BOARD MEMBERS

Michele Cherre - President

​Michele Cherre is a native of the St Louis area. She resides in Glendale with her family. Married for 32 years to Tim, they have a 25-year-old daughter named Gabrielle and son in law, Andy Greubel.

She started her career in sales 25 years ago and is currently a Global WSG Account Manager with Dell Technologies. Michele has a strong belief in the advocacy of her friends, family, and clients, does not shy away from challenges and believes if you do the right thing it all works out in the end.
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Michele has served as Treasurer for the Mary Queen of Peace Women’s League, Girl Scout Assistant Leader, Chairwoman of the MQP 8th Grade Mystery trip. During her daughter’s high school years, she volunteered for several events.
Some of her passions include: gardening, cooking and traveling. Although she loves a good beach trip, her favorite trip was to Italy for 12 days with her daughter at the age of 13 and her husband. She says being able to take that type of trip with her daughter and husband was the ultimate family trip.

Eleanore Palozola Brotherton - Vice President

Eleanore Palozola Brotherton ("Nonie") is an attorney at Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C., where she focuses her practice in the area of family law. A St. Louis native, Nonie graduated from Nerinx Hall High School and then attended Saint Louis University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with honors.  Nonie is also a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctor and participated in SLU LAW’s Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic. In addition to her work with Forces for Food, Nonie serves on the board of Caring for Kids, a St. Louis area organization that provides for the urgent needs of children affected by the court system. Nonie enjoys spending time with her husband and family, cooking new recipes, trying new restaurants, and traveling to new places.

Ryan Whitaker - Interim Treasurer

Joe Cherre - Secretary

Ryan Whitaker attended UMSL where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, He started his career working as an analyst for a large local corporation while working to earn his Masters of Business Administration, graduating in December 2017.  He is currently the Finance Manager of an Engineering firm in the St. Louis area.  Ryan is very active in his church where he serves on the world missions team and is the co-chairman of their annual golf tournament which raises funding to support missionaries all over the world. He lives in Imperial, MO with his 2 children and wife Sarah.
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Maria Palozola - Board Member

Maria Palozola is a nationally known Golf Professional and owner of St. Louis Golf Lessons and was the Lead Instructor for the Golf Channel Academy with Maria Palozola in St. Louis, MO.  Since 1994 Maria has dedicated many hours to grow the game initiatives working with handicapped golfers, juniors, women golfers, beginners and the like to make golf more accessible. She decided to take action on her longtime dream of developing a foundation that could use golf to help others and founded The Palozola Foundation with her sister Sally Cherre in May of 2018 and along with the Board of Directors established the Forces For Food foundation in 2022.  Having a Father who fought in WW2 in the Battle of the Bulge and Grandfather that fought in WW1 (both who loved to golf) and a nephew that fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Maria had planned to work with her nephew before he passed to use the game of Golf to better the lives of veterans and their families.  She resides in St. Louis with her 2 sons. 

Mindy Berry - Board Member

​Mindy Berry is an Information Technology Executive with more than 30 years experience leading all areas of IT.  Prior to a successful career as an executive consultant she gained significant experience in the international marketplace working for Nestle Purina as the Head of Technology for their international division. Mindy is experienced in leading teams, creating strategic and operational plans, and researching new technologies in multi-cultural environments. 

​Mindy also worked for McDonnell Douglas for many years managing teams supporting the defense missile and military aircraft computer centers.  While at MDC, Mindy volunteered at various military air shows and as a liaison with the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Mindy's father was a retired Marine and was the Superintendant of the Soldiers Memorial in downtown St. Louis where she also volunteered as a teenager with the USO.  Mindy has a B.S. in Computer Science and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.  She lives in St. Louis with her husband, Jim Giacin and 4 children. 

Linda Ferguson - Pantry Director

Linda Ferguson has been involved with the food pantry for over 15 years.  She coordinates receiving of donations as well as the army of volunteers that it takes to keep the pantry stocked and serving our veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Note:  All Forces For Food Board of Directors and Committee Members are non-paid volunteers.