Meet
OUR BOARD
Wayne W Grigsby, Jr
VCAP President
Brigadier General (Retired) Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., Last assignment was as Division Commander for the First Infantry Division. Before that, he commanded the Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa (CJTF-HoA) for 17 Months.
His prior assignments included Director of Army Training on the Army’s G-3/5/7 staff, Deputy Commanding General of Operations for the 1st Armored Division, Director Future Operations Cell, ISAF Joint Commander in Afghanistan during the surge, Director of the Mission Command Center of Excellence, and Director of the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at Fort Leavenworth. He also commanded the 3-3 ID Brigade Combat Team during the Surge in Iraq, Commander 1-26 Infantry in Kosovo, and as a Company Commander of Bravo Company 3-7 IN during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Since leaving the Army, General Grigsby has served as the Dean of Academics at St. John’s Military School in Salina, Kansas. He was also an Associate Professor at the Georgia Military Academy in Milledgeville, Georgia, where he taught History and Homeland Security, and he also advised Land Forces, United Arab Emirates, on Training and Leader Development.
General Grigsby received a Master of Strategic Studies from the National Defense University and a Master of Arts and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies in Kansas.
He is currently serving as Commander of the Calabash VFW Post 7288 and is President of the Veterans Creative Arts Program based in Brunswick County, NC.
Gerald Decker
VCAP Board
Gerald Decker is a 4-year Navy veteran who went on four tours to Vietnam between 1968 and 1971. Gerald earned a Master’s Degree from George Washington University. Gerald's career includes nine years as a U. S. Senate staffer, Senior Manager for the National Federation of Independent Business, and a teacher of American History at the middle school level and Political Science at the high school and college levels.
Since 2020, Gerald has co-written two books. The first was about his good friend and WWII veteran Alex Moskowitz. The second, “The Great Lockdown of 2020: An Anthology,” was published by Teen Scene, Inc. in October 2021. He is the founder and publisher of Cape Fear Voices/Teen Scene, an online publication that promotes communication skills among teens and provides a home for adult creative writers in the area.
David "Seth" Turner
VCAP Board
Seth Turner accepted the role as VCAP treasurer and a member of the board of directors in October of 2025. Mr. Turner retired from the military after a 20-year career as an Army Major, with his final position as Post Engineer for FT Wainwright, AK. There, he worked with the Army Infrastructure Command (INCOM) to upgrade existing facilities and build new ones for housing and training both Army and Air Force troops. This gives him unique insight into large-scale budgeting and government planning in line with budgeting and government cooperation, which VCAP requires.
After the military, Seth worked as a Project manager for a few years and now runs his own business in Wilmington, NC, where he owns and manages commercial and residential properties.
Mr Turner holds a degree in Business Administration and a Master's in Public Administration.
Michael Francis Howe
VCAP Board
Michael Francis Howe is a proud United States Army combat infantry veteran
with service in Grenada, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served with distinction in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 3rd Infantry Division, building a foundation of discipline, leadership, and integrity.
With over 30 years of experience in management, armed protective force
operations, security, and emergency preparedness, Michael has led teams in
both military and civilian capacities. His post-service career includes roles as a
U.S. military contractor in Kuwait, Kosovo, and Iraq, where he served during
Operation Iraqi Freedom with Cochise MTS—a Department of Defense
contractor founded by highly decorated U.S. Army Colonel Jesse L. Johnson
(Ret.).
After his deployment to the Middle East, Michael and his family relocated to
Colorado, where he worked for 13 years as a Protection Force Officer for the
Department of Energy’s National Laboratory in Golden. His dedication to service continues through his membership in several veteran organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans (Lifetime Member), VFW Leland Post 12196, and the American Legion in Cresson, Pennsylvania.
Patty Kelley
VCAP Board
Patty Kelley served a combination of 41 years in the Air Force active duty, Air Force Reserves, and Air National Guard. She served one tour in Iraq as a Health Services Administrator and the Deputy Commander of an Expeditionary Medical Support System (EMEDS). She is a trustee in the VFW, Post 12196, and an active member of The American Legion, Post 68, both in Leland, NC. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She brings an extensive Management background to the VCAP board.
Benjamin Majors
VCAP Board
Benjamin Majors is a Detective with the Leland Police Department in Leland, North Carolina, where he is committed to serving the community through law enforcement, public safety, and community engagement initiatives. Growing up with a father who served in the United States Army, Benjamin developed a deep respect for the sacrifices made by veterans, military families, and those who dedicate their lives to serving others.
Through his career in law enforcement, Benjamin has gained a strong appreciation for the unique challenges faced by first responders and the importance of providing opportunities that support their well-being. He is passionate about building stronger communities and believes the arts can play an important role in promoting healing, resilience, and personal growth.
Benjamin is honored to serve on the Veterans Creative Arts Program Board of Directors and looks forward to helping expand creative opportunities that foster connection, wellness, and meaningful expression for veterans, first responders, nurses, caregivers, and their families.
Brian M. Chism
VCAP Board
Sheriff Brian M. Chism has served with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office since 2005 and was appointed Sheriff of Brunswick County in 2023. Throughout his distinguished law enforcement career, he has served in nearly every division of the Sheriff's Office, including Patrol, K-9, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Civil Process, School Resource Officers, Animal Protective Services, and 911 Communications. Prior to becoming Sheriff, he served as Chief Deputy, overseeing the agency's daily operations, administration, and budget.
Sheriff Chism is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has earned numerous professional certifications and leadership distinctions throughout his career. He is actively involved with both the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association and the National Sheriffs' Association, serving on multiple leadership committees and representing North Carolina on the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division Advisory Process Southern Working Group.
A lifelong Brunswick County resident and the son of a U.S. Navy veteran, Sheriff Chism has a deep appreciation for military service, public safety, and community engagement. As a member of the Veterans Creative Arts Program Board of Directors, he is committed to supporting opportunities that foster healing, connection, and personal growth for veterans, first responders, nurses, caregivers, and their families through the creative arts.
Jenna Earley
VCAP Board
Jenna Earley has served on the Veterans Creative Arts Program Board of Directors since January 2026. She currently serves as the First Assistant District Attorney for North Carolina's 15th Prosecutorial District, representing Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus counties. Since joining the North Carolina Department of Justice in 2013, Jenna has dedicated her career to public service, including five years as a prosecutor in Alamance County before joining the 15th District in 2018.
As the daughter of a retired Connecticut State Trooper and the daughter-in-law and granddaughter of veterans, Jenna has a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by military families and first responders. She is honored to support the mission of the Veterans Creative Arts Program and believes in the power of creative expression to strengthen resilience, foster connection, and enrich the lives of veterans, first responders, nurses, caregivers, and their families.
Jenna resides in Leland, North Carolina, with her husband and their son.
Annie Cummings
VCAP Board
Joined the United States Marine Corps in 1978, when the total female strength in the Corps was approximately 4000, reservists, officers, and enlisted combined. Upon graduating first in her class at Comm School in 29 Palms, Annie was assigned as the Admin Chief at 2nd MarDiv Headquarters for the Division Communications Electronics Officer. Released from active duty at the birth of her first child, in December of 1980, she rejoined the reserves in 1987 and was soon activated for Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm and was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with the 4th Civil Affairs Group, and was reassigned to the 2nd Mardiv HQ S-1 where she again served as the Admin Chief for the forward Command, being one of 5 women who accompanied the ground Assault into Kuwait.
Annie was discharged in 1992 due to injuries sustained during the conflict, and took up a career in Automotive Sales and management. She managed several large mega dealerships in Maryland and Virginia and was later recruited by General Motors to manage field operations over 5 states for their Customer Care and Aftersales department.
Upon her retirement in 2017, Annie joined the VFW and served with distinction as Post Quartermaster, Post Commander, District 5 Commander, and was elected as North Carolina State Commander for 2024/2025, achieving All-American Status at all three levels of post, district, and State, earning the prestigious Triple Crown for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Annie now serves as a member of Post 7288 Calabash and is a Gold Life Legacy Member, Centurion Member of the National Home for Children and dables in the Post Kitchen whenever time permits.
She resides wth her USMC Retired First Sergeant husband Bill Cummings, in Sea Trail (Sunset Beach), North Carolina.
The Veterans Creative Arts Program Board of Directors is proud to serve our community by supporting programs that inspire creativity, encourage connection, and enrich the lives of those we serve. We appreciate the continued support of our members, volunteers, and community partners who make our mission possible.