Leadership

Richard VanHouten Jr. founded Veterans Support Organization following a serious truck accident, turning a misfortune into a veterans organization that provides employment and grant programs to the indigent and needy.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., VanHouten joined the United States Army as a Watercraft Engineer in 1984. He served with the 5th Transportation Company (HB) in Hawaii before transferring to Ft. Eustis, Va. in 1988, where he completed his term until receiving an honorable discharge in 1991.

Upon leaving the military, he took a position as a sales executive for Schwan’s Food Company, a major privately held company in the United States. He worked there until 1996 when a serious truck accident forced him into retirement.

His life at a crossroads, VanHouten decided to help other struggling veterans.

He began raising money for a veterans organization when he was inspired by an idea: why not assist other veterans at a turning point in their lives and instill in them the same pride and purpose that motivated him to give back?

And so, Veterans Support Organization was born.

Today, VanHouten runs the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit agency with the administrative support of his wife, Michelle.

The couple celebrated their silver anniversary in 2011. They met in Hawaii where Michelle was also serving in the Army as a Watercraft Engineer at 5th Transportation Company (HB). Richard and Michelle have four children, Ciara, Laura, Brianna and Jacob.