Council
The Council oversees and advises the Board.
Marianne Liggett Merriam, Chair (Daughter of of ex-POW 2nd Lt. Francis Eugene Liggett)
Marianne Merriam is a retired Landscape Architect and Master Gardener. As President, she ran her landscape architectural design firm for 16 years in southern CA. She was a licensed landscape architect in both California and Nevada, working in multiple states in the US, the Caribbean, and China. Her expertise was in commercial and residential housing, mid-rise structures, estates, parks, and urban design projects. As both a proponent and advisor, she made frequent proposals and presentations to city, state, and federal-level governmental agencies. In 2010 she retired and moved to Reno, NV with her husband and their four horses. In Reno, she served as a member, President, Secretary, and Director at Large for the non-profit 501(c)3 Northern Nevada Horsemanship Association. She loves to travel and is active in equestrian and water sports. In September 2019 she was invited to serve on the Artifacts Committee for Friends of Oflag 64 and was an active member in helping gather, research, catalog, and ship artifacts to Szubin, Poland for use in the Szubin POW Camps Museum. In 2023 she joined the Executive Council of the Polish-American Foundation and now serves as Chairman.
Marianne Merriam is a retired Landscape Architect and Master Gardener. As President, she ran her landscape architectural design firm for 16 years in southern CA. She was a licensed landscape architect in both California and Nevada, working in multiple states in the US, the Caribbean, and China. Her expertise was in commercial and residential housing, mid-rise structures, estates, parks, and urban design projects. As both a proponent and advisor, she made frequent proposals and presentations to city, state, and federal-level governmental agencies. In 2010 she retired and moved to Reno, NV with her husband and their four horses. In Reno, she served as a member, President, Secretary, and Director at Large for the non-profit 501(c)3 Northern Nevada Horsemanship Association. She loves to travel and is active in equestrian and water sports. In September 2019 she was invited to serve on the Artifacts Committee for Friends of Oflag 64 and was an active member in helping gather, research, catalog, and ship artifacts to Szubin, Poland for use in the Szubin POW Camps Museum. In 2023 she joined the Executive Council of the Polish-American Foundation and now serves as Chairman.
G. Thomas (Tom) Cobb (Son of ex-POW 2nd Lt. George Alva Cobb)
Prior to his retirement, Tom Cobb worked in sales and marketing in health care, with specific experience in the area of orthopedic products used in surgical interventions. In his 30 plus years in the device industry, Tom held Director Level positions in both the domestic and international markets. He graduated from Limestone College, Gaffney, SC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.
Prior to his retirement, Tom Cobb worked in sales and marketing in health care, with specific experience in the area of orthopedic products used in surgical interventions. In his 30 plus years in the device industry, Tom held Director Level positions in both the domestic and international markets. He graduated from Limestone College, Gaffney, SC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.
Jan Stanisllaus Karcz
Jan Karcz retired after 41 years of service in the United States Government. He served over 14 years in the Intelligence Community at CIA and in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Prior to joining CIA, he served over 26 years in the Army. Jan’s parents were both prisoners of war during World War II. His father served in the French Army and was held at Stalag IV B and his mother was a prisoner at Strafflager VI C after having fought in the Warsaw 1944 Uprising. His paternal grandfather was executed at Auschwitz on Jan 25th, 1943. As a member of the Council, Jan will honor the sacrifices and memories of the prisoners held there, his parents, and grandparents.
Jan Karcz retired after 41 years of service in the United States Government. He served over 14 years in the Intelligence Community at CIA and in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Prior to joining CIA, he served over 26 years in the Army. Jan’s parents were both prisoners of war during World War II. His father served in the French Army and was held at Stalag IV B and his mother was a prisoner at Strafflager VI C after having fought in the Warsaw 1944 Uprising. His paternal grandfather was executed at Auschwitz on Jan 25th, 1943. As a member of the Council, Jan will honor the sacrifices and memories of the prisoners held there, his parents, and grandparents.
Robert Taylor Thompson, Jr. (Son of ex-POW 1st Lt. Robert T. Thompson)
Robert Thompson is a registered professional engineer, with 35 years experience in the water infrastructure domestic and international market sector. He has served in various operations and technology development roles, including Global Technology Leader for general industrials and Global Solutions Director for industrial water with his current employer. Robert holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Robert Thompson is a registered professional engineer, with 35 years experience in the water infrastructure domestic and international market sector. He has served in various operations and technology development roles, including Global Technology Leader for general industrials and Global Solutions Director for industrial water with his current employer. Robert holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
George Patton Waters (Pat) (Son of ex-POW Lieutenant Colonel John K. Waters)
After serving in the United States Navy, Pat established Waters Investments, LLC which owns and operates commercial and residential properties. He is active in his community and throughout the world serving on boards such as the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, and as a Team member, Liberation Festival Plzen in the Czech Republic. Pat is the grandson of General George S. Patton.
After serving in the United States Navy, Pat established Waters Investments, LLC which owns and operates commercial and residential properties. He is active in his community and throughout the world serving on boards such as the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, and as a Team member, Liberation Festival Plzen in the Czech Republic. Pat is the grandson of General George S. Patton.
Founder
Cindy Sharpe Burgess (Daughter of ex-POW 2nd Lt. Wilbur Blaine Sharpe, Jr.)
A military spouse and former educator, Cindy is a Past President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Assistance League® and served on their national Board of Directors. Cindy received a BS in Education from the University of Maryland.
A military spouse and former educator, Cindy is a Past President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Assistance League® and served on their national Board of Directors. Cindy received a BS in Education from the University of Maryland.