Organization and Staff

Jari Villanueva, Director

Director Jari Villanueva retired from the United States Air Force where he spent 23 years with The USAF Band in Washington DC. While in the Air Force he was the Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of The USAF Band’s State Funeral Plans and was the NCOIC of the command post at Andrews AFB which oversaw the arrival and departure ceremonies for the late Presidents Reagan and Ford. Villanueva participated in a variety of ceremonies and concerts in the Washington, D.C. area, such as state arrivals at the White House, full honor arrivals for foreign dignitaries at the Pentagon, retirement and award ceremonies and special ceremonies involving a solo bugler. He participated in well over 5,000 ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, served as an assistant drum major leading The USAF Ceremonial Brass in funerals at Arlington and also served as a Chaplains assistant and escort for Arlington Ladies for 200+ missions. He was responsible for all the music performed by the USAF Bands for state funerals. His arrangement of Goin’ Home has been played at many prominent ceremonies including the disinterment ceremony of the Vietnam Unknown at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and was a requested selection at the funeral of President Ronald Reagan in June 2004 and the funeral of President Gerald R. Ford in January 2007. Between 1998-2002 Villanueva created a display at Arlington National Cemetery highlighting the history of the military bugler. He was responsible for moving the bugle used at President John F. Kennedy’s funeral from the Smithsonian to Arlington where it is currently on display.

His military awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon. He was named the USAF Band Senior NCO of the 2nd Quarter in 2006. He is an honorary member of the USAF Honor Guard.

Director Villanueva is a graduate of the Baltimore Public School system and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1978 from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. In 1984 he received a Master of Music degree from Kent State University, Ohio. He is also a 2006 graduate of the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.

Villanueva is a member of the American Legion Post 109 in Arbutus, Maryland, the Air Force Musicians Association, the Maryland Military Historical Society, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and an associate member of the Society of the Honor Guard – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He is married to Heather Faust and resides in Catonsville, Maryland.

Dominic Boyd, Deputy Director

Dominic D. Boyd is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated Forest Park Senior High School in 1996 and joined the Army National Guard later that year. He served in the Army National Guard as Armorer for the 2nd 110th Field Artillery unit located at the Pikesville Armory until January 2005 when he transferred to the Air National Guard, where he currently serves with the 175th LRS Wing.

Mr. Boyd joined the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard in December 1998, where he served as an Honor Guard Technician. He was later promoted to supervisor for the Western Area. In October 2001, he was promoted to the Manager of the Western Area. He served in that capacity for approximately seven years and in the absence of a Deputy Director, was appointed Acting Deputy Director. Mr. Boyd was promoted to Deputy Director in March 2008.

In his years with the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard, Mr. Boyd has served as the Chief of Training and Standardization. In his military and Honor Guard careers, he has received numerous awards and medals. Post 9/11, Mr. Boyd was mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle. He has also been involved in the training of active duty personnel from Ft. Meade and other states to perform military funeral honors.

His awards include the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device, the Army Service Ribbon, the Maryland Outstanding Unit Ribbon, the Maryland National Guard Service Medal, the Maryland National Guard Ribbon and the Honor Guard Badge.

Mr. Boyd is happily married and is the proud and loving father of one son. In his leisure, he enjoys fishing, working out and is an avid participant in a number of softball and flag football leagues.

Mr. Boyd’s philosophy is that both a person who thinks they can’t and a person who thinks they can are both right, the question is…which one are you?

Harry A. Capaldi, CMSgt (Ret), Federal Coordinator

Chief Master Sergeant Harry Anthony Capaldi was selected by Lieutenant General James F. Fretterd, Maryland's Adjutant General, to serve as the fifth Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Maryland Air National Guard. Chief Capaldi's tenure as Senior Enlisted Advisor began November 5, 1994.

Chief Capaldi was born January 9,1938 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Mergenthaler High School in Baltimore, Maryland. He continued his education, receiving an AA Degree in Business Management from Essex Community College and an Associate Degree in Propulsion Technology through the Community College of the Air Force.

Chief Capaldi began his military career with the Air Force on February 13, 1955. He attended basic military training at Lackland AFB, TX and Jet Engine Technical School at Chanute AFB, Illinois. Upon completion of both schools, he was assigned to the 42nd Bomb Wing (SAC), Loring AB, Maine. There he worked as a Jet Engine Mechanic on B36's and KC97's until the Wing converted to B52's and KC135's. In addition, he completed J57 Jet Engine School and Physiological Air Crew Training at Pease AB, New Hampshire.

In 1959, Chief Capaldi was honorably discharged from the Air Force he enlisted in the Maryland Air National Guard.

Chief Capaldi was assigned to the Quality Control Section of the 175th Tactical Fighter Group at Cannon AB, Mexico. In 1972, Chief Capaldi retrained and attended formal Non Destructive Inspection School at Convair Aircraft Company, San Diego, California. He was selected as the Non-Destructive Inspection Shop Supervisor until 1979, when he became Aerospace Systems Section Supervisor. He kept this position until 1986, when he became the Flightline Maintenance Branch Chief (1985 to 1995). Chief Capaldi is a graduate of the Airman Leadership School, the Non-Commisssioned Academy and the Senior Non-Commissioned Academy.

Chief Capaldi's Federal military awards and decorations in AF are the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal one device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two devices, Good Conduct Medal, Air Reserve Forces Mertiorious Service Medal with eight devices, Armed Forces Reserve medal with two devices, Nato Medal operations to former Yugoslavia, Honor Guard Ribbon, Distingushed Unit Ribbon, NCO Graduation Ribbon one device, Small Arms Markmanship Ribbon, and the AF Training Ribbon.

Chief Capaldi's State of Maryland military award decorations include the State of Maryland Meritorious Service with two devices, State of Maryland Commmendation Medal, Maryland National Guard Overseas Service Ribbon with one device, and the Maryland Air National Guard Outstanding Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year 1989.

Chief Capaldi completed his military career on January 9,1998 with over 42 years of dedicated military service to his Country and the State of Maryland.

Milton (Spike) Schnitzker, Public Affairs

Milton L Schnitzker, known to his many, many friends as "Spike," enlisted in the military in 1955 and has served for 42 continuous years. He served tours of duty in the Army and Air Force National Guard, and Navy Reserves. Spike’s long time involvement with the military and his experience has been an asset to him in his position as Deputy Director, Public Affairs, of the Maryland Military Department Honor Guard. He has many friends in state government and enjoys working in Annapolis during session always looking out for the military.

Steven Vesek, Assistant to the Federal Coordinator

William Zeller, Training and Standards Chief

William M. Zeller was born and raised in Fullerton, MD. He joined the Maryland Army National Guard in February 1957 and served in Army Aviation as an enlisted soldier until 1975, then as a warrant officer until retirement in September 1998. Mr. Zeller started with the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard in October 1998 as a western area technician/supervisor then as manager. He then served as northern area manager until retiring in 2003 and is currently working as a part time employee in the capacity of Training and Standardization Chief.

Paul Miller, Inventory Control Specialist

Paul Miller enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in May 1975 and served until June 1981. He enlisted in the Maryland National Guard (MDNG ) in July 1983 and was assigned to the communications section of the 2-110th Field Artillery. He served as an Assistant Training NCO for the Headquarters Battery (AGR) from 1983 to 1985, Communications Chief for IDT weekends and the Training NCO for Alpha Battery 2-110th Field Artillery from 1985 to 1987 (AGR) and Supply NCO for the Headquarters Battery from 1987 to 1999 (AGR) and IDT. He retired from the MDNG in 1999.

He has received numerous awards and his military decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal and the Saint Barbara award (Highest Artillery Award) from the National Guard.

Mr. Miller joined the MDNG Honor Guard in July 2000 and serves as the Inventory Specialist. He is responsible for the uniforms and equipment used by the MDNGHG.

Janet Green, Administrative Aide

Doris Nielsen, Northern Area Manager

Doris Nielsen is a 25 year Air Force veteran and has 6 years with the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard as the Northern area Manager. She has been married 17 years and has one son. A Master Sergeant, she is currently attached with the Maryland National Guard’s 175th Services Flight in Baltimore, Maryland.

Her awards include the Air Force Achievement Medal 1 device, AF Outstanding unit award 6 devices, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious service medal 7 devices, National Defense Service Medal 1 device, AF longevity Service 3 devices, Armed Forces Reserve Medal 1 device, Small Arms expert Markmanship, AF Training Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism, Honor Guard Ribbon, Adjutant General Distinguished Unit Ribbon, MD state short tour ribbon, AF Expeditionary with gold border, State of Maryland Meritorious Service Medal, Maryland Commendation Medal 1 device, and the Maryland National Guard State Service Medal 15 devices.

Charles Lutz, Southern Area Manager

Charles Lutz is the Military Honor Guard Specialist Manager for the Southern Area. A graduate of Mergenthaler VT High School in Baltimore Mr. Lutz enlisted in the MD National Guard where he has served for over 34 years. He served in the 4th Engineer Battalion, 729th Maintenance Battalion and is currently the Command Sergeant Major of the 1297th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion.

His awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Reserves Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserves Component Overseas Training Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Operation Iraqi Freedom medal, the Maryland State Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, the Parachute Badge, Combat Action Badge and NCO Professional Development Ribbon.

He is married and resides in Havre de Grace, MD.

Mark Mills, Eastern Area Manager

Mark G. Mills is the Military Honor Guard Specialist Manager for the Eastern Area. Mr. Mills is a graduate of Chesapeake Senior High School. He is a Sergeant in the Maryland National Guard having entered service in 1983 and served with the 2/34th Mechanized Infantry, 55th Military Police Company, 115th Infantry, and 158th Cavalry. SSgt. Mills also served with the MD Air National Guard from 1997 - 2004. He was assigned to the 175th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron where he performed duties as an A-10 Crew Chief. He also has served in Operation Southern Watch, Kuwait; Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq. and received certificates from the Quartermaster School, Fighter Aircraft Maintenance School , Airman Leadership School Federal Funeral Training Program, USAF Honor Guard Protocol Honors and Ceremonies Course, MDNG Unit Attrition Management and Food Service Operations School. SGT. Mills has been working for the MD State Military Department VA since January 2000.

His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Air Force Training Ribbon, the Basic Aviation Badge, the MD National Guard Honor Guard Badge and MD National Guard Honor Guard Ribbon.

He is happily married to his wife, Margie, for 22 years and has 2 children, Michael and Amanda. They currently reside in Nottingham, Maryland.

Derrick Hayes, Western Area Manager

Mr. Derrick Hayes is the Manger for the Western Area. He holds an AA degree in Computer Science from BCCC and served in the capacities of HG Specialist Supervisor, HG NCOIC for the ADSW and, as a member of the Honor Guard for five years. He is a Sergeant First Class in the Maryland National Guard (7 years Active and 2 with the Guard) at Camp Fretterd.

His military awards include The Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Prof Development Ribbon, Glob War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Maryland National Guard Service Medal, Counter Drug Service Ribbon, Maryland National Guard Ribbon and the MDNG Honor Guard Badge.