Veteran's Village: Leave no one behind

Jack Lyon served in Vietnam as a Marine and was awarded the Silver Star. Upon returning to the United States, he specialized in retirement plan administration, serving as President and CEO of Dun & Bradstreet Pension Corporation, which had acquired the company he began, the Lyon Organization. In 1981 and three other veterans founded what was to become the Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD).

The VVSD motto is to “Leave No One Behind”. In fulfillment of their motto, VVSD provides programs that assist homeless veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan,  who are dealing with substance abuse and/or mental issues. The programs are structured around five pillars of success: Prevention, Intervention, Rehabilitation, Aftercare and Employment services. VVSD serves more than 2,000 veterans annually.

Kimberly Mitchell joined VVSD as CEO in July 2017. She is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who served both sea and shore assignments. After working in the Office of Warrior and Family Support, she resigned her commission to become co-founder and president of the Dixon Center for Military and Veterans that seeks to help veterans transition to civilian life. Outgoing VVSD CEO Phil Landis, an advisory board member of the Dixon Center, recognized her talent and tapped her as his successor.