailed Inspector General assigned to the Department of the Army Inspector General, Washington, DC, and Assistant Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Washington, DC. She is currently serving as the Assistant Executive Officer (AXO) and Senior Warrant Officer Adviser to the Chief of Staff of the Army (SWOA2CSA), Washington, DC.
CW5 Dixon-Carter’s deployments include Operation Just Cause, Panama, 1990; Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, 1993 and1994; Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, 2007-2008; Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn, Iraq, 2009-2010.
She is a graduate of the Warrant Officer Senior Service Education and Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education Courses, Adjutant General Warrant Officer Basic and Advance Courses, 42A Advance and Basic Noncommissioned Officer Courses, and the Warrior Leaders Course, as well as various other military courses. She was awarded a Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice Forensics Science and Psychology from Saint Leo University.
CW5 Dixon-Carter’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (8th award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th award), Army Achievement Medal (5th award), Humanitarian Service Medal, Meritorious Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), the Combat Action Badge and Air Assault Badge, as well as various other service medals and ribbons.
She is married and has two children and three grandchildren.
CW5 Yolondria Dixon-Carter
USA
Her duty assignments were varied all over the country to include numerous overseas tours as well as a combat tour in the Republic of Iraq in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and several trips to Afghanistan.
She served in every Noncommissioned Officer leadership position and also performed as a Drill Sergeant and Sergeants Major Course Instructor, Faculty Advisor, and Mentor at USASMA. She also served on the Sergeant Major of the Army’s Board of Directors and as the senior enlisted female advisor and mentor.
Her military and civilian education includes all the Leadership Courses; Air Assault School; Drill Sergeant School; Battle Staff NCO Course; First Sergeant Course; and the Master Fitness Course. CSM Brock is a graduate of the United States Sergeants Major Academy, Class 50, the Command Sergeants Major Course, the Force Management Course, and Keystone National Defense University (Joint). She earned her Associates Degree from Hawaii Pacific University, Bachelors Degree from Thomas Edison State College and her Master's Degree in Health Care Management from Trident University.
Brock has numerous awards and decorations to include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal; Drill Sergeant Identification Badge; and the Air Assault Badge. She was inducted into the Order of Military Medical Merit in 1996 and was also selected to be a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels in 1999.
Donna Brock now is a small business owner – Brock LMC. She serves as an Executive Coach for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) leaders, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) leaders and previously served as an Executive Coach and Seminar Facilitator with True Growth Leadership Academy at numerous locations to include the Army Pre-command course at Ft. Leavenworth. She also serves as a Community Coach for the Veterans Administration program called Together With Veterans (TWV) to help fight against Veteran suicide in rural America. She is also a Department of the Army Nominative Leader Course Consultant. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer for the Army Women’s Foundation, is a lifetime member of Women Veterans Interactive, serves on the Board for Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) , serves as a lifetime member and on the board for the International Association for Military Women of Color (IAM WOC), and is on the Military Advisory Committee for Trident University International. She has dedicated her life towards the service of others which includes teaching, coaching, and mentoring young leaders and the advancement of future women leaders. She is a mother, grandmother, and Soldier Advocate.
CSM Donna A. Brock
USA, Retired
Lucy is part of the grassroots #MeTooMilitary movement started at the height of the death of Specialist Vanessa Guillen. On July 29, 2020, she testified in front of the House Armed Services Committee: The Military MeToo Movement. She was featured in the NETFLIX documentary, “I Am Vanessa Guillen”. She was later appointed by Veteran Affairs Secretary Dennis McDonough to the Workgroup for Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault. She has volunteered for organizations such as the Pink Berets, Minority Veterans of America and Team Red, White and Blue.
Lucy is the recipient of several Points of Light Service Awards. She was named to the Points of Light 2022 Inspirational Honor Roll. She was named an Hispanic Star by the We Are Human Campaign. She’s the recipient of the 2019 Women Veteran of the Year – New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders. The Township of Weehawken, New Jersey named Lucy the first female Grand Marshall (in the 87th year history) of their 2018 Memorial Day Parade.
Lucy lives in New Jersey with her husband and four children.
Ms. Lucy C. Del Gaudio
U.S. Army Veteran
SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF CHAMPION AWARDEES
Her duty stations include Fort Carson, Colorado (2004-2010), Baumholder, Germany (2010- 2012), Fort Leonardwood, Missouri (2012-2018) Camp Humphreys, Korea (2021-2022), and Fort Cavazos, Texas (2018-2021,2022 to present). Her military education includes United States Drill Sergeant Academy, Inspector General, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course and Senior Leader Course.
SFC Greene made a name for herself on social media by winning several powerlifting competitions, her Army “Motivation Monday” messages, and for earning the title of the strongest woman on Fort Cavazos. In March 2021, after having a conversation with a 19-year-old female soldier who wanted to go on a “juice fast” to pass tape, SFC Greene started a petition for the way the Army determines Body Mass Index (BMI) to change. The petition was just the beginning of her push. For 2 ½ years, SFC Greene used her social media platforms, with an audience of over 900k people, to advocate for change. She spent her PCS leave at Fort Liberty, where the first study was conducted, to get personnel to volunteer. While stationed in Korea, she used social media to get personnel at Fort Gregg Adams, where the second study was conducted, to volunteer. She sat on panels, went to different social media platforms, and stayed in communication with leaders that oversaw the study, in order to keep the masses informed. On 9 June 2023, Army Directive 2023-11 was released, announcing the new way the Army will determine BMI.
SFC Greene’s awards and decorations include 3 Meritorious Service Medals (MSM), 8 Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM), and 8 Army Achievement Medals (AAM). She will retire from the Army on 31 Oct 2024.
SFC Latoya Greene,
USA
Lady Veterans Connect was originally incorporated as Sheppards’ Hands in 2012 in Missouri to serve veterans. After much research Phyllis Abbott identified that women veterans were the least served in the veteran community, as well as the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. She then made the decision to return to Lexington, Kentucky to begin operations in 2015 and amending the name of the organization to Lady Veterans Connect to align with the mission of the organization.
Additionally, Phyllis Abbott is an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University in the College of Business, primarily facilitating servant leadership classes. As a professor, she has the privilege of sharing her passion for learning with the students, encouraging them to never stop learning and strive to be all that they can be but never forget to share their knowledge and experience with others.
Phyllis Abbott has served on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Veterans Commission since its inception 2019, when she advocated for the existence of the Veterans Commission.
Phyllis Abbott presently serves on the VET Center advisory board, Governor’s Challenge on Suicide Prevention, and Joint Executive Committee of Veteran Organizations.
Previously, Phyllis Abbott founded Church Under the Bridge in Lexington providing a church service and meals for the homeless; founded the Women’s Hope Center Ministry for women recovery from drug and alcohol addiction; Kindness in Action Ministry reaching out into the community with acts of kindness; Pets are Working Saints Ministry taking dogs to nursing homes, hospitals, and schools to visit.
Phyllis Abbott received her bachelor’s degree from Nyack College; Master Certificate in Nonprofit Management from American Public University; master’s degree in Christian Studies and Urban Ministry from Grand Canyon University; and a Master of Science degree in leadership from Grand Canyon University.
Phyllis Abbott has been inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame as an honorary member (2023); Kentucky Colonel (2021); Kentucky Commonwealth Ambassador, Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (2016); and Gold Star Award for Outstanding Patriotism (only second time it has been awarded) Commonwealth of Kentucky (2016).
Phyllis Abbott is a native of Winchester, Virginia but grew up in Eastern Kentucky which is the driving force of serving veterans and families in the 43 counties served by the Lexington VA.
