About Us

Ken Houin

Ken Houin – President

Ken Houin lives in Plymouth, IN with his wife Jan and has been involved with Operation:  Quiet Comfort since 2006.  As a Purdue graduate and a retired industrial controls electrician along with being an Army veteran of the 529^th Military Police Company, Ken has a vested interest in the military world.

Operation: Quiet Comfort is a perfect match for Ken’s talents and skills when it comes to helping others, especially military personnel and veterans alike.  Between fund raising, packing “Go Bags” and preparing shipments to the troops, Ken is involved with Operation: Quiet Comfort on a daily basis.

Peggy Reynolds

Peggy Reynolds – Vice President

Peggy Reynolds lives in Plymouth, IN with her husband, Mike. They have a grown daughter and a grandson.  Peggy began hearing about Operation: Quiet Comfort when her sister, Jan Houin, became involved. Her first “hands on” experience was when the 2009 Holiday Packing day was held in Plymouth, IN. As all of the packing shifted to Plymouth, Peggy became more involved and committed to taking an active role in coordinating packing events. She has been active in fundraising and sharing the mission of Operation: Quiet Comfort with others to see that the packages of love and comfort continue to reach our injured troops.

Jan Houin

Jan Houin – Purchasing & Shipping Coordinator

Jan Houin lives in Plymouth, IN, with her husband, Ken. They are the parents of 4 children and 10 wonderful grandchildren. Jan has enjoyed a home business as an Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay, Inc. for over 30 years. After joining a local club of Toastmasters International a few years ago, Jan combined her speaking skills and life experience into a speaking business called “Sharing Life’s Lessons.”

In 2006 Jan learned about OQC. With a son in the Navy at that time and a son-in-law in the Army, Jan wanted to do something for our troops but didn’t know what or how. OQC has given her a way to channel that energy. She is willing to share our mission with any size group that will listen, one or thousands, and give others the opportunity to show that a grateful nation truly cares. Jan has been member of OQC since 2007 and a board member since 2008.

Naomi Podlesak

Naomi Podlesak – Treasurer

Naomi Podlesak lives in Plymouth, IN with her husband, Matt, and four children:  Austin, Devon, Ethan, and Emma.  She earned her bachelor in accounting from Valparaiso University, MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, and is currently employed at Marshall County REMC as the CFO.  Additionally, she is on the board of directors for the Bread of Life, Plymouth Wesleyan Daycare, and the vice-regent/registrar with the Tippecanoe River-Wythougan chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Naomi was introduced to Operation: Quiet Comfort at the Plymouth home show around 2014.  She has regularly donated her time to volunteering at the annual dinner, donating in-kind items, and telling others about the organization.

Aimee Blue

Aimee Blue – Secretary

Aimee lives in Warsaw, IN and teaches 3rd grade.  Aimee is the mother of an energetic five year old daughter and is married to a marine.  Chad served during the Iraqi War and was deployed to the front lines twice.  He specialized in demolition and was part of a Sapper Unit.  He is a Purple Heart recipient.  Her family is proud to have all branches of the military covered, except the Coast Guard.  Her parents are both retired Air Force, her sister, Chief Elizabeth Huber, served in the Navy as a Nuclear Engineer, her brother-in-law is a Captain in the Army and currently deployed in Kuwait, step-father served in the Air Force during Vietnam, many uncles, one aunt, and even more cousins have and are serving today.  We are a proud military family and I am so happy to have found this organization so that I can show my support to our military and make a small difference to show gratitude to those that are sacrificing for our country.

Ellie Williams – Web Designer

Ellie Williams lives in Sylvania, OH, a suburb of Toledo. She has two grown children and seven grandchildren of whom she is very proud. A retired graphic designer, Ellie enjoys giving back to her community and nation using the skills she acquired during her working years. She became involved with Operation: Quiet Comfort by answering a posting on Craig’s List for a volunteer graphic designer several years ago and has been working on the newsletter and this site ever since. She is impressed with the totally volunteer organization, how devoted the members are and how hard they work to improve the lives of our military who are serving overseas.

Cristina Conciatori

Cristina Conciatori – IT & Fundraising

Cristina was born and raised outside of New York City and continues to live and work there. She has been teaching science since 2006 after graduating from Boston College. Her discovery of quilting prompted her to look for ways to use her new skills in a positive way and she came across Operation: Quiet Comfort. Since then she has committed herself to the OQC mission. She is excited to be a part of this fantastic organization and hopes to be a part of propelling Operation: Quiet Comfort into the future.

Melissa Gray

Melissa Gray – Board Member