Kate Logan has accomplished a lot for a 33-year-old.
She’s proudly served her country in the Armed Forces, risking life and limb on hostile foreign soil.
She’s helped countless veterans by connecting them with the resources they need to survive and succeed in civilian life.
She serves as a positive role model for young women.
She’s raising three small children.
Now, the Oxford Village resident has been named to the Oakland County Executive’s ‘Elite 40 Under 40? Class of 2016.
Celebrating its fifth year, the program spotlights dynamic leaders under the age of 40 who live or work in Oakland County.
More than 400 nominations were reviewed by an independent panel of judges for this year’s class.
‘It’s an honor to be mentioned in the top 40,? said Logan, a 2000 Oxford High School graduate. ‘At first, I felt almost like I didn’t belong because I didn’t have the title of CEO or director.?
Since last May, Logan has served as a regional coordinator for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Her work involves seven counties in the Thumb Area including Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Tuscola, Huron and Sanilac. More than 65,000 veterans reside in this region.
‘I guess I have more responsibility than what I give myself credit for in a title,? Logan said.
Her position was created through a partnership between the state agency and the Michigan Association of Counties.
‘When I read the job description, it was like they wrote it for me,? she said. ‘I jumped right on it.?
Logan’s work has involved creating a collaborative network of various entities that serve as resources for veterans and their family members. The network is a mix of public, private, nonprofit and for-profit entities. Even small ‘mom-and-pop? businesses that try to help out veterans whenever they can are included, she noted.
‘Anything that touches the veteran community is part of this,? Logan said.
The problem veterans were facing wasn’t ‘a lack of resources,? according to Logan, it was the fact that none of the service providers were communicating with each other about what’s available.
As result, when veterans would attempt to reach out for help, Logan said they had a difficult time trying to ‘navigate through? the labyrinth and it became ‘overwhelming.?
‘We’re trying to alleviate that by creating this open door,? she said.
That ‘open door? is the Veterans Community Action Team (VCAT) program.
VCAT has brought ‘any and all resources that we can find to the table? to create an easily-accessible ‘master list? to assist veterans and their family members looking for help when it comes to a variety of areas including employment, access to healthcare and transportation alternatives, Logan explained. VCAT’s ultimate purpose is to enhance the delivery of services to those who need them.
‘It’s very rewarding for me to be able to make the link and actually see them get the help that they deserve, move forward and succeed,? she said. ‘I’ve never had anybody contact me where I haven’t been able to find a solution, so that feels pretty good.?
Logan has personally helped bring 97 additional individuals, small businesses and organizations to the VCAT program.
Within the VCAT network, she’s been building bridges and creating partnerships between the various resources to help them more effectively serve veterans.
‘That’s my favorite part of my job,? Logan said.
She’s also enjoyed having the opportunity ‘to get out and talk to veterans, and feel like I’m making a difference in the community.?
Helping veterans has been Logan’s passion for a number of years, mainly because she is one.
She was active-duty for three years in U.S. Army. She served in Iraq with the 1st Infantry Division from February 2007 through April 2008.
Logan started off attached to a team of soldiers conducting surge operations and clearing cities. She followed them around and searched Iraqi female civilians if they were suspected of concealing something inside or beneath their clothing such as a weapon or explosive device. Logan was part of a team that captured a local terrorist, whom she described as a ‘high value target.?
She later engaged in security work and did a stint in public affairs.
Following active-duty, she served two-and-a-half years in the army reserve. She’s spent the last four years in the Michigan National Guard, where she holds the rank of sergeant.
After moving back to Oxford in 2009, Logan found it difficult transitioning to civilian life and determining her role in it. Adding to the challenge was the fact she was a single mother. But Logan persevered.
She went back to school and earned two associate’s degrees from Oakland Community College (OCC), followed by bachelor’s and master’s degrees in administration from Central Michigan University.
Along the way, her desire to help her fellow veterans grew and grew.
While attending OCC, Logan cofounded a chapter of Student Veterans of America and in 2012, helped establish a Veteran Resource Room on the OCC Auburn Hills campus.
She later joined the Oakland County Women’s Advisory Board as a veterans representative. In 2014, she cochaired ‘Operation: Success,? a one-day job and networking fair for female veterans seeking access to resources related to career and employment opportunities. She continues to serve on the advisory board.
Although she enjoys her current position immensely, Logan is planning to take her desire to help people to the next level.
That’s why she’s planning to file for the Aug. 2 primary election. She’s going to seek the Democratic nomination for the 46th District seat in the state House of Representatives. The seat is currently occupied by Brad Jacobsen (R-Oxford), who is not eligible to run again due to term limits.
‘Honestly, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do,? Logan said. ‘It’s ingrained in me to want to get involved in issues, help the community in any way I can and serve my country. I just felt that this was a really natural fit for me.?
Logan hopes to broaden the scope of representation in the state Legislature.
‘I haven’t seen anybody that I felt represented me or the people of this district in a long time,? she said.
Oxford’s growing population includes ‘a lot of young families? and she doesn’t believe the representation in Lansing is reflective of that. ‘I think less than 25 percent of the state legislators have kids that are school-age,? she said.
Logan believes it’s this kind of thing that’s created a disconnect between voters and lawmakers. ‘A lot of people feel out of touch with what’s going on in Lansing,? she said. ‘We don’t really feel like we have any kind of political influence. I’d really like to see that change.?
‘I want to see more people get involved in the political process and feel like they are a stakeholder because they are,? Logan continued.
She said state lawmakers need to stop focusing so much on what matters to them and start working on what matters to the people they’re supposed to represent.
‘These people work for you,? Logan said. ‘We need to really start demanding more (from) our public servants.?
When she’s not helping veterans, Logan is busy spending time with her partner Andy Forte and raising their three sons ? Jack, 6, a kindergartner at Daniel Axford Elementary; Samuel, 2, and Hugh, 1.