staff
Philip Highwood
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Name: Philip Edward Highwood
Nickname(s): Skipper, Hollywood, Bubbles, Top, Coach and SGM
Current City: Eugene Oregon
College: Master of Education in Prevention Science and Bachelor of Education/Social Science, with a minor in History from the University of Oregon.
Area of Study/focus: Community Health, Youth Risk Factor Mitigation and Suicide Prevention within the community.
Branch of Military: Army
Highest rank Achieved: Sergeant Major (E9)
Role(s) in The Military: Senior Scout (19D), PLT Sergeant (19D), Deployed to OIF II, Iraq in 2004 with 1st Cavalry Division/39th Infantry Brigade, 2/162nd Infantry Battalion, Deployed to Hurricane Katrina/Rita New Orleans in 2005, Activated 2/162nd Inf. Battalion, Notification Officer for OIF/OEF Kia’s in 2006 Chief instructor, Master Sergeant, 11B MOS-Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course (ANCOC) 2007. Activated in 2008-2011 to work on the Oregon Army Guard Reintegration team. Focusing on Soldiers returning from combat and ensuring the family is taken care of both post and pre deployment.
2011-2014, Wounded Warrior Battalion for 2years and 4 months, medically retired in May 2014.
Years of Service: 26 years combined Oregon Army National Guard and Active Army
Area of Deployment: Iraq, New Orleans (Hurricane Katrina and Rita) and Bangladesh, working with the United Nations and 12 other Countries training Peace Keeping Operations.
Current Job and Title: Executive Director for Veterans Legacy.
Prior to Veterans Legacy I was working as a contractor for DoD as the Survivor Outreach Specialist in Oregon. Serving Survivors of fallen Soldiers, Gold Star families and all families who suffer loss of one who served this great nation
Volunteering, Women’s Tackle football “O’ line/“D” line coach. Also volunteering as a youth sports coach for ten years with Kids Sports, Babe Ruth Baseball, Little league, Pop Warner football, and Boys and Girls Club Baseball in Albany Oregon. I also Volunteer with adults and kids with disabilities and improve the quality of life and overall community health.
Interesting Facts and hobbies, I love to cook, spend time with family, lifting weights, and I love to hate GOLF\.\.\.\.\.\. another major interest and hobby are youth sports involvement, I have coached, football, baseball, and basketball in Lane County for 12 years.
DAN BUCKWALD
Director of Operations
Dan graduated from Mapleton High School and joined the U.S. Air Force soon after. He served in the 92nd Security Police Squadron at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington from 1984-1988. He was deployed to Palmerola Air Base in 1987. Dan joined the Lane County Sheriff’s Office in February of 1989 as a Deputy Sheriff in the Adult Corrections Facility. He spent 13 years at the Sheriff’s Inmate Work Camp now known as Camp Alma. Dan was promoted to Sergeant while at the camp and oversaw all operations of the work camp to include housing, work crews, gardens and 100 men housed at the camp.
Dan promoted through the ranks to Captain/Jail Commander, where he emphasized the importance of fostering relationships in the community and creating inmate programming inside the facility with specific attention to the mentally ill population. Dan was an original board member at Veterans Legacy and then assumed the Executive Director position. After a year away, Dan is now a Peer Mentor at Camp Alma. Dan is also actively involved with South Willamette Valley Honor Flight as a board member and Guardian on flights. Dan also is also a volunteer at the American Legion Post 83
Dan continues to serve his fellow veterans, his community and the United States of America. A selfless service that is second to none.
ANDREW BURGESS
Mental Health Specialist
Andrew Burgess is an Associate Mental Health Counselor, medically retired combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. He holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, bringing a unique interdisciplinary perspective to behavioral health care that integrates clinical expertise, human development, trauma recovery, and an understanding of complex social and systemic influences on mental health.
Andrew's clinical interests include trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, life transitions, relationship challenges, identity development, resilience, and personal growth. While he has specialized knowledge and experience working with veterans and justice-involved populations, he is committed to serving individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life who are seeking support, healing, and meaningful change.
Drawing from both professional training and lived experience, Andrew understands how trauma, chronic stress, grief, loss, addiction, and significant life challenges can impact emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. His approach emphasizes meeting clients where they are, recognizing their unique strengths, values, and experiences, and helping them build the tools necessary to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Andrew practices from a trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based framework that prioritizes compassion, authenticity, cultural humility, and collaboration. He believes that healing occurs through meaningful therapeutic relationships where clients feel heard, respected, empowered, and supported throughout their journey.
His mission is to help individuals develop greater self-awareness, resilience, and confidence while fostering lasting change that improves emotional, psychological, and overall well-being. Andrew welcomes collaboration with individuals, families, professionals, and organizations dedicated to promoting mental health, recovery, and community wellness.
Warren Colbert
Peer Mentor/Camp Coordinator
Warren Colbert is from McPherson Kansas, but spent much of his childhood on the family farm in Goessel Kansas, a German Mennonite Community. Warren graduated from McPherson High School in 1984 and had already enlisted in the army in 1983. In 1989 he transferred to California National Guard to attend college, receiving his associates degree in pre-law, as well as completing a two-year certification as a para-legal. During this time, he also worked for a private security company as director of personnel and training. In 1994 he returned to active-duty status until he retired from the Army in 2016 with 32 years and 6 months of service. Warren served as an infantryman his entire military career rising in the ranks from Rifleman to Sergeant Major.
After Warren retired, he struggled with alcohol, PTSD and TBI for several years which, unfortunately, led to incarceration. When he was released in early 2022, he became a resident at Camp Alma, where he feels his life was transformed 180 degrees. During his time at Camp Alma he received his local Minister license, facilitates a bible study at Crow-Applegate Nazarene church, became a group leader as well as formed a group for veterans in Celebrate Recovery. He completed requirements for peer mentor certification and is now an employee for Veterans Legacy.
Warren provides outreach services in Eugene, handing out food, socks and other needs for the homeless. He also uses these encounters to identify and inform veterans he encounters about Camp Alma, and the opportunity to make life changing decisions.
Michael Bethel (Mike)
Peer Mentor
Mike is a Georgia native and proud United States Marine Corps veteran who served honorably from 1972 to 1976. Drawing upon both his military service and personal recovery journey, Mike brings authenticity, compassion, and firsthand understanding to the veterans he serves.
After becoming involved with Veterans Treatment Court, Mike demonstrated an exceptional commitment to his recovery by becoming the program's first participant to reach the 2,000% board, successfully completing every requirement without missing a single obligation. His dedication and perseverance reflect the values of accountability, resilience, and personal growth that he now encourages in others.
Inspired to give back to the veteran community, Mike completed Certified Peer Support Specialist training and now serves as a Peer Support Mentor with Veterans Legacy. He understands that recovery looks different for everyone and believes that no one should have to face life's challenges alone. Whether offering encouragement, sharing his own experiences, or simply being available to listen, Mike is committed to helping fellow veterans find hope, build confidence, and move forward one step at a time.
Mike believes that healing begins with connection, and sometimes the most important step is knowing there is someone willing to listen.
Grayson Dahn
Certified Recovery Mentor
Grayson grew up in Eugene, Oregon, where he graduated from Churchill High School before joining the United States Navy at the age of 21. During his military service, he was stationed aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) in Coronado, California.
Following his military service, Grayson struggled to find stability while experiencing the challenges of alcohol addiction. At age 30, he made the decision to change the direction of his life and commit himself to recovery. He returned to Eugene in 2019 and has maintained his sobriety ever since.
Through his own recovery journey, Grayson experienced firsthand that life after addiction can become much more than simply remaining sober. Recovery gave him an opportunity to rebuild his life, rediscover his strengths, and develop a renewed sense of purpose.
In 2026, Grayson decided it was time to use those experiences to help others. On his 38th birthday, he completed training to become a Certified Recovery Mentor, turning an important personal milestone into the beginning of a new commitment to service.
Grayson understands the damage that alcohol and substance use can cause individuals, families, and relationships, but he also understands the possibilities that recovery can create. His lived experience allows him to meet people with empathy, authenticity, and an understanding that meaningful change takes time.
At Veterans Legacy, Grayson is committed to walking alongside veterans and others working toward recovery, reminding them that they do not have to face the journey alone. He hopes to use his experience to help others discover that recovery is possible and that, even after difficult chapters, it is possible to build a life filled with connection, purpose, and meaning.