Two new staff directors reported to work this quarter at the Navy SEAL Foundation. Lauren Kellerman is  director of programs and West Coast liaison, and Scott Brown is director of development, according to Executive Director Jim Smith.

 

"Lauren and Scott have extensive experience in their fields, and the Foundation will benefit from their respective backgrounds in family support programs and development," said Smith. "Having the Foundation represented in both the San Diego area and our headquarters in Virginia Beach will allow us to better serve the Naval Special Warfare community, from coast to coast."

 

Kellerman's position was created to directly support families of the Naval Special Warfare community on the home front through programs that focus on family events, educational opportunities and tragedy assistance. Based in San Diego, Calif., she will work closely with the  U.S. Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command and all West Coast NSW commands to communicate the Foundation's mission, coordinate supporting activities, and serve as a liaison between the Foundation and NSW families throughout the country. In addition, she will speak at and represent the Foundation at local West Coast events.

 

Originally from Louisville, Ky., Kellerman received both her bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in psychology from the University of Louisville. Throughout her career, she worked extensively as a research assistant, counselor and educator in the areas of brain sciences and behavioral health with the University of Louisville. 

 

Soon after relocating to the San Diego area in 2006, she was the education coordinator with the Center for Military Relationships and Families, where she focused on issues related to the NSW deployment cycle. Prior to her new job with the Navy SEAL Foundation, Kellerman was ombudsman to the Naval Special Warfare Center, where she assisted families of the NSW staff. She lives in the Clairemont area with her husband, Bert. 

 

Brown's professional background includes nonprofit management and fundraising in the areas of historic preservation, the arts, higher education and health care. During his 20-year career he has recruited and trained volunteers to raise funds, and he has worked with board members to develop mission statements, bylaws and strategic plans. He has been a participant in nonprofit fundraising campaigns with wide ranging goals from $1.5 - $400 million.

 

A Virginia native, Brown started his nonprofit management career at Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown, Va. His legacy there was the microbrewery festival he established in 1996, which continues to be a successful annual event. He recently moved back to his home state from North Carolina, where he was executive director of the Caldwell Memorial Hospital Foundation. In this role, he oversaw fund development for the hospital, among other duties. Since returning to Virginia to be closer to family, he has been involved in major gifts fundraising and as a consultant with GiftsGrants International. He has been active in a variety of membership organizations in his field including the Southeastern Museums Conference, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy.

 

Brown double majored in political science and history at James Madison University. He resides in Urbanna, Va., with his wife, Michelle, and their three children.   

 

 

During this year's celebration of Independence Day, America's attention will turn to Boston as the city commemorates the  War of 1812 bicentennial, heralds the arrival of international tall ships sailing in  Op Sail 2012-and kicks off a national fundraising event to help families of wounded and fallen U.S. Special Operations forces. The New England Warrior Benefit, July 3, will host special events and a motorcycle auction at the Seaport World Trade Center to benefit the following foundations: Navy SEAL Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Semper Fi Fund, and No Greater Sacrifice. To help promote the benefit, Navy SEAL Foundation Executive Director Jim Smith participated in a series of media interviews in the Boston area earlier this spring.  

 

Click here to view the May 22 television interview with Smith and Joe Fallon, of the Fallon Family Charitable Foundation, from Boston's FOX 25 Beacon Hill Studio. For details of the event and auction, visit newarriorbenefit.org.