Meet Our Board
2026 Blue Apple Board of Directors
Maudra Brown
President
Maudra Brown is a public health strategist, facilitator, and systems-level thinker who serves as Board President of Blue Apple Battle, the flagship initiative of Blue Apple Village. With more than a decade of experience in public health policy, hospital and government strategy, and community engagement, she brings evidence-informed leadership to youth prevention work.
Maudra’s professional background spans Community Assessments, Hospital Audits, Implementation Strategies, and cross-sector collaboration with hospitals, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations. She is known for translating complex policy and prevention science into practical, accessible tools for families and communities.
As Board President, she guides Blue Apple Battle’s strategic direction, ensuring that its high-energy, youth-centered experiences are grounded in protective factor research, early prevention principles, and structured family dialogue. Her leadership reflects a commitment to strengthening communication between parents and youth, advancing critical thinking skills, and building community environments that support healthy decision-making.
Maudra leads with clarity, accountability, and a long-term vision for sustainable, prevention-focused impact.
Chekita Legette
Secretary
I am a board-certified nurse practitioner with 21 years of nursing experience, including 8 years as a nurse practitioner. I’ve had the opportunity to work in various areas of healthcare, but my true passion lies in infectious disease. I’m dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care and making a meaningful impact in the lives of my patients.
Outside of work, I’m a proud mother to my amazing college-aged son. I love traveling, reading, spending time with my loved ones, and exploring new experiences that enrich my life. I also strive to be a positive example for the youth and am passionate about supporting and encouraging them in any way I can.
Abby Vereen
Treasurer
I graduated from the University of South Carolina in marketing and have been working in Real Estate for the past five years. It is my passion to help people. I also have a love for marketing, social media presence, creating, and designing!
Nancy Benitez
Board Member
Nancy is an experienced administrative professional and bilingual translator who has worked across both private and nonprofit sectors within the behavioral health field. During her time with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), she played a key role in coordinating services for the state’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) program.
She brings a strong foundation in customer service, shaped by her work with local small businesses, and is known for her ability to communicate effectively and build connections across diverse communities and service systems.
Jennifer Timmons
Board Member
Jennifer Timmons is a seasoned communications strategist and public information professional with more than two decades of experience in media, public relations, and crisis communication. She currently serves as the Public Information Officer for the Columbia Police Department, a role she has held since 2011. Jennifer brings deep expertise in community engagement, strategic messaging, and reputation management to the Blue Apple Battle board. Before her work in law enforcement communications, Jennifer served as Communications Director for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and built a distinguished career as a television news anchor and reporter across South Carolina and North Carolina.
Her background spans both sides of the media landscape, giving her a unique ability to craft compelling narratives that connect with communities. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Communication from the College of Charleston and is a trained Public Information Officer through the FBI and FEMA/Department of Homeland Security.
Her commitment to community, clear communication, and youth-centered impact makes her a valued voice and champion for Blue Apple Battle's mission.
ADVISORY COUNSEL BOARD
Colonel (Ret.) Howard W. “Mac” McMillan
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD
Colonel (Ret.) McMillan brings more than 29 years of decorated military service and 22 additional years of senior federal civilian leadership to the Blue Apple Battle Strategic Advisory Board. A Distinguished Military Graduate of North Carolina A&T State University (Class of 1970), he commanded at the company, battalion, and brigade levels across multiple assignments including serving as Commander, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. His academic contributions include graduate study at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a published case study from the U.S. Army War College.
A faculty member at the United States Military Academy at West Point and a key architect of the Army Communities of Excellence initiative, COL (Ret.) McMillan built a career defined by translating visionary leadership into measurable results. In federal civilian service, he rose to the Senior Executive level, leading nationally significant programs including DHS’s E-Verify program; which enrolled over 635,000 employers and serving as Executive Director and Chief Safety Officer of the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, where his leadership earned the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary’s Partnership Award.
An inductee in both the U.S. Army ROTC National Hall of Fame and the NC A&T State University ROTC Hall of Fame, COL (Ret.) McMillan is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, and numerous additional honors. His enduring investment in the next generation is reflected in the COL. Howard “Mac” McMillan ROTC Endowed Scholarship, established at his alma mater. His character and service embody the values of Duty, Honor, and Country and align directly with Blue Apple Battle’s mission to build resilient, purpose-driven youth.
Daniel Kadar
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD
Daniel Kadar is a Columbia, SC-based financial services leader with more than 25 years of experience in mortgage lending, business development, and organizational leadership. As Branch Manager at Assurance Financial since 2016, he oversees branch operations, team development, regulatory compliance, and community partnership consistently delivering results while mentoring the next generation of financial professionals. His career spans senior roles at BB&T Corporation, where he managed 14 retail branches and more than 100 employees, and Mortgage Options, Inc., where he built a mortgage business from the ground up to generate $10 –12 million annually in closed loan volume.
A recognized community leader, Daniel served for approximately six years on the Board of the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA), including two years as Board Chair providing governance oversight, financial stewardship, and executive leadership on behalf of a statewide advocacy organization. His board service reflects the same values that draw him to Blue Apple Battle: a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, building strong communities, and investing in the well-being of South Carolina families.
Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from the University of South Carolina. A licensed private pilot, he brings to the advisory board a practitioner’s understanding of risk management, high-stakes decision-making, and the kind of clear-headed judgment that youth programs need to model and teach. His financial expertise, governance experience, and deep roots in the Columbia community make him an invaluable strategic partner for Blue Apple Battle.