Board of Directors

Melanie Kline, President and Founder
Ms. Kline is a Montrose silversmith who founded Welcome Montrose (WHM) in 2012, inspired by a news story about a program to assist the recovery of injured veterans through sports activities. Ms. Kline saw a need to assist returning veterans not only to integrate smoothly into non-military life but to thrive in that life. In the process of developing WHM, she researched similar efforts around the country, held focus groups with dozens of community organizations to gauge their potential for support and proceeded to build a model organization. Ms. Kline’s organizational skills and passion for assisting veterans has created an organization that has garnered national attention. She is currently involved in the details of WHAFV Affiliate Program.

Douglas Kiesewetter, Vice President and Secretary
With a strong family history of volunteerism and military support, it was a natural fit for Mr. Kiesewetter to become a part of the Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans. From his grandfather (USAF Colonel ret.) to father (USAF Captain) to son (Mr. Kiesewetter USAF ROTC) to a grandson currently serving at Ft. Bragg, this is a military family. Mr. Kiesewetter has an MBA in Accounting/tax from the University of North Texas augmented by graduate studies in history, theology and law. He is a skilled Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner. These skills and interests have been invaluable in pursuing his passion for helping poor people in developing world and inner city start businesses to become economically self-sustaining. His efforts can be seen from his participation in many charitable boards worldwide; currently in Papua New Guinea, Liberia, South Africa, Niger and the US.

R. Garey Martinez
Garey retired from the Marines as a Captain. His business career included management positions with Avon Products and RJ Reynolds Food and ownership of a camping and equipment supply company. Garey knew the homeless and disadvantaged needed basic services 7 days a week. He was the driving force in starting Shepherd’s Hand, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to feed the hungry, in Montrose in 2011. He is a leader and an innovator. Garey is new to this board, his extensive contacts in the community will benefit WHAFV in many ways.

Amy Eifling
A retired career Marine, Amy has served as the volunteer coordinator at the Warrior Resource Center for 3 years. Her experience in fundraising, community relations, and health/wellness coupled with her deep understanding of military culture brings much to her contributions to this organization. Amy also brings her personal experience as a disabled veteran to the WHAFV board.

Mike Trickey
Former Marine airplane mechanic Mike Trickey took the helm as WHAFV Executive Director in late September 2017 after serving as volunteer fundraising coordinator. After his time in the military, Mike spent his career as an Environmental Specialist for the Cherry Creek School District in Denver. Mike’s keen sense of our mission, his skill in community relations and his personable leadership style make Mike a valuable asset to our board of directors.

Joyce Corley
Joyce Corley is an award-winning photographer and journalist, living in Montrose, CO. Her love of photography evolved as part of her career as an educator where she used her photographs to illustrate concepts and emotions. Joyce helps veterans create their stories as composite posters through art and photography. Joyce is an active volunteer in many organizations when she isn’t traveling and taking photos with her husband Ron, a Korean War Veteran.

Emily Smith
Emily Smith is a military spouse. She has been through having her husband away a year at a time for multiple deployments. She intimately knows how this life divides and challenges marriages. She understands the workings of the Veteran’s Administration and the military culture. When her husband Sheldon was deployed to Fort Carson, Emily helped set up and served as the coordinator for the Warrior Support Group for 3 years. She knows the needs of military families when distance separates them from a predominantly military community and became the first Executive Director for WHM (2012-2017) so she could improve the lives of military families here.

Randy Havens
Randy Havens served in the United States Navy and spent four years, including six months in Da Nang, Vietnam in supply, and six months in the Gulf of Tonkin aboard the USS Sterett. After returning to the States, he spent most of his career in banking and economic development in Wyoming and Colorado. Randy moved to Montrose in 2002 and soon 1st National Bank asked him to open a new bank in Montrose. After 2-years of building a new bank and a strong customer base, 1st National Bank sold to Alpine Bank. Then in 2006, he was approached to build and establish Timberline Bank in Montrose. Today, Randy has recently stepped down from his responsibilities as President of Timberline Bank, allowing him more time for volunteering with different organizations helping Veterans and local non-profits. Randy was one of the founding board members of Welcome Home Montrose, Inc. and we are grateful that he has recently returned to serve with us again.

ADVISORY BOARD

Rich Parr
Colorado Department of Labor, Montrose Workforce Center
Sandy Head
Executive Director, Montrose Economic Development Corporation
Kirk Hartman
Community Business Owner
Bill Bell
Montrose City Manager
Kathy Ellis
Former Mayor, Montrose
Gary Ellis
Former County Commissioner, Montrose County
Melanie Hall
Former Executive Director, Montrose Community Foundation

WHAFV Board of Directors

ADVISORY BOARD