If you or someone you love might benefit from Veterans Navigation Network contact us to see how we can help!
Our Mission
Veterans Navigation Networks (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.
How we Achieve it
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Our resource navigation service connects veterans with essential resources in areas like career development, physical health, education, and more, helping you access the support needed to achieve your goals and overcome challenges. Whether it's resume translation, finding a workout partner, or securing educational benefits, we guide you every step of the way.
To check out our resource list of regional veteran support, click here.
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The VNN Peer Mentor Program connects veterans to provide support during the transition to civilian life, offering training, flexible commitment, and opportunities to share experiences, build bonds, and develop leadership skills. Volunteers can enhance their mentorship abilities while making a meaningful impact on fellow veterans.
Hear from this veteran mentor about his experience helping others transition out of the military: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6Wtz-MqHDg
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This initiative provides personalized support, peer mentorship, and community engagement for veterans and their families, focusing on access to essential resources and fostering family resilience through events and workshops. For more information, click here.
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The Montana Veteran Service Providers Network (The Network) unites diverse organizations and stakeholders to enhance support and services for service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF) in Eastern Montana and beyond. Led by Veterans Navigation Network, the Network fosters collaboration, shares resources, highlights programs, identifies challenges, promotes community engagement, and plans future initiatives. By providing a structured platform for communication, resource-sharing, and problem-solving, the Network ensures that SMVF have access to the comprehensive support they need for successful transitions and overall well-being. For more information and the meeting minutes, click here.
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Warrior Bridge connects Native American veterans and their families with culturally competent support, offering resource navigation, peer mentorship, and advocacy to address critical challenges such as healthcare, housing, and employment. For more information, click here.
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This program provides Montana veterans involved in the justice system with case management, resource navigation, and peer mentorship, aiming to reduce recidivism and promote successful reintegration through specialized support services. For more information, click here.
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Montana joined the VA/SAMHSA Governor’s Challenge in 2019 — now known as Montana Warriors Forward — as part of a nationwide effort to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). With support from 55 states and territories and 19 Mayor’s Challenge teams (including Billings and Helena), the initiative uses a public health approach to align state and local strategies. The 13-member team includes representatives from the VA, DPHHS, Veterans Navigation Network, and others, focusing on evidence-based practices, improved SMVF identification, stakeholder engagement, and lethal means safety. For more information, click here. -
This subcommittee advocates for tailored mental health services and policies for veterans, collaborating with professionals and organizations to improve care, address PTSD and substance use, and support veteran reintegration. For more information, click here.
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 Veterans Navigation Network, with the help of numerous people, to ensure that veterans have help in their transition to civilian life.
Mike McManus
Program Coordinator
Mike McManus is a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant with numerous assignments and three deployments who later assisted fellow veterans and their 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.
Featured in the Journey of Recovery series—watch Mike’s full interview here.
Lorraine Schleder
Resource Navigator
Lorraine Schleder started her military career as a combat medic in the Army and retired as an Air Force Colonel. She had numerous assignments including four deployments, helping transport patients and care for critically wounded warriors. Her dedication to helping others brought her to VNN where she continues using her knowledge and expertise in helping fellow veterans and their families make a seamless transition from military to civilian life.
Learn more about Lorraine’s journey and advocacy in this American Potential Podcast
Eddie Foote Jr
Warrior Bridge - resource Navigator
Eddie Foote Jr. is an Army Combat Veteran of Northern Cheyenne and Sioux heritage, who began his military career as a Bradley Mechanic and M88 recovery vehicle specialist. He served in rigorous training rotations in Germany and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III, later training soldiers at Fort Benning until his medical discharge in 2009. Transitioning to civilian life, Eddie pursued business studies and dedicated himself to veteran and homelessness outreach, using his personal experiences to become a licensed Peer Support Specialist and mentor with Courts Assisting Military Offenders (CAMO).
Check out Eddie’s story highlighted by Western Native Voice here.
PAUL MILLER
Veteran resource Navigator
Paul served our country for six years while enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Cameraman as well as three years of reserve duty with the United States Air Force 302nd EOD unit. His service included two Combat deployments to Afghanistan, as well as humanitarian efforts in the Republic of the Philippines.
After his decorated military career Paul began his career in aviation. After earning his associates in Aeronautical Science as well as his Airframe and Powerplant license, Paul played key roles in fabricating space craft such as Orion, Artemis II and the new GPS satellites currently being launched into space. His career further led to him building the new Marine One fleet of helicopters currently serving the President of the United States. Paul came to Montana to assist in opening many small business ventures and to earn his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management through Rocky Mountain College. He met his wife here in Billings and loves spending time with her and their fur babies as well as playing ice hockey. He has seen the benefits of the many different therapy options Billings has to offer to its veterans and is adamant about helping to fulfill the mission of the Veterans Navigation Network.
mark bleth
Veteran resource Navigator
Mark Andrew Bleth was raised in Montana in a military family where all of his siblings served. A U.S. Air Force veteran himself, Mark spent much of his military career in Air Force Intelligence, developing strong analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills. His experience also includes national security, technology, and business management. Mark is committed to helping veterans and their families access the benefits and resources they earned through service. Grounded in integrity, careful planning, and a strong sense of purpose, he brings a strategic and compassionate approach to serving the veteran community.
TJ Rogers
Community Engagement Manager
TJ Rogers is a veteran’s wife and active-duty USMC mom with a strong background in public service and community leadership, including disaster readiness and response, leading a mounted search and rescue team, volunteering with Civil Air Patrol and Young Marines, and she served 2025 on the Billings City Council. Coming from generations of American servicemen and women, her work is guided by her Christian faith that emphasizes service, stewardship, and walking alongside others with dignity and respect — values that align closely with Veterans Navigation Network’s mission to ensure veterans and their families have the relationships, resources, and support they need to navigate civilian life successfully. Outside of work, TJ is an avid hiker and outdoorswoman and spends as much time as possible in the mountains with her family and dogs.
shannon deutscher
Program Support Specialist: Community Engagement
Shannon brings a background in photography, marketing, and client-focused work to her role at Veterans Navigation Network. She holds degrees in Psychology and Business Administration with an emphasis in Management, combining an interest in people, communication, and organizational strategy. As the wife of an Army Ranger veteran, she also has a personal connection to the military community. Shannon uses her creativity and experience in photography and storytelling to help share VNN’s mission and connect its work with the broader community. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, creative projects, and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Randi Selle
Program Support Specialist - eastern montana
Randi Selle grew up in a family of military veterans and is the daughter of a 30-year retired Air Force ICU/Flight Nurse, who was the inspiration for her achieving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Randi lives in Eastern Montana where she has worked in the clinic, hospital, emergency room, and long-term care, helping veterans and local population with the difficulties of navigating the resources available for rural Montanans. She is the mother of four active children involved in sports, rodeo and ranch life, a professional sports/rodeo photographer, and a substitute teacher. Randi brings her experiences of living in Eastern Montana and connecting veterans with resources to Veterans Navigation Network.
Bonnie Schwarzkopf
Program Support Specialist: Billings
Bonnie is a Billings native and retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who served 10 years active duty and 12 years in the AF-RES. She had numerous assignments and one deployment, spending her years in six different states and eight countries. She has been a VNN mentor and volunteer for over 4 years and is dedicated to helping veterans find their purpose, passion and connection with others out of the military. Bonnie loves working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly, and she brings a great amount of knowledge and experience to her role at VNN. She earned an MBA and Master's degree in Education.
She values her family life, staying active, coaching softball, bowling and playing pickleball. She has two active children, plus a long-term partner and his two children in their blended family, and they enjoy traveling together and playing sports. They have three cats and a gecko.
VNN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jim Swain
BOARD Chairman
Jim Swain's career involved serving a large client base as their CPA for 42 years. His role included tax audits, business consulting, and various roles of internal management. He has 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.
Michelle Fuss
BOARD Treasurer
Michelle is a native of Montana, growing up in the Billings area. She has a passion for our veterans, law enforcement and their families. Michelle is a daughter, wife, granddaughter, and stepmom to Army veterans. Her grandson recently became a member of the Young Marines with aspirations to join the military (Army) when he is older, as well. Michelle joined VNN as a board member after seeing the great deeds done by the employees, helping several veterans which included some of her family and friends. Michelle has been in the banking industry for almost 30 years and is currently employed at Stockman Bank as a Loan Officer. In her off time, you will find Michelle riding motorcycles with her husband and their grandson, babysitting their little granddaughters, or volunteering in our community.
Seth Cunningham
BOARD Secretary
Seth Cunningham graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2000 and served as an active-duty Air Force officer for six years. Seth returned to Montana in 2006 to attend law school at the University of Montana, and he graduated with honors in May, 2009. After graduation, he returned home to Billings to join the Brown Law Firm, becoming a shareholder in 2015. His practice emphasizes civil litigation, personal injury, insurance defense, property and casualty, and products liability. He is a member of the Yellowstone Area Bar Association and the Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association. Seth also retired from the Air Force Reserve.
Roni Kuzma
Board Member
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 as well as other WWII battles as 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.
Ken Callahan
Board Member
Ken Callahan grew up on the east coast and joined the army right out of high school. He comes from an extensive list of family members who served our great country back to five generations. He served for 6 years; after a parachuting injury, he went back home and worked in the construction industry building homes. He loves hunting and fishing and eventually moved to big sky country in Billings, Montana. Here he went back to school and graduated from MSU-B; later he graduated from the University of Mary with a bachelor’s degree. He went to work for Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) April 3, 2000, and continues to work for them today over 26 years later. His career brought him to Williston ND; this is where he found his niche. He got involved with multiple organizations, most importantly, the MAC Military Affairs Veterans Committee, where he helped build the first Veterans Memorial to recognize our KIA soldiers since the Vietnam War. He helped build the second veterans “Freedom Memorial” in Billings MT and soon it will be turned over to the city of Billings for management. His hopes are to have a Memorial in all 50 States recognizing our Fallen Heroes!
Bill Kennedy
Board Member
Bill Kennedy served for 24 years on the Yellowstone County Commission, and also 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, as well as the RiverStone Health 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 continues 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, and most 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 the University of Washington.
Elizabeth Shumaker
Board Member
Elizabeth Shumaker is a 5th-generation Montanan, REALTOR®, and the Broker/Owner of White Lotus Realty in Billings. She currently serves as the Government Affairs Officer for the Home Builders Association of Billings and is actively involved in housing policy, private property rights, and development advocacy. Elizabeth comes from a proud military family—both of her grandfathers were World War II veterans—which fuels her deep respect for those who have served. She regularly hosts VA Home Buyer Bootcamps to help veterans and their families achieve homeownership. Elizabeth is honored to serve on the board of Veterans Navigation Network, supporting its mission to connect veterans with the resources and support they need to thrive.