Board of Directors
9
Board Members
All of them awesome at what they do!
Jeremie Oates
President
Jeremie Oates is a Program Manager for a Department of Defense Contractor based in Tampa, Florida.
He currently works worldwide in support of conventional and special operations units and warfighters.
Jeremie is a 4th generation local who was born and raised in Aspen, Colorado. As a kid and young adult he participated in a variety of sports and outdoor activities to include Ski Racing, Varsity Football (All Northwest Conference in 1987), Bicycle Racing, 4H and climbing and mountaineering in the Elk Mountains. On graduation from Aspen High School, he attended the University of Colorado at Boulder on an Army ROTC scholarship while simultaneously being a member of the Army Reserves.
Upon graduation, Jeremie was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. He served in the Infantry until 1996 when he completed the Army Special Forces Qualification Course. He then transferred to the Special Forces Branch and served the remainder of his career as an Army Green Beret. In the course of his career he served in, and commanded at multiple levels, in a variety of Special Operations Units and Commands and deployed to over 20 countries to include Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and multiple locations in the Middle East. These deployments included numerous combat rotations from 2005-2011.
He also found time to continue with his mountaineering and skiing passions by being an expedition member on multiple trips in Asia, Europe and South America on 6000-8000 meter peaks. Culminating in 2003 with one of the highest ski descents (7650 meters) ever made by an American on Mount Everest.
In 2012, after a 22 year career, he returned to the Roaring Fork Valley with his wife Sally (also an Aspen High School Graduate) and two children Ellie and Florian. Both he and Sally enjoy being back home and continue to be involved with multiple philanthropies and non-profits that support Veterans and Veteran Causes.
Jennifer Harris
Vice President
Bio Coming Soon!
John Pettit
Treasurer
John is a founding member of the Western Slope Veterans Coalition and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968.
He served as Fire Direction and Control Specialist in an 81mm mortar section with 3rd Battalion 26th Marines in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. All of his tour was spent in I Corps and along the DMZ from Con Thien to Khe Sanh.
John received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has been an entrepreneur and businessman throughout his life. He enjoys teaching adaptive skiing to veterans and people with disabilities as a volunteer with the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center.
Jacob Weigel
Secretary
Jacob served in the US Army Reserves from 2001 – 2009 and was deployed on 3 combat tours to various locations in Iraq.
The first 2 tours he served as a Petroleum Supply Specialist where he hauled fuel all over the country and ran the company’s communication logistics. During his 3rd tour he retrained in Mortuary Affairs where he ran the 2nd largest collection point in Iraq. In his free time Jacob helped enlisted men and women improve their math, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills in order to advance in their military careers.
In between deployments Jacob attended Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering (2010) and his Masters degree in Petroleum Geology (2014). While working on his degrees Jacob was an active member and officer at the Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post 4171 in Golden serving as post chaplain, secretary, and Honor Guard captain. He helped plan events, manage the Post’s finances, and participated in providing aid to veterans in need.
Jacob has worked as a geologist for ConocoPhillips, XTO Energy, Tetra Tech, and KC Resources as the company’s lead geologist. He also worked as a Sale’s Associate for the Roaring Fork Valley Co-operative in Carbondale, CO. He is now employed by the Forest Service as a Civil Engineer for the White River National Forest. He currently works on constructing and maintaining various facilities within the National Forest and works with Rangers in varying districts to make visitors’ experiences to the forest a safe and pleasant one.
Alan Sandberg
Committee - MKT/PR
Over 30 years ago, I relocated to the mountains of Colorado from the suburbs of Boston and I’ve never looked back.
Along the way, I grew to appreciate the freedoms and liberties afforded me and my family by being a citizen of the United States. Although I am not a Veteran, I feel it’s important to honor our Veterans by getting involved with Veteran causes.
I am able to assist the WSVC by using my marketing and business background to further the goals of the organization.
John Beckius
Committee - MKT
John Beckius was born and raised in rural Nebraska near North Platte. After graduating from high school, he joined…
His interest and aptitude with German cars led him to open a repair shop in Colorado Springs, where he met his wife, Wendy. The couple celebrated their 41st anniversary in 2021. After several years in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Rifle, the couple moved to Glenwood Springs with their sons Cody, Jesse, and Shane. In Glenwood Springs, they started two other shops, Sport Wheels and European Auto Werks.
John has been a leader with the Boy Scouts in Western Colorado for more than 25 years, teaching shooting, camping, and auto repair, in addition to many other merit badges. John has helped many Scouts attain the rank of Eagle Scout, including two of his sons, Jesse and Shane.
John’s father, uncle, and oldest son, Joe, served in the Navy. His youngest son, Shane, enlisted in the US Air Force, and his son, Jesse, joined the Marine Corps shortly after he graduated. Jesse took his own life on July 29th, 2013, three days after his 26th birthday. He had returned to the US from Afghanistan only five weeks earlier.
John joined the board of The Jesse Beckius & Casey Owens Veteran Resource Center to help the grassroots organization make a difference in the lives of returning service members and their families.
Lisa Doak
Committee - PRG/SVCS
Lisa Doak and her husband, Rich, moved to the Roaring Fork Valley early in their careers to take positions at Colorado Mountain College and the US Forest Service, respectively.
They soon realized what drew them to Glenwood, the abundance of beauty and recreation, quality of life and sense of community, was reason to stay and put down roots.
Over the past 30 years living in the Roaring Fork Valley, Lisa has worked in Student Affairs at Colorado Mountain College. She has served the local CMC campuses as a college counselor, director of student services and dean of student affairs. Since 2015, as assistant vice president for student affairs for Colorado Mountain College, Lisa oversees college-wide Student Mental Health and Wellness, Title IX, Disability Services, Housing, TRIO Federal Grant programs, Student Conduct, and Career Services.
Most recently, Lisa lead implementation of a virtual counseling program for Colorado Mountain College students. Lisa’s community service and involvement has included Sopris Elementary School Accountability Committee, SANE services development committee, and United Methodist Church scholarship committee. She is a member of the Community Health Initiatives Communities that Care Board. Lisa, Rich, and daughter Allie, along with two golden retrievers, enjoy time together outdoors playing in the rivers, mountains and desert whenever possible.
Lisa is honored and excited to be a part of the Western Slope Veterans Coalition Board and looks forward to contributing the work WSVC does to support our veterans and their families.
Paul Nunemann
Committee - MKT
Bio coming soon!
David Pruett
Committee - VSO/ER
Bio coming soon!
Eugene R. Sowieja
1951 - 2020
“Geno’ sat on the WSVC Board of Directors from 01/2016 – 10/2020. From day one, he offered his endless support and dedication to serve those who served this country. He was a great friend to us all here at WSVC, He will be greatly missed.
David Drozd
Committee - MKT
Bio coming soon!
2
Support Staff
Shawn Sanders
Office Administrator
Greetings! My name is Shawn Sanders. Originally from Texas, I served in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and Surgical Tech for 7 years, from 1994-2001. After my service I went on to become a nurse for the next 18 years. My passion is helping others in any way I can. I am excited to part of the WSVC family where I can pursue that passion with my fellow Veterans. I look forward to meeting and working with you.
Celeste Arana
Office Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Committee - VSO/ER
David Pruitt
John is a founding member of the Western Slope Veterans Coalition and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968.
He served as Fire Direction and Control Specialist in an 81mm mortar section with 3rd Battalion 26th Marines in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. All of his tour was spent in I Corps and along the DMZ from Con Thien to Khe Sanh.
John received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has been an entrepreneur and businessman throughout his life. He enjoys teaching adaptive skiing to veterans and people with disabilities as a volunteer with the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center.