Meet the Team

Centerstone’s Military Services is lucky to have a great team of professionals who are well-versed in military culture and passionate about providing care to veterans, active duty military, and military family members. Below we’ve highlighted some of our team members so that you can get to know us better!

Blas Villalobos, DSW
Chief Executive Officer, Centerstone’s Military Services
Preferred Name: Blas
Pronouns: he/him
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time 

Dr. Blas Villalobos is the Chief Executive Officer of Centerstone’s Military Services. As the Chief Executive Officer, Villalobos leads the organization’s delivery of mental health and substance use disorder services to veterans, active duty military personnel, and military families. Villalobos also leads the organization’s partnerships with other military-friendly organizations, including partnerships with Wounded Warrior Project, Cohen Veterans Network, and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.

Villalobos has more than 10 years’ of specialized experience working with veterans and the military community, most recently serving as the Director of Veterans Affairs for Chapman University. Villalobos has held previous positions as Veterans Affairs Manager for the Los Angeles Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Executive Director of External Programs for U.S.VETS.

Villalobos is a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served honorably from 1999 to 2003. He is active in his community and currently serves on the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and Board of Directors for JVS SoCal. He previously served as a committee member for the Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans and as a Board Member for the Los Angeles Community Veterans Engagement Board. He began his academic career at Long Beach City College and holds doctorate and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Southern California, as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University – Long Beach.

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Anna Goletz
Chief Operating Officer, Centerstone’s Military Services
Preferred Name: Anna
Pronouns: she/her
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

Anna Goletz is the Chief Operating Officer for Centerstone’s Military Services. She leads the operations for national programming that delivers mental health and substance use disorder services to veterans, active duty military personnel, and military families. Goletz plays an integral role in the organization’s partnerships with other military-friendly organizations as well as engaging public and government organizations in the mission of Centerstone and Centerstone’s Military Services.

As a spouse to a combat veteran of 17+ years, she has experience with both active duty and National Guard life. Anna has extensive knowledge as both a mental health counselor and military spouse that aids in her passion for helping other military families and spouses.

Prior to joining Military Services in 2017, Goletz worked as a clinical therapist for Centerstone and as a Program Coordinator for the community-based services offered to children and families in Middle Tennessee. She has been a devoted Centerstone employee since 2009. She obtained a BA in psychology from Argosy University, and an MA in mental health counseling from Capella University.

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Melanie Kidd
Clinical Manager
Preferred Name: Melanie
Pronouns: she/her
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

Melanie Kidd is the Clinical Manager for Centerstone’s Military Services, a mom, and spouse of an Army Veteran. Melanie Kidd started her career with Centerstone in 2017 as a Clinical Care Coordinator and describes her role with Military Services as a ‘discovery of purpose’. Her educational background includes a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Kentucky and certifications in Integrated Behavioral Health and Military Social Work. Originally from Kentucky, Melanie is now settled in the Mid-West after sightseeing across the region during her husband’s Active Duty Army Assignments at Fort Riley, KS and Fort Leonardwood, MO. Melanie focuses her leadership role in the organization on high standards of practice by evaluating client care for effectiveness and implementing continuous improvement efforts in programming and policies. In her spare time, Melanie can be found exploring thrift shops, gardening, or hiking with her husband, daughter, and dog. 

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Danette Fessler
Team Lead
Preferred Name: Danette
Pronouns: she/her
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time 

Danette Fessler is a Team Lead for Centerstone’s Military Services, overseeing contract programming and ensuring the delivery of high-quality support for veterans and their families. Danette is a proud Navy wife who has spent the last 15 years making wherever the Navy sends them home. As an active-duty spouse, she has had the chance to live in a wide range of places internationally and domestically, giving her insight into the unique challenges and strengths of military connected families. She has lived in Bahrain, Guam, Japan (twice), Florida and currently resides in California. These experiences and relationships have contributed to her passion for providing resources and supporting military connected individuals, veterans, and their families through all walks of their lives and service time. She received her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies at American Military University and her master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science from University of Missouri with a specialization in Family & Community services. In her down time, Danette enjoys being outdoors with her family and two dogs. 

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Ixchel Chong
Team Lead
Preferred Name: Ixchel
Pronouns: she/her 
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

Ixchel Chong is a Team Lead for Centerstone’s Military Services. Ixchel was born in military city USA, San Antonio, TX. She is the mother of two elementary school children, and spouse to a Retired Army Veteran. Ixchel began her career with Centerstone in the fall of 2023 and describes her position as the most gratifying role in her professional experience. Her educational background includes a Bachelors of Communication and Public Relations from the University of Texas at San Antonio. While working to give back to her military community, Ixchel is thrilled to continue be a part of such an incredible organization that puts our service members and their families’ mental health first. Her hobbies include cooking with her family, reading a good book, fellowship at church and running competitively. 

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David Reiley 
Veteran Peer Mentor
Preferred Name: David
Pronouns: him/he
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

David Reiley is the Veteran Peer Mentor (VPM) for Centerstone’s Military Services. He is a Veteran of the Armed Forces and provides education and recreation support opportunities to service members, veterans, and their families. He joined the Army in April of 1991 in Butte Montana. He retired from the Army while at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in May of 2015. David’s service included seven tours during the Global War on Terror (GWOT). He served in several Operations prior to GWOT. As the Veteran Peer Mentor, he can relate to many of the experiences that a Veteran has and is going through and can provide insight on certain situations to provide guidance on how to proceed. It is the Duty of the VPM to support and provide all available relevant information and resources to the Veteran and or the family member that he is following during their journey to a better self. 

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Cindy Payne
Clinical Care Coordinator II
Preferred Name: Cindy
Pronouns: she/her
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

Cindy is a Clinical Care Coordinator II for Centerstone’s Military Services and began serving veterans and service members in 2014. Cindy is the voice of the Military Service’s main information line and prides herself in the strong relationships she has formed with our clinical partners and military community. Cindy specializes in care coordination for clients in the state of TN including but not limited to both local Army and Air Guard Units. Cindy also helped establish Centerstone Military Service’s National Counseling Fund, which provides free counseling to Pre 9/11 veterans across the country through philanthropic donations.  Cindy describes her experience with Military services as an honor and privilege to work with our service members, veterans, and their families. Cindy strives to make a difference in the lives of the clients we serve.    

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Amber Bouldin
Clinical Care Coordinator
Preferred Name: Amber
Pronouns: she/her
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

Amber Bouldin started her career with Centerstone nearly a decade ago as a Community Support Specialist working with the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Grant. Amber has also worked in the social work fields of home health, hospice, addiction treatment, and foster child in the last 14 years. Amber has an associate’s degree in Education and both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University. Amber and her husband, Tyler, reside in Tennessee with their three beautiful children and two dogs. In her spare time, Amber enjoys any kind of outdoor activity with her family, volunteering in the community, and traveling to new places.     

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Brianna Howard
Clinical Care Coordinator
Preferred Name: Brianna
Pronouns: she/her
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time

Brianna Howard is a dedicated Clinical Care Coordinator for Centerstone’s Military Services, where she applies her expertise in psychology to support clients with compassion and professionalism. With a master’s degree in psychology, Brianna has cultivated a deep understanding of mental health and wellness, particularly within the military community.
As a military spouse for ten years, she has developed a strong connection to the unique challenges faced by military families. This experience has fueled her passion for working closely with the military population, offering them the support and resources they need to thrive.
Outside of her professional life, Brianna is a devoted mother of two and enjoys spending quality time with her family. In her free time, she loves baking sourdough bread, a hobby that brings both creativity and comfort into her home.

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Kavia Kabe
Clinical Care Coordinator
Preferred Name: Kavia
Pronouns: she/her 
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

Kavia Kabe is the Clinical Care Coordinator for Centerstone’s Military Services, a mom, and spouse of an active-duty Army soldier. Located in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Kavia began her career at Centerstone as a Community Support Specialist helping civilians and veterans with housing and resources within the Tennessee area. With accumulating knowledge and experience, Kavia has begun aiding service members and their families. Her educational background includes a bachelors in Behavioral Health Science with a minor in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University and Masters in Non-profit Leadership from Walden University. Kavia is from Memphis, Tennessee originally, but after college the middle Tennessee area became home. While assisting service members and their families to receive quality care, Kavia continues to grow her passion for helping others. Her hobbies include running after little ones, traveling, discovering new foods, exercising, gardening and continuing self-care activities. 

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Kenzi Blaeser
Clinical Care Coordinator
Preferred Name: Kenzi 
Pronouns: she/her
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

Kenzi Blaeser is a Clinical Care Coordinator for Centerstone’s Military Services, as well as a Military Spouse. She has been with Centerstone since 2022 starting as a Crisis Counselor assisting survivors of Natural Disasters in Middle Tennessee. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.S in Community Psychology and Chemical Dependency. Her professional experience involves working with various populations, including veterans and other service members, in both Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health and Addiction Recovery settings. Supporting individuals who have struggled with addictions or traumas is a passion of hers. She emphasizes that healing is not a linear process and can be a lifelong journey; however with the proper supports one can learn to overcome the daily challenges they face. Originally from Minnesota, Kenzi and her husband relocated to Tennessee for his career working with other service members and veterans within the medical field. In her free time, Kenzi enjoys volunteering throughout her community, traveling, reading, and spending time outdoors with her husband and dog. 

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Samantha Thompsen
Clinical Care Coordinator
Preferred Name: Samantha 
Pronouns: she/her
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

Samantha moved to Tennessee in 2003 when her dad received orders to Ft. Campbell, and since then she has called Tennessee her home. She graduated from Austin Peay State University with a B.S. in Psychology and started working with Centerstone shortly after. She has been with Centerstone since 2015. Since then, she has had a variety of roles within Centerstone including Case Manager, Research Associate, and Financial Manager, all working for a grant in support of low-income Veterans and their Families. As a Clinical Care Coordinator with Centerstone’s Military Services, she helps locate mental health resources for Military Service members and their families nationwide, connecting with providers, and documenting network information. She loves being outside and you can find her there during her spare time. Hiking, canoeing, and off-site camping are among the many activities she loves doing each year, especially in the summer.