Patti Latch

Executive Director

Patti founded Central Illinois Gold Star Families in 2014 from heartfelt gratitude to those who carry daily the sacrifice of loss in exchange for our freedom. As a
double blue star Mother of two US Marines, Patti has served as an advocate for all survivors of fallen military heroes for over seventeen years. Between the two of them, her sons served three tours of duty in Iraq between 2005-2007. Thankfully both returned home safely but their deployments were a very harrowing experience that left her forever changed.

Under Patti’s leadership, the organization significantly expanded to provide services and programs to Gold Star Families across the nation This led to the rebranding of the organization to America’s Gold Star Families, along with national partnerships.

Patti earned her Masters of Business Administration degree from Bradley University. She was also an award-winning high producer in the real estate business. Several years ago, while her sons were on active duty, she and a dedicated group of volunteers sponsored Operation Santa, a project that shipped over 200,000 Christmas stockings to deployed troops around the globe.

She has attended numerous ceremonies in Washington, DC including an invitation to breakfast on the White House lawn, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a Christmas party at the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s home and a Presidential Inauguration.

Patti’s favorite song is our National Anthem and is often invited to perform for community, military, patriotic and sporting events. One of those highlights was performing for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field for thirteen years.

Darin Funk

President

President Board of Directors, Since November 2022

Darin is an Interim IT Director for Easterseals in Peoria, IL. He has over 25 years of IT and management experience in non-profit services. During his personal life and professional career he has served on several committees, including business management and safety committees. Darin also is an IT consultant helping many government agencies, law firms, and small businesses with their technology needs over the last 20 years. Darin attended Illinois Central College and holds an MCSE, MCP, Net Plus, and A Plus, from New Horizons Vocational College.

Darin comes from a military family as his Father is a Vietnam War Veteran, along with many family members that have served our country. As he comes from a military family, he became part of AGSF after losing his cousin in 2007 during the Iraqi War and became passionate about being part of helping others that have lost their loved ones while being in military service. He is honored to lead the board and serve our families.

Art Rodriguez

Vice President, Specialist 4, US Army veteran

Normal Township Trustee

Art Rodriguez was nominated to the Board of America’s Gold Star Families in 2022.  Art works on the Legislative Committee for America’s Gold Star Families and considers it an honor to support our Gold Star Families.

Art currently serves as a Trustee for Normal Township, IL, and holds several positions in the Veteran’s Community.  He chairs the McLean County IL Veteran’s Assistance Commission and the Veteran’s Committee for the Bloomington IL Chapter of the NAACP, serves as a Lobbyist for the Illinois AMVETS and on the Legislative Committee for the Illinois American Legion, and is a Legislative Representative for the Illinois Marine League.  Art also sits on the Representative Maurice West Advisory Committee for Home Modifications for people with disabilities.

Art holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Western New Mexico University, and also served in the United States Army during the Cold War in Europe. He has worked for several companies in sales, mostly in the eastern part of the United States, and has some international experience as well.

He currently runs an e-commerce platform and a commercial real estate business.

Art is married to his wife Joselin and they have one daughter.  He and his wife enjoy raising their daughter and watching her compete in gymnastics.

Art Rodriguez
Normal Township Trustee
Chairman McLean County Veterans Assistance Commission
Senior Vice Commander District 17 American Legion
AMVETS Life Member

Janice Thiese

Secretary

Janice had many varied opportunities during her work career. In the late 60’s and early 70’s she was a long distance telephone operator and later as an investigator for wrong number billings, with Southern Bell Telephone Company. After taking a break to start a family and be home with her children, Janice went back to work and spent 15 years working as a teaching assistant and music director in a pre-school serving 4 and 5 year olds. In the years after the pre-school, Janice worked as a sales associate and assistant manager for a Gift Shop specializing in collectibles. Then as a marketing assistant, managing samples and literature for a business providing raw materials for the paints and coatings industry and finally, before retiring, as Royalty Program Coordinator for the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia.

As the wife of a 21 year U.S. Navy Veteran, Janice is committed to the support of those who serve in our Armed Forces and their families. During her husband’s service in California, she served as Ombudsman for the U.S.S. John Paul Jones and later served as Ombudsman for the Naval Station, San Diego, California. As Ombudsman she was the liaison between the Navy Command and families of those serving. After returning to Georgia, Janice joined a garden club and was later invited to join the Board of Directors for The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. as the Blue Star Memorial Marker Chairman. She has managed the program, which now also includes the Gold Star Families Marker, for the entire state since 2008. Janice is passionate about the Blue Star Marker Program because it honors those who have served, are serving or will serve in our Nation’s Armed Forces and the Gold Star Families Marker Program because it honors the Families of the Fallen. Since the Gold Star Families Marker was added in 2015, Janice has facilitated the installation of 11 Gold Star Families Markers throughout the state of Georgia.

Becky Rossman

Specialist E-4, US Army veteran

Becky Rossman has been in non-profits for over 25 years, with over 15 years of experience as a CEO.  She has led three organizations: Knox County Child Advocacy Center, Neighborhood House, and Peoria Community Against Violence (PCAV). Under her leadership, Neighborhood House won the Better Business Bureau’s torch Award for Ethics, the Peoria Chamber of Commerce’s Community Wealth Award, Governor’s Award for Unique Services, and UIComp’s Community Health Award.   She holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Forensic Psychology and a certificate in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Becky is certified trainer for NOVA’s Basic Crisis Response course and FEMA’s Basic Emergency Management. She was an adjunct instructor at Methodist College and a consultant for Board Development and Strategic Planning for non-profit organizations. Becky has received the Athena Leadership Woman of the Year award, 40 Leaders Under 40 Award, WEEK’s 25 Women In Leadership Award, and WMBD’s CI Hero. Becky has been on a multitude of Boards in the community and is happy to connect those who want to get more involved.

Becky served in the Army Reserves as a Mechanic.  She was called out of the IRR following 9/11, to backfill for the 528^th Special Operations at Ft. Bragg.  Becky has been passionate about AGSF’s mission since meeting Executive Director Patti Latch and facilitating Board Development and Strategic Planning for the organization.  Becky was “honored to join this Board that not only recognizes and remembers the selfless sacrifice of our service men and women, but also provides Honor, Hope, and Healing to their families.”

Ron Crouch

LtCol (retired) US Air National Guard/Air Force

– Days short of 41 years of service in Air National Guard/Air Force

– Approximately 20 years of Command experience

– Deployments included countries of: Iraq, Germany, Oman, Panama, Honduras, England, Qatar, Azores (Portugal), and Puerto Rico; plus multiple stateside single service and joint exercises developing, displaying and honing unit readiness and deployment skills

– Named Operations deployed in support of: Joint Endeavor, Joint Forge, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn

– Performed as SAF/CIO (Secretary of Air Force/Chief Information Officer) Tactical Communications Lead at the Pentagon for the final 1.5 years of my career

– Retire in 2017

– Recently completed 3+ years as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer

– USO Volunteer on an as needed basis

– Small farm owner while dabbling in woodworking and honing sawyer skills

– Husband, father and grandfather (Papa)

We must never, never forget those who gave their life for our freedom.   If we haven’t experienced it, we cannot comprehend the pain and anguish of those left behind.   I am compelled to do a small part to help these very special people move forward and ensure we never forget the sacrifice of their loved ones.

Frances Maddox

Gold Star Mother

Frances Maddox has 40 years of experience with State Farm Insurance in various roles. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Illinois State University; completed the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and Contact Center Operations Management (CCOM) Designations; and is also a Leadership Illinois alumni (Class of 2017). Frances was nominated for the 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction Award, in 2021 the Association for Women in Communication Innovation Award, and in 2022 she was selected as the October Women in NAACP award. Frances previously served on the Board of Directors for YWCA McLean County Board as Secretary and Governance Chair; and the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project, which is sponsored by the McLean County History Museum. Frances is also a VFW 454 Auxiliary life member.

Frances resides in Bloomington with her husband Jerome. Together they have 5 children and three grandchildren. In 2013, their middle son, Army Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox was killed in Afghanistan while serving in Afghanistan. She is personally committed to keeping his name alive along with other fallen military heroes, while also providing hope and healing for families of the fallen. She has been a Gold Star Advisory Board Council member for the America’s Gold Star Families(AGSF) since 2016, and the chair for the Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor Project. In the fall of 2022, Frances began serving as an AGSF Board Member representing the Gold Star Advisory Council.

Chris Doscotch

Board member

Chris lives in Peoria, IL where he has worked as an attorney and judge in Central Illinois for over 30 years. Chris is married to Shawn. Shawn recently retired from teaching. Chris and Shawn have two children, Greyson and Victoria. Initially, Chris worked at a long-time Peoria Law firm until he opened his own law firm in 2009. At his own firm, Chris managed up to 12 employees in addition to handling his own case load. Over his career, Chris served over 5000 former clients. Chris closed his law practice in 2019 when he was elected Peoria County Circuit Judge. Chris will be presiding over the newly formed Tazewell County Veteran’s Court.

Chris is a veteran of the U.S. Army/Illinois National Guard. Chris attended basic and AIT at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Chris’s MOS was 11B. Chris has several close friends who served our country during WW II, Korea and Vietnam. Chris’s relationship with these veterans instilled his passion for making sure our veterans and their families are properly valued, honored and taken care of. He is honored to serve the families of our heroes.

Carl Haney

LtCol (retired) US Air Force

Carl served 21 years in the United States Air Force retiring in 2019 as a lieutenant colonel. A 1998 graduate from the United States Air Force Academy and a 2011 Graduate of the University of Dayton with a Master’s Degree in Biology, Carl began his career as a KC-135 pilot where he flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan before transitioning to the acquisitions career field. As an acquisitions officer, Carl held multiple leadership and project management roles in the operational, R&D and intelligence arenas. He earned his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2020.

Carl now focuses the majority of his time raising his four young boys and wants to instill in them the value of service. Carl enjoys coaching his son’s baseball and flag football teams. He and his wife, Shawn, are certified foster parents and actively support efforts to enrich the lives of children in foster care. In addition to serving on America’s Gold Star Families Board of Directors, he participates with the local Veterans Assistance Commission, Military Order of Foreign Wars, VFW and American Legion where he is grateful for the opportunity to give back to fellow veterans. He looks forward to serving Gold Star Families and is honored to have a role supporting our fallen heroes and their families.

Billy Halstead

I have served as a board member and Vice President of Gold Star Families for many years.

I am married, have two adult children. I have worked for the State of Illinois as a Regional Director for the Secretary of State’s office for twenty-two years overseeing eight counties and nine Drivers’ License facilities throughout Central Illinois.

My Father was a Korean War Veteran and because of his service I have always had the utmost respect for our veterans. Working with and being able to help families of those who have served our country and given us our freedom has been an honor and one I don’t take for granted.