FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2025
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley Hosts Fifth Annual Veterans of the Year Awards at Heroes Hall in Costa Mesa
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – At Supervisor Foley’s Fifth Annual Veterans of the Year Awards, she honored nine esteemed veterans whose continued service to the Orange County community upholds our nation's promise as a beacon of liberty and justice for all. Recognize this year’s theme: Service to our Nation, honorees include:
- Raymi Wun of Costa Mesa: Raymi Wun, a decorated former U.S. Coast Guard Quartermaster where he navigated large cutters in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean, continues his dedication to public safety as a Deputy Fire Marshal in Newport Beach, where he has served 19 years and earned recognition as “Citizen of the Year.”
- Skip Stephenson of Laguna Niguel: Skip Stephenson, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, served as a Marine Corps officer from 1966 to 1970, including a combat tour in Vietnam. He previously served as Director of Operations and Administration at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa following a series of positions in leasing. Today, Mr. Stephenson continues serving his community in Laguna Niguel by hosting annual events at El Niguel Country Club honoring fellow veterans.
- Tom Joliet of Laguna Beach: Tom Joliet, a U.S. Army medic during the Vietnam War, used his surgical training to care for wounded soldiers. After his service, Tom used his surgical skills to get a job at South Coast Medical Center. Today, he remains an active community leader in Laguna Beach through local organizations, music, and co-authoring a children’s book promoting ocean conservation.
- Robert Lohrman of Dana Point: Robert Lohrman, a U.S. Army Sergeant who served from 1968 to 1982 and earned two Purple Hearts in Vietnam, continued his lifelong commitment to public safety with 30 years in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol – ensuring Orange County remains among the safest communities in the nation.
- Jerald Quinlan of San Clemente: Jerald Quinlan, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, demonstrated courage and dedication while serving his country. In civilian life, he continues giving back as a mentor and advocate for fellow veterans, contributing extensively to the veteran community in Orange County.
- Amanda Lassiter of Costa Mesa: Amanda Lassiter, who began her service in the U.S. Coast Guard in 2012, has supported missions ranging from IT operations and COVID-19 response to FEMA disaster deployments, consistently demonstrating exceptional technical skill and reliability. Ms. Lassiter continues her commitment to service as a Coast Guard Reservist and as a key support professional at the UC Irvine Veteran Services Center, where she guides and assists student veterans.
- Jorge Oliveros of Irvine: Jorge Oliveros, a U.S. Army Master Sergeant since 2003 with five Middle East deployments and three California missions with the Command-and-Control CBRN Response Element, continues serving by supporting and mentoring young veterans. Mr. Oliveros contributes to the community through leadership roles with veteran golf outreach nonprofit 42MM as well as and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3173 in Irvine.
- Troy Shenker of Aliso Viejo: Troy Shenker, a former U.S. Navy officer who served during Operation Enduring Freedom, now dedicates his civilian career to homelessness outreach in San Clemente, working closely with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homeless Liaison Officers and the City’s Park Ranger team to compassionately connect veterans to critical housing, mental health, and recovery resources.
- Lloyd Grim of Rancho Mission Viejo: Lloyd Grim, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from 1988 to 1992, earning the rank of Lieutenant Corporal. Mr. Grim devotes his civilian career to education and mentoring future leaders. Rising through the ranks at Stoneybrooke Christian School from student teacher to Principal, his dedication to the youth in the Fifth District undoubtably changed countless lives for the better.
“As teachers and mentors, first responders, and parents, our veterans continue living out America’s vision of liberty, self-determination, and equal opportunity. Honoring our service members and their sacrifices means fulfilling our nation’s promise to defend them with the care, respect, and support they earned,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “I feel immense pride when I think of my grandfathers and my brother who fought for this country. I understand the important sacrifices our service members and their families make to protect our liberties, asking for little recognition in return.”
Honorees (Left to Right): Tom Joliet, Robert Lohrman, Troy Shenker, Amanda Lassiter, Supervisor Katrina Foley, Skip Stephenson, Jerald Quinlan, Jorge Oliveros, and Lloyd Grim
Vice Chair Foley remains committed to protecting critical services and continues making progress at the County on building a safer, healthier and economically thriving place for the more than 100,000 veterans who call Orange County home. Supervisor Foley’s office spearheaded and invested in numerous projects to improve quality of life for veterans, including:
- Funding $200,000 in support of disabled veterans at American Legion Post 291, including ADA improvements and modernization for restrooms.
- Championing development of the Orange County Veterans Cemetery to give our veterans a final resting place.
- Helping open a workforce development one-stop in South County to connect veterans with employers and support veteran-owned businesses.
- Hosting a Women Veterans Mental Health Symposium in collaboration with OC Health Care Agency.
- Investing in affordable housing for veterans in Costa Mesa and San Juan Capistrano.
- Collaborating with our Veterans Advisory Committee to address issues impacting our veteran community, including mental health, housing, and homelessness.
In addition to nine awardees, Supervisor Foley also recognized 18 incredible veteran nominees across the Fifth District who exemplify this year’s theme: Service to our Nation. Supervisor Foley expressed many thanks to Heroes Hall Museum for helping to host this special event honoring local veterans.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2025 Board appointments include:
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),
Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee, Regional Transportation Committee, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel,
Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition,
Orange County Public Libraries Advisory Board, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, Orange County Community Corrections
Partnership (OCCCP), Santa Ana River Flood Control Protection Agency,
and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
