Board of Directors
The Veterans’ Outreach Board of Directors provides guidance and oversight for all programs, staff, and volunteers. Their leadership ensures we stay true to our mission and deliver effective support to veterans every day.
Officers
John Ely
President
The board is comprised of individuals that have a deep respect and gratitude to the American veteran. John Ely is the President. He is the son of a Pearl Harbor survivor – a medic on the scene. He is the brother of a chronically ill Vietnam War veteran. He is the father of a Captain in the Army National Guard and father-in-law of a SPC in the Army National Guard. His passion for the well-being of our veterans is deep rooted. John’s background is in social services, sales, and entertainment. He not only leads this organization, but he also handles our marketing and expansion efforts.
Teri Ely
Vice President
Teri Neigh Ely serves the operational hub of the organization. With several family members who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, her connection to the military community is deeply personal.
Teri’s education in Business Management provided a strong foundation, while hands-on leadership experience has shaped her ability to effectively oversee all aspects of the organization. She has successfully guided the organization through audits with the Internal Revenue Service and various state agencies, maintaining full transparency and accountability with documented source materials.
Her uncompromising work ethic and strong communication skills have built long-standing, mutually respectful relationships with partners, donors, and the community. Teri consistently focuses on strengthening the organization so it can better serve veterans in need.
Her dedication to veterans and the community has earned regional recognition. In 2023, she was honored as a Hometown Hero by WYTV in Youngstown and was also named one of the Valley’s Remarkable Women by WKBN-TV in 2022.
In 2025, she was nominated for the ATHENA Award through the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, recognizing women who demonstrate professional excellence, community service, and leadership.
Diann L. Barns
Secretary/Treasurer
Diann is a Youngstown native and is now retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation. She received her Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering in 1982 from Youngstown State University. She is a registered professional engineer in Florida and Ohio. She is also a licensed contractor in the state of Florida. Diann is married with children and grandchildren. She volunteers for Veterans’ Outreach, Habitat for Humanity, The Greater Youngstown Community Dialogue on Racism, and the YSU Festival of the Arts. She enjoys her volunteer work, music, spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She also participates in suffering with Cleveland sports teams
Board Members
Steve Kenski
Board Member
Steve has over 30 years’ experience in the Financial Consulting Business. He owns Kenski Financial Strategies and has offices in Erie and Youngstown. Steve earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Penn State University. He also has a background in fundraising and has organized many successful events. Steve has volunteered and sponsored Veterans’ Outreach special events over the years and looks forward to getting more involved with serving and honoring all veterans.
Cosetta McMillan
Board Member
Cosetta McMillan is a Youngstown Native. She volunteers with the Senior Support Action Group, Streetscape and Veterans Outreach. She received her BSAS in Community Health Education from Youngstown State University. She currently works at Help Network of Northeast Ohio (formerly Help Hotline Crisis Center) providing crisis intervention, information and referral, suicide prevention and reassurance. She has been there for almost 20 years. She completed 4 years with the AmeriCorps Reading program and has worked in various positions with Youngstown City Schools. Cosetta lives to help others, and she has dedicated herself to serving veterans through her leadership by joining the Veterans’ Outreach Board of Directors.
George Otto
Board Member
George Otto is a proud U.S. veteran who has dedicated his life to serving his country and fellow veterans. Following his military service, George continued his commitment to those who served by working for nearly 32 years with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a Clinical Social Worker.
Throughout his career, he collaborated with numerous agencies supporting veterans and consistently found Veterans’ Outreach to be exceptional in its dedication and impact. Today, George continues his mission of service as a member of the Veterans’ Outreach Board of Directors, bringing decades of experience, compassion, and advocacy to the organization.
Ben Ely
Board Member
Benjamin Ely enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard in October 2005 as a 19K (Armor) and has proudly served in the military ever since. He currently serves as a Major (MAJ) in the U.S. Army Reserves, a role he has held since 2022. Throughout his military career, Benjamin has led secure communications and IT operations supporting more than 800 personnel across multiple states, all while maintaining an active Top Secret/SCI clearance.
In addition to his military service, Benjamin spent over a decade with Verizon Wireless as a Tech Engineer III. In this role, he specialized in process improvement, data analysis, and advanced helpdesk operations, bringing strong technical expertise and operational leadership to every team he supported.
Benjamin is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Veterans’ Outreach and is deeply committed to supporting fellow veterans and strengthening the community the organization serves.
Emeritus
Darlene Pavlock
Board Member Emeritus
Darlene Pavlock is a Board member and a volunteer. She is retired from a 41 year career at Home Savings Bank as Executive Director of the Home Savings Charitable Foundation. Her passion for veterans is inspired through people she has loved in her life. Her father was a WWII veteran, her brother is a Vietnam veteran, and her late husband was a Vietnam veteran that suffered from his experiences there and really gave his life to that cause. Darlene’s energy is infectious. She brings true clarity to our mission, she volunteers on “Walk-in Wednesday” at the corporate office. She selflessly serves every veteran with a warm smile and conversation as she helps them with a bag of food.
Charles Holbrook
Board Member Emeritus
Chuck was raised in Warren, Ohio. He studied at Bowling Green University and entered the ROTC Program. He also studied at Temple University and Penn State Harrisburg Campus. Chuck taught Business Education and coached basketball. Chuck also spent more than twenty years serving in the United States Army and National Guard. He retired with the rank of Major. Chuck uses his extensive knowledge and experience to help guide the mission of Veterans’ Outreach to respectfully honor and serve all veterans.
Larry Steiner
Board Member Emeritus
Larry Steiner is a board member emeritus. Larry is a US Army veteran that served in South Korea and the Panama Canal. Larry was awarded several medals with his Honorable Discharge. He worked for General Motors for 36 years until retirement. He held several elected positions representing union members in the bargaining unit. Since retirement, Larry was elected to the Girard City Council for 3 consecutive terms. Larry actively served on the board for six years and he started the Veterans’ Outreach Annual Golf Scramble.
