Joe O’Connor, President
I have been with PRVFF since the fall of 2015. Introduced to fly tying in the seventh grade, the sport of fly fishing has been my passion more than thirty five years. I have always enjoyed passing along my knowledge and experience to those who want to experience catching a fish on a fly they tied themselves.
A graduate of Fort Lewis College, father of four, grandfather of three and married to a fly fishing lady for thirty years, I still find it essential that I reserve time to help our men and women of service to experience what I have been free to do for so long. I am committed to ensuring that our participants have the best chance at a world class experience, detailed instruction and all at no cost to them. As a revenue cycle manager for Salud Family Health Centers, fifteen years in health care and a previous business owner, I will continue to share my business acumen for the growth and stability of the PRVFF organization.
Larry Neasloney, Treasurer
Larry has served as a fly-fishing mentor, trip lead, and fly-tying instructor for the Platte Rivers Veterans Fly Fishing since 2012. In January of 2017 he became the PRVFF Board Treasurer, managing the programs budget and assuming the role of Scrooge when necessary.
Larry is a former United States Marine and was stationed in the Philippines in the mid 1970s. He worked as a Geographic Information Specialist for the Bureau of Land Management in 2013 for over 30 years, and retired in 2013.
He is an avid year-round mountain biker and enjoys traveling with his wife Esther. Together they have one son, Tyler, who resides in New York City.
Larry has fished his entire life and takes as much enjoyment in helping others catch fish as he does catching fish himself. He does have to remind himself to “dial it back” when fishing with Colorado based board members.
Ken McCoy, Vice President
I first got involved with Platte Rivers when Dean Miller put out a call for submissions for short fly fishing stories. That project later turned into the book The Water Holds No Scars: Fly Fishing Stories of Rivers and Rejuvenation.
My dad taught me to fly fish on a small city pond in Greeley when I was 11 years old. I’ve loved fly fishing ever since that day but over the last several years have made it a true obsession. I’ve guided on the Big Thompson River and throughout Rocky Mountain National Park and have articles published in Fly Fisherman magazine and American Angler. As a patriot, it’s my honor to watch the healing powers of fly fishing positively impact the lives of veterans in Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming.
Micah Foster, Secretary
Micah has served as a fly-fishing participant, volunteer, mentor, trip lead and coordinator and assistant program lead for Platte Rivers Veterans Fly Fishing since 2015. In March 2023, he became the PRVFF Secretary in support of recording minutes, grant writing, outreach and growing his passion for supporting the program and veterans we serve.
Micah is a former U.S. Army Infantryman and was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY from 2000 to 2004. Micah served one tour in Operation Enduring Freedom and two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Micah has worked for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment from 2015 to 2021 as both a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist and Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) serving veterans in many capacities. Since 2021, Micah has worked for the United States Department of Labor as a Research Analyst Lead for the Disabled Veteran Program.
Greg McCoy, Trustee
I joined Platte Rivers when my brother, Ken asked me to bring my experience in fundraising to the organization. This was a no brainer because of my love for fishing and a feeling that any way I can help support our veterans is something I want to be part of.
I grew up in Northern Colorado and some of my greatest memories are the weekends spent with my dad, Steve and my brother up on the river fishing. That is where my passion for all things outdoors developed. Today my wife Michelle and I live in Greeley with our 3 children, Katelyn, Madison and Colton. I work as an Account Executive for Shamrock Food Service consulting in the Northern Colorado area. When we have time to get away we are typically in the mountains camping and spending time as a family. No greater joy can be found than watching your children learn to love the things you love.
Rick Flood, Trustee
I grew up in Thermopolis, a 5-minute bike ride from the Big Horn River in north-central Wyoming, where I was introduced to fly fishing and tying at an early age by my father, a US Army veteran. After graduating from the University of Wyoming, I began my 40+ year career in Banking, the last 16 years of which has been with Platte Valley Bank in Cheyenne. As a young man, I was fortunate to fish some of the premier western waters, and so grew my passion for trout and the beautiful places they live. As career, family and life became more complicated and busier, I got away from fishing for a number of years and invested my limited free time pursuing a variety of other activities; everything from to triathlon to upland bird hunting, with my normal obsessive commitment. It’s been a great ride, and the path has brought me back to fishing with a renewed enthusiasm. Much has changed in the many years since my dad took his young son fishing; the gear, the techniques, the popularity of the sport and the resulting pressure on the resource. The magic of a trout on a fly, however, is timeless, and should be shared.
After attending the 2022 PRVFF Annual Banquet in Cheyenne, I became particularly interested in the organization and the important work they do. It is truly a cause I feel very strongly about, and I am honored to do whatever I can to further the PRVFF mission; To provide rest, recreation, and rehabilitation for active duty, veterans, disabled veterans, and retired military personnel through fly fishing related activities.
Joe Gallagher, Trustee
Joe joined the Air Force as a Security Policeman after graduating high school. After four years he separated to attend college at Bloomsburg University and chose to continue his service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as an Infantryman. After graduating from college with a BS in Secondary Education (Math), he commissioned in the Air Force as a Security Police Officer. Major Gallagher spent the last three years of his 25-year career in the Wyoming Army National Guard as an Infantry Officer. Over his career, he commanded four squadrons in the Air Force and deployed five times. After, his military career was over, Joe began teaching math at Estes Park High School. He also helps his wife of over 20 years, Lorraine, at her dental practice, with marketing and logistics and anything else she asks him to do. Joe and Lorraine, have two daughters.
Joe joined Platte Rivers Veterans Fly Fishing in 2012 as a novice (at best) fly fisherman. He learned to fly fish through PRVFF and fly fishing and PRVFF have become a major part of his life. Joe has been a fly tying instructor and fly fishing guide in the program.
Joe was a board member from 2014 to 2016 and rejoined the board in 2020.
David Sargent, Trustee
As an fly fisherman for over 30 years, David is still pushing himself to increase his casting skills, hatch mastery, and his overall fishing game. Fishing with others who love to talk fishing, and who get out there and make trips happen is an opportunity for all involved. PRVFF mixes the enjoyment, teaching, knowledge and instruction for an overall wonderful experience.
David is a Colorado native living in Fort Collins with his family. He practices civil litigation and criminal law. If he weren’t a lawyer, he’d pursue interests in teaching, organizational development and design. When not working in his practice, or caring for his family, David gets his heart moving with mountain bikes. And, when time permits, he enjoys getting some fresh air while casting through the Poudre and local rivers.
While not a military veteran, he is honored to work with others who have served our great country. PRVFF is a great fit, dedicated to providing fly fishing trips, fly tying, rod building tutorials and fellowship to Active and Veteran military.
Dave Smith, Trustee
Dave Smith joined the PRVFF board in June 2022 but first started supporting the organization in 2018 through his Cheyenne business, 911 Roofing Solutions. Since then, Dave sold the business and retired, leaving him more time to enjoy fishing, among other things, and giving him the opportunity to volunteer his time.
Dave grew up in Lusk, Wyoming and participated in every sport offered, but had little exposure to fishing early in life. It wasn’t until later in life when he was a golf pro in Fort Collins, that he bought his first fly rod and equipment by selling some of his golf equipment. He took a guided trip on the Poudre and was hooked (excuse the pun!). Since then, he has fished some awesome waters in Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, and continues to learn more about the sport. In addition, he enjoys camping, golfing and biking, and sharing the love of the outdoors with his wife, Julie, grown daughters, son-in-law and granddaughter.
When Dave first heard of PRVFF, he was thankful for a group that focused on helping veterans. He is not a vet, but his father was, and he taught Dave the importance of patriotism and respect of the men and women who have fought for the freedom of our country. It became an important cause to support, and he’s grateful to be able to give back in some small way.