Patricia Driscoll (Armed Forces Foundation)
Patricia P. Driscoll, (born December 14, 1977) is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, socialite and author. A native of El Paso Texas, Driscoll now heads a national charity, the Armed Forces Foundation, as well as a private Security and surveillance company, Frontline Defense Systems, LLC., both based out of Washington, DC.
Personal life
Driscoll was born in El Paso, Texas. Her lineage is traced back to Benjamin Franklin and Edwin Goodman, (the Goodman half of the Bergdorf Goodman department store). Driscoll currently resides in Ellicott City, Maryland, in a civil war era mansion claimed to be haunted.
Professional accomplishments
Frontline Defense Systems, LLC. (FDS)
Driscoll is the Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Defense Systems LLC, an 8(a)-certified company that provides solutions relating to advanced technologies and surveillance systems for the intelligence community and the Department Of Defense. Driscoll consults on security related issues to the United States government and international corporations. She has testified before Congress as an expert in various fields including trade relations, border issues, and surveillance systems.
On October 21, 2003, Driscoll testified before the House Subcommittee on Rural Enterprise, Agriculture, and Technology to discuss difficulties small businesses have in regards to contracting with the Department of Homeland Security.
Armed Forces Foundation (AFF)
Driscoll also serves as President and Executive Director of the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF), an organization devoted to providing financial assistance, morale activities, career and educational opportunities to wounded servicemen and women and their families. Since 2003, when Driscoll assumed her current leadership position, annual revenues have increased from $100,000 to $8,000,000 annually and returns 94% of all contributions to its programs. Driscoll's work with the AFF has been celebrated and recognized by the President of the United States, the United States Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Education.
In addition to raising funds for the AFF and its efforts, Driscoll has been a frequent contributor on the Fox News Network, discussing hardships facing military families.
Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts
In 2008, Driscoll and Celia Straus co-authored the book, Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts, Stories of American Soldiers with Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD, which examines the lives of service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The book focuses most of its attention on those service members who are affected by posttraumatic stress disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Organizational Memberships
Driscoll serves on a number of planning committees and is the member of a number of organizations, including:
- Board Member, Armed Forces Foundation (2001–Present)
- Life Member, National Rifle Association
- Board Member, National Rifle Association, Special Committees Board: Disabled Shooting Committee (2008–2009)
- Member, Capitol Hill Club (1999–Present)
- Committee Chair, Armed Forces Foundation Annual Congressional Gala (2004, 2006–2009)
- Committee Member, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Opera Gala Committee (2009)
- Board Member, Young Hispanic Republican Association (2000–2003)
- President, Young Hispanic Republican Association (2003)
- Committee Member, Texas State Society Inaugural Ball (2001, 2005)
Awards and Special Recognition
2009
- Legion of Merit and the Humanitarian Award: Four Chaplains
- Special Recognition: U.S House of Representatives, Congressman C.W. Bill Young
2008
- Exemplary Service Award: Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts
- Special Recognition: President George W. Bush at the Military Breakfast, White House Lawn
- Merit of Honor Award: State of New Hampshire, New Hampshire National Guard
- Outstanding Service Award: Washington Redskins
2007
- Special Recognition: President George W. Bush during a speech in the East Room of the White House
- Special Recognition: Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings
- Special Recognition Award: Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway
- Grand Marshall Talladega Speedway
- Special Act Award: Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld
- Special Recognition: Deputy Secretary of Defense, Gordon England
- Special Recognition: Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff
- Outstanding Service Award: History Channel
2006
- Special Recognition: President George W. Bush, Top 15 Military Foundations Supporting our Troops in the Country
- Special Act Award: Deputy Secretary of Energy, Samuel W. Bodman
- Outstanding Service Award: AMVETS
2005
- Special Recognition: Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham
- Special Recognition: Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson
2004
- Special Recognition: U.S House of Representatives, Congressman Joe Wilson
- Participant: 2004 Inaugural Parade Montana Float
2003
- Highlighted Guest Speaker, British Embassy Trade Tour, United Kingdom