About Us

Operation Quiet Comfort is an all-volunteer organization managed by a board of trustees. Members are located around the US and communicate important information in our Google Group and email. Many members hold events in local cities to showcase the organization’s mission, recruit volunteers, create awareness and solicit participation. Other members enjoy participating and working on our projects to benefit our military men and women.

Barb DeClement	Barb DeClement – Treasurer Barb DeClement is originally from New Jersey, and retired to Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 2017. She has been married to her husband, Ken since 1991. Barb has been on the Board of Operation Quiet Comfort since 2013 and is very honored to serve proudly as President of the Board of Directors from March 1, 2019 to February 1, 2022. She is very proud to work with this wonderful organization, that provides comfort and aid, to many of our injured heroes and the wonderful staff that care for them. After receiving her accounting degree, she has worked in corporate tax for over 30 years, including Manhattan, Philadelphia, West Palm Beach and Mechanicsburg, PA. While working for a defense contractor, she became interesting in helping our military. She took a quilting class and fell in love with it. Operation Quiet Comfort helps her with two things she is passionate about, quilting and helping our injured soldiers.

Cristina Conciatori	Cristina Conciatori – IT 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.
Jan Houin	Jan Houin – 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.
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.
Ellie Williams	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.
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.