MCV: Empowering Communities
Our Vision
To create a united and resilient community where every veteran and first responder feels recognized, supported, and empowered—fostering lifelong bonds, advancing collective well-being, and strengthening the fabric of Horry County through service, remembrance, and community engagement.
Our Core Values
- Honor
We uphold the integrity, sacrifice, and commitment of those who have served and continue to serve. - Camaraderie
We foster deep, lasting connections built on shared experiences, mutual respect, and trust. - Service
We are dedicated to serving our fellow veterans, first responders, and the broader community with purpose and compassion. - Accountability
We are transparent and responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us, ensuring donations directly support mission-aligned causes. - Community Impact
We are committed to local engagement, ensuring our efforts create meaningful and lasting change for those in Horry County.
Leadership Team
President: Timothy Hayman
Vice President: Catherine La Rose
Vice President: Catherine La Rose
Tim is a 50 plus year Fire Service veteran, serving in Career, Volunteer and military fire departments. He served at Silver Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Maryland. He started as a 16-year-old Junior Firefighter and retired as Fire Chief, 32 years later. He was a member of Washington DC Fire/EMS for 23 years retiring as a Lieutenant. Tim is still an operational firefighter, serving as a Lieutenant for the Surfside Beach Fire Department. He started out his military career as a Combat Medic in the Virginia Army National Guard, drilling at Fort Belvior. After 6 years there, he transferred to the Maryland Air National Guard at Martin State Airport. Tim served as a Fire Protection Journeyman (Firefighter), and was deployed to Kuwait twice and the United Arab Emirates for Operation Enduring Freedom. He currently drilling with the South Carolina State Guard as a Medic.
Vice President: Catherine La Rose
Vice President: Catherine La Rose
Vice President: Catherine La Rose
Catherine is an Air Force Veteran, of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. She was an Information Management Specialist. Her assignments took her throughout the US (Texas, Mississippi, California) and overseas (Germany, UAE). Life after the military was working for CEOs as their assistant, returning to college, and raising 3 children. She now owns and operates A Crafter's Paradise LLC, Longs, SC, and runs her nonprofit Crafter's in Paradise-Healing through Creativity, helping those dealing with PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, etc heal through crafting. She now resides in Loris, SC.
Treasurer: Marie Biser
Secretary: Abby Berjansky
Secretary: Abby Berjansky
Marie 0ur Treasurer; is the Financial Center Manager for South Carolina Federal Credit Union in Myrtle Beach. Marie lives in North Myrtle Beach with her family. She enjoys supporting non-profits; specifically Market Common Veterans. In her free time you can find her at the ocean and spending time with family. She has recently been promoted to 'grandma' and is loving her new role..
Secretary: Abby Berjansky
Secretary: Abby Berjansky
Secretary: Abby Berjansky
Abby joined Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in August 2024 as the Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator. Her background includes years in senior care and nonprofit leadership, supporting veterans, older adults, and their families. Before Myrtle Beach, she worked in Tri-State Area senior living as a Social Worker, Case Manager, and Assistant Administrator, where she championed veterans' rights.
Coming from a multi-generational military family near West Point, Abby is deeply committed to veterans. Known for her hands-on advocacy, she ensures veterans receive vital support and recognition. Abby is highly involved in the local veteran community, actively participating in events and outreach throughout the county.
Meet our Board of Directors
Barb Hunter
Anthony Paul Gonzales
Anthony Paul Gonzales
Barb is a 24-year Air Force retiree, a veteran of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. She served as a Personnel Officer and as an Acquisition Officer. Her assignments took her throughout the US (Texas, Washington, Illinois, Alabama, Virginia), and overseas (Turkey, Italy, the UK). Once she retired from active duty, she returned as an Air Forc
Barb is a 24-year Air Force retiree, a veteran of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. She served as a Personnel Officer and as an Acquisition Officer. Her assignments took her throughout the US (Texas, Washington, Illinois, Alabama, Virginia), and overseas (Turkey, Italy, the UK). Once she retired from active duty, she returned as an Air Force civilian, working acquisition issues in the Pentagon for another 18 years. Her husband was an Air Force pilot and they were able to be assigned together most of their careers. She now lives in Market Common and enjoys traveling on cruises and in her RV.
Anthony Paul Gonzales
Anthony Paul Gonzales
Anthony Paul Gonzales
Founding Member
Paul spent 21 years in the US Army, graduated from the Sergeant Major Academy and retired as an E9. During my military career I owned and operated 2 radio stations WTNJ and WAXS-FM. After selling the radio stations I began a career as a District Representative for US Congressman Nick Rahall for the next 12 years.After ret
Founding Member
Paul spent 21 years in the US Army, graduated from the Sergeant Major Academy and retired as an E9. During my military career I owned and operated 2 radio stations WTNJ and WAXS-FM. After selling the radio stations I began a career as a District Representative for US Congressman Nick Rahall for the next 12 years.After retiring I started another career attending McDonald’s Hamburger University my wife Carol and I purchased 2 McDonalds Restaurants in Alabama. After retiring to Myrtle Beach, I Founded the Market Common Veterans organization for Veterans of all Military’s branches to connect and provide and participate events and fund raising for other non-profits. Also founded the Market Common Radio, a low power radio station in Market Common to promote Veteran and Military events!
Crystal Geldes
Anthony Paul Gonzales
Crystal Geldes
Founding Member
Crystal is the Client & Community Relations Director at Haden-Toothman Law Group, where she builds strong connections between the firm and the local community. She leads outreach efforts, represents the firm at events, and supports initiatives that reflect the firm’s commitment to service.
With over 20 years in the title ind
Founding Member
Crystal is the Client & Community Relations Director at Haden-Toothman Law Group, where she builds strong connections between the firm and the local community. She leads outreach efforts, represents the firm at events, and supports initiatives that reflect the firm’s commitment to service.
With over 20 years in the title industry and extensive real estate expertise, Crystal also holds a marketing degree and has completed M-100 and M-203 coursework toward CMCA and AMS accreditations. She began her career leading the recording department for a title abstracting firm in Virginia, eventually managing abstractors across multiple states—work she continues remotely since relocating to Myrtle Beach in 2009.
A proud mother of five and active community volunteer, Crystal is especially dedicated to supporting Veterans, honoring her family’s multi-generational military legacy.