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2019/2021 Board of Directors
Ann Mills Griffiths, Chairman of the Board Mark Stephensen, Vice Chairman Bruce Hallberg, Treasurer Pam Cain, Board Member Karoni Forrester, Board Member Sue Scott, Board Member Joseph Stuart, Board Member 
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Ann Mills-Griffiths serves as Chairman of the bi-annually elected Board of Directors of the National League of POW/MIA Families and retains CEO responsibilities. She served nearly 40 years leading the nonprofit, 501(c)3 humanitarian organization in Washington, DC. Having stepped aside from administering the League’s national office on August 1, 2011, she currently focuses primarily on policy, operations, and sustaining the League’s financial ability to achieve accounting objectives. At the request of the Secretary of Defense, she also serves on the Advisory Committee of the Defense Department’s 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration. A member of DAR, American Legion Auxiliary, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), she is also a Life Member of the DAV and VFW Auxiliaries, and an Honorary Life Member of the Special Operations Association and the Special Forces Association.
Since 1970, the League has fought for the return of all POWs, the fullest possible accounting for the MIAs, and the recovery and identification of the remains of those who died serving our nation during the Vietnam War. From 1980 through 1992, Ms. Mills-Griffiths represented the families’ views as a founding member of the POW/MIA Interagency Group (IAG), the US Government’s senior-level policy development mechanism for achieving accounting results in the context of developing bilateral relations with Vietnam and restoring normal bilateral relations with Laos and Cambodia. She was instrumental in setting up high level negotiations between Vietnam and the United States in 1982-83. Since then, she has continued to represent the POW/MIA families and America’s missing personnel through direct contacts with US and foreign leaders. |
Ms. Mills-Griffiths has met frequently with senior officials in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, as well as with Thai, Russian, Chinese and other diplomats and senior officials in an effort to expedite answers. As a recognized leader on POW/MIA issues and recipient of numerous honors, she also has appeared frequently before congressional committees and sub-committees, national and international broadcast media, participated for decades in policy forums dealing with Southeast Asia, and been called upon for advice and counsel by foreign nations facing their own personnel accounting issues.
Commander James B. Mills, USNR, Ms. Mills-Griffiths’ brother, was listed as MIA on September 21, 1966, when the Navy F4B on which he served as Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) disappeared on a night, low-flying bombing mission over North Vietnam. He was on his second tour, assigned to Fighter Squadron 21, USS Coral Sea. |
Mark Stephensen was born in Owatonna, Minnesota. As the son of an Air Force pilot, his family was stationed in several different states and foreign countries. Mark attended the University of Idaho and graduated from Boise State University in 1993 with a degree in Business Administration (Quantitative Emphasis). Employed by the State of Idaho for more than 39 years, he retired in July, 2017.
Mark’s father, Col. Mark L. Stephensen, USAF, was listed MIA on April 29, 1967, while flying a RF-4C over North Vietnam. Mark’s family was stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, at the time. Col. Stephensen’s remains were unilaterally repatriated, identified and returned in 1988. His navigator, Capt. Gary Sigler, USAF, captured and held as a POW for nearly 7 years, was returned in Operation Homecoming, 1973.
Since 1983, Mark has been actively involved in the POW/MIA Accounting issue, serving in various appointed and elected offices with the National League of POW/MIA Families. He began as Idaho State coordinator and was first elected to the Board of Directors in 1984, serving as Treasurer/Finance Chairman for many years. A past Chairman of the Board of Directors, he currently serves as Vice-Chairman. Throughout the decades, Mark has given presentations to Vets groups, set up booths at military airshows, written OP-ED articles, and conducted radio and TV interviews about the accounting mission. He continues to represent the League in the Intermountain West.
Mark’s activities continue to include meetings with Congressional delegations, speeches and public outreach in support of the League’s national office. He represented the League in a fledgling fundraising effort in the small town of American Falls, Idaho nearly 20 years ago. From that speech, the states of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Montana have developed very active organizations that directly support the League with public awareness activities and fundraising. Over the past 18 years, nearly $250,000 has been raised by these nonprofit associations on behalf of the League. Mark maintains close, direct contact which each of these groups and conducts an annual “summit” during which they all come together for updates and workshops.
Mark has participated in two League Delegations to Southeast Asia. Currently engaged in developing an educational outreach project that will include a database derived from conversion of paper documents into electronic media, a virtual resource center, to include school curriculum materials and the permanent archiving of League documents and artifacts.
Residents of Boise, Idaho, Mark is married to Doneta (Watts) Stephensen, a retired elementary classroom teacher. They have two adult children, both also residing in Idaho.
Mark’s father, Col. Mark L. Stephensen, USAF, was listed MIA on April 29, 1967, while flying a RF-4C over North Vietnam. Mark’s family was stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, at the time. Col. Stephensen’s remains were unilaterally repatriated, identified and returned in 1988. His navigator, Capt. Gary Sigler, USAF, captured and held as a POW for nearly 7 years, was returned in Operation Homecoming, 1973.
Since 1983, Mark has been actively involved in the POW/MIA Accounting issue, serving in various appointed and elected offices with the National League of POW/MIA Families. He began as Idaho State coordinator and was first elected to the Board of Directors in 1984, serving as Treasurer/Finance Chairman for many years. A past Chairman of the Board of Directors, he currently serves as Vice-Chairman. Throughout the decades, Mark has given presentations to Vets groups, set up booths at military airshows, written OP-ED articles, and conducted radio and TV interviews about the accounting mission. He continues to represent the League in the Intermountain West.
Mark’s activities continue to include meetings with Congressional delegations, speeches and public outreach in support of the League’s national office. He represented the League in a fledgling fundraising effort in the small town of American Falls, Idaho nearly 20 years ago. From that speech, the states of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Montana have developed very active organizations that directly support the League with public awareness activities and fundraising. Over the past 18 years, nearly $250,000 has been raised by these nonprofit associations on behalf of the League. Mark maintains close, direct contact which each of these groups and conducts an annual “summit” during which they all come together for updates and workshops.
Mark has participated in two League Delegations to Southeast Asia. Currently engaged in developing an educational outreach project that will include a database derived from conversion of paper documents into electronic media, a virtual resource center, to include school curriculum materials and the permanent archiving of League documents and artifacts.
Residents of Boise, Idaho, Mark is married to Doneta (Watts) Stephensen, a retired elementary classroom teacher. They have two adult children, both also residing in Idaho.
Pam Cain, born in NJ, is the daughter of Col Oscar Mauterer, MIA in Laos on 2/15/66. She grew up in NJ, Japan, OH, MD and FL and is the proud mother of two, grandmother of two and was a Navy wife as well as USAF daughter! Her career choices were somewhat dictated by moves as a military wife, but such positions as social worker, hospice volunteer coordinator, senior services coordinator, marketing coordinator for Marriott, executive assistant for a professional soccer team president, volunteer manager of various organizations, office manager and relocation coordinator for a retirement community were and are fulfilling, challenging, and a source of lifelong friends. A dog-lover and volunteer with lab (Labrador retriever) rescue groups for years, Pam has owned and fostered many!
As the daughter of an MIA pilot, she has spent many years since the early 1980s working on behalf of the POW/MIA issue. Pam has served on the Board of Directors of the National League of POW/MIA Families since 2007 including the office of Treasurer and Secretary. She traveled to Southeast Asia as a member of a League-organized family delegation in 2007 and is also a member of Rolling Thunder FL Chapter 11, Sons & Daughters in Touch (SDIT), an associate member of the VVA and Vietnam Brotherhood Alpha Company. Pam rides with Run for the Wall every May in honor of her father and all those still unaccounted for. September usually finds her in GA, at The Ride Home, in order to advocate for those still missing, to educate others and stress the need for accountability and how to get there. Though not a professional speaker, Pam is often asked to speak about the POW/MIA mission. She does so and concentrates on what is needed to achieve the fullest possible accounting of ALL our missing loved ones.
Now residing in FL, Pam still works full-time, is the League liaison for the Cecil Field National POW/MIA Memorial Park in Jacksonville, seeks accountability for her dad and all MIAs from Vietnam, and loves to travel, spend time with family (did she mention she is grandmother of two?!) and talk about the POW/MIA issue to all who will listen.
Karoni Forrester is the daughter of Capt Ronald W Forrester, USMC, Missing in Action in North Vietnam, 12/27/72. Karoni joined the National League of POW/MIA Families as a teenager in 1986. She has served as the Texas State Coordinator since 2001, on the elected Board of Directors since 2009, and has worked on many different committees for the National League of POW/MIA Families over the years. In 2007, Karoni participated in a League organized Family Delegation to Southeast Asia meeting with government officials in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
To help educate others on the League’s mission and to raise awareness for POW/MIA, Karoni participates in many events across the country. She has been riding with Run For The Wall since 2009, serving as their Southern Route Outreach Coordinator for the past 6 years to bring MIA and KIA families to meet the Run, and in some cases, taking members of the Run to meet families in their hometowns. She attends The Ride Home in Georgia each September as her “real” job allows. She loves the opportunity to travel for speaking engagements, meeting new people, educating and garnering public support. She demonstrates a full commitment to the POW/MIA accounting mission, and works to be a resource for veterans, active duty military and their families.
A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Karoni works for a leading technology company. Karoni, boyfriend Chris and daughter Lilian live in Austin, TX with their three dogs Tobi, Sarge and Oakley.
To help educate others on the League’s mission and to raise awareness for POW/MIA, Karoni participates in many events across the country. She has been riding with Run For The Wall since 2009, serving as their Southern Route Outreach Coordinator for the past 6 years to bring MIA and KIA families to meet the Run, and in some cases, taking members of the Run to meet families in their hometowns. She attends The Ride Home in Georgia each September as her “real” job allows. She loves the opportunity to travel for speaking engagements, meeting new people, educating and garnering public support. She demonstrates a full commitment to the POW/MIA accounting mission, and works to be a resource for veterans, active duty military and their families.
A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Karoni works for a leading technology company. Karoni, boyfriend Chris and daughter Lilian live in Austin, TX with their three dogs Tobi, Sarge and Oakley.
Sue Scott has been committed to the POW/MIA issue since December 30, 1969, when her brother, Capt. Douglas D. Ferguson, USAF was shot down over Na Khang, Laos. She is a Charter member of the National League of POW/MIA Families, where she served as Chairman of the Board from 1989 to 1995 and continues to serve on the Board. In addition, she has been active in the State of Michigan where she is also a Charter member of the POW Committee of Michigan and served as President during the early 1980’s.
Sue was part of the League Delegation to Southeast Asia in 1994 and the League-sponsored Family Member Delegation in 2007, has spoken at numerous events and parades or been interviewed on television from Washington State to New York, Washington DC, and, of course, Michigan. She has tramped the halls of Congress and met with Administration officials at the White House and the Executive Office Building, as well as officials from SEA countries.
In February of 2014, her commitment and persistence, along with the hard work of other League and USG officials, was rewarded with the recovery, identification and return home of her brother’s remains. Captain Douglas D. Ferguson’s Homecoming and Celebration of Life were more than any of us could have imagined. To learn more, visit his website at https://www.forevermissed.com and type in Douglas David Ferguson.
Because so many do not yet have the peace and ultimately joy of their husband, father, son or brother’s return, Sue continues to keep her commitment to do whatever it takes to bring home as many as possible of those still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. She is proud of the efforts of the National League of POW/MIA families which have been instrumental in helping families get answers.
Sue was part of the League Delegation to Southeast Asia in 1994 and the League-sponsored Family Member Delegation in 2007, has spoken at numerous events and parades or been interviewed on television from Washington State to New York, Washington DC, and, of course, Michigan. She has tramped the halls of Congress and met with Administration officials at the White House and the Executive Office Building, as well as officials from SEA countries.
In February of 2014, her commitment and persistence, along with the hard work of other League and USG officials, was rewarded with the recovery, identification and return home of her brother’s remains. Captain Douglas D. Ferguson’s Homecoming and Celebration of Life were more than any of us could have imagined. To learn more, visit his website at https://www.forevermissed.com and type in Douglas David Ferguson.
Because so many do not yet have the peace and ultimately joy of their husband, father, son or brother’s return, Sue continues to keep her commitment to do whatever it takes to bring home as many as possible of those still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. She is proud of the efforts of the National League of POW/MIA families which have been instrumental in helping families get answers.