Let's Say Thanks! Village Employees Benefit Fund. Donate Now!

Upon moving to Hot Springs Village in 2006, John Chapman and his wife Celinda enjoyed having four generations of their extended family living in the Village for several years. John retired to the Village after a 36-year career in video production and sales and started working at the local radio station, KVRE, where he is still employed part time.

John joined the VEBF board in 2020 after having been a contributor to the fund for many years. He enjoys helping the fund continue its mission of thanking Village employees for their hard work and dedication.

 DC Reed believes one should work to make any job or organization better when you leave it than when you joined. His commitment to Hot Springs Village began when he moved here in 2002, and his dedication to doing what he can to improve the community through civic involvement is an ongoing priority. He “retired” in 2017 from a life-long career in technology sales, and has continued to share his ideas, expertise, and knowledge for the betterment of the Village. He joined the Village Employee Benefit Fund in 2018 and now serves as President, working enthusiastically to spread the word of our organization throughout the Village. 

“Through my involvement with the VEBF, I now understand exactly how much effort and dedication our hourly employees provide to keep the Village the wonderful place we all call HOME. My hope is that every property owner will understand what a difference a simple donation of $1 per week ($52.00 per year) could make in the lives of our wonderful hourly employees.”

Born and raised in Chicago, Bill Luerssen graduated from Ripon College with a BA in Mathematics. He spent two years in the Army following graduation before pursuing his 35-year professional career in computers. He retired 25 years ago, moving to Scottsdale, Arizona, for nine years. In 2010, he and his family moved to Hot Springs Village and have been here ever since. In addition to serving as Treasurer of the Village Employee Benefit Fund, Bill is a member of Village United Methodist Church and currently chairs the Finance Committee. Bill and his wife, Susan, have been married for 40 years. They have a daughter and son and two grandsons. 

Born Yankees, Carol Freeland and her husband, Howard, moved to Hot Springs Village in 2004, where they discovered their “quiet” place on Lake Balboa. Carol has an undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a graduate degree in Public Administration. Early in her career, while raising their three children, she was Executive Director for Montessori schools. In 1986, she was licensed in the securities industry, and eventually became a partner in a Dallas-based company involved in the credit and debt resolution industry. She also served as an NASD arbitrator. She has been active, and board involved with Ouachita Children & Family Services, CASA, Mid-America Science Museum, AAUW, and Garland County Juvenile Court. Carol also served on the board of directors for the Hot Springs Village Concert Association and was chair for three years. She initiated the formation of non-profit, Sunshine Therapeutic Riding Center, and served as its chair for three years and now as a board member. 

“What better way to say thanks to our great employees than through the offerings of the VEBF.”

Before moving to Hot Springs Village in 2019, Donna Jared’s professional career included serving the nonprofit sector for 30 years in fundraising, management, and leadership roles for national and international organizations.

Donna and her husband, Donald, enjoyed raising their family in Conway, Arkansas and have extended family spread across the state. 

Volunteering with the VEBF is an important way for Donna to give back to the HSV community and support our many wonderful HSV employees who make the Village a great place to live and work. 

 Barbara and her husband Rich have owned a home in the Village since 1995. Until this past year, they’ve been "snowbirds" traveling between their Arkansas and Minnesota homes. They have two adult children with spouses and a “gorgeous grand-dog.”
An active volunteer at many levels, for 35+ years Carol has served national, state, and local organizations. Her specialty is acquiring monies, products, and services that meet each specific group's needs. In the Village, the Zavrels attend Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where she volunteers on the Flower Guild and Hospitality Committee. She’s also volunteered at: Coronado Fitness Center, Faith Fellowship Food Pantry, Balboa Yacht Club, Good Samaritan/Huckins Wellness Center, and Rock Steady Boxing Class (for Parkinson's patients).

“I'm grateful to have the opportunity to help the Village Employee Benefit Fund grow and expand its services,” she says. “This is a wonderful organization that has done (and will continue to do) much to thank and assist our Village employees.” 

  Charley is a native Arkansan and retired insurance industry executive, who, with his wife Valerie, moved to the Village in 2003. He is active in the Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village, having served in several capacities including board member, Vice President, and 2-terms as President. He has also served as Vice President and President of the Hot Springs Village Townhouse Association. Charley enjoys golf and photography in his spare time. He looks forward to serving on the VEBF board, saying “The quality of life experienced by Village residents is due in large part to the dedicated employees of the POA.” 

Bill is a Business and Marketing graduate of Louisiana State University.  Joining the US Navy, he was trained as a naval aviator in 1970.  Retiring with the rank of Commander in 1989, he went on to fly for Continental Airlines until 2002.  He and his wife moved to Hot Springs Village in 2006, "living the good life."  He recognizes the hard work that our POA hourly employees perform, and is looking forward to working with VEBF board.

  Sue Luerssen is a college graduate with a BA in Education, who spent most of her professional life in the data processing field working for two major corporations.  She then started a data processing consulting firm with her husband Bill.  They moved to the Village in 2010, but have been visiting the Village since 1981.  She is president of the Village's local AAUW chapter, enjoys playing mahjongg, spending time with friends, traveling, and "being able to give back to our community."

 Ricky Middleton retired as Hot Springs Village Chief of Police in 2022, after serving in the police department and advancing in rank, for 37 years. During that time, he successfully completed a variety of law enforcement training programs from 4 institutions of higher learning. For five years prior to his start in the police department, he worked for the POA as a construction laborer. 

Ricky has been married to his wife, Michelle, since 1980. They have two children and three grandchildren. He is a member of the Hot Springs Village Rotary Club and the Wuzz-A-Fuzz retired police officer group. As to serving as a board member with the VEBF, Ricky says: “As a former HSV POA employee and recipient of VEBF gifts, I know how important it is to support our employees with funds that may truly make a difference in their lives.”