If you or someone you love might benefit from Veteran’s Navigation Network contact us to see how we can help!
Our Mission
Veteran’s Navigation Network (VNN) mission is to facilitate a smooth transition for our Nation’s Service Members, from military service to civilian life.
To do this VNN creates a network that strives to allow Veterans to succeed through job placement, physical and mental health, and linking the other services available, by creating a network of support throughout the community. Peer to peer mentorship among our Veterans, along with help and guidance from non-military members of the community will be other tools used to help Navigate.
The successful transition of our Nation’s Heroes will create success within our communities through the years of leadership and life experience that they gained while serving. As our community provides for us, so too will VNN provide for the community through volunteer work that is beneficial to our veterans as well. This will help not only our community, but our Country as the Veterans Navigation Network continues to spread Nationwide.
WHY WE GAVE.
"My wife and I chose to work with and give to Veteran’s Navigation Network because of their unique approach and desire to meet veterans needs. While we haven’t served in the military, we have friends and family who have and who have suffered the affects. We have a deep appreciation for the work VNN does. The organization seeks to meet any and all needs that may arise during the transition to civilian lives.”
— Stephen & Sarah R., Donors
About Us
Blake Fuhriman
Founder and Executive Director
Blake Fuhriman served as an Army Ranger for 4 years, with 3 deployments to Afghanistan. After a parachuting injury, he got out of the military. He experienced firsthand the challenges that veterans transitioning out of the military face, and created Veteran's Navigation Network, with the help of numerous people, to ensure that veterans have help in their transition to civilian life.
Jim Swain
Chairman
Jim Swain's career involved serving a large client base as their CPA for 42 years. His role included tax, audit ,business consulting and various roles of internal management. He served and continues to serve on the boards of many local charities. He has a deep passion for our military and veterans of all ages and believes they deserve all the assistance they need.
Fred Whitmore
Treasurer
Fred Whitmore is a retired health care Chief Financial Officer. Fred is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army. He is dedicated to our veterans, especially those who have been recently discharged.
Roni Kuzma
secretary
Roni Kuzma is a Billings, Montana Native. Roni attended the college of Great Falls with a B.S. in Accounting, and has two grown sons and two grandchildren. Roni’s Father, John Kuzma, was in the Army during WWII, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and other WWII battles and was a paratrooper. Roni serves on the Board of VNN because she recognizes that the military is so vital to our country and the service members must be cared for after service.
Rodney Ostermiller
Vice Chairman
Rod Ostermiller is currently the Executive Director of the Mental Health Center in Billings. Rod’s service with VNN as a board member comes on the heals of nearly 30 years of service in the U.S. Marshalls. Rod greatly appreciates the service and sacrifices of our Military Service Members and wants to give back to them through his work with VNN.
Bill Kennedy
Board Member
Bill Kennedy served for 24 years on the Yellowstone County Commission, and served as the President of the Montana Association of Counties. Bill Chaired the MACo Health and Human Services Committee for 15 years. Locally, Bill served on the Mental Health Center Board for 30 years, 17 years on the C/C Health, and RiverStone Board. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of the Family Tree Center for the prevention of child abuse. He chairs the Friends of Yellowstone National Cemetery, and serves on the National VA Cemetery and Memorial Board. Bill also serves as a member of the Breakfast Exchange Club, and now serves on the Board for VNN to continue to serve the Veterans of our great Country.
Dr. James Guyer
Board Member
James Guyer. MD, has been an educator for 20 years, training medical students and resident physicians for practice in rural communities, recently working to develop awareness of veteran care in Montana. Dr Guyer is a retired flight surgeon having served 28 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard, with leadership roles in medical education. He is currently a coordinator for medical education for Fort Harrison VA, and Clinical Professor in Family Medicine with University of Washington.
Amanda Carroll
board member
Amanda Carroll is currently an Assistant Professor and the Director of Research at Rocky Mountain College’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. After ten years working clinically as an occupational therapist, she pursued her PhD in order to develop community- engaged research initiatives focused on addressing the health and well-being of veterans. She is passionate about involving veterans in all stages of the research process and asking veterans how the communities in which they live can provide resources to address their health needs. Growing up in North Carolina, she has always been surrounded by military culture and many of her family members have and are still serving in the military. Her grandfather, father, uncle, and a cousin are all Marine Corps veterans. She has one brother who currently serves in the U.S. Coast Guard and another who is an Army veteran. Amanda is honored to serve on the board at VNN and use her skill set to serve the veterans of Montana.
Tom Hanel
board member
A native of Miles City, MT and raised by supportive parents, Tom’s father was a devoted WWII Veteran. Many immediate family members were engaged in the military, some in judicial and law enforcement. As a child Tom recalls our family suffering tragic losses due to military conflicts. I moved to Billings in 1973 to attend EMC, completing his studies in Sociology and Law Enforcement Administration at MSU. Tom’s career has spanned 20 years in law enforcement, RTD LT BPD 1996, Mayor 3 terms: Billings and Big Timber. Present Real Estate Broker, 27 years, and former owner with Berkshire Hathaway Floberg Real Estate. Tom has served as a past and present board member with various local and state organizations. His respect and concern for our military began at a young age, being selected for the Air Force ROTC however changes in life directed me on a different path. As a board member of VNN he anticipate an opportunity to learn and become better suited to assist our Veterans and their families in their daily life.
Dallas Knight
Board Member
Dallas Knight, an Army combat veteran at 19, seamlessly transitioned to civilian life, excelling as an Intelligence Analyst at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and exclusively appointed to the DEA. For nearly a decade, she disrupted narcotic operations, dismantling criminal syndicates. Transitioning to the corporate realm, she became an executive in a tech company, leading the creation of a patented technology. Beyond corporate success, Dallas is a dedicated advocate for justice. In collaboration with the NGO, Skull Games, she actively pursues human traffickers and mentors survivors turned analysts. Recently, she authored 'Shattered Reflections,' a poignant memoir offering an unfiltered view of her military service and a reflective journey 20 years later. Dallas extends her narrative through the '(not so) Average Jane' podcast, which serves as a haven for fellow female combat veterans to share their own experiences, fostering a sense of healing throughout the journey. Dallas Knight's story is one of unwavering commitment, from the battlefield to the boardroom, from combatting crime to championing justice, and now, as an author and podcaster, she continues to inspire and empower others through her remarkable journey.
Mike McManus
Program Coordinator
Mike McManus is a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant with numerous assignments and three deployments and later assisted fellow veterans and families for 10 years as a County Veteran Service Officer. His passion to serve the veteran community and advocate on their behalf has him active with local equine and canine service organizations, DAV volunteer driver, and the Program Coordinator of VNN.
Michael Fuss
Resource NAvigator
Michael Fuss is a retired Law Enforcement Captain and served in the U.S Army with Combat Deployments during the Gulf War. Michael has a passion to assist other veterans and their families in guiding them through the adjustments from Military to Civilian life with ease. Michael is an asset to all veterans in assisting them and their families see a smooth transition to obtain their much-earned Military benefits.