Chess Vets
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Meet the Leadership Team


Michael Lenox - Chess Vets President
Chess Vets - Founder
A 100% service-connected disabled retired US Navy Machinist Mate Chief Petty Officer (Submarine/Diver/Deep Submergence).  His extensive veteran memberships include: The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (Life), Disabled American Veterans (Life), Marine Corps League (Associate) and Submarine Veterans of America (Life). He currently lives in Temple, Texas with his beloved wife of 22 years, Lia.
mdlenox@ilchessvets.org
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Robert Stoltz - Chess Vets Vice-President,
- Illinois Chess Vets Manager

- Tournament Committee - Chair
- Veteran's Committee - Chair

A U.S. Navy veteran (1974 - 1980) Fire Control Technician 1st Class. A US Chess (USCF) life member, Class "B" tournament competitor, and tournament director.
​ A member of the American Legion Post 1941 in La Grange, Illinois and VFW Post 8821 in Chicago. Retired from the telecommunications industry and resides in River Forest, Il. with his wife of 30 years, Mary Kaye.
rmstoltz@ilchessvets.org
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Wanda "Lia" Lenox - Chess Vets Treasurer

Wife and caregiver of Chess Vets President Michael.  Lia has a bachelor's degree from Loyola in business management. She is a tournament chess player, USCF Club Tournament Director and Certified Coach. She was the President of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post-881 Auxilliary. Lia was a Navy wife...the hardest job in the Navy says Michael.
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Martha Ortega  - Chess Vets Secretary
Martha is professional Human Resources Consultant currently managing and operating her own consulting business.  She is also a leader in her community and is actively involved in planning and organizing significant charitable events.  When she is not planning community events, she volunteers for others.  She is the 2nd of 6 children and has 2 college children of her own and who are currently attending college.  Martha's view of life is always positive and she finds the best in people and situations.


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Sam Henderson
​- Chess Vets Board member


Mr. Henderson has many years experience teaching chess, and has participated in hundreds of chess tournaments. He is also the founder of the Silver Plus Chess Club. He is a US Navy Hospital Corpsman veteran.  Sam and his beloved wife Betty relocated to San Francisco to be close to their grandchildren.

He has taught chess:
  • Michelle Clark Middle School
  • Chess Scholars
  • FIDE Developmental Instructor (DI)
Chess memberships include:
  • Illinois Chess Association (ICA)
  • United States Chess Federation (USCF).
  • Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) .
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silverpluschessclub@gmail.com

Michael Pedroza
​- Online Programs Committee Chair

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A former U.S. Navy Personnelman 3rd Class Petty Officer (Surface Warfare), and Founder of the Homeless Veterans In America Relief Foundation whose main purpose is to not only combat, but to prevent homelessness amongst Veterans.  He does work with the Travis Manion Foundation, the Phenix Legacy and Chicago Veterans.  He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and National Home for Children.  Michael has played chess for a number of years and is here to assist Chess Vets to continue and further its mission.

michael.pedroza@hviarf.org
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  • Home
  • About
    • Leadership Team
    • Team requirements
  • Initiatives
  • Help Us
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Simplified Chess Rules
    • Workshops/Programs
  • Contact
  • Links