Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors generously dedicates their time, talents, and hearts to guiding and growing the Southern Hancock Veterans Memorial. Their leadership ensures the memorial remains a lasting tribute to all who have served.
Tony Cross
President
President: Tony Cross most recently worked for The American Legion National Headquarters as the original manager for the Legion’s Be The One mission, which is an integral part of The American Legion’s efforts to end Veteran suicide. Tony was responsible for all related initiatives, as well as the execution and implementation of the overall Be The One strategy. In addition, he established all training and education programs, and other activities related to the Be The One platform.
Tony is certified in suicide prevention and is currently an instructor through the QPR Institute (Question, Persuade, and Refer), and well as the Columbia Protocol, which was established by Columbia University’s Lighthouse Project that provides a standard of suicide risk assessment and prevention; both programs were essential to the establishment of the Be The One mission.
Tony is an accredited Veterans Service Officer and is dedicated to serving Veterans, as well as their families. Prior being selected to implement the Be The One program, he served as the Appeals Team Lead at the Legion’s Geiger Operations Center (GOC) located at the former Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. The appeals team is responsible for fighting for the rights of the Veteran in front of the Board of Veteran Appeals. Prior to his employment at the Legion’s National Headquarters, Tony was a Veteran Service Officer for The American Legion’s Department of Indiana.
Before his time spent working at The American Legion, Tony served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Operation: Job Ready Veterans, establishing it as a respected non-profit organization that helps Veterans transition to the civilian workforce with career coaching and employment support in Indianapolis. The organization has since expanded to twelve states. Tony’s experience also includes holding several leadership positions within Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development, including Executive Director for REACH, Inc., and the Regional Operator for Region 5. As a Regional Operator, Tony oversaw the workforce system on behalf of the Central Indiana Workforce Board, covering all Central Indiana counties. Tony was also selected by the Governor to serve as the Director of Northern Operations, overseeing the six northern regions. In addition, Tony administered the Veteran’s programs within the Department of Workforce Development.
Tony is a life member of all the prominent Veteran’s organizations and has held both state and national offices in several. Tony was elected as the 40 & 8 Veterans Organization’s 2017-2018 Chef De Gare for Grande Voiture du Indiana, its highest-ranking state officer.
Tony’s passion and purpose have always involved Veterans, their families, and the military communities. Tony served eighteen and a half years in the Marines until a disability required his retirement. He holds a BS degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a master’s degree in management, with a minor in human resources. Tony is a 1979 graduate of New Palestine High School. He and his wife reside just outside of Indianapolis; he is the proud father of two amazing daughters and has four beautiful grandchildren.
Randy Phares
Vice President
Vice President - Randy Phares was born and raised in New Palestine on our roughly 190 year old familly farm that we still operate today. I earned a Bachelors degree from Purdue in Electrical Engineering Technology and have worked in the Municipal Water Industry for 23 years helping build and maintain drinking water and wasterwater facilities throughout Indiana and the midwest. I am married with two wonderful kids, 12 year old daughter and ten year old son. I greatly enjoy being able to honor and support our veterans and military familes through the Foundation and community. Active in the Sons of American Legion and Southern Hancock County Veterans Memorial Foundation.
Linda Fowler
Secretary / Treasurer
Security / Treasurer - Linda Fowler is a retired bilingual teacher. She is a lifelong resident of New Palestine and currently serves on the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 182, The Southern Hancock Veteran’s Memorial Foundation, and the New Palestine Education Foundation. She was a volunteer firefighter/EMT for 25 years. Her grandfather, father and husband served in the military and have inspired her to be involved with veterans, past, present and future who support American freedom and were/are/will be willing to lay down their lives so we can continue to celebrate democracy.
Michael Fowler
Board Member
Michael Fowler is a retired communications specialist from AES, IN. He served as a communications officer with the Indiana State Police for over ten years. He served in the Army and National Guard. He was a volunteer firefighter/EMT for 15 years in New Palestine. He moved to the area 50 years ago. He is a member of the American Legion Post 182. Has served on the Foundation since its inception.
Nola Albrecht
Board Member
Nola Albrecht is a 30 year resident of New Palestine and enjoyed a 35 year career as a Landscape Architect after retiring in 2021. She has been involved with the Veterans Memorial Foundation since its inception and is proud to have designed the Memorial at Sugar Creek Park.
Angela King
Board Member
Angela King is a lifelong resident of the Indianapolis area. Angela retired in 2025 from The American Legion's National Headquarters after nearly 48 years of service. After working in several different divisions through the years, she ended her long-time career in the position of IT/Deputy Director over Member Support Services. Angela has been the President of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 182 in New Palestine since 2024, allowing her to continue her service to Veterans and their families.
Ethan Lawson
Board Member
Ethan Lawson was elected State Representative for District 53, representing much of Hancock County and part of Madison County. In the Indiana House of Representatives, he serves on the Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. A lifelong Hoosier, Lawson learned the value of service to others, hard work, and entrepreneurship while cutting grass, growing and selling crops at farmer's markets and learning a trade in a small town manufacturing business. He worked to pay his way through college at Western Governors University, earning a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business. Lawson has worked for the Indiana National Guard and he and his wife, Holly, are active in serving the community.