We're a veteran-led nonprofit rooted in Del Webb Bayview, formed by people who served and are ready to serve again. This time the mission is Parrish and the Manatee County community we call home.
Del Webb Bayview brought together people from every corner of the country, and a remarkable number of them had served. We met at the pool, on the pickleball courts, and over coffee. It didn't take long to see that we all missed the same thing: the camaraderie, the shared purpose, and the knowledge that someone has your back.
Bayview Veterans Alliance was formed to bring that back. The four hands on our shield stand for the branches coming together, set against the waters and sunsets of Southwest Florida. It's a promise that here, veterans stand shoulder to shoulder again.
Today we show up at community events, support fellow veterans and their families in hard seasons, mentor young people who are figuring out their path, and run our organization with the same integrity we were trained to uphold.
“We don't ask which branch you served in. We ask how we can serve alongside you.”
Bayview Veterans Alliance
01
We honor those who served, those who serve now, and the families who stand behind them.
02
Service is a lifelong habit, not a chapter we closed. We look for ways to be useful.
03
Every branch, every era, every rank. No one here stands alone.
04
We are open about our governance and finances and accountable for every dollar we're trusted with.
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We pass on leadership, discipline, and grit to the next generation.
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Parrish and Manatee County gave us a home, and we give back to it with pride.
If you served, you belong here. Bayview Veterans Alliance welcomes:
★ Veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force
★ National Guard and Reserve members, past and present
★ Active-duty service members living in or near Bayview
★ Military spouses, Gold Star families, and friends who want to support the mission
Our volunteer board is elected by the membership under our bylaws and is accountable to the members and the community we serve.
Commander
Army · 33 Years of Service
Read bio ›
Brigadier General (Ret.) Hector Lopez is a U.S. Army logistics leader whose career is marked by historic firsts. Commissioned through the University of Puerto Rico ROTC, he commanded a battalion and base in Iraq, led the 82nd Sustainment Brigade during the 2010 Haiti earthquake response, served as Wartime Chief of Staff of the U.S. Eighth Army in Korea, and became the first Hispanic Commanding General of the 94th Training Division in its 100-year history. His decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. He later served as a senior federal logistics executive and founded Praxis Logistics. He and his wife, Lourdes, have a son, Hector Jr.
Vice Commander
Air Force · 22 Years of Service
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Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Doyon served nearly 22 years on active duty as an Air Force judge advocate specializing in acquisition and contract law. His assignments included the U.S. Air Force Academy, Los Angeles AFB, and the Pentagon as Senior Legislative Counsel, along with a deployment to Bosnia as Operational Law Attorney for NATO's Stabilization Force. His decorations include the Legion of Merit. After retiring in 2012, he joined the Senior Executive Service as Director of the Air Force Materiel Command Law Office, advising on programs such as the B-21, KC-46A and Air Force One. He retired in 2025 after more than 35 years of service. He and his wife, Susan, have two daughters, Audrey and Emily.
Secretary
Army · 28 Years of Service
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Major Pete Rodriguez has served 28 years across three branches of the U.S. military. He joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1998 as a Master-at-Arms Third Class and, following 9/11, was mobilized to Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as the Section Armorer. In 2004 he transferred to the Air Force Reserve as an Intelligence Analyst. After a deployment to Iraq and earning his bachelor's degree in 2010, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, serving as an Intelligence Officer. He went on to serve as a Career Manager at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and as an Operations Officer (S3) and Executive Officer in San Antonio, Texas. Today he serves at U.S. Central Command in Tampa as the Army Reserve and National Guard Program Manager. Pete and his wife, Kelly, live in Bayview, and their son, Jacob, lives in Orlando.
Treasurer
Air Force · 21 Years of Service
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Master Sergeant (Ret.) Dale Gerdts served nearly 21 years in the U.S. Air Force as a communications and network specialist. His assignments took him to North Dakota, Korea, NATO's Headquarters Allied Forces Southern Europe in Naples, Italy, U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring in 2003, he spent 20 years as a federal technology executive and is now Chief Growth & Technology Officer at DeltaStrac. A Minnesota native, he has called Bayview home since 2022. He and his wife, Patti, have three children and four grandchildren.
Logistics
Army · 4 Years of Service
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John Ross brings four years of dedicated military service in the U.S. Army, where he developed strong leadership skills, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure. His military background has equipped him with exceptional problem-solving abilities and a commitment to excellence that translates well into civilian professional environments.
Family Support
Air Force · 28 Years of Service
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Senior Master Sergeant (Ret.) Gary Ash served 28 years with the U.S. Air Force and the Arkansas Air National Guard. He began in Security Police and went on to a long career in occupational safety. He deployed to Honduras and France and was named the Air National Guard Safety NCO of the Year in 2009. After retiring in 2011, he became Chief of Wing Occupational Safety at Travis AFB and was named Air Force Occupational Safety Civilian of the Year. He also served as NATO Garrison Safety Officer in Kabul during the 2020–21 withdrawal. He retired in 2024 after nearly 42 years of service. He and his wife, Holly, settled in Bayview in 2025.
Activities
Marine Corps · 6 Years of Service
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Jeff Kyker served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985 to 1991, including service in the Persian Gulf War. His decorations include the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. A graduate of Mississippi State University with a BA in History, Jeff has spent more than 20 years in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software industry, working with integrated ERP, business intelligence, FP&A, and marketing automation solutions. As co-founder of Syncsite, he drew on his Marine Corps experience to help build the company into a leading software solutions provider, and he leads its development team. Jeff and his wife, Suzanne, have called Bayview home since 2023.
What each board position is responsible for. Select a position to read more.
Commander · Hector Lopez
The Commander is the chief executive officer and public face of the Alliance. This person provides overall leadership, ensures the Alliance fulfills its mission, and represents the Alliance to community partners, other veterans organizations, and local government.
Key responsibilities
Vice Commander · Thomas Doyon
The Vice Commander supports the Commander and assumes leadership if the Commander is absent or unable to serve. This role focuses on continuity of operations, internal communications, and auxiliary leadership functions.
Key responsibilities
Secretary · Pete Rodriguez
The Secretary is responsible for maintaining the Alliance's official records, communications, and correspondence. This role ensures transparency and accountability in all administrative matters.
Key responsibilities
Treasurer · Dale Gerdts
The Treasurer manages the Alliance's financial resources, ensuring funds are collected, recorded, and spent in accordance with the budget and the Alliance's bylaws.
Key responsibilities
Logistics · John Ross
The Logistics lead handles the physical and operational needs of the Alliance, including facilities, equipment, and event setup. This role ensures programs run smoothly and safely.
Key responsibilities
Family Support · Gary Ash
The Family Support lead focuses on programs and services that support veterans' spouses, children, and other family members. This officer connects families with resources and ensures they feel included in the Alliance's activities.
Key responsibilities
Activities · Jeff Kyker
The Activities lead plans and executes social, commemorative, and community-engagement events that foster camaraderie among veterans and their families.
Key responsibilities
