Mindy Berry - President

​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. 

Ryan Whitaker - Treasurer/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. 

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.