Paulette McDermott Risher

Graduated from Arizona State in 1972 and was commissioned in the Army. Met and married my husband, Ed Risher in 1975. Spent nine years on active duty and then moved to Fort Walton Beach, FL. Stayed in the Army Reserves and went to work for the US Air Force at Eglin AFB. Returned to active duty in 2002 with US Special Operations Command. Retired twice in 2006 and moved to Huntsville, AL. Worked as a consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton and then for a small defense contractor. Ed passed away in 2010. I have been working with Still Serving Veterans for the last four years and have a private consulting company, Learning for the Journey. My daughter, Alicia lives here in Huntsville and I have three wonderful granddaughters. Life is blessed.

Scottsdale 1968

Looking back on HS, one of the things I realize is just how lucky I was to be in the band. I had such a good group of friends and they challenged me to be a better student (peer pressure can be a good thing!). That changed my view of myself. Now as a self-proclaimed nerd and geek with two masters - I realize that that life without that inspiration and the support of great teachers like Mrs. Lowenstein and Mr. Corbin, could have been very different.

Retired Air Force civilian organizational psychologist from Eglin AFB, FL

Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton

Currently President/CEO of Still Serving Veterans at (https://ssv.org/), an Alabama-based nonprofit with a mission of helping Veterans find meaningful work, secure their VA benefits, and secure community resources when they are in crisis. Co-Chairs the Alabama Task Force for the Prevention of Veteran Suicide.