Officers
Colin Kindgren- President & CEO
Colin’s work with the USS Arizona can be traced back to 2001 when he joined Rob on the trip that located the wreck that is assumed to be the USS Arizona. Colin pursued his studies in American History at Boston College which including courses in Civil War history and archaeology. Since his graduation, he established a career in sales, account management and business development. Additionally, he is near the completion of his MBA (2014) from Boston College that includes a concentration in non-profit/entrepreneurial management.
Tom Veilleux - Director of Project Research
Tom holds an MA in Southwest History from Arizona State University and worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the History Department. After completing his Masters, Mr. Veilleux pursued a career in the private sector with a national insurance company. After leaving the insurance industry in the early 1990s he met and collaborated with Rob Christopher as a teaching colleague at Florence High School in Arizona. Both Tom and Rob shared an interest in the history of the Civil War and it was from that shared interest that the project to discover the First USS Arizona evolved. Tom accompanied Rob on several trips to Louisiana as well as stops at the Washington Naval Yard Library, Library of Congress, National Archives at College Park Maryland, The Mariners Museum and the National Archives in the U.K.
Board of Directors
Jennifer Christopher- Chairman
Jenn Graduated from Arizona State University in 1988 with a Computer Science Engineering degree. She has an established a career specialized in designing Geographic Information Systems for large Electric and Gas Utilities. As the wife of Rob Christopher, she was passionately involved with his long term vision for the USS Arizona. During these years, she edited and reviewed Rob’s writings for his completed Masters in both American and Military History and his ongoing Ph.D. Studies. She also played a crucial support role in all of Rob’s research efforts across various libraries and museums.
Tracy Lanz- Director
Tracy currently works in the home building industry, but has a diverse background that includes experience with photography and design. As Rob’s sister, Tracy provided financial, personal and logical support during the years that Rob was directly involved with the USS Arizona.
Michael Stratis- Director, Treasurer
Michael is a Manager in PwC's International Tax Services group. He primarily focuses on international tax planning and transactional matters for private and public corporations. He has specific experience in the areas of international acquisition structuring, inbound and outbound planning, and other international tax structuring. Michael has spent several years with PwC and he has served large multinational clients including the chemical, services, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, retail, and utilities industries. Michael is a licensed attorney. He has a Bachelors of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Accounting from Boston College, a Masters of Business Administration from Penn State Harrisburg and a Juris Doctor from Penn State - Dickinson School of Law.
Clay Westrope- Director, Secretary
Clay is a seasoned non-profit management and operations professional with 9 years of experience managing field programming and liaison office operations for human rights and humanitarian organizations. Clay currently serves as the US Country Representative for ACTED USA, the US liaison office for the French humanitarian organization, ACTED. He is responsible for all operations, donor relations and institutional partnerships in the US. In addition to this work, Clay provides both remote and field technical support for countries in the Horn of Africa and Asia involved in humanitarian assessment and research. Clay is responsible for managing field teams, developing methodologies and research design as well as strategic planning.
Kevin Collins- Director
Kevin is a longtime non-profit professional with more than 8 years of experience in annual and major gift fundraising, event and direct mail marketing, and business development and donor acquisition/retention. In his current role as Boston College High School’s director of Major Gifts and Strategic Partnerships, Kevin focuses on the prospect development of a portfolio of nearly 300 individuals, foundations, and corporations with a yearly goal of raising more than $1 million. In addition, Kevin supports annual financial growth through the development of affinity programming, strategic outreach through diverse marketing channels, and advancement of non-traditional revenue streams. Kevin also serves in a consultant and volunteer capacity for a number of Boston-area non-profits.
