Meet the Leadership Team

Program Operations Manager at Community Action Agency, Jackson, MI.

Private practice therapist and Army Veteran

Dr. Fretz is a retired Naval Officer who has spent 15 years since retirement supporting a wide array of Veterans causes. In addition to helping found VCAT9, he built the mentor program for the Washtenaw Veterans Treatment Court and is helping grow the Veteran Studies Association and Journal of Veterans Studies. He is a Teaching Professor at the University of Michigan and you can learn more about him at:  www.LinkedIn.com/in/ebfretz and
www.Fretz.Net

Director, American Legion in Michigan. Army Veteran

Wayne Doyle is a retired Army Officer and the current Director of Veteran Student Support Services at Eastern Michigan University. He has been serving in that role for 10 years and focuses on helping veterans identify and achieve their post-military career goals.

Director of Veterans Services, Jackson College. Marine Corps Veteran

Kate Melcher began her career in a research and speech writing position with the Supreme Court of the United States. Later, she would serve in the U.S. Senate as senior staff to three different U.S. Senators.

In the years following 9/11, she left the Senate to enlist in the Army. She became an Apache Helicopter pilot, and a Legislative Liaison Officer for the U.S. Army National Guard. Ms. Melcher is a seasoned military, non-profit, and private sector professional with a passion for public service.

Since moving home to Michigan in 2017, she has had the privilege of serving as Executive Director for Fisher House Michigan. In this role, she and the FHM Board of Directors are responsible for raising funds and awareness to support Fisher Houses in Michigan. Additionally, she serves in leadership roles in other organizations promoting Veterans Veteran welfare including Region 9 Veteran Community Action Team, Association of the United States Army, Women in Defense – Michigan, Veterans Radio America, and the Washtenaw County Veterans Affairs Committee.

Among her awards and accolades for her service, Governor Snyder named Kate the 2018 Michigan Veteran of the Year. The Daughters of the American Revolution named her an Outstanding Woman in American History, and in 2023, she was named Veteran of Distinction by the City of Detroit.

Bio coming soon

Quality of Life Pillar Lead. Minister. Air Force Veteran.