U.S. Air Force Veteran

Melville T. “Mel” Thorne is a Vietnam Era U.S. Air Force veteran who served honorably from 1971 to 1975, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-4). During his military service, he was assigned to multiple locations, including Lackland Air Force Base, Chanute Air Force Base, Shaw Air Force Base, Thailand, and South Korea, where he worked in Aerospace Ground Equipment operations.

Following his military service, Mel built a distinguished career in information technology, operations management, and corporate leadership spanning more than four decades. He held senior leadership positions with Paramount Concrete Stone Companies, Eastern Connecticut Health Network, Henry Schein, and Tambrands, where he directed large-scale technology, infrastructure, disaster recovery, and operational improvement initiatives. He earned degrees in Computer Science from Nassau Community College and Hofstra University.

A Somers resident since 1991, Mel brings extensive experience in project planning, budgeting, facilities management, and organizational leadership. As an appointed member of the Somers Veterans & Families Legacy Park Ad Hoc Committee, he contributes valuable expertise in project oversight and long-range strategic planning in support of the Foundation’s mission.