Who is WHM? The visionary who conceived of this initiative is Melanie Kline, a Montrose businesswoman. Melanie is a silversmith, an artist, a retailer, a teacher, a community leader. She has established an international reputation as a handcrafter of Judaica and fine jewelry. She is a board member of the Montrose Downtown Development Authority and is passionate about preserving her community of Montrose. Melanie is in the process of gathering a council of advisors to launch Welcome Home Montrose.
An early recruit is Doug Kiesewetter, president of Brightleaf Technologies, a Montrose manufacturer with breakthrough solar technology. He is a serial start-up entrepreneur with successful businesses launched in the fields of computer peripheral manufacturing, optical memories, software development, oil and gas exploration, gas transportation, currency trading, and financial services. He also is founder/chairman of a substantial public charitable foundation. Melanie and Doug are using their circles of influence to draw from a deep pool of talent in Montrose to drive WHM forward. Initial local interest in WHM has been extremely strong. The concept has clearly struck a resonant chord with many local leaders.
Sandy Head, Executive Director MEDC
“I was born in Montrose and raised here on a farm. I know firsthand what a fabulous part of the world we live in. Every day is a gift when you can look outside and breath in the clean fresh air and see the beauty that surrounds you on every side. We need to promote and share this gift we have with those who are less fortunate. Our US Veterans have helped us sustain our freedoms. We have an opportunity to share our freedom of space and beauty with them. I am the Director for the Montrose Economic Development Corporation, (MEDC). Our mission is to diversify and strengthen the economy of Montrose. Welcome Home Montrose will not only serve our veterans, but it will also open doors for new business opportunities and support industries. This will create jobs for our existing citizens and provide employment opportunities for the veterans as well. Together we can make great things happen.”
Western State College supports small businesses in Western Colorado through the Small Business Development Center. Western and the SBDC support Welcome Home Montrose and have applied and received veterans grants for this invaluable program. Veterans are welcome to receive free and confidential consulting for their business by contacting the College. Marilyn Laverty is the Director of the SBDC 970-943-3157 or mlaverty@western.edu. There is a team of business experts that can help you get your business growing!
Randy Havens, President Timberline Bank and a Proud Vietnam Veteran
I was born in the oilfields of Wyoming in the early 50’s. My father was a WWII and Korean Veteran so I learned early on in life to respect our Veterans for all the sacrifices they made for our freedom. Some sacrifices were more than others, but they all played a part in the freedoms we are entitled to today. In the early 70’s I joined the U.S. Navy and became a Vietnam Veteran. I will always have a place in my heart for Veterans of all wars or conflicts. By being a part of Welcome Home Colorado I will continue to fulfill promises I made myself many years ago. The first and foremost promise I made was to always be
a part of an effort to help those who gave so much for our freedoms. The second to strive to make the community I live in a better place for all to live. What a better way to fulfill both promises than being a part of Welcome Home Montrose. We can make a difference by helping our U.S. Veterans while helping Montrose become a community we can be proud of by opening our arms to U.S. Veterans.
Don and Dianna Coram
Colorado State Representative – House District 58
Robert Brown
President, Montrose Downtown Development Authority, Vietnam Vet
Scott Shine
Executive Director Montrose Downtown Development Authority
William Bell
Montrose City Manager
Terri Wilcox
All Points Transit
Sarah Curtis
All Points Transit
Paul and Carol McDermott
Our nephew is a Marine who served two tours in Iraq. He returned home and serves his community as a volunteer firefighter, and hockey coach. He enrolled in college, and now is a small business owner. His community newspaper gives him special rates for advertising. Welcome Home Montrose is a wonderful idea, a great way our community can thank our veterans.
Melanie Hall
Executive Director Montrose Community Foundation
Gary Ellis
Montrose County Commissioner
Kathy Ellis
Mayor of Montrose Colorado
Jenni Sopsic
Executive Director Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism
David White
Montrose County Commissioner
Ron Henderson
Montrose County Commissioner
John Brown
Navy Seal Crossfit Agoge
Erica Lewis Kennedy
ELK Media, LLC
Jim Austin
Former City Manager
Kirk Hartman
Community Leader, Business Owner, DDA Boardmember
Jim Hougnon
City of Montrose
Dennis Erickson
Parks Planner for City of Montrose
Richard Godsill
Common Ground
Susan Lander
Dr Craig Hollabaugh
BrightLeaf Technologies
Karon Jacobs
Western Insurance Group
Darcy Johnson
BrightLeaf Technologies
Jim Olwine
BrightLeaf Technologies
Peter J. Fagen
Lee Burkins
Lee is a Green Beret who served with MACV-SOG in Southeast Asia. He studied federal law (USC Title 38 and CFR 38) and devoted seven years as a veteran’s advocate in Hawaii personally assisting hundreds of veterans in obtaining their entitlements. He convinced Congress to expand veterans’ services to all the Hawaiian islands and was instrumental in having new facilities built on every island. Lee teaches Taoist healing, meditation and martial arts in Montrose. He is author of ‘Soldier’s Heart: An Inspirational Memoir and Inquiry of War’.
Nancy and Gary Johnston
Advocates for Veterans
Ray and Elaine Pigford
Gayle George
Scott and Kristi Stryker
George Lawrence
Dan Pumphrey
Scott and Patrice Streit
Pat Blackwelder
I have spent most of my life as a respiratory therapist in the Montrose area, though, as a licensed pilot, I have traveled extensively. I have a special passion for the military men and women who serve. They do what they do so the rest of us can do what we do. They protect us. I’m excited for the opportunity to serve on the WHM board. It is an amazing and worthwhile project.
John Cline
Jim Haugsness
Bill Bennett
Ed Ulibarri
Cheryl Young
Tri-County 9-12 Project
Susan Cofano
Frank Anderson
In 1962 I Graduated from CU as a Civil Engineer and accepted a direct commission in the regular Army. I served over 22 years and retired as a LTC in 1984. I was assigned to units in the 5th Mech. Div, 1st Inf, 18th Engr Bde. and the 101st Abn Div. with 6 years in Germany and two tours in RVN. One of the greatest joys in my life was to have served with so many super soldiers. I gained great respect for and faith in the youth of our country who served or are now serving. Since retiring from the Army, I became a builder specializing in custom log home construction and worked on a variety of projects in the San Juan region (5 years at the Sleeping Indian Ranch, various structures at the RRL and many others.). Throughout this experience I had “dream Team” workers/craftsmen on crews large and small (a reflection of the quality of people prevalent in this Montrose Area).
Gary Gratton
Disabled Veterans
SSG Justin Lee
Larry and Debby Wooddell
Marty Warner
Nancy Hoganson
Director of Community Relations
Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado
I truly believe Montrose can bring this miracle of healing together for wounded warriors. We have the mix of geography, opportunity and people – the most important component. I will do whatever I can to help you in this important project.
Mike Will
John Brown told me a bit about this endeavor, and asked if I would be interested in joining the effort. He knew I would be because I lost my lower right leg in 2005 due to a bone infection following a number of surgeries and had been struggling to “do life”. It took my family, my friends, my faith and folks like John and Kelly to help me learn to Live Life, a different way. As an amputee, some “things” didn’t work well, or at all, from my new perspective. As a result of frustration, I conceived an idea for a new prosthetic device that will allow lower limb amputees to enjoy an easier way of Living Life. I had difficulty identifying the expertise I needed to develop the device in Montrose. As a result, I eventually found the expertise needed in nearby Grand Junction. As a person that knew nothing about designing, developing and patenting a new idea, I hit all the hurdles to success. Yes, I have a vested interest in seeing this project succeed because I understand how difficult “doing life” is instead of Living Life.
Josh and Chena Kline
Ouray Silversmiths
Dan Kline
Ouray Silversmiths
Nancy Karsh
Molly Foote
LT. General Retired, Bruce Fister
Joan and Bill Spencer
Joan and Bill Spencer reside in Austin, San Francisco and the western
slope of Colorado. Joan is an accomplished musician, soloist and teacher,
including at K-State in the 1950s. They have been fortunate in their career
to have hosted royalty from Europe and visited premiers and leaders around
the world. They currently serve on an advisory board to the Premier
of Taiwan and to several boards of the National Academies of Science
and Engineering, where Bill is a member. Joan is active in community
affairs and Bill serves on the boards of alternative energy, medical device
and consulting companies. He is retired as the President and CEO of
SEMATECH, the Senior Technical Officer of Xerox and positions at Bell
Labs and Sandia. He holds the position of Research professor at New
Mexico School of Medicine and was a Regents professor at Berkeley. He
has taught at Berkeley and the University of Texas, Austin. They received
the Regents Medal from the University of New Mexico, are fellows of
Polytechnic University of Brooklyn, members of the athletic hall of fame
and received a Doctor of Science recognition from William Jewel College.
They enjoy opera, the symphony, hiking, skiing, tennis and just walking in
the cities where they reside.
Erica Weeks
James Bates
Kerry G. Wilson
physical therapist at In Motion Therapy
Garry Melugin
I belong to a small organization called The Uncompahgre Treasure Club. We, as a group, would like to support “Welcome Home Montrose”. We are a metal detector club. If a Wounded Warrior would like to become a member, the other members would support them, pay for their dues and show them how to go metal detecting.
Sgt. Rick Bressett
Stephen M. (Pete) Peterson
Maxfield Peterson, P.C.
If you are aware of any local vets who need tax services we’d be willing to help on a pro bono basis. Don’t know how many we can handle but willing to try and help.
Ron and Shirley Ringo
Trauma Specialists
Service for Humanity Foundation, Life Trauma Solutions
Gary and Maryann Krabbe
In Motion Therapy
Dan Piencikowski
Builder, Vietnam Vet
Ken Sherbenou
Montrose Rec District
Kellie and Kevin Hartman
Great Harvest Bakery
Mike Baer
Business Owner, Vietnam Vet
Gail Marvel
Montrose City Council
Thomas Smits
Montrose City Council
Bill Patterson
Montrose City Council
Joey Montoya Boese
Rich Parr
Manager- Montrose Walgreen’s
Great job on Welcome Home Montrose!!!! Lots of people are really excited about it. I think we owe it to these fine young men and women who have given so much to our country. It would be an honor to have Montrose nationally known as the city of hope for these people so much in need.
Abe Cardenas
Ajay Kapoor
Al Head
Alan Vigil
Alex Morrin
Arnold Gallegos
Arthur M Kinne
Barry E Lindstrom
Beau Miller
Ben Tisdel
Bill Bennett
Bill Hamm
Bill Patterson
Bob Brown
Bob Koch
Bob Romeo
Brad M Hudson
Bradley W Ryser
Bradley Wade Furness
Brandon Hilliard
Brandon M. Knoll
Brent Carlile
Casey Allan Chapman
Chad Jukes
Charles Fuller
Charles Rehfeldt
Charlie Johnson
Chris E Trujillo
Chris Hayden
Christopher Judkins
Clair Andrea Caringer
Clay Greathouse
Cleo H. Elliott
Craig Ammerman
Craig Hollabaugh
Craig Mergelman
Craig Schoonderwoerd
Curtis Reed
Dan Kline
Dan Piencikowski
Dan Pumphrey
Dan Sheetinger
Dana J. Linville
Dave Allgood
Dave Hale
Dave Hample
David Church
David Crane
David Kienholz
David R Grove
David Starr
David White
Dean Humphrey
Dee Coram
Delvin R Kinkel
Dennis Erickson
Dennis Mcaninch
Denny Erwin
Don Coram
Donald Bjerk
Donald L. Corder
Donald Ludlow
Donald R Sayers
Donny Morales
Doug Casebier
Doug Kiesewetter
Douglas Dee Metcalf
Doyle Bates
Dr Bruce Gattis
Drew Granzow
Duane Gardner
Duane Lawrence
Ed Cort
Ed Lyons
Edward Ulibarri
Emory F. Arndt
Eric M. Simon
Eric Whitney
Erick P Goff
Ernest Bryant
Ernest Veo
Ethan Wortis
Filiberto E. Abachiche
Floyd Wayne Wilson Jr
Francis Wick
Frank Anderson
Frank Jones
Frank Rice
Gabriel Torres
Garry Melugin
Gary Ellis
Gary G Chatman
Gary Gratton
Gary Johnston
Gary Krabbe
Gary Love
Gary Shier
George Delahanty
George Lawrence
George Pettit
Gerald Muzzy
Gerald Pike
Gerard Rudofsky
Guy Sappah
Harold W Emich III
Harry A Drennan
Harry Cowles
Hilario Martinez
Horton Nash
Isaiah H. Knott
James Bedford
James Johnson
James Paul Lambeth
James Roberts
James Scheu
Jared Bolhuis
Jeff Fields
Jeff White
Jeffrey Lynn Emert
Jeffrey Krebs
Jerry Lingo
Jerry Otero
Jesse Barnes
Jim Austin
Jim Elder
Jim Haugsness
Jim Hougnon
Jim Kerschner
Jim Olwine
Jim Renfrow
John Briden
John Brown
John Carls
John Franklin Conger
John Gilbert
John H Beadle
John Nelson
John R Hampton
John Redmon
John Waschbusch
John Wayne Casedy
Jon Rardin
Jose H. Abeyta
Joseph Burns
Joseph Gibbs
Joseph Renner Reed
Joseph T Miller
Josh Heck
Josh Kline
Justin Lee
Ken Sherbenou
Ken Van Skiver
Ken Zimbleman
Kenn Kline
Kenneth S Wilcox
Kerwin Jensen
Kevin Hartman
Kirk Hartman
Kurt Pederson
Larry Bovard
Lee Burkins
Lenny Abeyta
Lloyd Stahl
Loren R Henderson
LT. General Bruce Fister
Marcus Caudill
Mark MacHale
Mark Udall
Marvin T. Hoover
Matthew Nunez
Melvin Juhola
Merle L. Strong
Mervin Gaylord
Michael Baer
Michael Bennett
Michael Dozier
Michael F Voglein
Michael J Swiftney
Michael Murdock
Michael Norvell
Miguel T. Garcia
Mike Keenan
Mike Martin
Mike McGee
Mike Will
Milton “Kerry” Giddens
Myles Standish
Paris Demetrius Portillo
Patrick Malone
Paul A Chamberlain
Paul Heide
Paul Lyons
Paul McDermott
Pete Peterson
Peter Crowell
Phillip Lee
Phuong Nguyen
Ralph Walchle
Randy Havens
Randy Touslee
Ray Lucero
Ray Pigford
Raymond Hotchkiss
Reinhard A Masanetz
Rich Parr
Richad Larsin
Richard (Rick) Leroy Fellabaum
Richard Anderson
Richard Crabtree
Richard Girvan
Richard L. Sprankle
Rick Dunlop
Rick Hinsch
Rob Joseph
Robert Cormish
Robert D. Devinny
Robert Keeney
Robert Koch
Roger G Burkepile
Ron Henderson
Ron Ringo
Ronald E. Atchley
Ryan Blackwelder
Ryan Glover
Ryan Kapel
Scott Beyer
Scott Rizzo
Scott Shine
Scott Streit
Scott Tipton
Sheldon Smith
Stephen V Gray
Steve Nannestad
Steve Sitton
Terriel Haynes
Terry Davis
Thomas A Bartels
Thomas F Cheney
Thomas Hoskins
Thomas Smits
Thomas Wright
Tim Kenney
Tim Watts
Todd Love
Todd Stage
Tom Barrett
Tom Chinn
Tom Garrett
Travis Haley
Travis Walchle
Vance Purdue
Vernon Dunham
Virgil Kramen
Virgil Turner
Wally Smith
Warren Young
Wayne Quade
Whit Bailey
Will Hearst
William E. Marvel
William Minerich
William P Galloway Jr
William Ripley Sr
William Woody
Willis R Smith
Zada Leonard
Adele Briden
Alysha Stamy
Amanda Brandeis
Amy Harmsen
Amy McBride
Anastasia Cofano
Angi Hagins
Anne Johnson
Autum Moore
Becky Watson
Betty Kiesewetter
Betty Oglesby
BG General Dana Capozella
Bobbie Sullivan
Caitlin Switzer
Candy Mitchell
Carol McDermott
Carolyn Bellavance
Cassy Barker
Carrie Roweton
Catherine Anne Fellabaum
Catherine Peterson
Cece Brown
Chena Kline
Cheryl Young
Chris Judkins
Christine Mergelman
Conni Converse
Dana Linville
Danielle Kreutter
Darcy Johnson
Dayna Greathouse
Debby Dewitt
Deborah Kiesewetter
Dee Chamberlain
Denise C Bailey
Denise Swanson
Diane Blaylock
Dianna Coram
Donna Bryson
Donna LaChappelle
Donna Pickard
Donna Will
Dr Carol Giffin-Jeansonne
Dr Nancy Alex
Edna Mae Steffen
Eileen Kaser
Elaine Jones
Elaine Pigford
Elena Distel
Elisabeth Kautsy
Elizabeth Mebane
Elsa Anderson
Emily Smith
Emily Steel
Emmy Lou Taylor
Erica Lewis Kennedy
Erica Weeks
Erin Avila
Eva L Hilliard
Gail Marvel
Ginger McGee
Hazel Garcia
Helena Hoover
Ida Johnson
Illene Rogansack
Jackie Goff
Jackie Goff
Jan Touslee
Jana Jacobson
Janet Freed
Janice Pariza
Jeanie Jones
Jeannette Anderies
Jenni Sopsic
Jenny Long Walker
Jessica Mebane
Jilian Keenan
Joann Seymour
Joey Boese Montoya
Joyce Bowers
Judi Boyce
Judith Knott
Judy Cort
Julie Duncan
Kara McKenna
Karen Walchle
Katharhynn Heidelberg
Kathy Ellis
Kathy McAninch
Kati O’Hare
Katie Anderson
Kay Schritter
Kelly Hartman
Kerry Wilson
Kim Ordiway
Kimberlee Gilmour
Kimberly Marie Conant
L Joy Smith
LaDonna Kiniston
Laura Abeyta
Laura Bowers
Laura Weidner Heck
Lee Roberts
Lena McBride
Linda Granzow
Linda Piencikowski
Lisa Del Piccolo
Lissette Riviere
Lori Hartman
Lu Anne Tyrell
Luba Gazic
Lydia De La Rosa
Lynda Anderson
Lynn Zimbelman
Mahala Gaylord
Mandy Collins
Margaret Hollabaugh
Marianne Krabbe
Marilyn Laverty
Mary Rose Corser
Mary Tittes
Mavis Bennett
Melanie Hall
Brooke Safken-Bartholomew
Melody Safken
Michelle Young
Mysti Miller
Nancy Hoganson
Nancy Johnston
Nancy Lofholm
Nancy Smith
Nichole Ovington
Norine Hotchkiss
Pam Johnson
Pat Blackwelder
Pat Brown
Patricia Neubert
Patricia Rasmussen
Patsy Medina
Pattie Godfrey
Patty Law
Paula Mosko
Ramona J Gallegos
Regina M Howell
Rev. Arlyn MacDonald
Richie Ann Ashcroft
S Marie Davis
Sally Lawson
Samanta Hartman
Sandi Srebacic
Sandra Bliss
Sandy Head
Sara McCombs
Sharon Pilcher
Sharon Shumacker
Sharon Smith
Shayna Watson
Sheila Rudofsky
Shelby Kenney
Shelly Winston
Sherry Cogley
Sherry Faith
Shirley Ringo
Sierra Putrino
Sue Towne
Susan Bony
Susan Cofano
Susan Gattis
Susan Lander
Susan Zanol
Suzi Goller
Tara Wilson
Terri Wilcox
Tiana Mergelman
Tracey Brown
Tracie Olsen
Tricia Joy
Trish Kenney
Trisha Bush
Vicki McFadder
Wendy L Brittell
Wendy White
Zada Leonard
ZillaMay Brown
Organizations and Businesses:
A&W
Aerocare
Affordable Cuts
American Legion Post #73
Around the Corner Gallery
Black Canyon Jet Center
Blackwelder Signs
Brightleaf Power
Bureau of Reclamation
Centennial Middle School
Columbine Middle School
Center for Mental Health
Cherry Creek Radio
Chow Down
City of Montrose
Colorado Beverage Co.
Colorado Municipal League
Colorado Workforce Center
Columbine Copy Shop
Crossfit Agoge
DAV Moore-Demoret Chapter 17
Downtown Development Authority
Dunnegan Chiropractic
El Pomar
ELK Media
Gold’s Gym
Great Harvest Bakery
Green Bear Metal Works
Green Meadows Dispensary
Habitat for Humanity
Haley Strategic Partners
Hartman Brothers
Heidi’s Forum
Heirlooms for Hospice
Horsefly Brewery
Howard Davidson Insurance Agency
Humdingers
KJCT
KREX
Long John Silver’s
Mattics Orchards
Maxfield Peterson, P.C.
Maxxed Out
Menudo’s Restaurant
Montrose ACT
Montrose Community Foundation
Montrose County
Montrose Daily Press
Montrose Economic Development Corp
Montrose Memorial Hospital
Montrose Recreation District
Montrose Republicans
Nina Suzanne’s
Operation Sweet Tooth
Ouray Silversmiths
Pepsi Cola
Red Barn
RnR Sports Bar
Rotary Club
RSVP
SBDC
Scott’s Printing
Shear Beaute
Shell Station (East Main)
Snap Fitness
Standard Tire and Service Center
Superior Alarm
Sushitini
Switzerland of America Jeep Tours
The Academy of Country Music
The Coffee Trader
The Denver Post
The Grand Junction Sentinel
The Guardian
The Hampton Inn
The Monitor
The Montrose Mirror
The Uncompahgre Treasure Club
The Watch Newspaper
Tiffany, Etc.
Timberline Bank
Toad’s Guide Shop
Tri-county 9.12 Project
True Value Hardware
Valley Food Partnership
VFW #784 Montrose
VFW #9398 Norwood
Vocational Rehabilitation Center
Walgreens
Walmart
Western Colorado AHEC
Western State College
Wollert Automotive
Welcome Home Montrose Inc is 501(c)3 #45-4103919
Located at Timberline Bank
1561 Oxbow Drive
Montrose Colorado 81401
(970) 765-2210
