Meet the Board of Directors for Friends of Veterans
President
|
Patt Taylor
After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, Mr Taylor served with the United States Air Force. He served as a combat crew member and instructor; logging over 2000 hours in C-130 aircraft. Upon receiving his MBA from The Ohio State University, he spent thirty plus years in the telecommunications industry. He has served and continues to serve on several non-profit boards. In addition to presidential responsibilities, Patt is a caseworker and co-chair of the FOV annual golf fundraiser. |
Treasurer
|

Eileen von Gal
Eileen is Treasurer and Grant Manager for FOV. After receiving her Masters from Villanova University, she worked for 32 years in life insurance and finance. She held the position of Assistant VP in the Agency Finance Department at Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance in Hartford, CT. After her career at CML, Eileen joined National Life of Vermont in Montpelier where she served as Vice President and treasurer until her retirement. Eileen is a CCM (Certified Cash Manager) and has been a volunteer with FOV since 2015.
Eileen also handles the grant operations at Friends of Veterans and is vital in reaching out to the community.
Eileen is Treasurer and Grant Manager for FOV. After receiving her Masters from Villanova University, she worked for 32 years in life insurance and finance. She held the position of Assistant VP in the Agency Finance Department at Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance in Hartford, CT. After her career at CML, Eileen joined National Life of Vermont in Montpelier where she served as Vice President and treasurer until her retirement. Eileen is a CCM (Certified Cash Manager) and has been a volunteer with FOV since 2015.
Eileen also handles the grant operations at Friends of Veterans and is vital in reaching out to the community.
Secretary
Bob Hayden
Robert served as an Air Force Officer from 1970 - 1991. He worked for the Raytheon Corporation in Lexington, MA as their director of Engineering; Profit and Loss Center Business Leader; and Six Sigma Process Improvement Champion and Black Belt. Robert currently lives in Quechee, VT with his wife and has one son and two grandchildren in Rutland, VT. In addition to board responsibilities, Bob serves on the Homeless Committee and co-chairs the FOV annual golf fundraiser. Robert has served on the board for several other organizations including: Valley Court Diverson, White River, VT; Lynwood Glen Community, Venice, Fl; Plantation Community Foundation, Venice, FL |
Asst Treasurer and Member at Large

Ron Carr
Ron is the IT chief and security manager, and is also Assistant Treasurer. Ron joined FOV in 2007, responding to a volunteer request for database reporting. Since that time the database that he created has grown to track client information, assist caseworkers, and provide reports for grant requests and usage reports. He also oversees computer and software purchase and maintenance, and facility security for FOV. Ron was in the Air Force for 4 years, during the Vietnam era, stationed in Texas.
Ron is the IT chief and security manager, and is also Assistant Treasurer. Ron joined FOV in 2007, responding to a volunteer request for database reporting. Since that time the database that he created has grown to track client information, assist caseworkers, and provide reports for grant requests and usage reports. He also oversees computer and software purchase and maintenance, and facility security for FOV. Ron was in the Air Force for 4 years, during the Vietnam era, stationed in Texas.
Member-at-Large

Bruce Boedtker
Bruce is a Vietnam era Army Veteran serving from 1970 to 1972. With the help of the GI Bill he graduated from UVM in 1977 with a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering. Bruce owned and managed an engineering firm in Woodstock Vermont until 2012. He currently resides in Brownsville Vermont with his wife, Cathy, of 40 years. They have one son, Erik, who also lives and works in Brownsville. In addition to being on the FOV Board Bruce is a volunteer case worker.
Bruce is a Vietnam era Army Veteran serving from 1970 to 1972. With the help of the GI Bill he graduated from UVM in 1977 with a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering. Bruce owned and managed an engineering firm in Woodstock Vermont until 2012. He currently resides in Brownsville Vermont with his wife, Cathy, of 40 years. They have one son, Erik, who also lives and works in Brownsville. In addition to being on the FOV Board Bruce is a volunteer case worker.
Member-at-Large
John A. Daubenspeck
John taught cardiovascular and respiratory physiology to medical students and various biomedical engineering courses to engineering students at Dartmouth between 1974 and 2016. Now retired, I volunteer at Headrest and FOV doing board work at Headrest and casework at FOV, though I recently joined their board. I still participate in a research project at the VA using mathematical models to analyze dialysis methods. I’ve lived in the Upper Valley since 1966 with only a 2 year break in Los Angeles. So glad to be here, though my three kids and their families are all on the West Coast! |
Member-at-Large

Michael Kolakowski
Michael was in the USN: VietNam Era Veteran.
University of Connecticut graduate, with Bachelor of Arts degree.
Retired Connecticut Correctional Officer.
Retired Cold Regions Engineering & Research Lab.
Michael was in the USN: VietNam Era Veteran.
University of Connecticut graduate, with Bachelor of Arts degree.
Retired Connecticut Correctional Officer.
Retired Cold Regions Engineering & Research Lab.
Member-at-Large
Lance Werner

Lance grew up in San Diego, Cal. Joined the USMC in 1967. 67'-69'
Masters Degrees in Education/Counseling Ed. & Psychology, Univ. of San Diego, 75'.
Worked at the White River Jct., Vt. Veterans Affairs Medical Center as a Psychologist
1979 - 2005, specializing in treatment of PTSD & Readjustment Counseling.
Masters Degrees in Education/Counseling Ed. & Psychology, Univ. of San Diego, 75'.
Worked at the White River Jct., Vt. Veterans Affairs Medical Center as a Psychologist
1979 - 2005, specializing in treatment of PTSD & Readjustment Counseling.