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 Yahoo! 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 the wounded military and medical staff.

Barb DeClement, President	Barb DeClement – President Barb DeClement is originally from New Jersey, and retired to Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 2017 with her husband of 27 years. 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 as of March 1, 2019. 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 interested 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.
Katie Baron, Secretary	Katie Baron – Secretary Katie Baron lives in Sussex County, NJ, with her husband Joe. Katie started volunteering for Operation: Quiet Comfort in 2006 and became a board member in 2011. In 2012, Katie’s son joined the US Navy, which made the mission of OQC even more personal.
Cristina Conciatori, Treasurer	Cristina Conciatori – Treasurer 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, Kamryn, who spends most of his days with Grandma. 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 Ellie Williams lives in Sylvania, OH, a suburb of Toledo. She and her husband Leon have 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.

Marlene Green-Chrum	Marlene Green-Chrum Marlene Green-Chrum lives with her husband of 30 years in St. Charles, MO. Together they have a son, currently serving his seventh year in the Air Force, and a teenage daughter. Marlene learned of Operation: Quiet Comfort during a Girl Scout event where quilt blocks were signed. While exploring the website, she learned about the annual holiday packing event and thought this would be a good Mother-Daughter activity while teaching the importance of supporting our troops. Together they have participated in the packing events since 2014.