The USO, the nonprofit organization founded in 1941 dedicated to strengthening America’s military by annually keeping millions of service members and their families connected to family, home, and country, announced the appointment of Patrick Fitzhugh as the new Board Chair and Ellen Jimenez as the new Board Vice-Chair of USO Arizona.
It’s a new year and we’re proud to congratulate two great leaders on their new roles with USO Arizona.
Thanks to Patrick and Ellen for carrying the torch and advancing the USO Arizona Board in engaging business executives and community leaders across the state to provide invaluable support, and helping us all to give more than thanks to our military and their brave families.
– USO West President Bob Kurkjian
Joining the USO Arizona Board as Board Chair, Patrick Fitzhugh is the Site Director for USAA’s Regional Office in Phoenix, where he directly supports the Regional Vice President in the execution of local strategies and management of community relationships.
Fitzhugh also supports the Phoenix Regional Office in emergency management, corporate communications, ethics, and is heavily engaged with USAA’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts. He is a Certified Diversity Professional from the National Diversity Council. Fitzhugh joined USAA in March of 2011 in an entry level position and has worked in several areas within insurance and banking.
A third generation military service member, Fitzhugh served in the United States Air Force as a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) Specialist.
As a civilian, Patrick worked in support of the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, and Joint Personnel Recovery Agency as an SME in personnel recovery. Fitzhugh holds a B.S. of Management, MBA-Finance, and M.S. in Leadership.
In addition to Fitzhugh, Ellen Jimenez joins the USO Arizona Board as Vice-Chair. Currently holding the position of Dual Market Director of Sales for the Sonesta ES Suites Tucson and the Sonesta ES Suites Flagstaff, Jimenez has been involved in the Tourism and Hospitality business for over 29 years.
Jimenez is highly involved in the Arizona community holding positions on the Executive Board of the Arizona Bowl, Advisory Board for the University of Arizona Parents & Family Advisory Board, Executive Board for Honor Flight Southern Arizona, Ambassador for the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Commission for City of Flagstaff and Executive Board for the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance.
Jimenez was appointed an Honorary Chief Master Sergeant by Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Desert Lightning Team Chiefs Group.
She previously served as Chairperson of the Military Affairs Committee (MAC) of the Tucson Metro Chamber from 2010-2020 and has served on the MAC since 2007. Jimenez is the founder of and served as President or Commander of the Desert Thunder Squadron, a group established for all Alumni Honorary Commanders of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
She has been the recipient of the Sonoran Spirit Award in 2013 given by the Tucson Metro Chamber, the Women of Influence Award 2016 given by Inside Tucson Business, the 2016 FBI/LULAC Community Service Award, 2016 Community Wingman given by 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 2020 Woman of Influence Finalist Award given by Inside Tucson Business.
We’re thrilled to have Patrick and Ellen join the USO Arizona Board as Chair and Vice-Chair. We look forward to their leadership knowledge and expertise as we celebrate 80 years of supporting our military service members and families stationed in Arizona.
– USO Arizona Executive Director Carla Garcia
Since 1941, the USO has been the only private, nonprofit organization that serves the men and women in the U.S. military and their families throughout their service – from the moment they join, through their deployments and as they transition back to their communities.
To help the USO continue supporting a resilient military, the USO invites the public to join the Force Behind the Forces® to Give More Than Thanks to service members and their families at home and abroad.
To learn more about ways to give more than thanks, visit uso.org/campaign/morethanthanks.
Follow the USO’s Give More Than Thanks campaign and be part of the conversation using the hashtag #morethanthanks.
