OUR STAFF
OUR STAFF
Col (R) Robert “Bob” McLaughlin
Executive Director
Bob is the Executive Director of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. He began developing the concept immediately after retiring from over 28 years of service in the U.S. Army in 2014. The Mission of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is: “To provide best practices for our military, veterans, and their families with accessible programs, integrated resources, and collaborative partnerships that empower lives and strengthen our community.” The Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center serves as a beacon of support for those who have served and sacrificed for our nation and their families. Through a variety of partnerships, programs and services, the center has become a leader in best practices across the region and the nation.
Bob is a native of Lexington, Massachusetts, and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant from the ROTC program at the University of Massachusetts. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Service Staff School and the Command and General Staff College. He holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He graduated from the U.S. Army War College with the class of 2009. Read More
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Paul Price
Director of Strategy & Operations
As Mt Carmel’s Veterans Service Center’s Director of Operations, Paul’s responsible for the daily operations and strategic planning of the Center’s mission of providing best practices for military, veterans, and their families through accessible programs, integrated resources, and collaborative partnerships that empower lives and strengthen our community. Paul has been on the Mt. Carmel team since 2017 when he became a client and then was selected to join the Transition & Employment team assisting veteran-affiliated clients seeking civilian career opportunities. He possesses a comprehensive background in Human Capital Management derived from participating in domestic and global operations in developing and managing enduring human capital programs in both the public and private sectors. Paul is a retired Air Force Colonel of 25 years where he served throughout the U.S. and also in Germany, Japan, and the Middle East. In 2008, he transitioned from the Pentagon into the private sector where he was the Chief Administrative Officer for a technology firm in Washington, DC until 2014 and then as a Senior Recruiter for an executive search agency in Colorado prior to joining Mt. Carmel. He holds a Master’s in Personnel Administration from Buffalo State College, NY, a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of New Hampshire, and was also a National Defense Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies.
Mark A. Smith
Director of Program & Evaluations
A retired Sergeant First Class from the U.S. Army, Mark is originally from Dexter, Missouri and resided there until his enlistment into the Army. Upon graduation from high school, he joined the Army as a Motor Transport Operator. After 20 years of service, he retired out of the Nashville US Army Recruiting Battalion and has settled in Colorado Springs. When he is not at work he enjoys volunteering with The Veterans for Veterans Non-Profit organization and the El Paso County Homeless Coalition. Mark has two daughters and a son. He enjoys helping and giving back to Veterans and their families.
Sal Katz
Director of Rural Colorado Services (Pueblo Office)
Sal Katz serves as Regional Operations Director for Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, Southern Colorado. Sal served in the U.S. Army for over 32 years, and retired as Command Sergeant Major from Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. Sal served two combat tours to Baghdad, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a Purple Heart recipient, as well as a recipient of the Combat Action Badge and two Bronze Stars for his service in combat. He was also awarded the Legion of Merit for his 32-year career. Now, Sal finds himself responsible for the daily operations and strategic planning of providing best practices for military, veterans, and their families through access programs, integrated resources, and collaborated partnerships that empower lives and strengthen communities. Sal’s wife was born and raised in Pueblo, and her deep roots in the community brought them to Pueblo after Sal’s retirement. Now, Sal is proud to be a part of the Pueblo community and is honored to help drive the mission of Mt. Carmel through his deep network of partners and resources. By bringing his experience and passion to the veterans of Pueblo and Southern Colorado, Sal is a force of positive impact for the community.
Kirsten Belaire, MA, LPC
Director of Behavioral Health
Kirsten is a Licensed Professional Counselor and her full-time role is Director of Behavioral Health at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. She graduated from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs with her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and now teaches some undergraduate courses there. She is the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and after working in the community as a clinician, she decided to join Mt. Carmel’s mission to help our military community. Kirsten’s role at Mt. Carmel is to ensure that the Behavioral Health Services offered are culturally competent, military specific, and accessible to a range of clients who may otherwise not have access. She is the main site supervisor for graduate counseling interns, and partners with over 7 universities. Outside of her role at Mt. Carmel, Kirsten enjoys riding her motorcycle all over beautiful Colorado, teaching and presenting in the community, and traveling abroad.
Jon Dix
Director of Transition & Employment
Jon retired from the U.S. Air Force after 22 years as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Crew Commander and Intelligence Officer. He served throughout the US, Korea, and the Middle East. After the military, Jon started his own business serving the rental home needs of his clients; additionally, he was a project manager with a startup veteran owned construction and engineering firm. Jon has a Bachelor’s in History from the University of Vermont, a Master’s Degree in Administration from the University of Montana. He is an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve volunteer, and served as the volunteer chair of the Military Veterans and Spouses Employment Expo from 2015 to 2018. Jon joined the Mt. Carmel team in 2021.
Shannon Olin
Director, Military, Veteran and Family Services
Shannon graduated from the University of Phoenix with a BS in Psychology, Walden University with a MS in Clinical Counseling and Western Governors University with a MS in Leadership & Management. She has worked exclusively in the nonprofit industry serving underserved populations throughout her professional career. Through Shannon’s leadership, the MVFS team is promoting holistic wellness for military, veterans and their families, providing individualized case management and financial wellness services, so they can successfully address their barriers and establish long-term stability. Shannon’s vision for Mt. Carmel is to expand services and programs to create positive community change through robust partnerships, collaboration, and celebrating the strengths that each individual brings to the community. In her free time, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family. In addition to helping veterans, Shannon dreams of adopting all the cats that need a home.
Joe Reagan
Director, Colorado VBOC
Joe Reagan joins the Colorado VBOC after 20+ years of experience leading change and teams across the defense, technology, and nonprofit sectors. After leaving active duty in the United States Army, Joe earned an MBA from the University of Virginia. His experience spans multiple industries ranging from healthcare to technology, national security and nonprofit work. Prior to joining the Colorado VBOC Joe was the President of NewSpace Global, he has also worked for a number of non-profit organizations supporting the military and veteran community including Easterseals, and Wreaths Across America.
Rodger A. Johnson, Jr.
Program Manager, Next Chapter
Rodger Allen Johnson, Jr., is a Master’s Level Behavioral Health Clinician with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He is currently earning hours towards licensure (LPC-C) and holds the Suicide Prevention Program Manager role at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. Rodger has been recognized for serving in the military from February 2004 to November 2015, with multiple deployments to the Middle East. His clinical experience is broad and includes but is not limited to treating childhood trauma, marital health, depression, anxiety disorders, and suicide prevention. Rodger is passionate about Behavioral Health because serving those who have suffered or are suffering from trauma or mental health is near and dear to his heart—providing those individuals with tools and hope for the future. Rodger enjoys paint balling, playing basketball, off-roading, hiking, and video games in his spare time.
Dr. Elinah Russell
Dr. Elinah Russell, MSW, DSW, LCSW, was born in Gweru, Zimbabwe, and raised in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. She currently resides in Colorado Springs with her husband and children. A military spouse, her husband retired from the United States Navy after 22 years of service, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Dr. Russell holds a Doctor of Social Work with a specialization in neuroscience. She has extensive training in trauma-informed care and a strong focus on veteran care and services. With over seven years of experience as a clinician, she is deeply committed to serving diverse populations. In addition to her public service work, she operates a private practice that is open to all individuals seeking support.
In 2025, Dr. Russell launched her podcast, Ubuntu: Ngumuntu Ngabantu—rooted in the Ubuntu philosophy, meaning “I am because we are.” The podcast is available on Spotify and offers thoughtful insights on mental health, culture, and human connection. She also serves as a professor at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, where she shares her knowledge and passion for social work education. As a social worker with over ten years of experience in the field, Dr. Russell has worked with individuals and communities across rural Africa, Europe, and the United States. Through these experiences, she has learned that well-being cannot be understood without considering the influence of culture, beliefs, values, and principles. She emphasizes the importance of validation—recognizing “what is true for you”—as a foundation for empathy and compassion.
Her background has shaped her belief that to truly understand a person’s pain, one must understand how that pain is expressed—or not expressed. This requires a deep understanding of the authentic self and the recognition that suicide is not an identity, but a symptom of profound pain. Through her work, Dr. Russell remains dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health journey with dignity, cultural humility, and care.