Board of Directors

Maria Espinoza
National Director, Co-founder

As the organization’s National Director, Maria speaks and interviews across the country . Dedicated to the mission of The Remembrance Project, she has worked as a volunteer for over 9 years, informing the public with the truth in order to save lives, and to bring some measure of justice to American families whose loved ones were killed by illegal aliens.

In 2015, Maria introduced the Angel Moms, Dads and Angel Family members to now-President Donald Trump wherein he kept his promise to her that, if elected, he would do more for the Angel Families; and, thus, he created the office of V.O.I.C.E., Victims Of Immigration Crime and Engagement, upon taking office.

Maria gave Congressional testimony on National Security, and lived and worked in Washington, D.C. for 2 years with her husband, Tim Lyng. She is a former candidate for U.S. Congress in Texas, and the first Latina to run for office in House District 7. Maria possess over 12 years in the legal field as a litigation legal assistant, and was a Project Coordinator in Commercial Real Estate Development. She has coordinated events for: Shriner’s Hospital for Children-Houston, college scholarships for cancer survivors, and children with spina bifida, a birth defect.

Maria studied Business Administration at Abilene Christian University and was on ACU’s Cross-Country and Track Team where she was an All-American Miler. She holds a Real Estate Salesman License and Legal Assistant studies at South Texas College Law.

Tim Lyng, P.E.
President, Co-founder

Tim co-founded The Remembrance Project and he serves as its President. He is a Professional Engineer in Texas and has been licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. He brings over 30 years of management, analytical and communications skills to the organization. He served as Vice-President for a Houston-based engineering firm where he managed the design of over $500 million in Texas infrastructure improvements.

With his leadership, The Remembrance Project moved its headquarters to Washington, DC. After two years in the nation’s capital and gaining valuable insight, connections, and experience, Tim and his wife Maria returned the organization’s headquarters to the heart of the battle – Texas.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Villanova University. Having served on other organization’s Board of Directors, Tim was instrumental in establishing college scholarships for young cancer survivors.

Ted Nugent
Musician, Author

Ted Nugent, world-renowned guitarist, author, and 1st and 2nd Amendment champion joined the Remembrance Project Board of Directors in 2018. He is one of America’s most ardent supporters of our freedoms, which is ultimately our organization’s mission in placing the safety of Americans first.

Ted believes that the American Dream is not possible without safe neighborhoods and secure borders and is proud to fight for these basic self-evident truths and to honor those victimized by illegal invaders. It’s pretty simple – “America first!”

Ted’s no-holds-barred career at the top of the music world spans five decades. He has performed for 55,000 marines, sailors and families at Camp Pendleton’s Rockin’ the Corps, was honored to join fellow musician Toby Keith on a USO Tour of the Persian Gulf.

Generations of Americans have grown up as dedicated fans and to millions, Nugent is the nation’s most outspoken proponent of our first and second Amendment rights, conducting thousands of pro-gun, pro-freedom, pro-America interviews in major media worldwide.

Ruth Johnston-Martin
Sr. Chaplain and Angel Wife

Ruth Johnston-Martin is a Senior Chaplain and an Angel Wife whose first husband, Officer Don Johnston, was shot in the line of duty by an illegal alien. She brings a unique perspective to the organization drawing from her personal experiences and training as a chaplain. When needed, Ruth represents the organization at Press Conferences in Washington, DC, gives radio and TV interviews with National Media, and delivers presentations across the country. Chaplain Ruth ministers to The Remembrance Project’s grieving Angel Families and may refer them to the V.O.I.C.E. Office or to our coalition network with Chaplains and The Crisis Team International.

Ruth is a homemaker and brings her valuable marketing and legal experience to further the organization’s mission.

Lenny DePaul
Chief Inspector/Commander
U.S. Marshal Service (Ret)

Lenny DePaul brings valuable experiences from high offices in law enforcement to our organization. He is a native New Yorker and a highly decorated retired U.S. government agent (1811 Criminal Investigator), an organized team leader with over 34 year of experience in federal law enforcement/military. He held the position of Chief Inspector (Commander) of the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF). One of seven regional task forces managed by the Marshals Service, the NY/NJ RFTF is made up of more than 300 criminal investigators from over 90 federal, state, and local agencies in the two-state area.

Recognized as the flagship of the Marshals Service task force network, the NY/NJ RFTF now encompasses 13 offices and includes practically every major law enforcement agency in the region. Prior to his employment with the U.S. Marshals Service, Commander DePaul served 6 years with the United States Secret Service.

During the Reagan Administration, he spent three years assigned to the White House, where he was responsible for protecting the President and the First Family, and the White House grounds. During his last three years with the USSS, Commander DePaul was assigned to the Foreign Missions Branch, which is charged with protecting foreign diplomats within the United States.

During his tenure with the USMS, Commander DePaul has received numerous Special Achievement and Special Acts awards, and was named the “Investigator of the Year” by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation in 1996. In 2009, he was honored by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association as a result of the exceptional efforts of the USMS RFTF program. He also received the 2009 Attorney General’s award for Excellence in Law Enforcement for his contributions to the reduction of violent crime.

Commander DePaul supervises and coordinates a wide range of professional training for state and local law enforcement partners who participate on the Task Force, and also assists in training U.S. military Special Operations Forces (SOCOM/JSOC) with respect to “Manhunting in the Military.”