Staff Directory
Meet the dedicated leadership and staff of Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District.
Board of Directors
Garrett Vogel – President
Born and raised in the Fort Lewis Mesa area, I have dedicated much of my life to serving this community. My fire service journey began when I joined the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Department as a junior member, sparking a lifelong commitment to emergency response and public safety. In 2002, I became a full‑time volunteer firefighter and went on to hold every position within the department—including serving as Interim Chief in 2013. I then had the honor of becoming the district’s first paid Assistant Chief, a role that strengthened my experience in leadership, operations, and community support. Today, my commitment to Fort Lewis Mesa continues through my service as a Board member, where I work to provide steady leadership, advocate for district needs, and support the dedicated individuals who protect our community every day.
Ben Thorsheim – Treasurer
A proud Colorado native, I’ve always found my greatest joy in the outdoors—whether hunting, fishing, or spending time with family and friends. I’m married to Stephanie, and together we’ve raised two wonderful sons, Zachary and Tyrell. Tyrell and his wife, Keylee, have added even more joy to our lives with our beautiful granddaughter, Abigail. I retired after a rewarding 21-year career with the City of Farmington Fire Department and 24 years of dedicated service with the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District. Even after retiring, my commitment to this community never faded. I knew I wanted to stay involved, continue giving back, and support the district that has been such a meaningful part of my life. It is truly an honor to continue serving the Fort Lewis Mesa community as a Board member, helping to support the mission, people, and values that matter so deeply to all of us.
Ryan Preator – Parliamentarian
I grew up in a small Wyoming town and relocated to Colorado with my family in 2023. With a strong background in construction and heavy equipment operation, I bring hands-on experience, a safety-first mindset, and a solid work ethic to everything I do. I’m actively involved in the community through 4-H, coaching shooting sports programs in which my youngest daughter participates, and supporting her livestock projects. I value service, responsibility, and giving back to the community I’m proud to call home.
Erin Aas – Secretary
Raised in the Fort Lewis Mesa Community, I joined the Board of the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Department to give back to the place that shaped who I am today. My career took me to Houston, Texas, where I worked as a GIS analyst with PennWell MapSearch and later Phillips 66, specializing in spatial data, mapping systems, and decision‑support tools that supported critical operations in the oil and gas industry. In 2019, I returned home to care for my aging parents and to continue contributing to the community that has always been my foundation. I currently Chair the Fort Lewis Mesa Registered District Advisory Committee and serve as Secretary for the Slade Ditch Company, helping support both local development and essential water resources. Outside of my professional and community roles, I enjoy greenhouse gardening, international travel, and spending time with my kids, friends and two dogs
Jill Gillen –
I moved to the Fort Lewis Mesa community in 1988 when I married my husband, DeRon. We raised our two children here, and today they are raising our seven grandchildren in the same community we proudly call home. For 25 years, I have taught elementary education, and I have always loved working with people and encouraging the best in others. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, helping with our family’s cattle operation, cooking, and serving in my church. I am honored to serve this community that has given so much to my family. I understand how essential strong community support is, and I am proud to contribute to that through my continued commitment to the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District.
Staff
Travis Schmitt – Interim Fire Chief\Wildland Coordinator\ Emergency Vehicle Technician
With more than 20 years of service in multiple fire and military roles, Travis Schmitt brings extensive experience and strong leadership to the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District. He is qualified as an Engine Boss and ICT4 and specializes in heavy equipment and hydraulic maintenance, ensuring that the district’s wildland operations and apparatus remain fully mission‑ready. Travis began his fire service journey early, serving as a Junior Firefighter from age 13 to 18 and continuing as a firefighter until age 19. In 2002, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served honorably until 2015. During his military career, Travis completed three tours in Iraq and two deployments to Korea, ultimately being discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. He returned to the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Department in 2016, serving one year as a volunteer before becoming a full‑time employee from 2017 to 2024. In 2024, Travis expanded his service by accepting a position as a Federal Firefighter, serving through 2025 before rejoining the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District. Travis currently serves as the Assistant Chief / Wildland Coordinator / Emergency Vehicle Technician, where he continues to apply his operational expertise, technical skill, and dedication to community service. Outside of his fire service responsibilities, Travis is devoted to his family. He is married to his bride, Lou, and together they have two sons. When he isn’t working in fire operations, he can be found farming on his family’s ranch.
Russell “Rusty” Greer - Assistant Chief/EMS Operations
Rusty was born and raised in the Marvel–Redmesa area, Rusty has deep roots in the community he continues to serve. He joined the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District as a Junior Firefighter in 1996, beginning a lifelong path of learning, service, and leadership. Over the years, Rusty has remained a steady presence in the district, known for his dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping his neighbors. Rusty’s involvement extends far beyond the firehouse. He is an active member of 4-H, the Grange, his local church, and numerous community efforts that reflect his value of service and connection. Wherever there is work to be done or someone in need, Rusty is never far away. Professionally, Rusty has built a respected career with Wagner Equipment, where he began in 2001 as a technician. Through hard work and expertise, he advanced to his current role as Power Systems Supervisor at the Bloomfield, New Mexico location. He holds an EMT-B certification and has recently earned the Caterpillar Certified Electric Power Analyst credential—achievements that speak to both his technical skill and his drive to keep growing. Rusty comes from a long line of homesteaders, and that heritage shapes who he is today. He values living simply, staying grounded, raising animals, and helping others reach their full potential. Whether he’s serving his community, mentoring youth, or lending a hand to a neighbor, Rusty approaches life with humility, purpose, and a deep appreciation for the place he calls home.
Brad Ray – Assistant Chief/Fire Operations
Brad has dedicated more than 36 years to the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District, beginning his service in 1989. From the very start, his commitment to protecting his community was clear—he was named Firefighter of the Year in his first year and was honored with the award again in 2024, reflecting a lifetime of excellence and service. In May 2025, Brad stepped into the role of Interim Fire Chief, leading the district through December 2025 with steady guidance during a period of significant transition. Brad married the love of his life, Kathy Ping, in 1980. She has been his partner, his anchor, and the one who keeps him grounded and accountable. Together, they raised three children, and today they are blessed with five grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild—a family Brad considers his greatest joy and the center of his life. Brad’s professional career reflects decades of hard work, expertise, and adaptability. He earned both Journeyman and Master Electrician certifications and became a licensed water driller in New Mexico. Over the course of 41 years working in the patch, he rose from a pipeline electrician to a Maintenance Manager overseeing roughly 1,500 miles of pipeline. His leadership, reliability, and commitment to doing the job right the first time earned him deep respect across the industry. Outside of his career and his service to the district, Brad is happiest in the mountains. He finds peace and purpose in the outdoors—whether he’s 4-wheeling, riding motorcycles, jeeping, hunting, fishing, or cutting wood. The mountains, like his family and his community, are part of who he is.
Jeannine Glasby – District Office Manager
Jeannine has been a dedicated member of the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District for more than eight and a half years. She and her husband have been part of the community they love since 1984—living, working, serving, and raising their family on the mesa. Over the decades, Jeannine has become deeply rooted in the values that define this area: family, connection, and service. Beyond her work with the district, Jeannine embodies the spirit of rural living. She enjoys gardening, canning, and living off the land, embracing a lifestyle built on self-reliance and appreciation for the natural world around her. Family remains at the center of her life, and she treasures every opportunity to spend time with her loved ones. Jeannine is also deeply committed to her faith and remains actively involved in her church, where she finds purpose, fellowship, and a strong sense of community.
General Contact Information
For general inquiries and administrative matters, use our contact form or the information below: