By Michele Peters
(VERO BEACH, FL) The Veterans Council of Indian River County, the lead agency for providing programs and direct aid to veterans and their families in Indian River County has announced their 2021 – 2022 Board of Directors.
Father Dave Newhart began serving as Chaplain on the Veterans Council Board of Directors and took the helm as the agency’s board president effective October 1. Father Newhart succeeds Col. Martin Zickert who served as president for the past 2 years and served on the Veterans Council board for 13 years.
“We are honored to have a mix of excellent veteran and civilian leadership on our board of directors,” said Jim Romanek, Executive Director of the Veterans Council. “Our board is passionate about serving veterans and their families in Indian River County through our many programs, partnerships and events”
“I am honored to accept the position of Board President of the Veterans Council,” said Father Newhart. “I have a passion for ministry, service, and meeting the needs that help and serve all our Veterans who actively served and are serving their country”.
Father Dave Newhart joined the Air Force in January 1975 serving during the Cold War Era with assignments at Eglin AFB Florida with 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, in Spangdahlem AFB, Germany, with the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing and, with 59th Aircraft Generation Squadron at Luke AFB, AZ. His specialty 43171C working on F-4 D, E’s and F-15’s.
Following his time in the military, he attended Arizona State University and received a BS in Ag-Industry with an emphasis in Food Service. Upon graduation and two years of post-graduate studies, he worked 18 years in the food industry as a Quality Manager for a food distribution company until 2002 when he entered the seminary.
As an Episcopal priest, he served in Boerne, Texas and retired from full-time ministry after serving 13 years at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Sebastian. He continued doing ministry as a Sabbatical Priest at Holy Trinity, Melbourne, and interim work in Tallahassee. He is now serving part-time as the Associate Priest for Pastoral Care at Holy Trinity in Melbourne, FL. He is a member of the American Legion 189 and a member of American Legion 189 Riders.
The Veterans Council of Indian River County Board of Directors:
Chairman – Fr. Dave Newhart, SGT US Air Force
Vice-Chairman – Ken Dale, SGT First Class, US Army
Secretary – Carlos Halcomb, Colonel (retired), US Air Force
Treasurer – Stephen Hume, Senior Airman (retired), US Air Force
Director – Samantha Brackett, Civilian
Director – Curtis Holden, Lieutenant Colonel (retired), US Army
Director – Doug Klock, US Air Force
Director – Darryle “Sam” Kouns, Colonel (retired) US Army
Director – Charles “Casey” Lunceford, II, Civilian
Director – Matthew Scheidel, Lieutenant Colonel, US Air Force
Director – Tracey Zudans, Civilian
The mission of Veterans Council of Indian River County:
To support all Indian River County veterans and their families while raising awareness of veterans’ needs and their contributions to society.
For more information about the Veterans Council of Indian River County, visit http://helpIRCvets.org or call (772) 410-5820
