William L. Smith
Chairman of the Board

Mr. Smith has served on the Young Marines Board of Directors since February 2008 and as Chairman since 2013.  He retired from the Marine Corps as a Colonel after thirty years of active duty service.  Following his Marine Corps service, he worked for LMI government consulting.  He is currently a part-time business consultant and serves on the Advisory Board of Piedmont Global Language Solutions, LLC and as a Principal Associate with the Noetic Group.  

His Marine Corps operational, training, and staff assignments included: command of infantry organizations from platoon through battalion;  Director, Drill Instructor School MCRD Parris Island;  United Nations Peacekeeper, U.S. Military Observer Group Palestine; staff assignments at both Headquarters Marine Corps and the Department of the Navy;  Director, Coalition and Special Warfare Center; and Commanding Officer, Officer Candidates School.
 
His LMI assignments included on-site management of corporate activities in Saudi Arabia and in Tripoli, Libya;  a year-long effort in Iraq to assist Coalition Force advisors develop sustainment and logistics capacities of Iraqi Security Force ministries; and supporting the U.S. Institute of Peace and National Defense Panel’s report to Congress on the DoD’s 2009 Quadrennial Defense Review.  He also worked extensively with the Department of State in assignments that included lead planner to develop an interagency plan to re-establish U.S. diplomatic presence in Libya and at the U.S. Embassy Kabul to develop plans for an enduring diplomatic presence in Afghanistan post-2014.  

Mr. Smith is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College and holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.  

Howard Snow PhD-ABd
Vice Chairman of the Board

Mr. Howard Snow is the founder of a strategic federal business consulting firm: Federal Business Strategies and Solutions. His areas of expertise include identifying and qualifying defense and homeland security opportunities for clients seeking public/private partnerships with the government.  Drawing on 40 years of military and business experiences, he offers FBSS’ clients a powerful blend of government knowledge and strategic business thinking to help in the understanding of the federal marketplace.  FBSS navigates the complexitie of government marketplace issues for firms to build business-to-government and business-to-business relationships.

While an Officer (Lt Col USMC) in the Marine Corps, Mr. Snow worked within the Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs in the Pentagon. Additionally, he served as a Weapons Company Commander, Combat Replacement Company Commander during Operation Desert Storm, Officer in Charge of Sub Unit 1, Supporting Arms Coordinator for the Range/Missouri Battle Group, an Aerial Observer in VMO-2 with over one hundred combat flight hours, and as an Operation Officers for a Marine Air Group and the Marine Corps University. 

Melissa Crane
Board Treasurer

Mrs. Crane entered the Marine Corps in 1982 and served in several key administrative positions to include with the Division Inspector General, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton and as Administrative Chief to the 12th and 13th Sergeant Majors of the Marine Corps. She was later assigned as the Audit Chief and as the Assistant Director of the Marine Corps Non-Appropriated Fund Audit Service (MCNAFAS), Headquarters Marine Corps. She retired from the Marine Corps in 2003 after 21 years of service as Master Sergeant

Mrs. Crane is a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Government Auditing Professional. She holds both a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Accounting.

She is currently with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, DC. and serves as the Assistant Director, Assurance and Financial Reporting. In this assignment she is responsible for providing financial support to the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters’ offices to include the Office of the Secretary, Executive Management, and the offices within the Under Secretary for Management. She has previously served as a Senior Auditor at the Department of Transportation and Auditor-In-Charge at the Department of Justice.

Ernesto Febus
Board Secretary 

Mr. Febus retired from the Marine Corps as a First Sergeant after over twenty-two years of active-duty service. Following his Marine Corps service, he join LMI government consulting as a Research Assistant and was later promoted to Research Fellow, Senior Consultant, and Program Manager.

Mr. Febus is currently supporting the US Space Force Headquarters Installation and Mission office in his role at LMI. He also served as the Installation and Logistics Officer for the DoD COVID-19 Task Force in 2020-2021; performed as a project manager and senior consultant providing analytical support in the areas of Operational Contract Support (OCS), human capital assessment, strategic mobility, contingency planning and requirements development to several DoD organizations and services. He served as the Director of Operations for the Center for Joint and Strategic Logistics at the National Defense University. He also provided Joint Capabilities Integration Development System support through the development of an OCS Doctrine, Organization, Training and Education, Materiel, Leadership Personnel, Facilities and Policy (DOTMLPF-P) Change Recommendation (DCR); and amphibious warships and Marine Corps prepositioning ships integrated capabilities document (ICD).

After his many years in the Marine Corps, Mr. Febus returned to college and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Park University in 2006.

David S. Jonas
General Counsel

Mr. Jonas is a Partner at the law firm of FH+H. His practice includes litigation, government contracts, administrative and regulatory compliance, employment law, appellate practice and investigations. He was nominated to be the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Energy in May 2017. He was successfully voted out of Committee but withdrew his nomination after a lengthy wait for confirmation. He served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Energy and on the Defense and Energy Transition Teams and the Energy Landing Team. He was also a Vice President at PenFed Credit Union.  

He was a career member of the Senior Executive Service and served as General Counsel of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.

Prior to his civilian government service, he was a Marine Corps officer.  He served as nuclear nonproliferation planner for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is one of the only judge advocates to have commanded two units, including a company in an infantry regiment, the 5th Marines. He argued the case of Davis v. United States, 512, U.S. 452 (1994) at the U.S. Supreme Court becoming the first judge advocate in the history of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force to do so. He retired as a lieutenant colonel.  

Mr. Jonas is an adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School and Georgetown Law.  

Mr. Jonas serves on the Board of Directors of the Naval War College Foundation, the Young Marines National Foundation, and the Marine Executive Association, He also serves on the Advisory Committee of the University of Pennsylvania Law School’s Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law and he was appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee. He also serves on the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative.

Mr. Jonas holds a B.A. from Denison University, a J.D. from Wake Forest University, an LL.M. from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals School, an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center and an M.A. from the U.S. Naval War College.

William Davis
National Executive Director / CEO

Mr. Davis retired as a Colonel from the United States Marine Corps and is currently the National Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League. Col Davis joined the Young Marines in July 2015. He was formerly the Commandant of the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy (NOMMA) from June 2011 to June 2015. Col Davis led the creation of NOMMA, a High School serving the New Orleans Metropolitan area, where all students are MCJROTC Cadets and many were Young Marines. Col Davis retired in 2011 after 24 years in the Marine Corps. His last 5 years were spent as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Facilities at Marine Forces Reserve where he oversaw over $1 billion in construction and other projects across the country. He was the lead Marine Corps negotiator for new Marine Forces Reserve Headquarters.  Col Davis has served tours as a staff officer at Headquarters Marine Corps, Marine Corps Systems Command, and Marine Forces Reserve. He was the Regimental Logistics Officer for 24th Marines and a combat veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm serving with 1st MEB and CSSD-131. He also spent 2 years at Joint Task Force Civil Support within the United States Northern Command working international and domestic response to weapons of mass destruction during which he supported the 2006 Winter Olympics and Joint Task Force Katrina.

Col Davis and his wife Brenda reside in Northern Virginia. Mrs. Davis volunteers for the Young Marines, bringing over 2 decades of family program training experience to the program. They have two sons, Matt is a promotion producer at WVUE TV and Brad is the Content Editor for the National Association of Government Purchasing Professionals.

Thomas M. Craig, Esq.
Director

Mr. Craig is the Managing Partner with FH + H. Mr. Craig represents, advises, and counsels individuals and entities in a wide variety of matters, including complex civil litigation, sensitive government inquiries and internal investigations, government contracting, export and other regulatory compliance, structuring business transactions, and criminal defense. Mr. Craig specializes in high profile and high risk matters that require comprehensive coordination of legal, media, political, and consulting efforts.

Mr. Craig has extensive experience representing government contractors in high stakes litigation. Mr. Craig assisted a major defense manufacturer in obtaining a nine figure judgment from its principle subcontractor in a case involving allegations of overcharging and trade secret violations. His other matters include breach of contract claims against the government, enforcement of work share agreements, violations of non-competition agreements, bank fraud claims, grand jury subpoenas and alleged trade secret violations. He also has extensive employment law experience, including drafting employment contracts, advising on employment practices and policies, and litigating a wide variety of employment issues.

Before joining FH+H, Mr. Craig practiced law at Williams & Connolly LLP. Mr. Craig earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Illinois and graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center when he was also an editor of the Georgetown Law Journal.

Mr. Craig also had a distinguished military career, serving over 21 years as an active duty Marine, primarily in intelligence and counterintelligence billets.

Beverly J. Harrington
Director 

Zach Johnson
Director

Mr. Johnson is a retired Marine Officer who served in recon units, various training and education assignments, and oversight of Marine Security Guard units. Following his retirement, Johnson was a senior consultant, primarily with Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH), in support of Security Cooperation where he managed numerous large contracts. He also served as one of BAH’s ethics advisors.

“Zach Johnson is a superb addition to the Young Marines Advisory Council,” said William Smith, chairman of the board of directors of the Young Marines. “His Marine background includes assignments requiring not only incredible leadership skills but also a deep understanding of training and education, the operational centerpiece of any youth development program. He also brings corporate experience in ethics and risk management. The Young Marines program will greatly benefit from Zach’s leadership and experience.”

Johnson was born in Manhattan, New York City. Raised in Northern New Jersey, he attended St. Benedicts Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Villanova University, he accepted a commission in the U.S. Marines. Designated an Infantry Officer, he served in Vietnam as Reconnaissance Platoon Commander and team leader earning the Bronze Star. In addition, Johnson was awarded the Purple Heart.

Throughout his 20-year career, he served multiple tours with the Third Marine Division on Okinawa in both command and staff assignments. Serving in supporting establishment postings, he developed significant experience and expertise in manpower, personnel, training, and education. Among the more visible of these were Officer in Charge of the school Marines attend prior to assignment to the State Department, and with the Strategic Analysis and Gaming Agency, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Johnson earned a Master of Education from the University of Virginia. Upon retirement he earned an MBA from Averett University, Danville, Virginia.

He then began a consulting career supporting the Marine Corps applying his MPT&E expertise to Research Development and Acquisition initiatives and force development of partner nations seeking to establish capabilities to interoperate with US forces in a coalition environment.

This consulting career spanned close to 30 years, 25 of which were with BAH, where Johnson established a set of service offerings supporting national security objectives through Security Cooperation. These services were applied across the spectrum of Defense Cooperation.

He managed numerous multi-million-dollar contracts with the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marines, whereby he had personnel supporting offices in the Pentagon, major subordinate commands, and in overseas locations. He received the firm’s highest award for demonstrating all aspects of the firm’s stated core values, and through a rigorous vetting process, was designated one of 45 Ethics Advisors within the workforce of over 22,000.

In the community he served in the local school district as chair of the Principal’s Advisory Committee. This committee, comprised of school staff, parents, and community representatives, advised the respective school principals on pending financial decisions primarily associated with the discretionary spending of available funds.

As a Boy Scout adult leader, he had direct oversight of all actions at the troop level and served as the coordinator of adult leader training for the district.

A lifelong learner, Johnson has certifications in leadership and career coaching (BCC,) defense security assistance management (DISAM,) and information technology management (University of Denver.)

Well respected in his industry, he has served as the Chairman of the Policy Management and Readiness, the Training Methodologies and Applications of Learning, and the Human Systems Integration Subcommittees of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference.

Angela Maness

Director 

Ms. Maness entered the Marine Corps in June 1987 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC and went on to her primary military occupational training school at Camp Johnson, NC. Upon completion of Administrative school, she was assigned to Headquarters & Service Battalion, Quantico, VA, 2d Maintenance Battalion, 2d Fleet Service Support Group, Camp LeJeune, NC, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, Officer Candidate School, Quantico, VA, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Marine Air Logistics Squadron 24 in Kaneohe Bay, HI, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island, SC, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, Camp LeJeune, NC, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, Kaneohe Bay, HI, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Marine Barracks, 8th & I Streets, Washington, DC and Marine Corps Recruit Depot and Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, SC as her duty locations. She has served forward deployed to multiple combat locations in Fallujah, Iraq and the Helmand River Valley in Garmsir District of Afghanistan from 2007-2011. 

Sergeant Major Maness’ personal decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal. 

On 1 July 2017, Angela retired as the Depot Sergeant Major at Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Eastern Recruiting Region, SC completing over 30 years of service to the Corps and Country. 

She is the 2018 award recipient of the Distinguished Sea Service Award - Senior Enlisted bestowed upon her from the Naval Order of the United States association. 

Ms. Maness is pursuing her degree at The University of Oklahoma in Norman. She holds the billet of Senior Vice Commandant of the Sooner Detachment #559, Marine Corps League, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is also a National Officer, 1st Vice President of the Women Marines Association. In her spare time, she likes to play golf, tennis, and racquetball.

H. Gene "SgtMaj" Overstreet
Director

Mr. Overstreet entered the Marine Corps in June 1966 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, followed by Basic Infantry Training School at Camp Pendleton, CA. Upon completion of school, he was assigned to the 1st Military Police Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Republic of Vietnam. Returning to the states, he was reassigned to the Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton.

His promotion to first sergeant in February 1979 led to his second assignment on Okinawa as the First Sergeant, Headquarters and Service Co., 8th Engineer Battalion.

Sergeant Major Overstreet became the Inspector Sergeant Major, MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms. Returning to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, he served as a Battalion and Regimental Sergeant Major in the Recruit Training Regiment. Transferring to Camp Lejeune, N.C., he served as the 6th Marines Sergeant Major, followed by duty as Regimental Sergeant Major, 12th Marines, Okinawa.

On April 6, 1990, Sergeant Major Overstreet was posted as Depot Sergeant Major at San Diego. He was selected as the 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps in April 1991, and assumed the post on June 28, 1991.

Angela Salinas
Director

Ms. Salinas began her military career as an enlisted Marine in May 1974, earned her commission through the Enlisted Commissioning Program in 1977 and retired in 2013 as Major General with 39 years of service. 

At the time of her retirement, she earned the distinction as the longest serving woman in the history of the Marine Corps, the senior ranking woman, and the senior ranking Hispanic in the Corps. She commanded at every rank from Lieutenant to Major General and held multiple key staff positions throughout her career.

Ms. Salinas is only the sixth woman in the history of the Marine Corps selected to the general officer ranks. She was the first woman to command a Recruiting District; the first woman assigned as an Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy of a major combatant organization; the first woman to command a Recruiting Station in 1986; and the first woman assigned as a Ground Major’s Combat Service Support Monitor. 

Ms. Salinas received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dominican College of San Rafael, California; her Master of Arts Degree from the Naval War College; and she is a graduate of the Army War College, the College of Command and Staff, Naval War College and the Amphibious Warfare School. 

Her personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal; the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit with gold star; the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars; the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; the Army Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars.

Her civilian awards and accolades include the U. S. Hispanic Leadership Institute's Dr. Hank Lacayo Lifetime Achievement Award; the Hispanic Heritage of Texas Estrella's de Texas; Lifetime Achievement awards from Latina Style Magazine and North Star; the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Leadership Award; San Diego’s Athena Chairman’s Award for Community Leadership. She has been named Women of the Year for California District 74, named one of six women who move the city by San Diego Magazine and one of 15 Phenomenal Women by Latina Magazine. 

Ms. Salinas is a 2014-2015 Masters Leadership Program participant and currently serves on the board of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. She is also the CEO of the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. She serves on the First Tee of San Antonio, the local chapter of an international youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.