President/Chief Executive Officer

Lora Morgan

Lora was selected as President/CEO on Feb. 12, 2024, after serving as Interim President/CEO since Aug. 17, 2023. Prior to that position she served as the Foundation’s Director of Operations since November 2018.

As the spouse of an Army officer for more than 24 years, Lora has extensive experience raising her own family in the Army and working with military families and communities. A native Missourian, Lora holds a bachelor’s in business management from the University of Central Missouri. She has worked in school systems in Georgia and Kansas and also has more than five year’s experience in the financial services industry.

Director of Development:

Michael “Mike” V. Meyer

Mike serves as the Foundation’s Director of Development working closely with the president/CEO and the board to create and execute fundraising plans. Prior to his current position, he served three terms as a CGSC Foundation trustee. He previously served in multiple positions with the Coalition to Support America’s Heroes for more than 14 years. Prior to that, Mike was the executive director of the VFW Foundation and the CEO/founder of Uplift International Inc. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rockhurst University.

Director of Operations:

Laurie Morgado

Laurie is the Foundation’s Director of Operations. She began working with the Foundation in July 2023 and was promoted to director in January 2024. She is an Army veteran with more than 9 years of service. Laurie holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Since transitioning from military service, she has traveled the world with her military spouse for 20 years. Their last duty assignment was in South Korea where they have been stationed three times. A life-long volunteer, Laurie enjoys helping military spouses and families.

Simons Center Program Director:

Col. Bob Ulin, U.S. Army, Ret.

Bob is the founding CEO of the CGSC Foundation and has returned to the Foundation in a consulting role as the Director of the Simons Center program and for development activities. Since retiring from the Army in 1992 after 30 years of service, including combat tours in Vietnam and serving on the faculty of both the U.S. Army War College and the Command and General Staff College, Bob has worked in the private sector in both for-profit and nonprofit leadership roles.

Simons Center Deputy Director:

Lt. Col. John J. Nelson, U.S. Army, Ret.

John serves as the Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow for the Simons Center. John served in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years in the Air Defense Artillery. After retiring from military service in 2007, he has led numerous analytical and organizational improvement efforts for the private sector, government, and military organizations. In 2015, he cofounded Morris, Nelson & Associates and serves as its chief executive officer. For the past several years, he has worked with several interagency organizations, law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels as well as non-profit organizations combatting Transnational Organized Crime. He joined the Simons Center in March 2021.

Assistant Operations Officer:

Elizabeth Hill

Elizabeth assists the director of operations with Foundation programs, helps operate the Gift Shops, and assists the director of development with donor database management. Having served with the Foundation since June 2011, Elizabeth is the longest serving Foundation employee. She has extensive editing and publication experience and is an Army brat and graduate of University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth with a bachelor’s in art and a minor in English.

Administrative Assistant:

Sarah Soyka

Sarah supports the director of operations and president/CEO with Foundation programs and has been involved with Foundation Gift Shop operations since October 2023. With more than 21 years as an Army spouse, she is intimately familiar with Fort Leavenworth, having been stationed here three times. Sarah has a wealth of volunteer experience with Soldier and Family Readiness groups, serving as both a leader and senior advisor. Additionally, she has served on multiple Spouses’ Club boards. Sarah graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture.

Communications Consultant:

Lt. Col. Mark H. Wiggins, U.S. Army, Ret.

Mark performs the duties of foundation Director of Communications on a contractual basis from MHW Public Relations & Communications. Mark is a CGSC graduate and has an extensive background in public relations and strategic communications with the Army and the private sector. He has worked with the Foundation since 2005, creating and managing web and print design and content, including managing editor and layout/design duties for the Foundation News magazine and editing/layout/design for the InterAgency Journal, as well as other Foundation and Simons Center products. He also develops and executes communications strategies and tactics for business operations, programs, and events. He holds a B.A. in English/Technical Writing from Western Carolina University and an M.A. in Journalism/Public Relations from Marshall University