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
Deon Clabby – Vice President
Certified Assistive Technology Professional, Certified Environmental Access Consultant
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.
Trent Hunter – Treasurer
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