Latest news with #LibertyDogs
Business Wire
29-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Liberty Dogs Appoints Major General Ondra L. Berry, Air National Guard, Ret., as Chief Executive Officer
Liberty Dogs ™ is proud to announce the appointment of Major General Ondra L. Berry, Air National Guard, Ret., as its new Chief Executive Officer. Berry brings a distinguished career marked by exceptional leadership skills, a strong commitment to service, and a proven track record in organizational excellence. A flagship initiative of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, Liberty Dogs is a national Service Dog training and placement program for U.S. military Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "We are thrilled to welcome Ondra Berry to Liberty Dogs," said Dave Duffield, Chairman of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation. "His extensive military background, combined with his commitment to strong values, integrity, and creating positive and impactful organizational cultures, makes him the ideal person to lead our team. His vision and enthusiasm will be instrumental to our mission of honoring our nation's veterans who are dealing with PTSD by providing them with a life-changing Service Dog.' Berry's career spans nearly four decades of distinguished service in the Nevada National Guard, where he most recently served as the Adjutant General from 2019 until his retirement in October 2024. In this critical role, he was responsible for developing and executing plans and policies impacting more than 4,700 Nevada Army and Air National Guard personnel. He also oversaw the state and federal missions of the Nevada National Guard and served as the official channel of communication with the National Guard Bureau. Berry enlisted in the Nevada Air National Guard in 1986, was commissioned as a lieutenant four years later, and held numerous positions throughout his tenure. In addition to his military service, Berry dedicated 25 years as an officer in the Reno Police Department, rising to the rank of Assistant Police Chief. He also held the role of Senior Vice President of Learning and Development at MGM Resorts International, showcasing his diverse leadership experience across various sectors. 'This opportunity with Liberty Dogs is a special calling that is made possible by the remarkable dedication of both the Liberty Dogs team and Dave and Cheryl Duffield,' said Berry. 'The Duffields and Liberty Dogs are dispensers of hope for Veterans with disabilities, and the pups we are already training are working hard to give those heroes the freedom to live with dignity and purpose.' Berry's appointment signifies a pivotal moment for Liberty Dogs as it trains puppies and prepares to open its Reno, Nevada, campus in 2026. About Liberty Dogs Liberty Dogs will be among the nation's premier Service Dog training organizations for U.S Veterans living with a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. The program will provide our nation's Veteran heroes with the ability to lead more independent and fulfilling lives through the enhanced emotional and psychological well-being that research shows a Service Dog provides. Liberty Dogs is the vision of Nevada residents Dave and Cheryl Duffield and is fully funded through the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation. The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation (DCDF) continues the Duffield family's commitment to creating and funding transformational services and programs. DCDF focuses on pairing Veterans with PTSD with Service Dogs, expanding access to care for companion animals, and supporting public service organizations in which the founders have personal connections.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here are some of the largest donations made by billionaire NJ native David Duffield
Billionaire Bergen County native David Duffield is not shy about donating large sums of money he has accrued over his lengthy entrepreneurial career. Duffield, who grew up in Ho-Ho-Kus and attended Ridgewood High School, made his latest charitable endeavor earlier this month when he gave $100 million to his alma mater, Cornell University. The donation, the largest in the history of the school's engineering program, will significantly expand Duffield Hall, which was named in his honor two decades ago. Duffield, 84, made his fortune as the founder of six business software companies, including PeopleSoft and Workday. His net worth of $13.8 billion as of Monday places him among the 200 richest people in the world, according to Forbes. Thus, Duffield has no problem sharing his massive wealth, especially with personal organizations and causes that have helped shape his life. Here are some of the other major financial contributions he has made throughout his career. 1994: The Duffield Family Foundation is founded with the goal of "revolutionizing the status and well-being of companion animals," according to the foundation website. Renamed Maddie's Fund in 1999 after the family's late miniature schnauzer, the organization has invested nearly $300 million in development of the animal care industry. 2004: Duffield Hall, the engineering building at Cornell University, is completed after more than three years of work. The facility was named after Duffield in recognition of the "major funding" he provided for its construction. 2016: The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation (DCDF) is founded to focus on support for military veterans and companion animals. The foundation is based in Nevada, where the Duffields now live. 2021: The DCDF gives a $635,000 alumni gift to Ridgewood High School STEAM programs, the largest in the district's history. The donation allows the high school to expand, upgrade and modernize its facilities for future students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and math. 2022: Duffield donates $10 million to Ho-Ho-Kus schools, again the most in district history, for construction of a new gym and wellness center. The facility was unveiled to students in September. 2026: The DCDF's signature project, Liberty Dogs, is expected to open a state-of-the-art, 27-acre facility in Nevada. The initiative provides trained service dogs to veterans with disabilities to help them live independently. This article originally appeared on David Duffield, NJ billionaire, makes large donations. See the list
