Allison
I am paying for school out of pocket and am working hard to complete my degree by spring of 2023. It has gotten stressful to work full-time and go to school full-time. I am working hard every day to achieve my goals, and this scholarship is an important piece of accomplishing that.
Executive Director
Kelli Campbell-Goodnow
As the Executive Director of the Heart of America Patriot Foundation, Kelli Campbell-Goodnow passes on the hope her own family was given and honors the legacy of her late husband and all those who serve our nation.
Kelli grew up in Bryan/College Station, Texas, where she met Shawn Campbell when they were both students at Texas A&M University. They married in 2000, and Shawn entered the Marine Corps. They lived in Texas, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and Hawaii over the next fifteen years, adding four children to their family.
On January 14, 2016, Major Campbell and eleven fellow Marines lost their lives when their helicopters collided over the North Shore of Oahu. Kelli, Tristan, Kenna, Kate, and Donovan faced the daunting task of starting a whole new life. Educational scholarships allowed Kelli to enroll her previously homeschooled children at a small school in Kansas City which was a source of help and hope as they navigated loss and change.
Kelli’s journey through military service and grief is one she will tell you she has never walked alone. She shares her story because “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) In 2020, Kelli married Michael Goodnow and gained a bonus daughter, Avery.
Kelli is currently working toward an Executive MBA degree from the Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University. The Campbell-Goodnow household is full of kids, dogs, and laughter, and they love calling Kansas City home.
Contact Kelli at kcgoodnow@outlook.com
Board of Directors
Alan R. Gorthy, Jr., Captain, USN Retired
Alan R. Gorthy, Jr., Captain, USN Retired
Alan R. Gorthy, Jr., Captain, USN Retired
Captain Gorthy is a Vietnam veteran who served 26 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy. He flew numerous attack and fighter aircraft, including A-4s, A-7s, and F/A-18s, and commanded three operational squadrons. He retired from active duty as the Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Lemoore, CA. He served in the Federal Aviation Administration in the Office of Safety following his retirement from active duty. Al holds a MS in Human Resources and a BS in Biology and serves as the Foundation's President.
Contact Al at Algorthy@gmail.com
913-912-0828 (mobile)
Gregory B. Gardner, CEM, Major General, USAF Retired
Alan R. Gorthy, Jr., Captain, USN Retired
Alan R. Gorthy, Jr., Captain, USN Retired
General Gardner flew fighters (F-4s and F-16s) for most of his 27-year military career. He also commanded a B-1 wing, and served as Adjutant General and Director Emergency Management & Homeland Security for Kansas, leading the Kansas response to 9-11 and multiple major disasters. For 13 years after that, Greg served in Infrastructure Protection regional leadership positions in the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. Greg holds a MS in Human Resources and a BA in Business.
Contact Greg at gengreggardner@gmail.com
785-550-6945 (mobile)
Stephen D. Waldron, JD, Colonel, USMC Retired
Alan R. Gorthy, Jr., Captain, USN Retired
Stephen D. Waldron, JD, Colonel, USMC Retired
Steve served for over 27 years and is a veteran of the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Early in his career, Steve was a criminal defense attorney, prosecutor, and Special Assistant, US Attorney, litigating cases ranging from sexual assault and murder to espionage. Later in his Marine career he transitioned to command and staff roles. After retirement, Steve served as a university president before joining EFL Associates to lead their Higher Education Executive Search Practice. Steve holds a Juris Doctor degree, MS degree in Strategic Studies, and a BA degree in Political Science
Contact Steve at swaldron@eflassociates.com
913-669-8554 (mobile)
Jessica Ramirez
David W. Cornell, PhD
Stephen D. Waldron, JD, Colonel, USMC Retired
Jessica is the Vice President of Advancement at Cleveland University Kansas City. She also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Jackson County Community Children’s Services Fund. She was honored as ‘Kansas City’s Up and Coming 25 Hispanics’ by Dos Mundos Bilingual Newspaper and Sprint in 2005. Ms. Ramirez comes from a family with a long tradition of military service. Her father was in the USMC RECON forces during the Korean Conflict, while an uncle fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Additionally, her brother served 16 years with the US Navy. She holds a Masters of Art Degree in Management and Leadership.
Contact Jessica at jessica.ramirez@cleveland.edu
David W. Cornell, PhD
David W. Cornell, PhD
David W. Cornell, PhD
Dave was the Senior Associate Dean and Chair of the Department of Accountancy at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri-Kansas City, until his retirement in September, 2019. Dave serves as the Foundation's Secretary/Treasurer and manages the website.
Contact Dave at cornelld@umkc.edu
913-909-6274 (mobile)