Kathryn M. Hobbs
Executive Director and Vice President, Veterans Family Fund of America
Captain, United States Navy (retired), enlisted in the Navy, and was one of the first women to complete Signalman 'A' School. She completed a BA from Columbia College in her off-duty hours, and was accepted into Officer Candidate School, completing OCS; Newport, RI in 1979. She completed her Master's in Education & Counseling from Seattle University, Seattle WA on her off-duty hours in 1982.
In 1982, she became an Adjunct Professor/NROTC Unit, University of San Diego/San Diego State (1989 NROTC Instructor of the Year) and was designated a doctoral candidate at the University of San Diego. She served as the Executive Officer, Naval Support Activity, Diego Garcia in 1994, then transferred to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the Naval War College, Washington D.C. where she earned a Master of Science in National Strategic Resources.
In 1996, assigned as Commanding Officer, Navy Recruiting District, New Orleans, LA, and In 1997, transferred to Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, Hawaii, where she established the first-ever Fleet-level reengineering department on a four-star staff.
In 2000, she transferred to Naples, Italy where she was the Chief of Staff, Commander Fleet Mediterranean, with administrative oversight of seven bases and the COMFAIRMED staff. In October 2001, reported to Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) as the Strategic Planning and Policy Director.
In 2003, Captain Kathy Hobbs became Commanding Officer, Naval Station Great Lakes, and Chief of Staff, Navy Region Midwest.
In 2005, her Alma Mater, Columbia College, made her Alumni of the Year, and in August 2005, she transferred to the Pentagon, to serve as Executive Assistant, Director, Material Readiness and Logistics (OPNAV N4). In 2007, she transferred to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where she served as the Dean of Students, and was awarded the prestigious First Command Leadership Award for outstanding leadership as voted upon by the graduating class of students. Captain Hobbs has been presented with the Legion of Merit (five times), Meritorious Service Medals (four times); Navy Commendation Medals (four times); Navy Achievement Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal; Navy Unit Commendation Medals (twice); and numerous other awards and ribbons.
She is very happily married to David R. Peoples, a civilian and Navy veteran. CAPT Hobbs retired from active naval service on 1 May 2009 after 36 years of service. In the summer of 2011 she joined the Board and is serving as Executive Director.