Veterans Service Award

Asia Boyd
Education Stability Supervisor

If anyone's life can be considered to have come full circle, it's Asia Boyd's. Raised in foster care in Braddock, PA, Asia has dedicated 11 years to the U.S. Air Force Reserves, serving with the 911 Airlift Wing where she continues to work in the Maintenance Command Support Staff Office. She built an impressive academic and service record before returning to Braddock to establish Stay Focused, an organization dedicated to helping teens and adults achieve their goals through individual and group coaching, access to therapy and counseling, and seminars on financial literacy, fitness and nutrition.

Asia's circle continues to expand. In addition to her work with Stay Focused, she works full-time at DHS, in the Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF), is pursuing a Doctorate, and continues to fill her life with volunteer activities in Braddock and elsewhere in Allegheny County.

Asia's commitment to knowledge and academic excellence began in the Air Force and continues today. She earned an associate degree in business administration from the Community College of the Air Force, a BA in Criminal Justice from LaRoche University and an MBA from the University of Louisville, and is a Doctoral candidate at Liberty University, focusing on the educational needs and achievement gaps of children in the child welfare system.

At DHS, she serves as the child welfare education stability supervisor. In this role, she's implemented new onboarding procedures, hosted the office's first Back-to-School Workshop for education, legal and child welfare professionals, and led community engagement efforts celebrating Pittsburgh Pride, Juneteenth, Black Pride and Harambee. A supervisor of five, her infectious laughter boosts team morale.

Asia's dedication to service, equity and community empowerment shines through her numerous volunteer activities: providing DEI training and volunteering in support of the Airmen's Attic in the Air Force, organizing food drives and participating in Braddock's Clean-up and Community Days, volunteering with the Gap Fund for fostered or formerly fostered young people, and serving as a lived-experience expert with DHS's ENGP (Ending the Need for Group Placement) co-design team. As one nominator put it, "Her leadership is rooted in lived experience, academic excellence and a relentless drive to uplift others."

In another full-circle moment, Asia's 6th grade teacher, Ms. Friend, recently posted a picture on social media of Asia and some of her 6th grade classmates reading poems they wrote and sent to veterans. Ms. Friend was the first to introduce her to the importance of honoring veterans-and will join Asia when she meets the County Executive as the 2025 Dr. Charles Martoni Veterans Service awardee.

Perhaps no one captures it better than Asia herself: "My life's mission has always been rooted in service - to my country, my community, and to those whose voices often go unheard. Whether in uniform or in the heart of Braddock/Allegheny County, I strive to create spaces where people feel seen, supported and empowered to thrive."

We are proud to call Asia one of our own and congratulate her for this well-deserved recognition of all that she has and will accomplish. We are fortunate to have so many exceptional County employees who have served our country with honor and have chosen to use their military experience, values and excellence in service to the residents of Allegheny County.

Meet Asia Boyd: 2025 Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veterans Service Award Winner(PDF, 1MB)

Harry J. Van Riper
Vietnam War Veteran

Veteran Harry J. Van Riper served in the United States Army with the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. The then-Corporal was in combat for four months and eight days when his truck was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade on August 19, 1968. He lost his left arm, a portion of his leg, and still has shrapnel in his body. The doctors gave him less than a 15% chance of survival. His injury occurred during the 1968 2nd Tet Offensive. His unit ended the Tet Offensive, earning the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award for a combat unit.

Upon his return home from Vietnam, Harry used his G.I. bill to attend and graduate from Duquesne University. Although he had offers to go to medical school, Harry chose his true passion of teaching. For over 30 years, he taught both math and science at the Community College of Allegheny County.

While his contributions in the military were significant, it is his dedication to his fellow veterans and the American Legion, a veterans' service organization, that resulted in this nomination. For years, Harry has volunteered at the local Veterans Administration hospital, educating and counseling veterans there. He has also been an active and engaged member of American Legion Post 548, currently serving as its chaplain. He was the Pennsylvania American Legion Chaplain of the Year in 2018. He has been honored by the Steelers in their "Salute to HEROES."

Harry is also a member of Serving Our Sentinels, a service organization working to help veterans who have fallen on hard times. He has served on the organization's team for over 10 years as a board member and financial manager. Douglas Miller, President of the organization, said that when Harry returned from Vietnam, gravely injured, there was no homecoming. Despite the physical and mental devastation, Harry remains proud of his country and of his service to it.

If that work is not enough, Harry has also volunteered for a Veterans Administration feasibility study for a "smart" limb. Working with the Utah Veterans Administration and Utah Children's Hospital, he will have a robotic prosthetic limb attached to the bone, making it a permanent part of the body and nervous system. Inside the implant is a sensor that will transmit signals from the brain to the prosthesis allowing Harry to use his hand intuitively. While Harry has said that he lives perfectly well without his arm, he's intrigued by the science behind the technology and is excited about what this may mean for children and others without limbs.

Richard S. Weber, a former Army officer and fellow Vietnam Veteran, nominated Harry for the award. In his recommendation, he wrote: "When I first met Harry, he told me, 'Losing my arm was the best thing that ever happened to me.' Harry is and will continue to be every veteran's inspiration."

Fitzgerald Awards 2023 Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veterans Service Award 11-02-23(PDF, 155KB)

Mr. Nathan Mallory
Facilities Manager, Veterans Leadership Program

Nathan enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2000 and served his country in numerous positions for six years including Security Forces Team Leader, Combat Arms Competition Team Leader, and Boy Scout Troop Leader. He separated from the service after six years, honorably. He quickly adapted to his new life outside of the military and made it his personal mission to help people in less fortunate situations.

Nathan Mallory is the Facilities Manager at Veterans Leadership Program where he is responsible for safe and secure supportive housing for veterans in our region. He manages 77 properties for veterans experiencing homelessness that span across 30 counties. Not just a manager, Nate is well known for his passion to help those in need, connecting them with services and resources so that they can improve their lives.

Nate has served as a Platoon Leader for the Mission Continues, a program that seeks to improve educational resources, tackle food insecurities, and foster neighborhood identity throughout the nation. He has led the charge on 10 community parks and playgrounds, four national service deployments, and 90 days of individual service days. He has dedicated more than 200 total days of volunteer service to individuals in need.

Nate has also fostered a relationship between the Steel City Softball League (SCSL) and the veteran community. SCSL is the area's longest running LGBTQ+ sports organization focused on providing supporters a place to play sports without fear of discrimination. Since the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell," there has been a dramatic increase in veterans and current service members who identify as LGBTQ+ and are looking for social support. Last year, Nate was instrumental in creating the first and, to date, the only veterans' team. It includes veterans, or individuals who work in the veteran space, and supporters of the LGTBQ+ community.

"I could have easily provided 40 pages of reasons why Nathan Mallory is deserving of this award," said John Kaufman, who nominated Nate for the award. "This is a small example of the post-service life that Nate continues to live each day. He is most deserving of this award and it was my extreme honor to nominate him."

Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veterans 2022 Service Awardee is Nathan Mallory(PDF, 156KB)

Recipient Dr. Charles Martoni
Awarded posthumously to his family

The 2021 award was presented to Dr. Charles J. Martoni, posthumously, in honor and recognition of his long career in public service. It will hereafter be known as the Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veterans Service Award.

Dr. Martoni was a veteran of the United States Army serving in the late 1950s in Alaska. After his discharge, he was approached by a wrestling promoter to become a professional wrestler. Between his work in the ring, and working in the steel mill, he was able to pay his way through college, launching his college career and his love of education. Dr. Martoni continued his lifelong journey in education, obtaining three Masters' degrees and a PhD.

Dr. Martoni believed that giving other people opportunity in their lives would make this world a better place. At the urging of his godmother who saw leadership skills in him, he put that vision into action, running for a seat on the Swissvale School Board. He won and later followed that service with campaigns to become Mayor of Swissvale and then Swissvale Council where he served as president of council. In 1999, he was elected to serve on the first Allegheny County Council, a position he held from January 2000 until his death in May 2019. Dr. Martoni won every election he ever entered.

In addition to his elected offices, Dr. Martoni also served the community as a member on many boards, including the Port Authority, Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Mon Valley Providers.

"Our family thanks you for instituting this award in my brother's name and in our family name for his years of service to his community," said Phyllis Friend, Dr. Martoni's sister. "Our entire family, especially those who served in the United States military, would be very proud of the Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veteran Service Award. Thank you for recognizing Charles in this very special way. It means a lot to our family. We look forward to congratulating the veterans who receive this award for years to come."

Fitzgerald was joined at today's announcement by Boddorf and Dr. Martoni's sister, Phyllis Friend, brother-in-law, Jake, and their three children, Katie, Brian and John. Also in attendance were several former County Council colleagues who served with Dr. Martoni including Jim Burn, Mike Crossey, Sam DeMarco, Vince Gastgeb, Bill Lestitian, and Anita Prizio. Several others sent remarks that were shared during the event.

About Dr. Charles Martoni

On November 10, 2021, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and former Chief Veterans Affairs Officer Dwight Boddorf announced the creation of the Allegheny County Veterans Service Award. The award was created to recognize those individuals who continue their service to our country following their discharge.

In tribute to his military service and long and distinguished service to our community, the award was named in honor of former County Council Member Dr. Charles Martoni. Read more about Dr. Martoni's amazing life of service and the Veterans Service Award in the news release(PDF, 107KB). The first award in 2021 was presented to his family posthumously in tribute to his service.