FOUNDERS

Fred Altman and Tom Lash have combined seniority of over 75 years, with successful business acumen, profitable venture management, and support for US military veterans. They serve as the Directors and Shareholders.  

Fred Altman holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wofford College and brings more than thirty years of experience across banking, project development and management, construction, and insurance. Motivated by a desire to address the challenges faced by homeless veterans in Columbia, SC, Fred witnessed firsthand the severe shortage of affordable housing for U.S. military veterans.

Recognizing that disabled veterans face even greater barriers, Fred founded VAlanthropy, LLC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting homeless veterans. He later enlisted Tom Lash—an accomplished, recently retired leader in veteran workforce programs—to help develop and implement a comprehensive veterans housing project in South Carolina.. 

Tom Lash is a Marine Corps Vietnam-era veteran and a graduate of Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo, Colorado. He recently retired after 28 highly successful years in the staffing industry, including a decade as President and CEO of the $100 million government division of the world’s largest staffing company.

During his leadership, Tom dedicated himself to supporting veterans transitioning out of military service. He developed a long-term, impactful initiative that provided temporary employment opportunities, resource information, and a personal contact helpline for veterans returning from deployment. His efforts helped place more than 6,000 U.S. military veterans in top companies worldwide, enabling them to translate their military training into valuable private-sector experience.