Staff

Mark Starr, Program Director
Mark Starr is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2004, he was wounded in combat and received a Purple Heart while serving in the Arkansas Army National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade. In 2009, due to his injuries he was medically retired from the Army.  Starr joined Vet Voice Foundation in 2009. Prior to working for the organization he was active in the non-profit community and worked in HIV and AIDS services.  He also served as an outpatient psychotherapist working with children and families.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1997 and a Master of Social Work from the university in 2000.  Starr currently resides in Southern California.

Patrick Bellon, Western Regional Director
A native of Louisiana, Patrick graduated from Louisiana State University with a BA in history.  In January 2002, he enlisted in the US Army as a Cavalry Scout.  In July 2002, he was stationed at Fort Hood with the First Squadron of the Tenth Cavalry Regiment, which served as the division cavalry for the Forth Infantry Division.  From March 2003 to March 2004 deployed to Iraq as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom served as a dismounted reconnaissance scout.  After leaving the Army in January 2005, Patrick went to work for the Veterans Affairs Administration and eventually went on to work for several other government agencies.  In 2008, he worked as an organizer in Colorado.  In August 2009, he joined Vet Voice Foundation as the Western Regional Director.  From this position, Bellon conducts outreach and organizing of veterans in the western United States.