MEET OUR BOARD

The Faces of Our Organization

Tony Solis

President

Tony has worked Stand Downs all over the Bay, Dixon and Roseville Area. He has held many positions, Logistics, DOD (Ordering Supplies), Operations, Tent Leader, Security and others. He brings 20 plus years of Coast Guard experience as well. We are very lucky to have Tony take the lead.

Celeste Cox

Secretary

Celeste has worked with Veterans Stand Downs Locally and is excited to be with ARSD. She has supported Veterans on different levels with other groups, however loves the hands on that Stand Downs bring,

June Epperly

Treasurer

June became involved with Stand Downs beginning in 2015. In 2016 she volunteered with others from the former Gold Country Stand Down to form the Placer Veterans Stand Down. She was on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer, and worked in that position and as a general volunteer until 2019.

In early 2020 an opportunity came open to join with several dedicated people from prior Stand Downs to form the American River Stand Down . June believes there is great opportunity in the Orangevale-Fair Oaks area for a successful annual Stand Down for our Veterans.

Junes says, "Although I have no military service of my own, many relatives and friends have served through the years. I feel a great responsibility to all those who have served."

Jessah Dunn

Logistics

My father was a Vietnam Vet who came home sick from the war sick from Agent Orange and Hep C. He started doing Stand Down in 2012 and I don’t know if he loved giving back to the Vets as much as he loved being with them and healing himself. He talked my mother into volunteering and me of course. In 2014, I was the first woman Tent Leader Assistant to my father in the men’s tents. From there I partnered with the men’s Tent Leader Coordinator as Tent Leader for the women veterans and dependents and eventually as Tent Leader Coordinator in partnership with the men. My father died in 2018 of MDS, from the Agent Orange exposure, four years after a liver transplant and cure for Hep C. Now it’s my mission to take care of our Vets. Yes, I’m going to protect the participants and yes, I may be relentless, but you will grow to love me like they loved my Dad at Stand Down. I’m going to make sure no one is left behind

Lew Forrest

Advisor

Lew is a third generation Californian, and has lived most of his life in the Sacramento area. He is an Ambassador and sits on the Board of Directors with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Lew was also selected as the Ambassador of the Year for 2018, and nominated as Businessman of the Year and Volunteer of the Year in 2019.
Lew is the current Commander for American Legion Post 264.
He is also the Vice President of the Lincoln Veterans Memorial Coalition
and a current Board Member of the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce.