Meet the Staff of the Larimer County Veterans Services Office

Lee Cooper on board as Larimer County’s Veterans Service Officer

The Board of Larimer County Commissioners appointed U.S. Army Veteran Lee Cooper as the Larimer County Veterans Service Officer.

Cooper served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserves 324th Psychological Operations Company and was deployed for service in Iraq. He has also worked with veterans in the community and been active for several years as the Executive Director of the Veteran’s Plaza Advisory Board in Fort Collins. Cooper was working in Loveland during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He felt compelled to enlist and serve his country but was originally turned down by recruiters because they thought he was too old, then in his mid-30s. The age limit was later changed and allowed Cooper to enlist, which was a benefit to our country, and those he served with, having a breadth of experience in relating to both younger and older soldiers. After his military service, Cooper attended Colorado State University, earning a master’s degree in business administration.

“We were very fortunate to have found Lee Cooper. When he came to us, his passion for serving veterans --- the depth, and breadth of his experience really showed we have a leader to step in and provide top-flight services our veterans deserve,” said Larimer County Workforce and Economic Development Director Jacob Castillo, who also oversees the Veterans Service Office.

Larimer County Commissioner Tom Donnelly echoed that sentiment. “Let me just say that your commitment to your country and veterans are without question. Lee’s very passionate about his fellow Veterans.”

Cooper replaces Debbie Pierson, who retired in 2018 after 25 years of service in Larimer County.

Trisha Reynolds, Office Supervisor, and Accredited VA Representative

Trisha has been a steady and consistent presence at the Veterans Service Office (VSO) for the last twelve years. She has successfully managed numerous changes over the past several years that included : a change in leadership, staffing, and an update to internal processes and procedures. Through all of that, she continues to provide exceptional customer service to veterans and their families. She understands the complex regulations and guidelines of VA benefits, is passionate for helping others, and recognizes that each veteran is unique in their own needs and concerns. Trisha has strong communication skills that have given her the opportunity to forge lasting relationships with community and government agencies on the local and federal levels.

She is an accredited representative with several organizations through the VA to include Colorado Division of Veteran Affairs, Disabled American Veterans, and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers

Veterans are near to her heart because her father served in the Navy in the Vietnam conflict, while her uncle also served on the front lines in Vietnam, too. Her job is a way for her to give back to the men and women who served in uniform and fought to protect our freedoms by helping veterans obtain millions of dollars in benefits over the years.

 

Duffy Laudick, Program Specialist, and Accredited VA Representative

Duffy has lived in Northern Colorado since 1976 when his family moved from Kansas.  He grew up Windsor and joined the US Navy in 1990.  He was stationed at Naval Station Annapolis for two years, went to QM 'A' School in Orlando and chose orders to the USS Sacramento (AOE-1) which was home ported at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA. 

During this time, he married his wife Lori (also a Windsor native) and had two daughters.  Once he left the Navy, he went to school for audio production in Seattle.  In 1999, he and the family packed up and moved back to Colorado, once there, Duffy worked in a few fields including video production and security.  He has participated in community theater as an actor, director, technical directed as well as a board of directors member.  His current hobby and passion is making music at home and with friends and is currently a member of the coldwave industrial band, Society Burning.

Keith Gilbert, Veterans Benefits Advocate

We’re delighted to introduce Keith Gilbert who joined the Larimer County VSO team in March of 2022. Keith is a US Army veteran and joins our team as a Veteran Benefits Advocate. He has served as a Topographic Engineer and Watercraft Operator and has left boot prints in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and New Jersey. Keith’s journey to northern Colorado has taken him through Florida, North Carolina, and Washington State. During those few precious hours of the day when he’s not engaged in diligently keeping the VSO office ticking like a finely tuned Swiss watch, Keith enjoys reading, Japanese anime, video games, carpentry, and bicycling.

Savana Townsend, Administrative Specialist

Savana joined the Veteran Service Office in December of 2022 and has been a wonderful addition to our team. As a native of Colorado and Larimer County, Savana has a love for the local community and serving its residents. A background in customer service cultivated her desire to help every person feel heard, respected, and connected in our post-covid world. Savana’s free time is spent enjoying the foothills and mountains with her dog, reading mystery novels, and writing.