We are Veterans Memorial Reef – Veterans Serving Veterans

Joe Irrera joined the Veterans Memorial Reef board of directors and was named chairman in June 2019. After earning his bachelor’s degree at UNCW, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Joe later obtained a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Joe served as an Artillery Officer for 10 years and then as an Intelligence Officer for the next 20 years. He retired as a Marine Colonel in 2014 after 30 years of military service. His military service has taken him around the globe, including two tours of duty in Iraq and a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

In addition to his military background, Joe has extensive experience in the private sector. For over 20 years, he provided sales, operations, training, marketing, and management expertise to companies such as PPD, Chiltern, and Novartis. He has also provided training, operations, and management to individuals and companies in the defense industry. Additionally, Joe has taught numerous master’s degree program courses to others.

Joe is active in civic and veteran organizations such as The Azalea Festival, The Marine Corps League, American Legion, VFW, Military Officers Association of America, and other New Hanover County community organizations.

Joe graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the U.S. Army Ranger School. He is authorized to wear the Navy-Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia and permanent wear of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

Dr. Henry Pierpan joined the Veterans Memorial Reef board of directors in June 2019. After earning his bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He attended the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry and earned the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Later, he obtained a Master’s in Business Administration from UNCW’s Cameron School of Business. In 1994, he transferred his commission to the United States Navy Reserve and retired in 2019 as a Naval Captain with 30 years of Commissioned Service.

His military career had taken him around the globe serving in many roles, most notably as Senior Dental Executive for OHSU Camp Lejeune, NC and OHSU Jacksonville, FL, and as Reserve Force Dental Officer MARFORPAC, Camp Smith, HI.

Henry and his wife Monica own two multi-doctor dental practices in Hampstead and Jacksonville, NC. He serves on multiple boards and is a founding member of the multi-million dollar Hampstead Kiwanis Park Project. He is active in numerous civic and veteran organizations. Henry is married to his wife Monica and has two sons, Reid and Landon.

Timothy “Tim” Bailey joined the Veterans Memorial Reef board of directors in 2019. After earning his bachelor’s degree in 1984 from St. Joseph’s College in Maine, Tim was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He later obtained a master’s degree in Government and Politics from St. John’s University in 1991. Tim served as an Artillery Officer for 10 years and then as an Intelligence Officer for the next 20 years. He retired as a Marine Colonel in 2014 after 30+ years of military service. His military service took him around the globe, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Tim earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law in 1999. He served as a prosecutor in Rockingham County, NH, for six years. He also served as an attorney advisor for the Department of Homeland Security, Office of General Counsel – Intelligence Law Division for three years. Tim currently serves as the Regional Director for the New England Field Operations Division, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security. In 2015, he received a Certificate in Leadership and Management of the Intelligence Community from National Intelligence University.