Our Dedicated and Experienced Team

Joshua Zebley - County Veterans Service Officer

Joshua is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from California State University, Sacramento. Since 2017, he has worked for the California Department of Veterans Affairs, most recently as a Section Chief of the California Transition Assistance Program and the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise. 

Buck Carmichael - Assistant County Veterans Service Officer

Buck joined the Veterans Service Office in October of 2016. His family has deep roots in the military service. Like his father, Buck served in the Marine Corps from 2001 through 2005. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004. His father was a Drill Sergeant during the Viet Nam War and his grandfathers were involved in the invasion & occupation of Europe during World War II. Buck resides in Brentwood with his wife and 2 children. Spending time with his family and golfing bring enjoyment to him.

Bill Reed - Veterans Service Manager

Bill was born and raised in San Francisco CA. He enlisted in the US Army in 1982 as a Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. In 1985, he was hired with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, he enlisted in the US Air Force (Reserves) as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician. He was activated in September 1990 for Operation Desert Storm/Shield. In 1998, he deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base in support of Operation Southern Watch. He deployed again in 2009-2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Bill retired from the Air Force in November 2015. With the VA, he performed the duties of a Rating Veteran’s Service Rep (RVSR a.k.a Rating Specialist). He worked in that position from 2000 until his retirement in August 2022. He is married (29 years) with three adult children (2 sons and one daughter) and currently resides in Vallejo although his heart stays in San Francisco. He is a huge San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan.

Jill Martinez - Veterans Service Representative (Retired/Volunteer)

Jill’s family has a long history of military service. Her Grandfather served in the Army in WWI, her father served in the Army in WWII, and other family members served in Korea and Viet Nam. Currently her son Brian is a LtCmdr in the Navy. Jill previously worked for social services as a clerk and eligibility worker. Jill started working in Veterans Service in October of 1986. She was the first female and non-Veteran to be a VSR. She retired from Contra Costa County in March of 2011 and continues as a volunteer VSR. We are very fortunate to still have her aboard.

Fred Schobert - Veterans Service Representative

Fred grew up in Lewisburg, PA, graduated from Mansfield State University and commissioned in the Navy as an officer of the unrestricted line (surface warfare). He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander in September, 1994 and began working for the US Department of Veterans Affairs in December of that year. During this service he was a Decision Review Officer working on appeals, special interest cases, training and mentoring VSR’s and rating specialists until he retired in August, 2013. Fred is married to Teresita, they live in Pittsburg and have been blessed with two children, Fred and Sarah, who herself is a Navy Veteran.

Ben Yang - Veterans Service Representative

Ben joined the team in June of 2020 and has been helping veterans for quite a while. Before joining this team, Ben served as the Veterans Program Coordinator at SF State for over 5 years. Ben served in the US Navy on the CVN-75 from 02-05 as an AO. He and his wife live in Concord, CA and have two wonderful boys along with a baby girl. He is excited to be able to assist his fellow veterans obtain the benefits they so deserve within his own community! If you love fishing or golf, you may spot him out on the delta or at one of our local golf courses.

James Lyons - Veterans Service Representative

James joined the Veterans Service Office in 2022. He served in the Marine Corps from 2004 to 2009. In his spare time, he is a passionate photographer.

Emily A. - Veterans Service Representative

Emily joined the Veteran Service Office team in December 2022. Emily finds great reward in advocating for veterans and their families as she is able to give back to our veteran population. Emily has family members and friends who served the military dating back to the Vietnam War. For Emily, there is no better profession than helping those who are currently serving, or those who had served, our great nation. 

Daniel Clinton - Veterans Service Representative

Daniel Clinton is a dedicated and compassionate Veteran Service Representative who joined our team in March 2023, advocating for the rights and needs of veterans. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges and sacrifices of military service, Daniel has made it his mission to ensure that all veterans receive the support and resources they deserve.

As an Air Force veteran, Daniel has over seven years of active-duty experience. During his enlistment, he served as an Aircraft Fuel System Craftsman, working on airframes such as the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter and later as an Air Traffic Controller for the Travis AFB RAPCON. Following the end of his busy time, he transitioned to the Air Force Reserves, where he currently serves in the 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California.

Daniel’s family history has a long line of military service with ties to WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. His experiences and knowledge gained from the Contra Costa Veteran Services Office have equipped him with the skills necessary to assist veterans in obtaining the care and compensation they are entitled to.

When Daniel is not in the office, you can find him around the Bay Area, but he spends most of his time working towards a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of San Francisco.

Carol Prell - Executive Secretary 

Carol joined Contra Costa County in April 2021 after working for Sentinels of Freedom. She grew up in Northern California’s foothills as a 5^th generation Californian. Carol is a Blue Star mom, with a son who served as a Green Beret and is now in the National Guard, and is very active in the Blue Star Mom organization supporting active duty and veteran military members. In addition to a B.A. in Liberal Arts from San Francisco State University, she comes to our office with over 15 years of combined professional experience in human resources, program management, outreach, stakeholder engagement, and a long history of volunteer service.

Joshua Lang - Clerk Specialist

Josh joined the Veterans Service Office team in August 2015 and is the son of two Marine Corps Veterans. He was born at Balboa Naval Hospital and then moved to the East Bay after his parents discharged from the military. He is married and continues to reside in the Bay Area.

Ellena "Ellie" Pendleton - Clerk Senior

Ellie joined the Veterans Service Office team in November 2021. She is married with two children. Ellie has family members and friends who have served in the military. She enjoys helping people and feels our veterans have done so much for our country and she wants to help them. Ellie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, also enjoys traveling, watching movies and shows and listening to music.

Michael Beveridge - Clerk Experienced

Michael joined the Veterans Service Office team in May 2022. He has friends and family in the military. He has great respect for the military and our veterans. Michael has been sidelining as a trumpet player since he was 10 years old, and has played in many bands and performed many different styles and venues throughout the years; he spent two summers playing trumpet in a Latin pop show at Great America in Santa Clara, he’s performed in every ensemble at Diablo Valley College and California State University East Bay where he studied classical trumpet, and he continues to do musical theater throughout the bay area. He is also a private trumpet instructor to students of all ages, and loves to share his love of music.