Staff Members

By

Bill Johnson, CSM, USA (Ret.), Chief Executive Officer and Director
Bill Johnson recently retired as a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army.  A career infantryman, he served in a number of military leadership positions including Command Sergeant Major of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC) Afghanistan, the V Corps, and the 1st Armored Division, Wiesbaden, Germany.  During his 28 years in the Army Bill attended Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Ranger School, the Special Forces Qualification Course (18B), and Pathfinder, in addition to a number of senior military educational institutions.  Bill has also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Excelsior College.  Bill is using his Army and Joint Command background and leadership skills to open new doors at crucial military commands to help FCEF carry out its mission.

To contact Bill directly, click here.

 
Pam Elliott, Executive Assistant/Office Manager
After 30 years in the local banking industry, Pam joined FCEF in March 2005 as Scholarship Coordinator and Office Assistant.  Since joining FCEF her role changed to Office Manager while also serving as Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer.  Her past banking experience provides financial insight and direction for office operations.

To contact Pam directly, click here.

 
Jay Ellis, Lt. Cmdr., USCG (Ret.), Programs Support Specialist
A graduate of the Coast Guard Academy with a B.S. in Ocean Science, Jay served 14 active and 10 reserve years of duty in leadership, operational, and staff positions during his career with the Coast Guard, and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. While in the Coast Guard Jay became a client of First Command Financial Services, and upon leaving active duty in 1991 began his career with that company as a financial advisor. After some years in the field he accepted a position in their home office in Fort Worth, and he filled a variety of positions while also providing volunteer services to FCEF. In 2011 he “jumped the fence” and is now a member of the Foundation staff. Jay’s military career, his financial advisor experience, his familiarity with the FCFS staff, and his M.B.A. from St. Mary’s College of California all provide him with a broad background that help him fulfill his duties with FCEF.

To contact Jay directly, click here.

 
Albert “Al” Godoy, Educational Programs Manager
Al is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor with a master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering. He has has been certified as a facilitator;/instructor by Development Dimensions International (DDI) and Zenger-Miller

Al has extensive experience in personnel training and development, human resources management, and industrial safety and health in private industry.  In the area of personnel training and development, Al has managed a training department with a staff of over 50 employees, many with doctorate degrees in instructional development.  He led a training and development team that supported a corporate-wide effort to automate and integrate all computer-based business processes.  Al has also been a full-time instructor at the higher education level.

Al joined First Command Educational Foundation in February, 2010, as an instructor, facilitating classes in both English and Spanish in various personal finance topics.  After about a year, Al was given the responsibility to oversee all the activities in the foundation’s educational program,  During his time with the foundation, he has managed the development of various online financial education programs.

To contact Al directly, click here.

 
Lisa Kennedy, Development Specialist
A North Texas native, Lisa joined FCEF in March 2020 as Development Specialist, bringing 20 years of non-profit experience.  Lisa enjoys travel, reading, arts and culture, and a good concert.  She and her husband have two adult children and three grand-dogs, and make their home in Arlington.  To contact Lisa directly, click here. 
 

Julie Malwitz, Strategic Programs Manager
Julie, a native Texan who grew up in east Texas, has called the Dallas-Fort Worth area home since 1990.  She attended the University of North Texas, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree in Nonprofit and Volunteer Management and a Certification in Applied Gerontology.  Before coming to FCEF in October 2017, Julie worked in First Command Financial Services’ federal employee benefits seminar program and in various other departments.  Her education and experience make her a great fit not only with FCEF’s new federal employee benefits program but with our seminar program as well.To contact Julie directly, click here.

  

 
 

Julie (Juls) McRee, Instructional Support Specialist
Juls joined FCEF in July 2018 with over 20 years of experience as a technical writer and curriculum development specialist.  Juls has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating Cum Laude.  A military spouse for 32 years, Juls served in many organizations as a volunteer and paid staff member.Some of Juls’ career highlights include program manager, curriculum developer, and trainer for the Army Family Team Building program.  She has served as an Extension Associate with Cornell University, assisting in the development of handbooks and facilitator guides for the Army’s Soldier and Family Program’s “Operation Ready.”  Juls also has extensive experience as a technical writer with Serco, developing curricula and training material for Army Community Service programs.  Most recently she served as a consultant with Credence Management Solutions developing curricula in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University for the Office for Reintegration Program OSD/Reserve Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) in support of the National Guard, reserves, and family members.Juls hails from Copperas Cove, Texas, and after 24 moves is thrilled to have finally returned home to Texas. Juls is passionate about military families and has devoted her life to programs that create self-reliant, independent, and strong military families.To contact Juls directly, click here.
 

Deb Tyler, Instructional Design Manager
Deb joined FCEF in May 2017 with over 18 years’ experience in education and curriculum design, and experience teaching at all age levels, including college. She has been an Instructional Designer in private industry for the past 8 years and has also performed the duties of Learning Management Systems Administrator. She has also served as a mentor with a local charity to help women find self-sufficiency.  Deb has a Bachelor of Education degree from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of North Texas.

To contact Deb directly, click here.
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