Who We Are

In 2002 Ben co-founded Devine Janitorial Service, LLC, a full service commercial Janitorial company. Ben personally knows the ins and outs of the Veterans Administration System as a service disabled veteran (Six years Air Force Pararescue). Ben has been a member of Building Owners and Managers Association for over twenty years and served on the board for two. Ben and his wife are the caregivers for Ben's Mom, a paraplegic, since 2005.

Melissa has been an active-duty Army spouse since 2004. She has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Rollins College and a master’s degree in Training and Development from Roosevelt University. Her professional background includes experience in training, business analyst, human resources transactions, and product development. Melissa has served in many volunteer roles including Treasurer of the Fort Wood Community Spouses’ Club, Executive Consultant/Board Member for the AUSA FLW Mid-Mo Chapter, SFRG Leader in several units and Community Engagement Manager for Blue Star Families of Missouri. She enjoys everything associated with books, reading and learning and she is passionate about supporting the military family community.

Bryan served 23 years in the United States Army as a CH\MH47 Chinook Repairer with his last eight years serving with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). Bryan founded the Night Stalker Heroes Memorial of Savannah Foundation a 501(c)(3) which now falls under The Night Stalker Association Savannah Chapter. Bryan has earned his Associate degree in general studies from Columbia College of Missouri and is currently working on a bachelor’s degree. He also has a certification in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.

Tara Plybon has been caring for her husband Todd for 14 years now. Todd is an Army veteran who was critically wounded in Afghanistan on 10/15/2009, which was their 15th wedding anniversary. He suffered a moderate traumatic brain injury, severe leg injury and many other health issues. Tara is a journalist by trade, and occasionally does freelance work. This has helped her advocate for her husband and get him the care he rightfully deserves.

Currently Tara is a part-time Marketing Director and Partner advocate for Bridge My Return.com, an online employment portal designed to help veterans, milspouses, and caregivers find meaningful employment. Tara is also a 2017 Fellow for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and a lead volunteer for growth. Tara helps create relationships with employment vendors and small business programs to enrich the fellows. Todd and Tara have a son, Liam who is twenty-five.

Tara has seen the lack of services for children ages 10 and up who are our hidden helpers and take on the burdens of caregiving without being asked. Tara attended the COH reboot weekend 2 years ago and found it incredibly helpful to her emotional health and wants to see the compassionate assistance COH provides, continue to being offered to other caregivers.