Governance

Valhalla Mission Statement

To assist United States Army post-9/11 combat soldiers – active duty, National Guard, and Reserves, and veterans from all over the United States as well as some civilians who have served in combat zones such as (but not limited to) Iraq and Afghanistan with adjustment to a non-combat environment, reintegration into civilian life, continuing education and training that focuses primarily on sustainable construction and energy projects, and overall mental and physical improvement. 

Governance and Leadership

The Valhalla Project’s board will be comprised initially of three individuals, and the organization intends to identify additional individuals who will complement the initial board so that the board will have five directors.  No board member or member of the management team will draw a salary or other compensation.  All donations – whether financial, in-kind, or volunteer labor – will be dedicated to improvement and operations on the Valhalla Project’s facilities.

In addition to the formal board, advisory committees will be established to have oversight over key functional areas, such as selection and approval of candidates to be chosen as on-site participants, construction and grounds, finances and fundraising, and others as needed.  In keeping with the broad, national theme, this arrangement will encourage and allow many interested participants to support the project without the responsibilities that come with board membership, even on an absentee basis.  

Selection of potential participants will be done through a process of recommendation by senior leaders in the Valhalla Project, review of applications, and interviews. Lengths of stay will vary from days to months according to availability of the individual and evaluated needs. Follow-up evaluations will be conducted by personal or electronic mail, interviews, discussions with peers and supervisors, and periodic reporting.

Written materials explaining the application process, rules of the center, and behavioral standards will be published in pamphlet and electronic forms and distributed through military units and available over a public website. The website will also include full financial transparency and detailed progress reports on physical improvements to the center. 

Founding Board Members

Gordon Cucullu, President
Retired Army lieutenant colonel, combat veteran, former executive director of non-profit organization, months of close contact with combat soldiers in the U.S. and in combat zones, former farmer and rancher, previous executive with GE Corporation.

Chris Fontana Cucullu, Treasurer

Former executive staff member of several national and multinational non-profit organizations, extensive experience working with PTSD soldiers and civilians over a period spanning several decades, months of close contact with soldiers while embedded in Afghanistan during 2010.

Theodore Polet, Secretary
Serving Army officer as deputy director of intelligence with the Florida National Guard. Extensive exposure to PTSD and combat veterans, veteran of overseas deployment, excellent managerial and mentoring skills, planner and monitor of on-going mentoring and counseling programs. Extensive experience with inter-agency liaison and planning for emergency management operations at the local, state, and Federal level.

Coming soon: Valhalla Project board member profiles

Our IRS application for nonprofit status is being processed, 
yet you can still donate to help Valhalla today!