MCSP receives generous support from....
board of directors
Daniel Steighner II, Financial Professional
Daniel Steighner is a financial professional with a privately-owned wealth management firm, Lifetime Financial Growth. He has developed a collaboration with other professionals to better serve his clients in order to help them achieve their highest potential, while reaching their objectives they truly care about. Dan earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from Gannon University.
Dan and his wife Stacie have been blessed with three wonderful girls , Alex, Brittany and Cassandra. Love of God and country are not words in our family, but a true conviction. He began working with the military community when his oldest daughter, Alex, decided to attend the United States Air Force Academy. Any misgivings he had about his daughter joining he military vanished when he saw how Alex seemed to grow in stature by embracing the Air Force mission and being embraced by the military community’s brotherhood and sisterhood. With his wife Stacie, Dan revived the United States Air Force Academy’s parent group and shepherded its growth over several years. He’s also gotten involved with the Mars Exploration Celebration, an organization that is collaborating with NASA to build a regional STEAM center in Mars, Pennsylvania.
These experiences have convinced Dan that collaborations across our community—donors, advocates, and the public-at-large—are crucial to meet the growing needs of our military families, as well as those who have served our great county.
David Skomo, RPh, Pharmacy COO, WellDyne
With more than 25 years of PBM leadership experience, Dave Skomo has a well-earned reputation for maximizing quality, satisfaction and efficiency to deliver exceptional results. As SVP, Chief Pharmacy Operations Officer, he focuses on performance and efficiency as he leads the day-to-day specialty pharmacy operations at WellDyne. In this role, he is responsible for inventory and purchasing strategy, optimization of systems and automation, clinical oversight, and helping to build outsourced pharmacy solutions. With decades of industry experience, Dave understands business challenges and provides strategic solutions to the challenges in specialty pharmacy.
Prior to joining WellDyne, Dave spent nearly two years at Diplomat's CastiaRx division, first as SVP, PBM Operations and later as COO. From 2013-18, Dave was with UnitedHealth Group as SVP, Chief Pharmacy Officer for OptumRx pharmacy operations, with operational leadership responsibility for the BriovaRx pharmacy locations across the United States. Earlier in his career, Dave was instrumental in building the Thrift Drug and Eckerd specialty pharmacy, which became part of CVS/PharmaCare in 2004. Within the CVS/PharmaCare organization, Dave became Director of Operations and managed 14 pharmacies in ten states and Puerto Rico.
Dave earned a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Duquesne University and is a licensed pharmacist in Pennsylvania. In addition to being a founding board member and secretary to the Military Community Support Project, Dave currently volunteers for Make-A-Wish of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia; is a board member and treasurer of the Duquesne University Pharmacy Alumni Association; and previously served as a board member for the Adams Township Parks & Recreation Board for over 3 years.
Mike Harvey, Chief Meteorologist, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4
Chief Meteorologist Mike Harvey anchors the 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 7:00 and 11:00 PM Newscasts for Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
Mike is a member of the American Meteorological Society and holds the Seal of Approval. He received the CBM designation from the American Meteorological Society, the highest certification given by the organization.
He has been honored with multiple EMMY awards for his work as a television meteorologist. Mike was also chosen as "Weathercaster of the Year," by the South Carolina Associated Press.
He has been a broadcast meteorologist for 25 years. His previous work experiences have taken him from the persistent drizzle of the Pacific Northwest, to the deserts & monsoons of the Desert Southwest, to the humidity and hurricanes of the Southeast. He has been Chief meteorologist at WTAE in Pittsburgh for the past ten years.
Mike is involved in many charities. He is chairman of WTAE’s Project Bundle-Up. The program has raised over 12 million dollars and provided new winter outerwear to over 250,000 disadvantaged children and seniors across Western Pennsylvania.
Mike helped establish the Mars Exploration Celebration and is chairman of the event. The NASA educational festival is a three-day event designed to positively influence school-aged children on the importance of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Funds raised from the event will help build, a first of its kind, NASA Discovery Center in Mars, Pennsylvania.He majored in Aerospace Science at Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado and studied meteorology at Mississippi State University.
Mike spent four and a half years in the U.S. Coast Guard as a navigator (quartermaster) patrolling the Caribbean to the Great Lakes. He received three meritorious commendations for drug patrols in the Caribbean, flooding in the Great Lakes and Green Peace protests in Washington State.
Monica Orluk, Operation Troop Appreciation Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director
A Pittsburgh Pennsylvania native, Monica Orluk, a founding member of OTA, serves as CEO and Executive Director, having moved into that position upon the retirement of Founder, Kristen Holloway. Until that time Monica served as President & COO after serving for 6 years as the organization’s Vice President. OTA provides support to our military, past and present through its Active Duty “Wish-List” program and veteran “Welcome Home” programs. She works to promote Operation Troop Appreciation, secure corporate sponsorship and grant funding, organize and coordinate fund raising events; and as a media spokesperson. She also oversees all activities at OTA operational headquarters, including inventory management, shipping, and donation procurement.
Monica is currently employed as a Senior Business Systems Analyst for Fiserv. Monica also serves on the Housing Policy Council’s Sub-Committee for Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and is a USA Cares certified Military Housing Assistance Specialist. She feels that her career experience provides the perfect skill set to apply to her OTA work and enjoys the best of both worlds – a profession she loves and a cause she is passionate about. To quote Monica, “It doesn’t get any better than this!”
Monica holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, having graduated with honors, and was selected as a 2010 University of Phoenix Volunteer LEAD Award Honoree, an award given by HandsOn Network and the University of Phoenix to 10 outstanding volunteer leaders in the nation. This award is truly an honor as it recognizes leaders who motivate others and are catalysts for change in their communities. Recognition has never been her intent, but it is very rewarding to have others consider her volunteer work important. Monica is proud to be a volunteer. Her work with OTA has provided an opportunity to place her time and energy into a cause she believes in passionately. In her free time, Monica enjoys travel, golf, biking, karaoke and spending time with her family.
Todd DePastino, Executive Director, Veterans Breakfast Club
Todd DePastino is founding director of the Veterans Breakfast Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to sharing veterans’ stories with the public. Over 30,000 different people have participated in the Veterans Breakfast Club’s programs and activities over the past eleven years. Todd is the author of the award winning BILL MAULDIN: A LIFE UP FRONT (W.W. Norton) and six other books. He has a Ph.D. in American History from Yale University and has taught at several places, including Waynesburg University where he won the Lucas-Hathaway Award for Teaching Excellence.
Lauren DelRicci, Development Officer, Veterans Breakfast Club
Lauren DelRicci is a veteran of the United States Navy. She joined the service shortly after graduating high school in her hometown of Medford, New Jersey. Her time in the military included tours on the USS Blue Ridge LCC-19 in Yokosuka, Japan, and onboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz CVN-68 in San Diego, California. Her highest accomplishment was earning the rank of Machinist Mate Third-Class Petty Officer. While on active duty, Lauren attended college at University of Maryland and Central Texas College, nearly earning her associate’s degree before her transition into civilian life. Upon return to New Jersey, Lauren pursued her education at the local county college and wrapped up her bachelor’s degree at Rowan University. While studying, she served as the student president of Rowan’s Veteran Student Organization and served in the Veterans’ Affairs office as a VA work-study student, graduating in May 2009 with a degree in public relations. Lauren then studied at Monmouth University in Long Branch, New Jersey, earning a Master’s Degree in Corporate and Public Communications, and a Master’s Certificate as a Public Relations Specialist.
She has worked in various capacities serving New Jersey’s veteran student population, primarily as the Outreach Specialist for Operation College Promise (OCP). During her time there, she developed skills as an event manager and public speaker. She successfully planned and executed bi-annual Certificate Programs for Veteran Service Providers (CVSP) from 2009-2014. Her main roles were coordinating with state and local officials to organize discussion panels, moderating panels of specialists, meeting the needs of attendees, and overseeing day-to-day activities such as meals, IT functions and last minute changes in programming. In between CVSP events, Lauren was called to provide keynote speeches at colleges and universities, serve on panels of experts in the field of veterans’ education, and attend conferences nationwide, all the while providing grassroots efforts in Trenton, NJ developing legislation and attending local veteran’s job fairs and Yellow Ribbon re-integration events. Audiences have ranged from Medal of Honor recipients to representatives from the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Lauren moved to Pittsburgh in January 2016 to begin work with The Bank of New York Mellon, serving as an Associate Client Service Manager in the Corporate Trust Department. She was active with VetNet, BNY’s Employee Resource Group for veterans and those who support the military community. After one year, Lauren resigned from the bank to further pursue her passion, serving the veteran community.
After a few months of searching, Lauren followed through with an opportunity at The Mission Continues, a veteran-centric organization that empowers veterans to find purpose through community impact. She was awarded a fellowship and chose to work with The Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC), an organization that preserves the stories of veterans through various digital oral history projects. The VBC creates communities of listening around veterans and their stories to ensure their living history will never be forgotten. “I had to interview a number of non-profits in order to select a host site for my fellowship. I thought this process would be daunting, until I met the guys at VBC. It was an immediate connection. More importantly, I’ve experienced the healing effect of sharing my military experience. At that moment I knew I could not envision myself serving anywhere else.”
After completion of her fellowship, Lauren was brought on full-time with the Veterans Breakfast Club as Executive Assistant. She has been promoted to Development Officer, and plans to assume an associate directorship in 2020.
She lives in the North Hills of Pittsburgh with her two beloved dogs, Linus and Lucy.
Matthew Binstock, Director of Advanced Planning, Luttner Financial Group
Matt Binstock is director of advanced planning at Luttner Financial Group. He serves his clients in the area of helping them reach their financial objectives by make informed financial decisions that reflect their value system, love of family and commitment to community. Matt was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and currently lives in Fox Chapel with his wife Cali Binstock and their two boys, Levi and Jude. Matt got his economics degree from the University of Colorado and is an avid skier. Matt also enjoy traveling and watching sports (almost any sport), but particularly Steelers football. Matt and Cali both had family serve time in the military and are looking forward to giving back to a group of people that regularly put their life on the line to preserve the lives we all enjoy today.
Advisory board
Crystal McFadden, Pittsburgh Program Manager, Corporate America Supports You (CASY)
Crystal McFadden is a talented writer, dynamic speaker, and creative thought enthusiast. She has a passion to encourage others as they grow through the trials that form their character and build their next step. Her specialty focus includes professional growth, resiliency awareness, self care, and relational acceleration for both individuals and groups.
Crystal is a post 9/11 veteran who served in the United States Navy as a Cryptologic Technician Administrative. Since then, she's earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from La Roche College and a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health from Waynesburg University. Continued training hours in human resources, project management, human centered design, and business also contribute to Crystal's approach.
Crystal currently serves as the Pittsburgh Program Manager for Corporate America Supports You (CASY), navigating the underemployment impact on veterans, guard, reserve, and spouses by pointing them to top performing career progression services and gap skills training. CASY is known for meaningful skills matches, livable wage opportunities, training partnerships, and their excellent Employment Specialists - all of which receives consistent nationwide recognition.
The partnerships and collaborative approach Crystal takes, creates an environment for understanding, acceptance, growth, and connection for those who have served and the community around them.
Kristi L Hilbert, Pittsburgh AFRS & Reserve Command | CEO, Heroes Supporting Heroes
Kristi is the CEO of Heroes Supporting Heroes, a 501c3 based military and veteran support organization in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Kristi is a staunch supporter and tireless advocate of currently serving military members, veterans and their families. Prior to accepting the role of Chief Executive Officer of the organization, she served on the Executive Board of Directors of Heroes Supporting Heroes and helped to found the Heroes Support Network, a virtual community center that links 500,000 veterans, active duty and reserve military service members with business and civilian communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Kristi currently serves as the co-chair of the Military Affairs Committee for the Pittsburgh Area Airport Chamber of Commerce and is a project lead for Air Force Community Partnership at the 911th Airlift Wing. She also serves as an assistant coordinator for the Allegheny County Toys For Tots annual campaign for the US Marines Corps Reserve and works with the national Brain Treatment Foundation, helping to serve veterans injured in combat.
The Bridges Kids Club is an organization Kristi founded with her husband within their financial planning company, Southpointe based 3 Rivers Wealth Management Group, to allow children ages 5-19 the opportunity to participate in unique community service projects where they are able to experience first hand the impact of selfless giving. The Bridges Kids Club signature event is Operation Santa, a carnival for currently serving military families across branches of service in PA, OH & WV. At this event civilian Kids Club members are paired with a military child’s Santa wishlist and earn $25 to select and purchase a gift. At the carnival event, civilian and military children & their families are able to meet and the gift is exchanged, allowing friendships to be forged and for Kids Club members to experience the joy they are able to give to another child. Beginning in 2013 with 50 military family members in attendance and 100 Kids Club volunteers, by 2019 the event hosted over 2,500 military family members and over 300 Kids Club volunteers. The Kids Club also annually hosts multiple projects throughout the year to provide support to military family events across Pittsburgh military installations, the commissary and veteran support organizations. A big part of the mission of the Kids Club is to teach a new generation to recognize and appreciate service to our country and experience first-hand the joy of selfless giving.
Kristi has been widely recognized for her leadership and philanthropic contributions to the Pittsburgh Community. In 2016 she received the Pittsburgh Business Times Woman First In Business Award, honoring women working in the region who've made a difference in their communities, blazed a trail for other women and are leaving a mark on the western Pennsylvania business community. Numerous commendations from local military units have been awarded over the years to Kristi & the Bridges Kids Club. Most notably in 2016, the Association of the United States Army honored Kristi with the Warrior Service Award for her dedication to the Pittsburgh military community. The Department of Defense and Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve presented Kristi with the prestigious Seven Seals Award in 2017, for her meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve.
Brad and Kristi were high school sweethearts and have been together for 30 years, married for 20 of those years. They currently live in Southpointe/Canonsburg PA with their three sons; Alex (age 18), Nick (age 15) and Kam (age 6.) Their family also owns GC Baseball Club in Canonsburg, PA where they spend a lot of their time together in addition to the local community soccer fields.
