Meet Colonel Ray Blum
Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, Ret. (30 Yrs.); Teacher/Coach/ AD, L.A.U.S.D. (34 Yrs.) Colonel Blum has been on YLA’s Board for four years.
I was a teacher from 1968 to 2006 and in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 2000. As a Teacher I was mostly a P.E. Teacher/Coach/ Athletic Director working with High School students. In 1975 I was involved with the Devil Pups, Inc.–Youth Program for America. As a Liaison Representative (LR) I was able to send young men to the program. I was also the Commandant of Cadets in the California Cadet Corps and a member of the Marine Training Unit (MTU)–Devil Pups. It was the best of both worlds. It provided immediate improvement/development of the cadets that became Devil Pups. Through the years, I became Officer in Charge of all the LR’s (13 years); Encampment Commander (11 years); a Trustee of the organization (45 Years).
Twenty years ago I was working with the Liaison Representatives from Las Vegas /Henderson–Nancy Kearny and her assistant Marie Tomao. Nancy moved away with her husband and her two Marine sons. Marie Tomao took over the program and Blossomed. She developed/created the Youth Leadership Authority which includes the Devil Pups program and created multi-facet programs for Young Americans ages 8 to 21. I joined the YLA Board from its inception to present and will continue as well as I can serve.
Ray Blum
Meet Senator Carrie Buck
Senator Buck is an educator with a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. She has been with YLA for half a year.
My Why has always come from my God who guides me to my purpose and destiny every day. I go where He tells me and I do what He says. When the opportunity presented itself to become involved with an organization that helps guide teens into their future of service to country and others, I felt led to be in service myself and to get involved in something so positively impacting our next generation. God is good and I am so grateful for His words and for His guidance. I only hope to help others get to where He wants them to be.
Thank you,
Carrie
What an inspiring team! Colonel Blum’s experience and Senator Buck’s passion for guiding youth are truly commendable. It’s great to see such dedication to empowering the next generation through YLA. Thank you both for your impactful work!