Tim Combs
Executive Director,
Americans for Independent Living
He has been interested in building trades since he was 10 yrs of age. At 28 yrs of age he went back to school and received an AAS in Civil and Construction Engineering and 5 years later started his own business. He has met the qualifications and passed the examination to be qualified as a Certified Environmental Access Consultant. Environmental Access is the process of adapting a residence and/or general environment to promote the independence and functional ability of the physically challenged. Adaptations may include physically changing portions of an environment to create functional access according to an individual’s specific needs.
Because of a yearning to do more for others, he founded Americans for Independent Living in 2015. He felt veterans deserved more support than what has been available. He will advocate in the community to make others aware of how important it is to recognize, celebrate and support our veterans.
Americans for Independent Livings impact in the community will be from public awareness of the need for more accessible living areas for disabled veterans and transitional housing for Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“Being an advocate for your community and volunteering are both key components in creating change within the community. We need to understand the social problem of homeless veterans, which many people face and are affected by daily. Everyday there are people in our community who are affected by the issues non-profit organizations battle for or against. Once communities realize how people oriented things like advocacy and outreach are, I believe people will realize their impact in their community and their potential to really affect change.” –Tim Combs
AFIL STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wendell Lupkes – President
Partner in VJ Engineering Consultants
Civil Engineering Technology Advisory Committee at Hawkeye Community College
Vice-President of the American Cream Draft Horse Association
Deanna K. Wheeler – Secretary
Broker/Owner Re/Max Home Group, Marketing Chairperson Re/Max Home Group
100 + Women Who Care Cedar Valley Board Member
Professional Standards Committee Waterloo / CF Board of Realtors
Company Sponsor Magical Mix Kids Auction
Glen Keith – Vice President
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
Jungers Law Firm – Legal Assistant
2017-2022 – Senior Army Instructor East High Army JROTC
Past Professor of Military Science and Department head for the University of Northern Iowa
Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University
Master of Military Studies from Marine Corps University
Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal ( 3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (OLC), Army Achievement Medal (OLC), Valorous Unit Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (OLC), Army Superior Unit Award (OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and the NATO Medal
Deon Clabby
Certified Assistive Technology Professional, Certified Environmental Access Consultant for home modifications for NuCara Home Medical Services
Senior Connections of the Cedar Valley- Past President and executive committee for 12 years.
Life Long Links Advisory Committee
Midwest Society of Medical Equipment Suppliers-Home Modification Committee for Regulations, (national level)
AMVETS Member, Father, Father-in-law, and 2 sons in the Army and Airforce.
Christine Rolf – Treasurer
319-239-4170
Christiner@mylsb.com
Past School Board President and board member of Bosco School System- 4 years
Mortgage Loan Originator Lincoln Savings Bank
Past member of Cedar Valley Exchange Club Board
Outreach team member for Hope City Church
Husband served in the Army for Desert Storm in Iraq, Dad was in the Navy,
Grandfather an Army veteran and Uncle was in the Army during the Vietnam war
Trent Hunter
Energy Consultant, National Energy Consultants
Iowa National Guard 1996 – 2007 Iowa Air National Guard 2009 – Present
Technical Sergeant 133d Test Squadron, Ft. Dodge, Iowa
Advisory Board Member Salvation Army Member of the – Waterloo Elks, Waterloo Eagles, Washburn Moose Lodge, President -elect Exchange Club of Waterloo,
AMVETS & VFW Member
Kelly Sullivan – Board Member
3rd Grade Teacher Cedar Falls Community Schools
USS The Sullivan’s Inc Foundation board member
Sponsor USS The Sullivan’s DDG 68
Sullivan Hartough Honor Flight board member
Iowa Irish Fest – Heroes Co-Chair
USS Iowa SSN 797 Commissioning Committee
Martin Edwards
Licensed Marital/Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor at Cedar Falls Counseling Associates
1967-1969 United States Army Reserve (active) 1st Lt., Inf
Past Board Member/President for the Iowa Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Past Volunteer facilitator, Black Hawk County Vietnam Veteran’s Support Group and IA National Guard – Enduring Families
1991 – 2000 Iowa Board of Behavioral Science Examiners, representing the mental health
profession of Marriage and Family Therapy
2009-Present Iowa Association of Mediators and 2012-Present Brain Injury Association of Iowa