Executive Committee

The JCFI Executive Committee is made up of five state and national agencies that serve the military-connected community across Indiana: MFRI, the Indiana National Guard, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Benefit Administration, and the Veterans Health Administration. Fundamentally, the executive committee advises on top and emerging issues that impact military-connected families living across Indiana.

Leaders on the executive committee include:

  • Sylvia Maixner is the Deputy Director of the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce (IPPW) at the Indiana National Guard. She co-facilitates the JCFI executive committee and is the chair for the JCFI suicide prevention working group, as well as the chair for the Madison/Delaware County JCFI. In her role at IPPW, Sylvia is primarily responsible for community partnerships, strategic planning, and community capacity building. 
  • Dr. Latron North is the Lead Solider and Family Readiness Specialist (SFRS) assigned to the Evansville Armory for the Indiana Army National Guard, overseeing the southern part of the state.  His primary role and responsibility are facilitating the procedures and operations of 7 SFRS, from Indianapolis to New Albany. His role also includes assisting the INARNG Soldier and Family Readiness, Military and Veteran population in Evansville and surrounding counties. Dr. North establishes a network of community resources for resources and referrals for services and assistance.
  • Ken Santos is the Lead Soldier & Family Readiness Specialist (SFRS) assigned to the South Bend Armory for the Indiana Army National Guard.  Ken helps oversee the northern half of the state alongside his staff.  The program hosts a cadre of 16 SFRSs’ that are within the vicinity of every location throughout the state of Indiana.  Indiana’s Soldier & Family Readiness Centers (SFRC) are designed to aid and provide resource availability to its Service and Family Members, as well as Veterans spanning various issues and concerns related to their military career and livelihood. 
  • Mike Stephens is the director of the Indianapolis regional office for the Veterans Benefit Administration. Mike is primarily responsible for administering benefits and services to Indiana veterans, service members, their families, and their survivors.
  • Mark Turney is the Chief Public Affairs Officer at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Mark is primarily responsible for educating and informing our nation’s veterans about VA-related services and programs.
  • Katie Walter is a community outreach specialist at the Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) at Purdue University. Katie facilitates the JCFI executive committee and is the chair for the JCFI financial literacy and women veterans working groups.
  • Dennis Wimer is the Director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA). IDVA’s mission is to Support, Serve, and Advocate for the Indiana Veteran Community continuing our vision that Indiana is the choice for Veterans to Live, Work, and Thrive.