BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Virginia Beach Fallen Heroes (VBFH) is a group of grateful local residents and business leaders from Virginia Beach and the surrounding community. Its members have come together over the years to dedicate their time and efforts coordinating two major fundraising events, The Charity Golf Tournament every May and FREEDOMFEST and Freedom Motorcycle Ride every September. The proceeds from these events go to organizations that benefit our Navy SEALS and their families, support staff and local police and rescue squads.
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JIM DENNING
PresidenT
Jim Denning was born in Patuxent River MD to USN Capt. Bill and Irene Denning (RET). After being stationed in Virginia Beach for 12 years, their family was transferred to Key West where his father took over Naval Operation as Commanding Officer of NAS Key West. After school, Jim moved back to Virginia Beach to continue his education. He currently works for the Port Of Virginia as an Operations Manager at NIT.
Jim is a Founding Board Member of the Virginia Beach Fallen Heroes which he and other board members established to build support for the local Naval Special Warfare Group and Seal Team Families. He is responsible for the acquiring alcohol sponsors and products, beer trucks, and setting up the bars to be manned by local restaurants who support the SEAL Team community.
When there’s down time he enjoys surfing with his friends or spending time and being talked into buying things with his 13-year-old daughter Ainsleigh.
Aries lynch
VICE PRESIDENT
Aries Lynch was born in Colorado, joined the military in 1988 and retired as a US Navy SEAL in 2014. His nearly 26 years of service in the military and his extensive experience while on Active Duty and since retirement have been a positive asset to the Virginia Beach Fallen Heroes (VBFH) as the Liaison with our local military. He has also been volunteering in various capacities with VBFH since 2013 and enjoys giving back to the community, his former teammates, and their families.
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Aries is the Owner and President of Shield Consulting Associates, a successful contracting company located in Virginia Beach, VA.
Jim Hughes
TREASURER
Jim Hughes was born in Waukegan, Illinois to Massachusetts natives USN LCDR Roy J. and Elizabeth Hughes, while his father was attending officer training school. Raised in Norfolk, Virginia, family moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia. Attended Independence Middle, Bayside High School and Tidewater Community College general studies and Solar Energy.
Jim worked in several managerial positions, 10 years with Lillian Vernon Corporation, and 10 years First Data Resources Corporation. Eventually, obtaining a Real Estate licenses and Home Improvement Contractors licenses. Proud father of a daughter and a son.
Jim enjoys local talented live music and volunteering for local charitable events. Enjoys hobbies of discovering local history, genealogy, astronomy and numismatics.
Byron Madden
Director of Operations
Byron grew up in a military family and knows firsthand the sacrifices of service members and their families. When people learned his father was a Marine, Byron was often asked where they had been stationed. Having tired of running through the numerous countries, states, cities and schools, he finally came up with an easy answer…”Camp You Name It”.
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As with other Board Members, Byron became involved with the VBFH after the tragedy of August 6, 2011. After the first event, Byron found the response of active duty and retired military personnel to be unreal. “I remember someone coming up to me thanking me and telling me how much it meant to know that there were civilians out there who cared.” Right then, he knew VBFH was the place for him. Byron is in charge of the operations of our events and does an incredible job coordinating between numerous vendors as well as taking on the tedious task of complete set up and breakdown of everything required to make our events a huge success.
Charity Madden
DIRECTOR OF ENTERTAINMENT
& COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
A true native of Va. Beach, Virginia, Charity fell in love with the restaurant/ bar business while working her way through college. She earned a B.A. from Old Dominion University in Secondary Education but could not stray from her true passion. She became the owner of South Beach Grill in 2006, after bartending there for 12 years. She prides herself in her friendly staff and the best live entertainment. Charity is responsible for booking and scheduling all entertainment for VBFH events. She has organized and participated in several fundraisers throughout the years to help those in need. She is inspired by our military, who give selflessly to help others and fight to defend this nation’s freedom. Charity believes in “paying it forward” and she is proud to be an American!
CARE E. HUGHES
SPONSORSHIP MANAGER
A Navy Military brat, Care was born in Massachusetts then traveled with family stationed in France, Florida, Illinois, California and three other States. The Family settled in Virginia Beach.
Care graduated High School at 16, then off to college in the Mountains of Georgia. With a major in Mathematics and minor Economics. Care began a 5 yr. career as a Bartender at Darryl's and Laverne's. Her Mortgage career began as a Loan officer, then Secondary market manager, Underwriter, Branch manager eventually she became a Mortgage Bank Securities Officer. Realizing her true wish to serve the military community, she started American Mortgage Securities, Inc in March of 2000 as President/owner.
Through the years Care has developed life friendships within our Seal community. Witnessing firsthand the sacrifices our military and their families endure, she is proud to first volunteer then join the board of Virginia Beach Fallen Heroes, Inc.
Care enjoys designing clothes, rooms, chairs… anything. Her friends tease her about her patience to re-build, paint and sew, always re-imagine, never buy as is. For the last 15 years she has loved gathering friends, traveling throughout Europe to experience the history and people. Destination: wherever Iceland Air specials take them.