Board of Directors
President
John Johnson
John has had the experience of serving in many positions for nonprofit organizations, beginning in 1995. With 30 years of volunteer service, he decided it was time to form an organization that helped those he felt needed it most – our Veterans. He founded Operation Restore Hope in 2022.
While on active duty and now as a veteran of the U.S. Navy Seabees, he was exposed to certain needs of veterans. “Veterans needs are both visible, and more importantly, invisible. Operation Restore Hope focuses on both.”
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John lives by the Seabee motto, “With willing hearts and skillful hands, the difficult we do at once, the impossible takes a bit longer.” John is a small business owner in south-central Pennsylvania, where he resides with his wife, Brenda.
Chairman of the Board
Mary Abruzzese
Mary is a graduate of Penn State University with Bachelor and Master Degrees in Education. Following a 15 year career in teaching elementary school, she decided to switch gears and venture into car sales. After 20 plus years in the automotive field, she hung up the keys and officially retired in December 2023.
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Mary is no stranger to working with nonprofit organizations. She was the 2023 Woman of Impact for the American Heart Association and is currently a mentor for the AHA Go Red for Women Campaign. She has also worked with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year Campaigns and their Light the Night. Additionally, Mary is an Angel for Pink Hands of Hope, an organization that helps women who are battling breast cancer. And she is a member of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra where she plays the Upright Bass.
Mary is the mother of a US Marine Corps Veteran, which is where her passion for helping veterans comes from. Through ORH, she’s hoping that she can make a difference in the lives of those who served, and to honor their commitment to our great country.
Executive Director
William (Bill) Burd
Bill is a retired Air Traffic Controller (ATC) with 53 years of ATC service under his ever expanding belt. The first eight years of Bill’s ATC service was spent in the U.S. Navy, where he learned his trade. Bill and his family called Georgia, Puerto Rico, North Carolina, and Maryland home, prior to coming full circle back to Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth Bill called “home” prior to joining the Navy.
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Before joining the Navy, Bill attended East Stroudsburg University and continued his formal education, while in the Navy, attending the University of North Carolia and the University of Maryland.
While employed by the Federal Aviation Administration and Midwest ATC, Bill was awarded many accolades, including two Air Traffic Controller of the Year awards.
Bill’s willingness and eagerness to help veterans comes, in part, because of his eight years of Naval service. Bill saw, firsthand, the importance of the “military family” and the difference it made to Bill and his family during their many Navy moves. ORH is a way for Bill to give back to his fellow Veterans.
Secretary
Brenda Johnson
Brenda has enjoyed an extensive career working as a civilian contractor with the Department of Defense. She’s worked with and supported both active duty military and Veterans for over 35 years. Brenda has been involved in various non profit organizations including the Lower Allen Baseball Association and the American Lung Association. Brenda is married to a Navy veteran and has a desire to provide support to our veterans who need a helping a hand.
