VVSD Officers

, President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Landis enlisted in the United States Army in 1965. After attending various military schools, he served in Vietnam from 1967 - 1968 as a Platoon Leader and Headquarters Company Commander with the First Battalion Thirty-Fifth Infantry. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1969 with the rank of Captain. He is a native Californian and was formerly employed by Re/Max Ranch & Beach as a Real Estate agent. Mr. Landis became a Board member of Veterans Village of San Diego in 1996, Vice-Chairman in 1997, Chairman in 2001 and Chief Executive Officer in 2007. He currently serves on the national 12-member Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.

, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
An Air Force veteran, Mr. Simpson was previously Director of Community Reintegration for VVSD, and has been associated with VVSD since 1996 when he was hired in the capacity of counselor and employment case manager. He has developed many new and exciting initiatives for VVSD, including the development of the monthly Homeless Court Program, a 150-bed Veteran Winter Shelter, and a Non-Custodial Parent Program in collaboration with San Diego County Department of Child Support Services.

, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Guess brings over 20 years of Executive and Financial management experience as a Senior Military officer and non Profit Executive. As a Navy Supply corps Officer, he served afloat in the Submarine, Aviation and Surface Warfare communities and while assigned ashore advanced to certified subspecialties in Finance, Retail and Logistics. Since retiring from the Navy in 1998, he has served in local community non profit organizations as a Chief Financial Officer and as a Chief Administrator. Mr. Guess became Chief Financial Officer for VVSD in 2008.

, Vice President of Grants and Special Projects
Mr. Siegler has risen from Grant Writer to Operations Manager to Vice President of Grants and Special Projects. Over the years, he has raised more than $60 million for the agency. Mr. Siegler oversees the grant applications for more than 14 separate programs at VVSD.

, Vice President and Facilities Director
During his enlistment in the United States Navy, Mr. Hickman experienced the reality of life and death decisions. Through his own recovery journey at VVSD, he has progressed from resident to his current position of responsibility for all non-clinical aspects of this organization. A licensed building contractor, he is best known to staff and residents alike as the man who makes things happen. Mr. Hickman is most comfortable behind the scenes where he is involved with everything from the basic needs of the residents to the long-term vision of Veterans Village of San Diego.

, Vice President and Director of Employment Services
After graduating from the State University of New York college system with a B.A. in Economics, Mr. Rae enlisted in the US Army as an Infantryman and was Honorably Discharged in 1979. He has been with VVSD since 1994, starting out as an employment case manager. He has successfully managed several US Department of Labor employment and training programs that have provided employment and training services to veterans throughout San Diego County. He currently serves as Vice-Chair for the Veterans Employment Committee of San Diego County.

, Vice President of Communications and Development
Mr. Mitchell has vast experience in the area of communications and fundraising. He is a two-tour Vietnam combat veteran who served as a dog handler with the USAF and founded the Vietnam Dog Handler Association. On his return home from Vietnam, Mr. Mitchell served a field producer for CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite from 1969-1975. In 1976, Mr. Mitchell moved to San Diego where his distinguished television career continued, serving as the News Director at two San Diego television stations, KNSD and KUSI. From 1987-1992 he was the Senior Vice President for the America's Cup '92. From 1998-2006 he was the Director of Communications and Community Involvement for San Diego Unified School District.