Board of Directors

Officers

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Todd Bennett - US Army, Ret.
​CEO
[email protected]

Jana Tarleton
​Co-Founder 
[email protected]

Mike Tarleton
​Co-Founder 
[email protected]

J Bybee - US Air Force, Ret.
Program Director
[email protected]

John Hyink
Program Chair
[email protected]

Krystle Newton, LMFT
Board Chair
  [email protected]

Kyle Venable, MJur - USMC, Ret.
Board Vice Chair
[email protected]

Bill Benham
Development/Fundraising Chair
[email protected]

Vanessa Venable, MPSA
Marketing/Communications
​[email protected]

​Members

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Dooley - Director of Squirrel Chasing
and Minor Destruction 
Contact: Twitter (X) @DooleyDog2021 

Tim Hall, Treasurer
Timothy A. Hall, LLC. is a CPA directory verified accounting firm licensed to practice in the state of Alabama. Timothy A. Hall, LLC. maintains the highest standard of knowledge and ethics when operating as an accounting firm.  His main goal is to ensure donors to our program can have full confidence in our organization.  He is an Auburn University graduate, and his father is a WW2 veteran who turned 100 this year.  

ADVISORY BOARD

Ben Leard
Most of us remember former Auburn quarterback Ben Leard as a standout player, ranking 4th on the all-time pass completion chart and 8th in passing touchdowns. His impressive career on the field left a lasting legacy at Auburn University. Today, Ben has transitioned from the gridiron to the business world, where he serves as the Senior Vice President at J. Smith Lanier & Co. In this role, Ben applies the leadership skills and discipline he honed as an athlete to excel in the insurance and financial services industry, continuing to make an impact in his professional life.

Coach Sonny Smith
Coach Sonny Smith is a renowned figure in college basketball, celebrated for his illustrious coaching career and significant contributions to the sport. With a coaching career spanning several decades, Coach Smith has left an indelible mark on the teams he has led and the players he has mentored.

Born on November 15, 1936, in Roan Mountain, Tennessee, Sonny Smith began his coaching journey with a deep passion for basketball. He first made his mark as an assistant coach before becoming the head coach at East Tennessee State University, where he led the Buccaneers to significant success. His coaching prowess was soon recognized, and he moved on to head the basketball programs at the University of Richmond and later at Auburn University.

At Auburn, Coach Smith's tenure from 1978 to 1989 was particularly noteworthy. He guided the Tigers to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a memorable run to the Elite Eight in 1986. Under his leadership, Auburn achieved a new level of prominence in college basketball, and he became known for his ability to develop players and foster a competitive spirit. Notable players who flourished under his guidance include NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and other standout athletes who went on to successful professional careers.

Beyond his accomplishments on the court, Coach Smith is revered for his personable and engaging demeanor. His warmth and charisma made him a beloved figure among fans, players, and colleagues. After retiring from coaching, he continued to share his insights and love for the game as a basketball analyst, further solidifying his legacy as a respected voice in the sport.
Coach Sonny Smith's contributions to college basketball have earned him numerous accolades, including inductions into various sports halls of fame. His impact extends beyond wins and losses, as he has inspired countless players and fans with his dedication, wisdom, and genuine passion for basketball.

Today, Coach Smith remains a cherished figure in the basketball community, celebrated for his achievements and the positive influence he has had on the lives of many. His legacy as a coach and mentor continues to inspire future generations in the world of sports.

Lt. General Ronald L. Burgess
​Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess, Jr., retired from the U.S. Army as the 17th director of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2012. Throughout his 38-year Army career, and in his roles with Auburn, Burgess has continued to serve the U.S. intelligence community by providing leadership and strategic vision that contributes to safeguarding U.S. national security interests. He is also a former acting principal deputy director of national intelligence.

After being commissioned in military intelligence through the Auburn University ROTC program in 1974, Burgess held a variety of key staff and command positions throughout his military career. General officer assignments include Director of Intelligence, J2, U.S. Southern Command; Director of Intelligence, J2, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Customer Outcomes transitioning to Director of the Intelligence Staff in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The former DIA director returned to Auburn in December 2012 to serve as senior counsel for National Security, Cyber Programs and Military Affairs, before being appointed as Auburn’s chief operating officer in 2018. In these roles, Burgess oversaw a range of university services to ensure Auburn’s research and development programs are positioned to address issues of national and global significance. He retired from this position in June of 2023.
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Burgess was honored in 2013 by the Auburn Alumni Association with its Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2015, he was inducted into the United States Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and, in 2016, was inducted into the Army ROTC National Hall of Fame.
​He earned a master’s in education from the University of Southern California in 1980 and a master’s in military arts and science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1986. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from LaGrange College in 2015 and received an honorary doctorate from Stetson University (DeLand, Fla.) in 2017. On July 27, 2018, he received an honorary doctorate of strategic intelligence degree from the National Intelligence University in Bethesda, Maryland.