Susan McConnell
Executive Director
As a lifelong educator, retirement finally afforded me the ability to dedicate the time necessary to build this organization and refine the focus of what we want to accomplish. As a proud Army mom and associated with many active duty, as well as veteran, service members, I believe those folks deserve our undivided attention and support for their dedication and sacrifice for our country. Our primary focus is on service members overseas, to try to proactively address potential issues of isolation and to provide a lifeline and reminder from Americans who truly care about our military and their duty to the greatest nation on Earth!
My three children are grown and all in service to their communities’ – education, first responder and American military.
Other interests include hiking and the outdoors, cooking and traveling the US.
Kristen Albers
Secretary
Kristen Albers spends her days working and problem-solving in the world of education. Outside of that, her time is spent in the great outdoors, with family, raising a puppy, and creating. Her interests include learning, holistic health, and neuropsychology. Mostly, she loves this country and never takes her freedoms for granted. She believes that our American service members deserve more than a lifetime of thanks and HomeFires is one way for us to give back. Kristen has a brother who is active duty as well as other extended family members who serve or are part of the Veteran community.
Sara McConnell
Treasurer
Sara McConnell is a stay-at-home mama of two and is a former Military Spouse. After having served the role of keeping the home fires burning for her own family, Sara has seen the benefits of packages from home, as well as the detriment of another mail day come and gone, with nothing received. This has led Sara to want to be a part of an organization that truly supports those serving in the United States Military and wants every service member to know that, “you are not alone, we are here, we see you and we are eternally grateful for your sacrifice.”
Sara is the treasurer at HomeFires, Inc and currently resides with her husband Kevin, US Navy Veteran, and their two children (Ryan, 9 & Jack, 8) in Albuquerque, NM.
Kelly Rounds
Director
Kelly Rounds is a Patriot. She is a jack of all trades, and a culinary extraordinaire. Living on a farm with her husband, they model the importance of hard work, self-reliance and a reciprocal relationship with the earth. Their two daughters are being raised with a fierce love for God, family and our Country.
Kelly is a sibling to 3 service members and has a deep appreciation for the men & women who have dedicated their lives to fighting for and protecting our freedom
Tom & Mary McConnell
Chair Of The Board
Mary L McConnell, born just after the Great Depression, brightened the world. She married young and had 3 children. Mary completed some college and worked as a cytogeneticist for several years and also volunteered teaching Navajo kids, was the volunteer leader of the week-day Sandia Peak Ski Patrol, was a cub scout den mother, crew chief of Team ZIA hot air balloon team and full-time director of the McConnell home. She has 10 grandchildren, some of whom are active duty or otherwise service connected, and 19 great-grandchildren. She is the continued matriarch of a large extended McConnell family. She has been married to the same guy for 66 years (2022).
Thomas S McConnell, also born a long time ago, married young and fathered 3 children. He received his BS from the University of Wyoming and his MD from the University of Illinois. Upon completion of a rotating internship and pathology residency in Albuquerque, Tom was employed by the University of New Mexico Department of Pathology, and spent 31 years in various positions involving teaching, patient care (laboratory medicine) and clinical research. Tom retired in 1998 which allowed him and Mary to more vigorously pursue their many hobbies such as hunting, fishing, gardening, hiking, reading, horses and various farm animals, and exploring New Mexico and Colorado (and a little bit of Alaska, in terms of a few favorite fishing spots). He has been married to the same gal for 66 years (2022).
Both have a deep appreciation or our US service members and these great United States of America!