In addition to leading OVH Music Access, Elson is a founder, business owner, whose work spans music, media, and mission-driven leadership.

• Founder and CEO of Oasis Voices of Humanity Foundation, Inc.
• Founder and CEO of EMS EFX, Inc.
• Founder and Owner of EGS3 Sound Works

In addition to his work at OVH Music Access, Elson’s experience spans multiple creative and leadership fields, including:

Songwriter, Musician, Composer, Director, Producer, Publisher, Author, Audio Editor, EFX Content Creator, Digital Animator, Graphic Designer, Podcast & Video Editor, Podcaster, Podcast Producer, and Script Writer.

His diverse background allows him to lead with both creativity and practical vision, helping shape mission-driven programs that create real opportunity through music.

Elson graduated from high school at the age of 16 in Greenville, South Carolina, and pursued college studies in Business and Performing Arts. In 1976, he began working at WAVY-TV 10 in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he served as a sound board engineer, audio editor, and producer. His leadership journey deepened through military service when he joined the U.S. Navy in 1979. He served with distinction as an Electronics Technician and completed his naval career with an honorable discharge in 1985 as an Electronics Technician First Class (ET1).

Following his military service, Elson returned to college in 1987 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a minor in Performing Arts from Virginia Intermont College. He later returned to Virginia Beach, where he took on a leadership role as General Manager in his family’s HVAC home services company. In 1991, he left Virginia and launched his own home services company in Washington, D.C. It was during that season of life that he met Margaret, a driven Navy Chief at the Pentagon, who would become both his wife and one of his most trusted collaborators.

As Margaret’s military career later took them to California, Elson embraced another new chapter and founded a media services company, where he wrote commercial advertising, songs, and jingles, further demonstrating his entrepreneurial drive and creative range. In 1993, Elson and Margaret were married, beginning a lasting partnership in both life and leadership.

Elson believes strong leadership means building a strong team. He is supported by a dedicated Board of Directors and by his wife of more than three decades, Margaret Smith, whose experience, service, and steady counsel continue to strengthen the foundation’s work.

Together, Elson and Margaret help guide the growth of Oasis Voices of Humanity Foundation, Inc. and its mission through OVH Music Access: putting music, instruments, access, and opportunity into the hands of students and schools that need them most.

In addition to co-leading OVH Music Access, Margaret Smith serves as co-founder, bringing operational discipline, and strategic insight.

• Co-Founder and Secretary of Oasis Voices of Humanity Foundation, Inc.
• Co-Founder and COO of EMS EFX, Inc.
• OP Manager of EGS3 Sound Works

In addition to her role at OVH Music Access, Margaret’s experience spans a range of creative and operational fields, including:

Author, Audio Editor, Bookkeeper, Content Creator, Podcast Host, and Speech Writer.

Her broad skill set helps her bring both structure and creativity to every project she supports.

Margaret also brings 23 years of distinguished military service as a U.S. Navy Chief, a foundation that continues to shape her leadership style and deep commitment to service. She volunteered for the Vietnam War in 1973, right out of high school, driven by a desire to help others. By 1975, she was serving under Rear Admiral James C. Donaldson Jr. as Air Warfare crew aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) as part of Carrier Air Group Five (CAG-5) during Operation Frequent Wind, the final phase of the evacuation of American civilians and at-risk Vietnamese from Saigon.

Following Vietnam, Margaret became a flag writer for Admirals, a trusted communications role that placed her at the center of Navy leadership. In 1989, while stationed in San Francisco, she acted as a first responder during the Loma Prieta Earthquake, helping pull survivors from rubble and secure unstable ground in the wake of the Bay Bridge collapse.

Her military career continued through the Gulf War, where she served as Flag Writer to Vice Admiral Edwin R. “Rudy” Kohn Jr. during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. In recognition of her service and qualifications, Admiral Kohn personally presented her with her Air Warfare Wings, a milestone honor in her distinguished naval journey.

She retired in 1996 from the Pentagon as a Navy Chief, having served her final tour of duty alongside Rear Admiral Kendall Pease, then Chief of Naval Information in Washington, D.C.

Margaret’s lifetime of service, leadership, and operational excellence continues to strengthen OVH Music Access as it works to expand music access for students and schools in need.