Who We Are

In 2003, a group of veterans convened after a game of golf and decided to foster fellowship among veterans residing in Reynolds Lake Oconee.

By 2005, our group had grown to 230 members, showing a strong interest in formalizing our association. Supporting injured combat soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan stationed at Ft. Gordon (previously Ft. Eisenhower) became our primary focus.

In 2006, we officially established the Reynolds Veterans Association (RVA) as a non-profit organization (501c-3). With this status, our annual golf tournament became a key fundraiser for the Active-Duty Rehabilitation Unit (ADRU) in Augusta, GA. Contributions were made by our members, along with community businesses, churches, and individuals who supported our cause. We successfully raised over $250,000, all of which was directed to the ADRU’s needs.

As a result of our efforts, RVA provided a 32-passenger fully handicap-accessible bus, a 9-passenger van, rehabilitation equipment such as wheelchairs and therapy devices, kayaks, a large-screen TV for entertainment and therapy, computers, and monthly birthday celebrations. Additionally, we extended our support to the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic (TBI) located in Augusta, Georgia.

In 2014, we responded to the needs voiced by the UGA Student Veterans Resource Center (UGA SVRC) with care. As a result, we upgraded the center’s furnishings and established a $100,000 Endowment Scholarship Fund. This fund now annually awards four $1,000 scholarships. We proudly continue our support by sponsoring the UGA Veterans Day and Honor Cord Receptions, where scholarships and honors are graciously presented.

Throughout our 21-year history, we have steadfastly continued supporting fellow veterans through initiatives like the TBI Clinic and UGA SVRC. Our members and the community are dedicated to ensuring that veterans are never forgotten. As it has been said: “The Nation that forgets its Veterans will itself be forgotten.

We invite you to join us in supporting and never forgetting the men and women who have stood so valiantly for our great nation.

Meet Our Board Of Governors

Sheila Patterson

President

Sheila Patterson served 28 years in the Navy and 12 years in the Defense industry before retiring in 2022. She earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the Naval Academy and an M.S. in Astronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Her Navy roles included Space Systems Program Integrator, GPS Program Office, and Program Manager for Naval Surface Radars. In the Defense industry, she worked with General Dynamics. In retirement, she is active with the National Veteran Golfers Association, the Women Golfers Association at Reynolds, and plans to become a Career Coach at Greene County High School in 2024.

David Douglas

Vice President

David Douglas grew up in Louisville, KY, attended the University of KY, served six years of active duty as an Air Force C-141 pilot, then 14 years as an AFRES C-141/C-130 pilot. He flew 36 years as a United Airlines pilot, retiring in 2013. David moved to Great Waters in 1999 and is married to Kathleen. He has three children who all live in Colorado.

Chris Mears

Recording Secretary

Chris Mears is a native of Lombard, Illinois. He served 30 Years in the United States Air Force. He flew F-4C, D, E, F, G (Wild Weasel); F-105F, G (Wild Weasel); C-130E, H, WC. Combat Tours in Vietnam and Desert Storm. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, B.S in Mathematics and an M.B.A. in Quantitative Analysis from Golden Gate University. He also is a private pilot with over 500 hours in small aircraft. Chris and his wife Dorothy moved to Reynolds in 2018. He is currently the President and CEO of Chris Mears & Associates, Inc. Consulting Firm.

Mike Nelson

Treasurer

Mike Nelson is a native of Wichita, Kansas. He served 24 years in the United States Marine Corps. Nine years as an Enlisted Artilleryman and 15 years as a Finance Officer. Following retirement, Mike went to work for the U.S. Navy. Mike and his wife Amy moved to Reynolds in 2019. They have one son; Justin.

Board Members

Tom Lynn

Tom grew up in Western Kentucky and attended the University of Kentucky. He served in the US Air Force as a Navigator, Weapons Systems Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer flying the F-105G Wild Weasel, F-4D, KC-135, EB-57, B-1B and JointSTARS aircraft. He retired from the Georgia Air National Guard after 39 years as a Major General. He and his wife Joy moved to Reynolds in 2014.

Ginny Dornheggen

Ginny was a 1LT in the Army Nurse Corps. She enlisted during her junior year of Nursing school into the Army Student Nurse program, committing her to two years of active duty. After graduating and completing a 3-month Intensive Care/Coronary Care course, she was assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Washington D.C. in the Recovery/Surgical ICU. After 9 months, she deployed to the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Qui Nhon, Vietnam (1970-71), working in Recovery/ICU Units and rotating in the OR, Orthopedic, and Emergency Room. Since 2004, she has been involved with the Reynolds Veterans Association, aiding various veteran support programs. She has been married to David Dornheggen and a Reynolds member since 2003.

Zachery “Z” Brice

Z is a military brat and has live all over the world. He has Masters degree from the University of Tennessee in statistics, an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan. He has retired twice, once from Credit Swiss Bank in Zurich Switzerland and from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He served six years in the United States Army with the 498 Medivac Unit in Vietnam (1968 – 1969) as a Medivac helicopter pilot and at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Tx. The rest of his career was spent across multiple industries to include Aerospace, Automotive, Telecommunications, and Banking. Zachery resides in Reynolds with his wife Nancy. Zachery fills his retirement time by running a consultant firm call Business Process Innovations, conducting process re-engineering within the Army, Air Force, and the Pentagon.

Tony M. Coroalles

Tony retired as City Manager of Calabasas, California, on May 31, 2018, after 15 years in the position, following his role as Assistant General Manager for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. He retired from the United States Army in December 2000 as a Colonel of Infantry after 27 years of service, with recent roles including Commander of US Army Garrison, Alaska, Chief of International Plans and Policy Integration, and Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Army. Tony graduated from several military courses and holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of San Francisco, an M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and a Masters in Logistics and Acquisition from the National Defense University.

Jim Marren

Jim grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama graduating with a B.S. degree in Finance. After college Jim joined the Georgia Air National Guard in Savannah, Georgia as a C-130 Pilot. He served 29 years, attained the rank of Colonel, and finished his career as Wing Commander of the 165th Airlift Wing. Jim moved to Reynolds in 2019 and is currently a pilot with Delta Air Lines