Philadelphia, PA – January 1, 2024 – The Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC) proudly announces the appointment of three distinguished leaders to its esteemed board of directors. These additions mark a pivotal moment in VMC’s commitment to enhancing its board leadership and furthering its mission to support and empower veterans.
Joining the board are:
MaCherie Dunbar, an Air Force retiree, has been a dedicated advocate for veterans and their families for the past 10 years. She began her career of lobbying and advocacy by serving as president of her Student Veterans of America chapter while earning a B.A. in Communication with a Minor in Military Security Studies. She has since led both a political campaign and two political action committees, worked for the US House of Representatives in PA-06, focusing on constituent services and stakeholder outreach, served on nonprofit boards and a service academy nomination committee, been a veteran service officer, and has lobbied at state, local, and federal government levels while working with national nonprofits and as part of independent consulting efforts. MaCherie currently resides in Washington D.C. where she continues her independent work advocating and lobbying for all who served, while also sitting on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for LGBTQ Affairs. She has been a champion for the Veteran Multi-Service Center and its mission since her time spent working with PA-06 from 2019-2021, and looks forward to continue serving all veterans within VMC’s reach and beyond.
Joe LaCagnina just recently accepted a new position as the Senior Director of Real Estate (January 2024) for Weis Markets a Mid-Atlantic food retailer, based in Sunbury, PA. Joe will lead a small team of talented individuals to maintain and enhance the current store fleet, as well as grow the company to serve more communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Prior to Weis, Joe worked for The GIANT Company, another omnichannel grocer operating throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. In his 21-year tenure at Giant, Joe led the design and format team for 2 years, and 19 years in real estate. In his real estate role, Joe built growth strategies for the company and facilitated the development of new stores, expansions and acquisitions. In 2021, Joe was honored by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Dealmaker Honoree for the real estate work he completed in Philadelphia.
John Yackel is the Head of Wealth Management at Janney Montgomery Janney LLC. He is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of Janney’s comprehensive advice and solutions platform that supports the firm’s Financial Advisors in providing clients a personalized, goals-based wealth management experience. He is also a member of Janney’s Executive Leadership Team.
John has 30 years of experience in financial services, wealth management and technology as an accomplished executive and team leader. He brings to Janney a deep understanding of advisory, investment, insurance, trust, lending, retirement, and planning solutions.
He has worked with financial advisors, insurance companies, private banks, family offices, trust companies, institutional money management firms, and CPA firms. He has held leadership roles at various platform and solution providers, including SEI, Envestnet, Fortigent, and Prudential.
John is a previous board member of the ABA National Wealth and Trust Conference, a Board Member and co-founder of LibertyFi, a previous contributor to Stonier School of Banking, and an Advisory Board Member for the Wealth Advisory Growth Network (WAGN). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Bucknell University.
The VMC board of directors serves as the cornerstone of the organization’s initiatives, providing strategic guidance and insight crucial for navigating the challenges faced by our veterans. The appointment of these exceptional individuals brings a wealth of diverse experiences, expertise, and unwavering dedication to the table.
“We are thrilled to welcome MaCherie Dunbar, Joe LaCagnina, and John Yackel to the VMC board. Their exceptional backgrounds and commitment to serving our veterans align seamlessly with our mission,” said Joe Brooks, Executive Director at VMC. “Their unique perspectives and expertise will undoubtedly enrich our discussions and strengthen our ability to address the evolving needs of our veteran community.”
The VMC remains steadfast in its dedication to supporting those who have selflessly served our nation. The addition of these new board members reaffirms VMC’s commitment to cultivating a leadership team poised to make a lasting impact.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Debby Derricks, Director of Development, (267) 255-5851. About Veterans Multi-Service Center: The Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC) provides comprehensive services to all veterans and their families, fostering personal growth and meaningful opportunities for success after their service. VMC offers a wide range of programs and resources tailored to meet the diverse needs of our veteran community.
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