THE History
Navy veteran Mark Field founded National Veterans Magazine in 2014 to honor and support the deserving community of active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement and first-responders. National Veterans Magazine was the recipient of a Media of the Year award and two proclamations from the Arizona Legislature and was named Veteran Champion of Small Business by the U.S. of Small Business Administration. Mark was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2017.
Army veteran and former U.S. Congressman Frank D. Riggs acquired the publication in 2022 after Field’s unexpected passing. Frank sought counsel from the owners of InMaricopa, who were so excited about the opportunity to serve the veteran community they partnered with Frank to help bring his vision to life. The new team reinvented the dormant National Veterans Magazine, which became Arizona Veterans Magazine and is set to publish its inaugural issue in early 2024.
Sadly, Frank passed away in late 2023. AVM is excited to produce a publication in which all Arizona veterans will find value, and of which Mark and Frank will be proud.
Board of Directors
Patrick Fitzhugh
President
Bio
Patrick (Fitz) Fitzhugh is the Regional Site Director for USAA, where he supports the development and execution of regional strategies, and supports over 4,000 Phoenix employees, while building collaborative partnerships and connections with the local community. His broad responsibilities include community relations, public relations, grant management, employee experience, employee engagement and crisis management.
Patrick’s leadership abilities are deeply rooted in his military background in the United States Air Force. During his time in the USAF, he excelled as a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) Specialist from 2003 to 2007. He then worked as a civilian contractor for the Department of Defense, Department of the Army and Joint Personnel Recovery Agency, becoming a subject matter expert in rescuing aircrew and soldiers in perilous situations.
Patrick’s family has resided in Arizona since its time as a territory of the United States, and he is proud of his Southwestern heritage. He and his wife Dawn have two children.
Hal DeKeyser
Vice President
Bio
For more than 25 years, Hal DeKeyser led news organizations in Arizona, Nevada and California as a reporter, photographer, editor, Opinion Page editor, columnist and publisher. He has earned individual awards for reporting, column writing, opinion and advertising innovation, including the Society of Professional Journalists Phoenix Chapter’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was a Navy photographer and a Vietnam veteran, which is what led him to journalism, chief of staff for a Phoenix City Councilman, and the speechwriter for Arizona’s governor. Hal authored several books ranging from how-to real estate tomes to hosting international visitors in the hospitality industry. And he has created content-heavy websites about writing well, local news, gratitude and personal growth.
Community involvement has included stints as chairman of WESTMARC, Scottsdale Education Foundation, Chandler Tomorrow Conference, West Valley Arts Council plus campaign or director volunteer roles with Sun Health, Westside Food Bank, various chambers of commerce and economic development entities.
Scott Bartle
Secretary & Treasurer
Bio
[email protected]
tel: (480) 980-6800
Scott’s appreciation of veterans and experience in publishing created this unique opportunity to impact American veterans and those who love and support them. Prior to his 20-plus years in news and publishing, Scott was a sports marketer for ATP Tour events and Super Bowl XXX. He is a former school board president and a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Scott has lived in the Phoenix area since 1977 and is a graduate of Indiana University, Valley Leadership, Arizona Center for Rural Leadership and the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy.
Mike Broomhead
Director
Bio
Mike is Arizona’s leading talk radio host and can be heard weekdays 8-noon on KTAR in addition to gigs on national television, syndicated radio shows and podcasts. He fights for the freedoms of Americans and values conversations about right vs. wrong more than right vs. left. Inspired by the service and ultimate sacrifice of his brother Tom, who tragically lost his life on Memorial Day 2003 in Iraq, Mike initially made a name for himself speaking at the largest pro-troops rallies in the country. Mike has since emceed Presidential rallies, subbed for Glenn Beck’s television and radio shows, authored the book “If You’re Gonna be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough”, and has given countless hours to nonprofits across Arizona.
Staff
Patty Demers
Executive Director
Bio
[email protected]
(602) 367-2299
Patty has spent over 30 years championing veterans through outreach, coalition-building and advocacy. Inspired by her family’s military service and a personal bond with “Patty’s Soldiers,” she honors fallen heroes and shares their stories to keep their legacy alive.
Prior to becoming American Veterans’ first executive director, Parry held the same role with the Sonoran Arts League and United Way of Yavapai County. She also served as campaign manager for a Gold Star Family congressional candidate for Congress in 2022.
Patty graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Arizona Christian University. She and her husband Donald raised seven children (including two sets of twins) and are blessed with thirteen grandchildren.
Elias Weiss
Editor
Bio
Elias is the grandson of a late Army veteran who served in Korea. Since earning a journalism degree from the University of Arkansas, he has worked at daily newspapers in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest as an investigative reporter and editor covering veterans’ issues since 2018. He has broken several blockbuster investigations about stolen valor and G.I. Bill scams in Phoenix New Times and InMaricopa Magazine.