Vets 4 Vets Board Members

Our Vision: A community that honors and respects all veterans and ensures the quality of life they have earned.

Board President

Mike Lovejoy

Mike Lovejoy served 22 years in the Marine Corps, 6 years on Active Duty, and 15 years in the Reserves. He flew the CH-46 and CH-53 helicopters, deploying to Saudi Arabia in 1991 for Operation Desert Storm. He is a retired teacher living in Aptos with his wife, Debbie.

Vice President

Alan Woertink

Alan Woertink served in the Navy from 1972-1975 as an Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd Class. He worked as a Flight Deck Troubleshooter and AE Shop Supervisor in light attack squadron VA-66 aboard the USS Independence, CVA-62. Alan was deployed with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea during the Vietnam War.

After completing his service, Alan used the GI Bill to attend Foothill Community College and San Jose State University, where he received a degree in Fine Arts. He became an electrical contractor and worked in the Silicon Valley for 35 years, using the skills he learned in the Navy.

Alan has been a member of the Lions Club for 31 years and is currently the Almaden Lions Foundation Board President. In 2017, Alan and his wife Jennifer moved to Santa Cruz. He is eager to support Vet 4 Vets' mission with his professional and volunteer experience.

Treasurer

Linda Benko

Linda Benko proudly serves as Treasurer. She earned a Regular Army commission through the ROTC program at Penn State University, commissioned as a 2LT in the Signal Corps in 1977. She spent 8 years on active duty serving in the Panama Canal Zone and Korea before returning stateside to Ft Ord. In 1985 she left active duty and joined the Reserves, serving another 22 years in Signal, Psyop, and Civil Affairs units based in Mt View.

Board Member

Travis Deyoung

Travis Deyoung served in the Marine Corps from 2007 to 2011, as an aviation supply specialist. Travis was stationed at New River Air Station in North Carolina and Deployed to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in 2009. After his enlistment Travis and his wife moved to California where he attended Cabrillo College. In 2015 Travis began working at the Santa Cruz County Veteran Services Office as the Veterans Outreach Representative and in 2017 he transitioned into the Veteran Advocate position. Travis continues to work with veterans in Santa Cruz County and is the Board President for Vets 4 Vets Santa Cruz.

Board Member

Buzz Gray

Buzz Gray served as Radarman in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1967 on the USS Enhance (AM-437). As a U.S. Navy Diver he served in Vietnam in 1965, aiding in missions in the South China Sea. His duties included searching for illegal items on boats, dodging dangerous snakes, and decoding secret messages between his dives. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Buzz earned a bachelor's degree in public Opinion from UC Santa Cruz and a master's degree in Recreation Therapy from San Jose State. Buzz has been teaching 4th graders at Gault Elementary School for 25 years.

Board Member & Founder

Dean Kaufman

Dean Kaufman served in the U.S. Army as a TOW Missile Repair Technician from 1989-1993, deploying to Southwest Asia for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 1990-1991. He now works as the Veteran Services Officer for the County of Santa Cruz and is the Founder of Vets 4 Vets Santa Cruz.

In Memoriam to our Fallen Brother: Terry, thank you for your selfless service to our organization and this community! You will long live in our hearts and memories!

-Rest in peace, brother.

Terry Plank

Terry signed up at the age of 17 with a MASH Army reserve unit. He went on active duty in 1967 and served as a paratrooper and Combat Medic in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division from September 1967 to October 1968. His favorite post was at the Radar Army Medical Clinic at Ft. Myer, Virginia, which is right across the Potomac River from Arlington Cemetery. He then finished his military service with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Terry served at Secretary of Vets 4 Vets for four years.