Deborah Franks- CEO & Founder

Deborah brings many years of giving back to the community personally and professionally. Previously, she held the position as Director for a non medical health care company; which assisted Veterans in their homes. She was responsible for over 400 employees and two franchises covering ten surrounding counties. She was responsible for Human Resources, state and federal laws relating to employment, workers compensation and unemployment claims, payroll, billing, budgeting, marketing, training, contracts and give back to the community programs.  While working as the Director she personally saw the lack of services and additional assistance Veterans require in order to live independently in their own home.

After much thought she decided to leave her corporate position to begin MANARC, Borne the Battle.  She felt a re-sale store of donated goods could be sold and would enable the store to partner with organizations working directly with Veterans. 

A member of St.Mary's Catholic Church, served on the United Way holiday programs, served two years on Goodwill's Business Advisory Council, coached field hockey and basketball for Holy Cross Academy and Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation Department, served one year as Vice President on St. Patrick's School Board, organized and distributed gifts to needy and lonely seniors under the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program for 7 years. Deborah received her associates degree in finance from Northern Virginia Community College and continued her studies in finance at George Mason University.

Deborah has a strong work ethic and assisted her ex-husband in several companies they owned while raising her children. Deborah has not served in the military but her father served in the United States Navy, her brother in the United States Air Force and her Grandfather in the United States Army. Deborah resides in the City of Fredericksburg and has with two adult children, Britney (who resides in New York) and Andrew (who resides in Alabama).

Eric M. Dokter, CWO, USA Army, (Retired)

President

Eric Dokter was born in Akron, OH, and lived in numerous places around the world due to his father’s employment as a polymer engineer. Graduating High School in 1988, Eric joined the Army in the fall of 1988 as an Infantryman. Completing Infantry One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, his first assignment was Fort Carson, CO. After a brief tour at Fort Carson, Eric transferred to the US Army Berlin Brigade, Berlin, West Germany, in 1990. While assigned to the Berlin Brigade he served as an Infantry Squad Leader and deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. After returning from combat, Eric applied to be a US Army Counterintelligence (CI) Special Agent, receiving approval into the program in 1993. He subsequently attended the the CI Special Agent Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Following training, he served in various units on Fort Bragg, NC, deploying to Panama and Haiti. In 1996, Eric became the Assistant Special Agent in Charge, New England Resident Office, Devens, MA. In 1998, Mr. Dokter attended the Warrant Officer Candidate School, Fort Rucker, AL. Appointed as a Warrant in 1998, Mr. Dokter again reported to Fort Bragg, NC, where he served in a variety of leadership assignments as well as numerous deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, as well as Central and South America, culminating as the Chief of Investigative Operations, during the 2004-2005 Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment. Mr. Dokter left the Active Army and joined the Ohio National Guard in 2006, serving as a CI Staff Officer in an Infantry Brigade Combat Team and working as a Financial Crimes Investigator for a major regional bank. Mr. Dokter deployed to Kuwait and Iraq, serving as the Special Agent in Charge of a deployed CI investigations section. In 2008, Mr. Dokter returned to Active Duty and served as the S3 Plans for the Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Bragg, NC. Mr. Dokter retired in 2010 with 22 years of Service. Mr. Dokter is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (8th Award), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Airborne Wings.

Mr. Dokter is a current Department of the Army Civilian, is married to the former Lori Heiser of Akron, OH, and is the stepfather of Michael, a junior in college.

 

Secretary is an open position as of February 2020

Please inquire if interested in a two year term.

 

 

John Edmondson, Community Outreach

John Edmondson served in the United States Navy from April of 1987 to April 2011. His sea assignments included USS Biddle (CG-34) as an AN/SPG 55B Radar Technician, USS Cole (DDG-67) as a Tomahawk Technician, and USS Monterey (CG-61) as the Combat Systems Maintenance Manager and Combat Systems Department Leading Chief Petty Officer. 

His ashore assignments included a Law Enforcement tour at Naval Station New York, NY, Instructor and Technical Training Officer at Service School Command Great Lakes, IL., and Combat Systems Maintenance Manager and Senior Instructor at the Aegis Training and Readiness Center, Dahlgren, VA.

Upon his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 2011, John joined General Dynamics Information Technology and thenParsons Government Services Inc. as a Principal Analyst in support of the Ballistic Missile Defense program office.

  

 Lily and Stella Artois Franks-Store Greeters



Stella and Lily's schedule is posted daily on Facebook

Stella Artois Franks is a black pug and was born on December 27th 2013. Her parents are Bo and Bella Bullock. Stellas parents grew up together and had 6 litters. Stella was from a litter of 5. She was the first born, only girl and the only solid black. She loves everyone and likes to lick toes and legs. She is very affectionate but does greet you with a bark.  

Lily is a mix breed of Lab and Hound.  She was born on February 14th 2017 and has quickly learned that marketing in the store is a breeze.  Her parents are Dallas and Daisy and are from Emporia, Virginia. She likes to jump, so tell her off or down.  She is very sweet but very fast so please be careful coming in the store.   They are both friendly with children and reside in the city of Fredericksburg.

If any customer is allergic or simply would prefer not be around them, we can place them behind the counter.  They are typically in the store Wednesday's through Saturdays at different times.  The store is open 7 days a week.  

Customers with dogs must ask permission to bring your dog in the store.  We need to ensure they are friendly and that Stella and Lily are comfortable with it. Manarc has the right to refuse any customers animal (s) to enter the store.