Meet the Sneakers for Soldiers Team

Deborah Hausladen

Co-Founder, President

Deborah entered into a data processing career during a time of fast paced changes in retail banking when financial institutions were automating teller functions and providing 24-hour self-service banking access to customers. After working for a large bank conducting branch automation feasibility studies, she achieved positions in sales management with companies in the data processing and ATM industry. After completion of a consulting assignment, with the largest single owned ATM network in the country at the time, Deborah left her career to enjoy time with her children. She is a graduate of Eastern University, with a BA in Economics and Business Administration.

John T. Hausladen

Co-Founder, VP Treasurer

Upon graduation from Texas State University in 1972, John entered the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant assigned to Minot Air Force Base as a Missile Launch Control Officer. Before being honorably discharged, he earned an MBA from the University of North Dakota. John has a long career in the financial services industry, rising through the ranks in sales, executive management, and to partner. He remains active in the financial industry as a consultant and as an Arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s Board of Arbitrators. 

Beau Choate

VP Secretary

Beau joined Sneakers for Soldiers as a Board Member in 2018 after meeting Deborah and John and learning about their inspiring effort to support US soldiers deployed abroad.  He currently also supports local veterans and their families in his community through non profit work through the Berwyn Veterans Association of Easttown and Tredyffrin Townships. Beau served in the 10th Mountain Division as a Cavalry Officer (Captain) and led a scout platoon while deployed to Mosul, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Currently, Beau works for a local investment firm where he focuses on capital allocation and risk management in alternative strategies. He graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Industrial Engineering and earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Beau lives with his wife and two children in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Paul Perrot

Board Member

Paul has volunteered with Sneakers for Soldiers since its inception in April 2018. He has given hours of his time supporting our mission. We are pleased he accepted our invitation to join the Board in December 2019.

Since 1987, Paul has owned Horace N Pryor Co. in Wayne, PA, an interior design and retail company. Paul’s local and national network of clients is a testament to his business and marketing expertise. He is a graduate of Walsh University, North Canton, Ohio with a BA in Finance. Paul served in the United States Army Reserve from 1971 to 1978 in the 361st Evacuation Hospital.

Katherine Kirlin

Board Member

Katie joined Sneakers for Soldiers as a Board Member in December 2019. She is a heredity member of the Military Order of the World Wars through her mother and father, who both served as Officers in the United States Army.

She is employed as a Consultant in Corporate Benefits at an insurance brokerage and consulting firm and serves as Speaker Coordinator for the Conshohocken/Plymouth Whitemarsh PA Rotary. Katie graduated from Washington College with a BA in Business Management. She is a former dual sport collegiate athlete, continues to actively compete in races, and understands the importance of proper athletic footwear.

John & Deborah’s Community Involvement

John and Deborah have long been involved in volunteer activities. John coached their two sons throughout their participation in youth sports, while Deborah served as Cub Scout Pack Leader for 98 energetic elementary school boys. For several years, Deborah was the educational program and social director with Valley Forge Riders and Drivers Association and Fundraising Co-Chair for Valley Forge Military Academy’s Grand Prix Program Book. A proponent of teaching children swimming and ocean safety, Deborah started the Cape May Point Lifeguard Ball and Auction to raise money for the Junior Lifeguard Program in Cape May Point, NJ.

In 2006, they recognized a need for a bully prevention program in their local school district and were instrumental in bringing OLWEUS to the school district. This program became the gold standard for bully prevention programs across the country. To introduce the program to students, teachers, coaches and the community, they also raised funds from corporations and individuals to bring a nationally recognized speaker and facilitator to start the conversation about bullying prevention.

In 2011, John was involved in the process of obtaining 501c3 status for The People’s Pantry at Church Road, a local food pantry serving over 200 families. He remains as a board director. Additionally, he has served as an Elder and Chair of the Personnel and Administration Committee for their church.

As co-founders of Sneakers for Soldiers, established in April 2018, John and Deborah are excited about the enthusiasm from all that hear about it and the momentum that it has generated. The support for this unique program has been nothing short of amazing.