President-CAPT Arne Nelson, USN (Ret)

CAPT Arne Nelson (LTM 4 / RW # 13762) flew H-53s in HM-12, HM-16 (plank owner), HM-12 FRS, HC-4 (plank owner), HM-12 Sea Det and HC-2 (plank owner).  He commanded HC-4 during the first Gulf War and commanded NAS Sigonella.  Staff tours included USACOM J3 (EA), OPNAV N312 (Current Joint Ops and Plans), and Chief of Staff, US Naval Forces Europe.  Navy schools include the Armed Forces Staff College, the Naval War College , and Harvard University’s National Security Fellowship.  After the 31 years in the Navy, Arne spent 12 years in not for profit before joining the NHA Scholarship Fund. 

CAPT Arne Nelson, USN (Ret) is the NHA Scholarship President.

Vice President Operations

CAPT Todd Vandegrift, USN (Ret.)

execvp@nhascholarshipfund.org

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President, Scholarships-Nancy Ruttenberg

vpscholarships@nhascholarshipfund.org

Nancy Ruttenberg MSN, RN

Nancy Ruttenberg, a native of Hollywood, Florida, is the daughter of a former Naval Aviator and an Elementary School Educator. While her formative years were spent in sunny Florida, she opted to attend college in New England because everyone knows the best sports teams are in Boston. Nancy attended Boston College from 1988-1992 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She began her nursing career at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Over the past 29 years, Nancy has worked as a Pediatric Nurse in various settings. Nancy holds a Masters in Nursing Education from Western Governors University. She most recently was an Adjunct Professor of Pediatric Nursing for George Washington University School of Nursing.

Nancy has had the privilege of raising one husband and two fabulous daughters. She met her husband, Eric, (an H-46 pilot and RDML USN) while on Spring Break in San Diego. They have been married for over 28 years. Their elder daughter, Caroline, is a graduate of the College of Charleston and an Elementary School Educator for the Classical Charter Schools of the South Bronx. She resides in Manhattan. Their younger daughter, Julia, graduated from Boston College.  She is a SWO stationed in the Norfolk.

Nancy currently serves as the Honorary Chairperson of NOSC San Diego, SandDollar Flag Advisor, CSLC Reserve Flag Advisor, and CORE San Diego Flag Advisor.

 

 

 

 

NHA Trustee/NHASF Adviser

CAPT Jim Toone, USN (Ret.)

CAPT Jim Toone (Ret) (LTM# 63 RW# 10498) flew the UH-1B in HA(L)-3 (540 combat missions); SH 3s in HS 1, HS-5, & HS-9 (XO/CO tour 1982-1984). Staff tours: COMNAVAIRLANT (Helicopter Training & Readiness); OPNAV 130C (Manpower & Training); Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC).  Ship tour: Navigation Officer USS AMERICA (CV-66); Education: Naval War College. Following retirement from active duty in 1995, Jim served as Director of Operations & Information Technology at JFSC until 2008 and as the Hampton Roads Site Manager for Enterprise Management Systems, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, until 2013. Prior to joining the NHA Scholarship Fund, he was an outreach volunteer for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF)—founders of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial—also known as The Wall.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President, Finance-CDR Greg Knudson, USN

vpfinance@nhascholarshipfund.org

 

 

 

 

 

Corresponding Secretary-LT Caleb Derrington, USN

secretary@nhascholarshipfund.org

Caleb “gump” Derrington is the Corresponding Secretary for the NHA Scholarship Fund. He is a US Navy Lieutenant and Instructor Pilot at HSC-3, the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the MH-60S in San Diego, CA. Before HSC-3, he deployed twice in the Pacific with the HSC-25 Island Knights aboard USS Bonhomme Richard and USNS Charles Drew. Caleb earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) within Biochemistry from Lyon College with follow-on degrees from the University of Central Arkansas. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, spending time with his wife Christina, and arguing about college football with his chihuahua, Blue Derrington.

 

 

 

CFC/Special Projects-LT Joe Brown, USN