Board of Directors
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Robert R. Piaro - View Bio
Adrian Krueger - View Bio
Colin Moten - View Bio |
John L. Margowski - View Bio
Christopher Hanson - View Bio
Ramona M Kane-Blaney - View Bio |
Robert R. Piaro
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100% disabled Vietnam Veteran, received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Combat V, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, and various Republic of Vietnam citations.
- Since Vietnam, Bob has had to deal with the problems of a physical disability loss of his left leg, combat stress, chemical dependency and family problems. In 1985 he entered the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment program at the VAMC Tomah, WI. After he completed that program, his life took a new direction – helping other veterans with similar problems.
- In 1992, Bob began volunteering for the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) in establishing a homeless veteran program in Wisconsin. He spent 3 months as a homeless veteran in the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Boston, MA to collect data for the Veterans Assistance Program (VAP) where he worked with no salary as interim director of the Veterans Rehabilitation Program, latter known as the VAP.
- In January 1994, Bob established the Veterans Assistance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation to operate Veterans Assistance Centers for the purpose of transitioning homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless veterans into society’s mainstream by providing an environment where they could receive needed services to make that happen. At that time, the VAF wanted to establish a VAC in the Fox Valley region in Wisconsin. It has expanded to operate the following programs:
- Veterans Assistance Center – King, WI. A 27-bed facility located on the grounds of the King Veterans Home near Waupaca, WI. Opened April 1995.
- Veterans Assistance Center – Madison, WI. A 7 bed, transitional facility located on the grounds of Central Wisconsin Center in Madison, WI. Opened July 1996.
- Veterans Assistance Center – Fort McCoy, WI. The VAF assumed responsibility for this Center from the WDVA in July 1996. Fort McCoy has 14 program beds.
- Veterans Assistance Center – Tomah, WI. The administrative operations of the Fort McCoy facility moved to the grounds of the VA Medical Center in Tomah in September 1998. VAC Tomah has 67 program beds
- Veterans Assistance Center-Bakersfield CA. There is a 32 bed transitional veterans program. 2003
- Veterans Assistance Center-Bakersfield CA. A 9 Bed transitional veterans program. 2004
- Resource and Referral Center – Bakersfield, CA. This is a day service program designed to provide assistance in conjunction with area service providers.
- VAF-Kern County Annual Stand Down- Stand Down is in reference to the military term allowing a combat unit removed from the field of battle to an area of safety and security and has been widely heralded as an innovative and effective way of assisting homeless veterans to break the self-perpetuating cycle of homelessness.
- Bob is a nationally recognized leader in homeless veteran advocacy. He travels around the country providing assistance to veterans programs and organizations. Bob is knowledgeable and persuasive in dealing with veterans issues with government agencies and organizations. He has exercised this talent while being a pivotal actor in developing National, State and Local veterans programs. Bob has developed and continues to expand a professional knowledge of veterans problems and possible solutions. He has, as an individual, the ability to communicate with his fellow veterans on a sympathetic but no-nonsense level that gets results for them that has earned him a reputation as someone that can really help.
- VAF Professional Affiliations
- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
- Kern County Homeless Collaborative
- Kern County Network For Children
- VAF-Kern County Veterans Stand Down
- Personal Affiliations
- Vietnam Veterans of America
- American Legion
- Disabled Veterans of America
- DAV
- AMVETS
- VFW
- Health Care for the Homeless Clinicians Network
John L. Margowski
John was born in and spent his first 15 years in Delphi, Indiana. He graduated from high school at the Kentucky Military Institute, attended Vincennes University in Indiana, and graduated from Murray State University in Kentucky with a B.S. degree in Business Administration.
A Vietnam veteran, John entered the Air Force in November of 1969. He was a distinguished graduate of his Officers Training School class and served in the Strategic Air Command as a navigator on a KC-135 stratotanker. While serving, he received the Vietman Service Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Air Force Longevity Service Award. He was discharged with the rank of Captain in June of 1974.
John served as the Assistant Veteran Service Officer of Waukesha County from June of 1977 to April of 1986. He was then Acting CVSO from April to October of 1986 when he was appointed as the Veterans Service Officer.
John is a life member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and a member of WACVO, Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and Forty & Eight of the American Legion.
Adrian Krueger
I grew up on a small farm near West Bend, WI. I attended local public and parochial grade schools and graduated from West Bend High School in 1966.
From 1968 – 1970 served in the U.S. Army. My Vietnam service was from December 1968 – February 1970. My duties included working in an encrypted message center and heavy artillery with First Field Force, in II Corps. In 1991 I completed a course in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning at Milwaukee Area Technical College South Campus. I am presently employed in construction and home renovation.
I joined Vietnam Veterans of America in 1989 and am a life member of Chapter 448, Newburg, WI. In the past I have been a chapter delegate to Wisconsin State Council of Vietnam Veterans and served as a Vice President of the council and chaired the constitution committee.
At the chapter level I have been chairman of constitution, legal affairs, and ordnance committees. I have held positions of secretary, treasurer, vice president, and president of VVA Chapter 448. Presently I serve on the Board of Directors and as chairman of the ordnance committee.
Along with Robert Piaro and Wayne Gabriel I have had the pleasure of being a founding member of the Veterans Assistance Foundation (VAF) of which I served as secretary treasurer. The success of VAF led to the forming of the California Veterans Assistance Foundation (CVAF). Currently I serve on the Board of Directors and as treasurer of both foundations.
I enjoy spending time with my family and grand children. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, antique and modern firearms colleting, and reading.
Christopher Hanson
Christopher R. Hanson took the reigns as the Executive Director of the Greater Tomah Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau in August of 2005. He arrived with a strong background in advertising, marketing and public relations. He is responsible for two different organizations with two completely separate Boards of Directors and budgets and maintains two separate staffs with very little crossover. For the Chamber of Commerce, Hanson is responsible for promoting Chamber activities and growing membership. For the Convention and Visitors Bureau, he leads the city’s tourism promotion and marketing campaigns toward leisure, business and military visitors. Hanson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, JBA ’96.
Currently a Senior Chief Petty Officer Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy Reserve, he is attached to Operational Health Support Unit Great Lakes as the Command Leading Chief Petty Officer. Additionally, he is the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Headquarters Command Assessment Team. An Operation Enduring Freedom veteran, Hanson was mobilized from October of 2006 to November 2007 to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Medical Records Branch in Patient Administration. During his deployment, he was the Vice-Chair for the LRMC Tier III joint senior enlisted organization.
During the early years of his career, Hanson served as a Field Medical Service Technician, or Combat Corpsman for the United States Marine Corps. He spent eight years attached to Golf Company, 2/24, 4th Marine Division based out of Madison, WI. He later assumed various roles at different commands developing and leading junior Sailors, such as the Officer-in-Charge for a new accession unit of brand new Sailors. There, he was responsible for conducting various general Navy and military training in a reserve boot camp atmosphere.
Hanson has recently held Senior Enlisted Leadership positions in some high profile missions:
- 2008 - Senior Enlisted Leader for a Humanitarian Mission to the country of Suriname, South America. Responsible for manning and safety of 35 member medical team. Mission provided medical care for more than 3,500 Surinamese citizens.
- 2009- Senior Enlisted Leader for Northern Lights/Global Medic joint medical training exercise in Fort McCoy, WI, a 106 USN member mission to learn joint medical operations with the Army and Air Force.
- 2010 - Senior Enlisted Leader for a Humanitarian Mission to Haiti in June of 2010. 45 member planned mission providing medical support and earthquake relief.
Additional positions/Accomplishments:
Founding member of Tomah Area Veterans Memorial Committee.
Board Member, Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center Board of Directors
Member, Monroe County Economic Development and Tourism Committee
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal – two awards
Army Commendation Medal – one award
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal – five awards
Colin Moten
Colin is a Retired Marine Corps veteran with over 22 years of combined active and reserve service. While serving on active duty from 1988 - 1996, he was meritoriously promoted, served 41 months overseas, and managed several military post offices and operations sections. Since serving with the Marine Corps Reserves he has been employed as an Administration/Personnel Chief. He also holds military occupational specialties as a Substance Abuse Coordination Officer and Career Planner. He was mobilized in 2004 - 2005 in support of Operation Iraq/Enduring Freedom.
He has been with the Veterans Assistance Foundation since September 2003. He started as a Case Manager for the Foundations Step-up Program, then located on Fort McCoy, WI. Since then he has held several positions throughout the organization to include Operations Assistant, Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program Administrator, and Executive Director. He currently holds the position of President.
Colin currently is on several advisory committees that advocate for the homeless and veterans; Dane County Homeless Consortium, Wisconsin Job Center Local Collaborating Committee, Wisconsin Works Community Steering Committee, the Monroe County Homeless Committee, and member in the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
Affiliations:
American Legion Post 309
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2112
Masonic Lodge No. 132
Jackie Urban
Jackie grew up on a small beef farm near Hillsboro Wisconsin. She migrated to a La Cross to go to college and decided to stay in the area to work and play.
Jackie and her husband, who is a Veteran of Foreign Wars ,are avid motorcycle enthusiasts and love to explore Wisconsin's many Counties in the summer.
Currently Jackie is a member education officer Altra Federal Credit Union in La Crosse Wisconsin. She has been financial literacy advoate for 17 years working with organizations such as Computer Credit Counseling Service of the La Cross, Catholic Charities Credit Counseling, Veterans Assistance Foundation and other community organizations to help educate people in the wise use of Credit, Budgeting, will Credit history building and investing for their future.
As a credit counselor, with Consumer Credit Counseling Services She has had the opportunity present a financial literacy program called "Money in Motion"to the Foundation's Step Up Program participants. Jackie has worked with the residents on an individual basis to help them review their credit history and prepare a action plan with them to repair, correct and rebuild your credit history.
Ramona M Kane-Blaney
SOCIAL WORK EXPERIENCE
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Wisconsin 1986-2002
Tomah VA: Social Worker for a 20 bed inpatient Post Traumatic Stress Program (PTSD). Group leader for trauma group counseling. Provided case management to combat veterans enrolled in the PTSD program. Completed social histories on all veterans assigned to my caseload. Developed a discharge plan with the veteran and follow-up care outpatient services.
Milwaukee VA: Social Worker assigned to an impatient substance abuse treatment program. Completed social histories and developed treatment plans for the veterans who were in detox. Group leader for a substance abuse aftercare program. Assigned to the Emergency Room as the outpatient- crisis intervention social worker. Worked closely with the emergency room personell on all social issues veterans and or their families would present on admission. Provided veterans with community referrals if not admitted to the hospital. Promoted to GS-12. Supervisor to develop two homeless veterans programs. Collaborated with community programs, not-for-profit to partner in providing housing and health care to homeless veterans. Responsible for budgeting and purchasing all equipment needed to start/ implement a new homeless program. Responsible for hiring and training federal personnel to support this new program. Accountable to the Federal Inspector General who completed an on-site inspection to verify that all federal funds allocated to this new project was utilized in accordance with federal guidelines. This new program passed inspection by the Inspector General’s Office. Responsible for supervising this 76 bed homeless veterans program in Milwaukee and a 45 bed program in a rural community 2 hours from Milwaukee. Duties also included counseling and terminating federal employees as required by VA guidelines. Received a $500.00 performance award for developing and implementing these two homeless programs.
Madison VA: Social Worker for a 30 bed inpatient medical unit. Completed social histories for veterans admitted to the medical floor. Duties included counseling and completing health care power of attorney on veterans admitted to the inpatient unit. Participated in a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting to review discharge plans of veterans. Coordinated all the referrals to community nursing homes for veterans as needed. Coordinated all in-home supportive services for veterans being discharged home. Reassigned as Coordinator/ Supervisor for two homeless programs in the Madison area. Actively conducted community outreach to homeless shelters, meal sites, and community parks to inform and link veterans to VA services. Provided supportive services and completed performance appraisals to federal employees working with the homeless program.
CIVILIAN EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin Whitewater,
Bachelor of Arts (Social Work) May 1983
Univeristy of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Masters Degree (Social Work) May 1986
MILITARY EDUCATION
Command and General Staff College, June 1996
Combined Arms & Services Staff School, July 1993
AMEDD Officer Advance Course, August 1990
AMEDD Officer Basic Course, September 1983
Commissioned Second Lieutenant, May 1981
ROTC- University of Wisconsin Whitewater, 1979-1981
Basic Training & Advance Individual Training, August 1977
Enlisted, November 1976
MILITARY AWARDS/HONORS
Meritorious Service Medal (w/2 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Commendation Medal (w/3 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Achievement Medal (w/5 Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/2 Devices)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
COMMAND ASSIGNMENTS
Commander, 13th Medical and Dental Detachment, Madison, WI
December 2004- Present
Deputy Commander, 13th Medical and Dental Detachment, Madison, WI
April 2002- December 2004
Battalion Commander, 13th Battalion 426th Regiment (GS), Fort Mc Coy, WI
January 2001- April 2002
Company Commander, 135th Medical Company (Clearing), Waukesha, WI
February 1993- August 1995
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