Staff
Russ Appleton is the Program Director of the Marine Civilian Development Program (MCDP) while fulfilling concurrent responsibilities as the Infrastructure Consultant to the Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham, UK. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a Colonel in 1998. He subsequently transitioned to a career in the private sector where he served in a variety of positions in the US and the UK, to include marketing, program management, financial services, leadership development, telemarketing (including off-shore call centers), and education. Russ is a graduate of the National War College and the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He holds a BA in Business Administration from Tarkio College. Russ lives in Landenberg, PA with his wife, Beth. They have two sons, Bryan and Randy, and four grandchildren.
Sharon VanNeerden is the MCDP Business Manager and has primary responsibility for the Program's administration, financial management and employment opportunity matching. Prior to joining MCDP, Sharon worked at Bank of America and MBNA, serving in a variety of positions in marketing, business development and education. She also has extensive experience as a front-line, hiring manager, and has been responsible for directing the activities of a high-activity operational call center. Sharon holds a BA in General Business from Louisiana State University. She and her husband, Seth, live in Wilmington, DE with their two children: Shane, 8 and Sidney, 6.
Kim Foss is the Eastern Regional Manager for MCDP and is responsible for delivery of the Program to Marines in the Eastern United States. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in April, 1976 and retired as a Major in 1998. After retirement, Kim went on to a career in the financial services industry where she developed a broad background in information systems, project management, relationship management and process improvement. Kim holds an MS in Information Systems from George Mason University and a BBA in Financial Accounting from National University. She lives in Landenberg, PA with her son, D.J., 17.
Lloyd Thorne is the Western Regional Manager for MCDP, responsible for delivering the Program to Marines in the Western United States. Lloyd was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in June 1972 upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Major in 1992 and went on to serve in a variety of positions in the public and private sector that included roles in financial planning and military community services. Lloyd is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and holds a BS in General Management from the Naval Academy. He lives with his wife Hortensia in Oceanside, CA. They have four children: John, Rose, Gleason and Daniel.
Marcus Mitchell is a Primary Facilitator and the Alumni Program Manager for MCDP. He also plays a key role in the development of the MCDP curriculum. Prior to joining MCDP, Marcus was the President of Inspired Consulting, LLC. He has more than seven years of experience in the financial services industry where he filled key positions in national sales, executive administration, operations, and corporate education and development. Marcus' background includes extensive experience in facilitation, as well as curriculum design and delivery. Marcus earned a BS in Communications from the University of Tennessee-Martin and was recognized in 2004 as a Black Achiever in Business and Industry. He resides in Newark, DE with his wife, Leslie, and their son Christian, age 3.
Lynne Walsh is MCDP's Program Administrator and has primary responsibility for the logistical and administrative support functions of the Program. Lynne came to MCDP with more than 20 years of professional administrative experience gained in a variety of industries including defense supply, technology solutions and retail. She also has experience working in a customer service environment and in providing project support for large-scale initiatives. Lynne lives in Wilmington, DE and is an active volunteer with several local charitable organizations including March of Dimes and Faithful Friends, Inc.
Uncommon Leadership, LLC (UCL) is a character and leadership development company contracted by MCDP to design the curriculum, create course materials and facilitate the delivery of the Program. UCL's mission is to develop leaders of character who believe in the adage "Mission First, People Always". The UCL team supporting MCDP is comprised of the following individuals:
LtGen Marty Steele is the Managing Partner of UCL, LLC where he has provided leadership consulting services for a number of key companies and organizations since 2003. General Steele previously served as President and CEO of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1999 from the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations after a 34 year career that included service as an enlisted Marine. General Steele holds three MA degrees and a BA from the University of Arkansas. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College and the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. General Steele and his wife, Cynthia, live in Tampa, FL. They have three children: David, Diane, and Deborah.
Jim Sfayer is a Partner with UCL, LLC and has extensive experience developing curriculum and facilitating classes on leadership, management and communications. While on active duty, Jim was an Infantry Officer and completed several unique assignment that included instructor duty at both the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy Jim retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1994, and subsequently began a second career as an educator in the Junior ROTC Program. In 2005, he was selected as a Walt Disney Teacher of the Year. Jim holds an MBA from Long Island University and a BA from St. Francis College. He resides in Colts Neck, New Jersey and has two daughters: Lauren and Kathryn.
Krista Kohlhausen is a Program Facilitator who has been working with UCL, LLC since February 2007. Previously, Krista served in several key positions at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, where she was appointed as the Vice President of Education in 2003. Krista has extensive experience as an educator and curriculum developer, and her background includes experience as an adjunct professor and elementary and middle school teacher. She holds an MS in Education from Bank Street College and a BA from Rutgers College. Krista is an Advisory Board Member of the Children's Health Education Foundation at Touro College. She resides in Englewood, New Jersey.