Tom Hudner III was born at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland (now called Walter Reed National Military Medical Center), while his father was still on active duty with the Navy and assigned to the Pentagon.  In 1973, his father retired from the Navy and the family moved from Alexandria, Virginia, to Concord, Massachusetts. 

Hudner grew up in Concord and went to school there, then attended Connecticut College where he captained the varsity lacrosse and soccer teams, and after graduation lived in Hawaii and then California.

In 2001, he moved back to his hometown of Concord, MA, along with his native Californian fiancée, and began work in fundraising at Middlesex School, an independent high school.

Since that time, Hudner has worked in nonprofit fundraising, primarily in education and healthcare, most recently serving as the Chief Development Officer at Boston MedFlight, the region’s primary provider of critical care medical transport by air and ground.  

Hudner’s late father, CAPT Thomas Hudner, Jr., USN (Ret), was a naval aviator and recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Korean War. Captain Hudner’s Medal of Honor action involved deliberately crash-landing his Corsair in the mountains of North Korea in a valiant attempt to save his wingman, Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the nation’s first Black naval aviator, who had been shot down behind enemy lines in the area of the Chosin Reservoir.

His father’s heroic act, and his lifetime of selfless service and sacrifice, have served as inspiration for Hudner throughout his life, and he feels fortunate to have the opportunity to blend his professional experience with the mission and values of the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership. He feels strongly that we all — regardless of age, gender, race, or vocation — can be inspired to strive to serve selflessly and to put the needs of others above our own, as exemplified by the recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Hudner lives in Concord, MA with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, where he is active as a youth sports coach and volunteer.

Andy Bestwick is a Development Officer with extensive experience in fundraising, including his current role at the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership and previous work in healthcare. In addition to fundraising, Andy leads strategic initiatives to expand organizational programs, such as a pilot project providing leadership training to the Henderson Fire Department. A resident of Henderson, NV, Andy is deeply committed to community engagement. He founded the Allegiant Air Cycling Team and established 3 Feet for Pete, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting cycling safety. While living on the island of Kaua‘i, Andy collaborated with several non-profits and served as a Police Commissioner.

The National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to equipping individuals with the leadership skills and inspiration drawn from the extraordinary lives of Medal of Honor recipients. Guided by the belief that “Leaders are Made, Not Born,” we aim to inspire selflessness, integrity, and unity during times of need. As part of this mission, we are partnering with the Henderson Fire Department to host two impactful training sessions on January 15th and 16th: Building High-Trust, High-Performing Teams: Overcoming Challenges Through Core Values. These workshops will feature the inspiring stories of Medal of Honor recipients Earl Plumlee and Leroy Petry, offering participants practical tools for building trust, fostering accountability, and achieving team success through core values like courage and integrity.

Stephanie Wheeler is the Manager of the Fisher House and will address the Sun City Anthem Veterans Group on April 8, 2025.  She will provide valuable insight of her organization's mission and how they support our veterans in their time of need. She received the Citizen of the Year award from the Las Vegas Elks Lodge #1468!  This was awarded for her loyal and continued dedication to the welfare of the Las Vegas Veteran community.

The national non-profit Fisher House expanded to Las Vegas, Nevada in March of 2015. Construction was completed in 2016, a year later. The new Fisher House for military families supports a loved one hospitalized for wounds, injuries, or illnesses while undergoing treatment at the VA. The new 13,000 sq. ft. Fisher House joins the network of more than 60 existing Fisher Houses throughout the country and in Europe. The home features 16-suits and offers welcoming common areas including a well-appointed kitchen; large communal living, dining and family rooms, and patio.

The Fisher House address is:

6900 N. Pecos Rd.
North Las Vegas NV 89509