Meet our Staff...
Kim Nohr - President, Treasurer. Kim is a lifelong member of the Local Carpenters Union and was a home builder previous to that. He is our Project Manager and has a Dwelling Contractor License. He also has personal finance experience and a passion for helping veterans in need.
Jonathan Davis - Vice President, Principal Security Architect. Jonathan holds a Master of Science in Information Security Engineering from SANS Technology Institute. Jonathan is also a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3), with a Military Occupational Specialty of 170A – Cyber Warfare Technician. He will be in charge of all the cyber security and IT assistance. He also enjoys woodworking, 3D design, and 3D printing.
Gail Nohr - Secretary, Veteran, Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist, Substance Abuse Counselor IT, and Resource Navigator. Gail was a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy and has been helping veterans for over 35 years. Gail worked for many years as the Brown County Veterans Service Office taking numerous calls daily from veterans in need of housing so they started Veterans 1st to offer them hope. She was also a Group Facilitator at the Veterans Shelter for one year. Currently she is a Substance Abuse Counselor IT at a local Treatment Center. She is licensed with the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services. Gail is the secretary of the Bravo Company and has been for many years. She has been a member of the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition for over 5 years and is on the Veterans Task Force Committee.
Jan Gertzfield - Philanthropy Director. Jan retired to her native Northeastern Wisconsin in 2017 following a lifelong career of increasing responsibility in Customer Financial Services for a large firm in Chicago, IL. She has a passion for helping people in need and, in addition to serving as our Philanthropic Director, Jan also volunteers as a facilitator for the GriefShare program at Green Bay Community Church.
Amber Edwards - Housing Programs Director. In my current professional role as a Housing Specialist, I issue both tenant and project-based housing vouchers to eligible households, with a specialty in veteran services in partnership with Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing. I will offer supportive services and resource referrals when additional support is needed. I bring to the table a unique combination of insight and lived experience and hope to utilize those skills in my role with Veteran's 1st of NEW as the Housing Program Director. I will offer support as a client specialist for those veterans who will utilize a housing voucher in their journey toward self-sufficiency.
Jim Knopf - Board Advisor -- Currently I am a Community Volunteer, (semi-retired) – I have a bachelor's degree in business management and in social welfare. I have over 50 years in sales management, planning and development. I'm very active with my church as an assistant minister, active in the community with the Greater Green Bay Chamber (Ambassador), Ashwaubenon Business Association (board member), Cancer Society (men wear pink), Howard Suamico Business Association (past President), Giving Tree, Lodging Association and now Veterans 1st., to name a few.
Jim Strong - He is a Co-Founder of Wisconsin Veterans Village Apartment Complex. Joined Fox Valley Veterans Council, in 2007, Vice President 2008-2010, elected president in 2010, elected President 2018. Oversaw expansion of FVVC and establishment of FVVC as a 501c3 charitable corporation. During this time the FVVC under my leadership has established partnerships and collaborations with LEAVEN, COTS, and County Government. All these activities creating better support and opportunities for our community veterans.
- We also have a list of over 30 other advisors who are helping us with all aspects of our project including engineers, architects, counselors, financial advisors, and over 200 volunteers who are willing to help those who were willing to fight for the freedoms we all enjoy today. If you would like a list of our advisors please reach out to us.
Call us at 920-932-1763
or email us at: [email protected]