Meet the Team
Our Be Connected team hails from different backgrounds and experiences. We are united in our mission to connect Arizona’s service members, veterans, their families and communities. Meet some of our team members, who represent hundreds of people across Arizona working every day to build support for all who serve.
Implementation Leadership Team
Col (Ret) Wanda Wright
Director
Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services
Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services
Nicola Winkel, MPA
Project Director
Arizona Coalition for Military Families
Arizona Coalition for Military Families
Thomas Winkel, MA, LPC
Director
Arizona Coalition for Military Families
Arizona Coalition for Military Families
Be Connected Partner Leadership Team
Blake Chaffee
Vice President
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Jean Gurga
Director
Northern Arizona VA Health Care System
Northern Arizona VA Health Care System
Jennifer Gutowski
Director
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
Chris Norton
Director
Phoenix VA Regional Office
Phoenix VA Regional Office
Alyshia Smith
Director
Phoenix VA Health Care System
Phoenix VA Health Care System
Be Connected Direct Service Teams
We invite you to meet the incredible team members who answer the phone and work in the community to provide resource connection, reduce barriers and share support with service members, veterans & their families. Meet the Be Connected team.