American Veterans Center (AVC)

The American Veterans Center (AVC) is an organization whose mission that preserves and promotes the experiences and legacy of United States military veterans and active-duty service personnel. AVC guards the legacy and honors sacrifices made by America’s veterans, from World War II through the present, by producing television and digital specials, documentary programs, public commemorations, and educational programs. 1

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(3), Fiscally Sponsored Project
Project of:

American Studies Center

Formation:

2006

President:

Tim Holbert

President’s Salary (2023):

$187,408 2

Contents

    The American Veterans Center is a project of the American Studies Center, 1 a nonprofit educational organization that conducts nonpartisan analysis and research on the interplay of governmental systems and policies on the private sector. 3

    Activities

    The American Veterans Center aims to guard the legacy of American veterans through education and preservation. AVC’s flagship event, the Annual Veterans Conference and National Youth Leadership Summit, is held in advance of Veterans Day to provide an opportunity for future leaders to meet and learn from distinguished veterans. Through audio and video recordings, AVC has preserved the stories of thousands of American veterans from World War II to the present day which are provided to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. AVC also produces the “Wounded Warrior Experience” for television, an annual program that features inspiring stories of service members recovering from combat injuries and highlights the services available to veterans suffering from post-service mental-health difficulties including post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and suicidal ideation. 1

    The American Veterans Center honors the sacrifice of American veterans through its multimedia programs and events. AVC produces the nation’s largest Memorial Day event, the National Memorial Day Parade on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. The Parade was inaugurated in 2005, draws an estimated 300,000 spectators annually, and salutes America’s fallen heroes. AVC’s “American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes” is an annual television special that salutes the heroes of the last 75 years of American military history. AVC also produces programs and television specials, the podcast Veterans Chronicles, and the publication American Valor Quarterly, all featuring the stories of American veterans. 1

    The World War II Veterans Committee is a project of the American Veterans Center and was launched after the success of the “World War II Chronicles” radio series. The Committee produces a wide range of programs to preserve the legacy of the World War II generation. 4 The Committee also created the World War II High School Curriculum, a comprehensive curriculum accessible to teachers and students intended to supplement the standard curriculum with the important role World War II played in both U.S. and world history. 1

    Funding

    The American Veterans Center is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. While AVC does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from the Robert F. Agostinelli Foundation ($58,626 in 2023), 5 the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation ($50,000 in 2023), 6 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation ($35,000 in 2021). 7

    People

    James C. Roberts is the executive chair of the American Veterans Center and the president of the American Studies Center. Roberts is a former director of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships, is a former political director and executive director of the American Conservative Union, and helped organize the founding conference of the American Legislative Exchange Council and the first Conservative Political Action Conference. 8

    Tim Holbert is the president of AVC. Holbert is the producer of the annual television special “American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes,” producer of the National Memorial Day Parade, and creator of the annual special “The Wounded Warrior Experience.” 9

    Seth Nichols is the vice president of development at AVC. Nichols formerly worked as director of regional development at the Leadership Institute. 10

    Advisory Board

    The Advisory Board of the American Veterans Center is comprised of Board Chair General Richard B. Myers, U.S. Air Force, Ret.; Col. Clarence “Bud” Anderson, U.S. Army Air Corps, Ret.; Gen. Julius Becton, U.S. Army, Ret.; David Bellavia; Col. Bill Davis, U.S. Marine Corps, Ret.; Col. Roger Donlon, U.S. Army, Ret.; Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, U.S. Navy; Kenneth Fisher, chair and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation; Admiral Edmund Giambastiani, U.S. Navy, Ret.; Ernesto Hernandez, U.S. Air Force, Ret.; J. Bruce Huffman, chair of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society; Capt. W. Brian Jackson, U.S. Army; Capt. Stephen Maguire, U.S. Army, Ret.; Rear Admiral Thomas F. Marfiak, U.S. Navy, Ret.; Marco A. Martinez, USMC; Jonathan Moak, former principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army; Bruce Mosler, chair of the Veterans Initiative Program at Cushman & Wakefield; Lt. Gen. Dave Palmer, U.S. Army, Ret.; Colonel Robert W. Patrick, previous director of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project; Harry J. Pearce, U.S. Air Force; Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie, U.S. Air Force, Ret.; Vice Admiral Ann Rondeau, U.S. Navy; Barry Steelman, Esq., U.S. Navy; CPT Kevin Wensing, U.S. Navy, Ret.; Col. Warren H. Wiedhahn, USMC, Ret.; MSgt. Rob Wilkins, U.S. Air Force, Ret.; and Jeremiah Workman, USMC. 11

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    References

    1. “About Us.” American Veterans Center. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://americanveteranscenter.org/about/.
    2. American Studies Center, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023, Part VII, Section A, Line 1a.
    3. “Home.” American Studies Center. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://amstudiescenter.org/.
    4. “World War II Veterans Committee.” American Veterans Center. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://americanveteranscenter.org/vet-committees/wwii-veterans/.
    5. Robert F. Agostinelli Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2023, Part XV, Line 3.
    6. [1] Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2023, Part XV, Line 3.
    7.  Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2021, Schedule I, Part II.
    8. “Biography of James C. Roberts.” American Veterans Center. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://americanveteranscenter.org/about/message-from-the-executive-chairman/james-roberts/.
    9. “Tim Holbert.” IMDB. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3040478/bio/.
    10. “Seth Nichols.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-nichols-1a0191b/.
    11. “Advisory Board.” American Veterans Center. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://americanveteranscenter.org/about/advisory-board/.