About Veterans Village
Founded by veterans, for veterans — and the senior citizens who served alongside them.
Founded by Veterans, in 2016
Veterans Village was founded in 2016 by several veterans who were passionate about helping other veterans and their families. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of veterans and their families.
We partner with other non-profit organizations to ensure that our services are effective and reliable, and that the veterans we serve receive the best possible care.
Our Board of Directors
Veteran-led and community-rooted, our board brings decades of military, healthcare, business, and real estate experience to every decision we make.
Brian Tarrance
Principal & Executive DirectorFounder and Executive Director of Veterans Village. A disabled U.S. Army veteran, he brings over 30 years of executive leadership, construction oversight, and government operations experience from a distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Defense. He retired as the Senior Director of Occupational Safety and Health for Joint Base Lewis-McChord (a GS-15 position comparable to an Army Colonel), where he managed large-scale infrastructure projects across the U.S., South Korea, and Afghanistan. Under his leadership, Veterans Village has developed and acquired approximately 1,370 affordable housing units in Washington State.
Tawanda Hill, RN, MSN
PresidentA retired healthcare professional, educator, and organizational leader with more than 30 years of nursing experience across clinical care, administration, case management, and research. She has held roles including Charge Nurse, Home Health Case Manager, and Research Nurse Coordinator for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she managed a nationwide research study. She also served as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at UAB and a Nurse Pod Leader for a large public school system. Her background in compliance monitoring and quality assurance guides the organization's operational excellence.
Sherry Le
Vice PresidentAn entrepreneur, real estate professional, and business leader with extensive experience across operations, healthcare, education, and real estate investment. A resident of the Birmingham area since 2004, she holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Alabama and brings two decades of hands-on business experience from managing her family's multi-location salon enterprises. She has also held technical and regulatory compliance roles with Jacksonville State University, Baxter International, and Brookwood Baptist Health. Sherry is currently a Realtor® with Keller Williams Realty Hoover.
T.J. Nguyen
TreasurerAn educator, community leader, and real estate professional with nearly two decades of experience building sustainable programs for underserved communities. As a founding team member and Assistant Director of the Southeastern Center of Robotics Education (SCORE) at Auburn University, he helped launch over 400 robotics teams across Alabama and was named the National Student Employee of the Year in 2013. A TEDxBirmingham Educator Fellow, T.J. transitioned into full-time real estate in 2022 and partners closely with local nonprofits, including The Salvation Army in Birmingham.
Marlon J. Petty
SecretaryA disabled U.S. Army veteran, business owner, and management professional with an extensive background spanning corporate operations, public sector administration, and entrepreneurship. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Miles College and has held key operational management roles with Mercedes-Benz and the Jefferson County Commission. Marlon is also the owner and operator of TP's Automotive, bringing personnel supervision, corporate accountability, and fiscal management expertise to the board.
Elijah Piper
Board MemberA commercial real estate professional specializing in multifamily investment sales, market analysis, and transaction management. He earned his B.S. in Real Estate from California State University, Fresno on a full academic and athletic scholarship, completing his degree in just three and a half years. With over five years of commercial brokerage experience, Elijah brings deep insight on property valuation, market trends, and asset acquisition, and serves as a board member for the Curtis Viking Senior Scholarship Program.
Michael Williams
Board MemberA retired telecommunications executive with more than 30 years of corporate management, strategic planning, and financial leadership experience, including roles as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales and Regional Finance Director. He was selected by the Clinton Administration to serve as Operations Manager for the emergency center supporting the historic Summit of the Americas in Miami. A dedicated civic leader, he has served on the boards of the Urban League of Broward County, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and as Chairman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.
Joel Sloan
Board MemberA U.S. Marine Corps veteran, business leader, and dedicated community advocate with extensive experience in operations management, logistics, and transportation budgeting. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has spent his career leading teams, directing resource allocation, and managing day-to-day operations for major logistics organizations. Joel is deeply committed to local civic leadership and neighborhood revitalization throughout the City of Birmingham.
Our Values
Reliability — We strive to be a trustworthy partner to veterans, their families, and our community partners.
Self-sufficiency — We create opportunities for veterans and their families to build independent, stable lives.
Advocacy — We advocate for the rights and well-being of the veterans and seniors we serve.
Partnership — We work closely with other nonprofits to ensure effective, reliable care.
Thousands of Veterans Served
Over the years, Veterans Village has had a positive impact on the lives of thousands of veterans and their families. We're proud of the difference we've made, and we're committed to continuing this mission.
Want to Partner With Us?
We're always looking to strengthen our network of community partners in service of veterans and seniors.
Get In Touch