Our Board of Directors & Staff

Chris Montz

President
Sr. Loan Officer
Edge Home Finance

About Chris

I have served on the board of Alabama Veteran since the beginning in 2017. I have learned a lot and learn new things every day. I come from a family of veterans, my father retired Air Force 2 grandfathers that were WW2 veterans and an uncle who has all now passed. So it is an honor and privilege to help serve those who have served us. I am a seasoned mortgage professional and dedicated veteran advocate based in Birmingham, Alabama. With over two decades of experience in the mortgage industry specializing in VA home loans.

Chris ‘Elroy’ Stricklin

Vice President
Air Force Colonel (ret)
Business Executive & Motivational Speaker

About Elroy

Retired Air Force Colonel Chris ‘Elroy’ Stricklin is a business executive and three-time bestselling leadership author as well as a highly sought after motivational keynote speaker. He is a passionate veteran advocate focusing on the mental health of those who served and their families. During his 23-year military career, his assignments ranged from the F-15C, AF Thunderbird Solo, DARPA, White House to the Pentagon with air combat in Iraq and Ground Combat in Afghanistan. A native of Alabama, he is married to his high school sweetheart, Terri, and together they have four children.

Jesse Elders

Secretary
US Navy Reserves

About Jesse

Jesse is an Insurance and Operations professional with a background in Claims. Navy Seabee Veteran, currently still in operation in Naval Reserves.

Dylan Angeline

Parliamentarian
Corporate Counsel
Community Health Systems

About Dylan

An Air Force veteran, Dylan Angeline practices as an attorney specializing in business litigation, health care advisory services, and medical malpractice defense at the Birmingham office of Hall, Booth, Smith, PC.

Dylan has also served as a senior health policy analyst in Washington, DC, where he led development for national health care practitioner scopes of practice and pandemic responses. Additionally, he also served on the UAB Strategic Planning Council, advising on and collaborating with the office of general counsel to navigate state certificate of need requests, telehealth implementation, and other regulatory matters.

Dylan earned his Juris Doctor from Samford University, and has two Masters from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Dylan acts as director for the non-profit organization Alabama Veteran and Dovetail Landing, which provide behavioral health counseling, skills training, and targeted financial assistance to recently discharged service members and veterans.

James “Mike” Oakley

Board Member
Mayor
Centreville, AL

About Mike

Mike Oakley is the current Mayor of Centreville, Alabama, having been elected in 2020. His election followed legislative changes that granted municipal officials a five-year term. A Centreville native, Oakley has lived in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Virginia and served three years on active military duty.

Key Achievements:

Military Service: Oakley served nearly 40 years in the Alabama Army National Guard, including three years on active duty with three deployments, and retired as Command Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Education and Career: Oakley graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in journalism/public relations and was a letterman in Track and Field. His career spans journalism, public relations, economic development, athletic administration at the University of Montevallo, and public relations with Alabama Power, where he later became a liaison for government relations.

Public Service in Education: Elected to the Bibb County Board of Education in 1998, Oakley served as president for most of his 23 years. He advocated for education policies at the state and national levels and held leadership roles in the Alabama Association of School Boards, including as District Director and State President-Elect.

Military Advocacy: As State President of the Enlisted Association of the Alabama National Guard, Oakley spent six years advocating for military benefits and worked with policymakers in Montgomery and Washington, D.C.

Mayoral Leadership: Since being elected Mayor in 2020, Oakley has embraced the opportunity to serve his community. During his tenure, he has relied on his extensive network to guide the development of Centreville.

Municipal Leadership & Awards: Oakley has been active in various organizations, including the Alabama League of Municipalities, the West Alabama Planning Agency, and others. He participated in the prestigious Phillip Morris Mayor’s Design Summit and was awarded the Advanced Municipal Officers award by the Alabama League of Municipalities. He was elected to the board of the Alabama City-County Managers Association in 2021 and became Vice President of the West Alabama Mayors Association and the League of Municipalities Board of Directors in 2023.

Current Leadership Roles: In 2024, Oakley joined the Alabama Power Eneregizers (Retirees) Board and was recently elected President of the West Alabama Mayors Association.

Mike Oakley’s distinguished career in military service, education, business, and local government reflects his unwavering commitment to public service and leadership.

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