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Dane County Veterans Service Office

Meet Our Team

The Veterans Service Office of Dane County consists of eight dedicated individuals who are focused on advocacy for veterans and their families.  We are proud to be VA-accredited through several nationally recognized veterans service organizations. Get to know our team below.

Dan Connery 2018

Joined Team: May 2006

Daniel Connery

Veterans Service Director

Dan served in the United States Army from July 1988 to July 1991. After basic training and AIT, he was stationed in South Korea (Camp Ames) for one year before heading to Fort Knox, Kentucky.  He spent six months in the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, working in support of the 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas. He joined the staff of the Veterans Service Office in May 2006, after over 6 years with the Dane County Juvenile Court Program. Dan proudly served as president of the County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin from September 2018 to September 2019. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Upper Iowa University.

Dan enjoys following local sports.  He lives in McFarland and has three sons - Bailey, Kieran, and Riley.

Dan Connery Military Photo

November 1990

Southwest Asia

Bridgette Nelson 2015

Joined Team: Jan 2015

Bridgette Nelson

Deputy Veterans Service Director

Bridgette joined the Veterans Service Office in January 2015. She was enlisted in the United States Army and served as a Combat Medic. Her service included deployments to the Republic of Haiti in 1994 during Operation Uphold Democracy and various desert deployments to Cairo, Egypt. As a medic, Bridgette worked in field, hospital, and clinic environments. After service in the Army, Bridgette attended Columbus State University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Technology/Information Systems. She enjoys reading, writing short plays, and is an active member of PEO, a philanthropic organization to promote the advancement of women through education.

Bridgette is married to Jesse who is an avid photography enthusiast and she is a proud mom of daughter Victoria.

Bridgette Nelson Military Photo

1994

Republic of Haiti

Pamela Lange 2019 Photo

Joined Team: Jul 2019

Pamela Lange

Veterans Support Specialist

Pam joined the Veterans Service Office as a Veterans Benefits Specialist in July 2019. She worked for many years as an EMT-Intermediate. Pam also volunteered her time for eight years responding to ambulance calls as a volunteer for the Waunakee Area EMS. She has spent over 25 years in the Public Safety field and has an Associate’s Degree in Paramedicine. Pam lives in Waunakee with her husband, Rick. They have three sons, Christopher, Jonah, and Zach.

Janelle Gallatin 2021

Joined Team: Feb 2021

Janelle Gallatin

Assistant Veterans Service Officer

Janelle joined the Veterans Service Office as an Assistant Veterans Service Officer in February 2021. She served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard for 7 years. She spent 3 years AGR in Richland Center, WI and in 2003 was deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Janelle supported military families as a Lead Family Readiness Group Volunteer for the WI Army National Guard for over 11 years. The military is still a very integral part of her life as she continues to support her husband who is still actively serving. She earned a double Master’s Degree in School and Community Counseling from UW-Platteville and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Communications from Concordia University.

Janelle lives in Windsor with her husband, Fred, and their four children, Bella, Freddy, Noelle and Jewelles. When they aren’t attending sporting events or other activities for their children, you’ll find them in their happy place on the lake.

Janelle Gallatin Military Photo

2003

Kuwait

Angela Sears May 2021

Joined Team: Mar 2021

Angela Sears

Assistant Veterans Service Officer

Angela joined the Veteran Service Office in March of 2021. She retired as an E-8, Senior Master Sergeant, from the Air Force in 2019 with over 20 years of active duty and 4 years of part-time service in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Angela’s military career included a deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1997 as a medic, and a tour with the Wisconsin Counter Drug Program where she worked with the FBI. During her 24+ years of service, 18 years were in different areas of recruiting & retention to include a five year tour at headquarters in Washington D.C. During her military service she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration from Concordia University and an MBA from Touro University.

Angela’s passion is traveling to new places, and she’s an Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver. Angela and her husband, Chris, reside in Sun Prairie with their family. They have 3 kids (Colton, Calvin & Mira) and 2 dogs (Riley and Milly).

Angela Sears  Military Photo

1997

Bosnia

Shannon Truit 2023 Photo

Joined Team: Feb 2023

Shannon Truit

Assistant Veterans Service Officer

Shannon (Shay) joined the Dane County Veterans Service office team in May of 2022.  She enlisted in the WI Army National Guard in June 2001 and joined the 229 Engineer Company in Platteville, WI as a Motor Transportation Operator. In 2007, she crossed over to active duty Army as a Spanish Linguist and spent the rest of her career in the Intelligence Field. She retired from the Army in November of 2021. She deployed to Iraq from 2003-2004 and Afghanistan 2010-2011. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from UW Platteville and a Master’s in National Security from American Military University. 

Shannon Truit Military Photo

2004

Brandon Lutz 2023

Joined Team: Mar 2023

Brandon Lutz

Assistant Veterans Service Officer

Brandon joined the Dane County Veterans office team in March of 2023. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in July of 1996 a Security Forces member. In 2001 he enlisted into the WI Air National Guard as a member of the 115th FW Security Forces. He was also a Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructor. In 2013 he transitioned to Recruiting. His last assignment was as the 115th FW Recruiting Flight Chief.  He retired as a Master Sargent and full time member of the Air Guard in May of 2023. He deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1997, Baharain 2002 and Diego Garcia 2004.

Brandon Lives in Mount Horeb with his wife Amanda and children Avery and Jaxon.

Brandon Lutz  Military Photo

May 2003

Margaret Garvin 2023

Joined Team: Mar 2023

Margaret Garvin

Assistant Veterans Service Officer

Margaret (Muggs) joined the Dane County Veterans Service office team in March 2023.  She enlisted in the United States Navy in April 1988.  Her time on active duty was served in Washington DC as a Yeoman until August 1993.  She brings fourteen years of experience as a County Veterans Service Officer/Tribal Veterans Service Officer.  She is currently serving the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. ( NACVSO) as the Women Veterans Rep and a Trainer for Basic Benefits. 

Margaret Garvin Military Photo

1988

Accreditations

The Veterans Service Office is accredited to represent claimants before the US Department of Veterans Affairs through the following organizations:

Memberships

Questions?