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 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.
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.
Mark A. Smith
Director of Transition & Employment
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.
Shannon Olin
Director of Veteran and Family Resources
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.