Building the Future with our Veteran Community
Serving those who served!
WHAT WE DO
Communitas Veterans Agency (CVA) is entering a pivotal period of stabilization and strategic growth as we expand our presence in Prince George’s County and across the National Capital Region. With renewed leadership momentum and strengthened operations, CVA is well positioned to build partnerships, secure sustainable funding, and establish a permanent operating footprint that advances our mission to support veterans, their families, and the broader community.
We are committed to empowering veterans with access to the disability benefits they have earned, banking resources, personalized financial literacy, and a digital financial coaching experience. Our programs also provide leadership development and coaching to help veterans transition into the private sector, STEM‑based workforce training, and the development of high‑quality housing for seniors and veterans throughout Prince George’s County.
Guided by our three‑pillar service model — housing support and homelessness prevention, workforce development and financial empowerment, and community partnerships — CVA delivers wraparound services that promote stability, independence, and long‑term self‑sufficiency. Signature initiatives include exploring a veteran‑centered housing development in southern Prince George’s County and the Bowie Town Center area, as well as deepening engagement with American Legion posts and key stakeholders through targeted outreach and collaborative programming.
With a clear strategy, active funding pursuits, and a mission‑driven team, CVA is prepared and enthusiastic about partnering with leaders across the region to deliver impactful, veteran‑focused services and create meaningful pathways to business ownership, economic mobility, and community reintegration.
Career & Workforce Development
CVA helps veterans identify meaningful career paths that align with their skills, experience, and long‑term goals. Through personalized coaching, resume and interview preparation, job‑readiness training, and direct employer connections, we support veterans in securing stable, fulfilling employment. Whether transitioning from military service or seeking advancement in a civilian career, veterans receive the guidance and tools needed to confidently take their next step.
Vocational & Technical Training
We connect veterans to high‑quality vocational and technical training programs that open doors to higher‑earning, in‑demand careers. From skilled trades to industry certifications, CVA ensures veterans have access to the education and hands‑on training required to compete in today’s workforce. Our goal is to help veterans build new skills, strengthen their earning potential, and enter fields where their discipline and experience give them a competitive edge.
Business Creation Support
CVA empowers veterans to turn their experience, ideas, and leadership into successful businesses. We provide guidance on business planning, licensing, branding, marketing, and operational setup—helping veterans move from concept to launch with confidence. Whether starting a small business, pursuing government contracting, or scaling an existing venture, our support equips veteran entrepreneurs with the structure, strategy, and resources needed to thrive.
Financial Wellness with VetCents
Financial stability is the foundation of long‑term independence. Through our VetCents program, veterans learn essential money‑management skills, including budgeting, credit building, debt reduction, and long‑term financial planning. We help veterans gain clarity, confidence, and control over their finances so they can build a secure future for themselves and their families.
Meet The Team
Deborah Martinez
Executive Director
Deborah Martinez is a seasoned nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across national and international organizations, having served as CEO, Managing Director, Executive Director, and Senior Director of Professional Development and Conferences, where she oversaw strategy and more than 55 global meetings annually. Guided by values instilled by her mother, Deborah has dedicated her career to expanding access, uplifting underrepresented communities, and building programs that create meaningful impact, earning recognition such as the Essence Hero Award during COVID‑19 and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education’s Top Women in Higher Education distinction in 2013. Her expertise spans nonprofit management, large‑scale conference strategy, professional development, and collaborative educational initiatives that bridge mainstream and underserved populations, all grounded in her commitment to lead with purpose, compassion, and a drive to make the world better.
E. René Soulé
Board Chair
René is a Certified Louisiana Economic Development Graduate through the Small Business Development Center, a Project Management Specialist, a nonprofit subject‑matter expert, and a registered federal contractor with more than 25 years of public‑private organizational management and leadership development experience. A proven business leader with an entrepreneurial spirit, he excels at identifying opportunities and transforming them into strategic advantages for the organizations he serves. His background includes service as a Federal Government Inspector General Auditor and a Faith‑Based Community Initiatives Training Officer, bringing a blend of vision, discipline, and mission‑driven passion to every role he undertakes.
Henry C. Turner, Jr.
Advisor
Henry is dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans and Prince Georgians through economic empowerment, job creation, and business ownership. A Gulf War combat veteran and former U.S. Army officer, he served in high‑level roles including Operations Officer for the Defense Logistics Agency in Saudi Arabia, a Pentagon Joint Staff Intern under General Colin Powell, and Military Assistant to senior defense leaders such as The Honorable Dick Cheney and The Honorable Robert M. Walker. Over his 21‑year military career, he earned numerous honors, including two Legion of Merit Medals and a Bronze Star. Henry later founded Turner & Associates, LLC, chaired the inaugural Prince George’s County Veterans Commission, and served on multiple regional boards and military service academy review panels. A life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, he holds an engineering degree from West Point, an MBA from Babson College, and is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the Defense Systems Management College.
Robert Magruder
Vice President | Treasurer
Robert has built a distinguished career in local government operations, where he implemented and oversaw critical policy controls to safeguard physical assets and ensure their effective use, including supervising major projects within the Montgomery County Department of Highway Maintenance. A U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran who served with MACV from 1969 to 1970, he helped train South Vietnamese Regional and Popular Forces in defense operations. Robert has also supported countless veterans in securing the disability benefits they earned. His civilian leadership includes serving as Logistics Manager for the DCHA Occupied Unit Renovation Program, where he established and managed a central warehouse for renovation supplies, and as Transportation Officer for the DCHA, overseeing vehicle acquisition, disposal, maintenance, budgeting, and fleet operations—including the DCHA Police force.
Rosalind Wright
Secretary
Rosalyn brings more than 45 years of distinguished military and federal service, recognized throughout her career for exceptional administrative leadership and dedication. She earned multiple Meritorious Service Medals in the military and Outstanding Performance Awards as a federal employee. Much of her military tenure centered on executive support for Base and Wing Commanders, leadership roles as a Branch Chief, and service in the Inspector General’s Office, where she helped resolve complaints and identify fraud, waste, and abuse. Her federal career continued with impactful contributions in collaboration, team building, and implementing new initiatives that strengthened operations and delivered meaningful results.
Ivy Gardner
Chief Program Officer
As Chief Program Officer of Communitas Veterans Agency (CVA), Ivy Gardner brings a powerful blend of executive leadership, operational strategy, and creative direction to the organization’s mission of empowering veterans and their families. With experience spanning corporate operations, program development, and entrepreneurship, she leads CVA’s initiatives in business creation, workforce development, financial empowerment, and veteran economic mobility. Ivy also designed CVA’s full visual identity—including the logo, branding system, printed and digital materials, and the organization’s website—which she continues to maintain and evolve. Known for her clarity, strategic vision, and commitment to service, she ensures CVA’s programs are structured, impactful, and aligned with the evolving needs of the veteran community.
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