Board Members
John W. Bell, Jr., M. Ed.
Founder, President, and CEO of the Buffalo Soldiers of the American West,Inc.
John is a retired public school administrator who also serves as an educational consultant specializing in the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. He is committed to educating the public about the Buffalo Soldiers from their inception in 1866 until the last cavalry troop in 1944. An accomplished horseman, he has trained numerous local, state, and national champion horses and riders.
Richard Werpy, Ed. S.
Vice President
Dick currently teaches graduate students in school administration at the University of Denver after having retired from public schools with 32 years as a teacher, coach, principal, and assistant superintendent. Dick served as an administrator in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Boulder; and Adams County school districts. A native Minnesota "farm boy," he has a keen interest in horses, the Civil War, and Western history.
Letta Taylor Campbell
Secretary
Dr. Letta Taylor Campbell built a dual career in higher education and business management. She is also a serial entrepreneur. Letta has held key executive positions in human resources and operations management. Her last corporate position was Vice President of Operations and Human Resources. She has owned and flipped franchises and other small businesses. She opened an international management and human resource consulting organization over 15 years ago that currently serves clients from most sectors of business including healthcare, utilities, transportation, finance, retail, and hospitality. She is passionate about helping organizations improve their competitive advantage through maximizing human capital potential and organizational capacity. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Denver Small Business Development Center and is also a small business consultant volunteer with them.
Dr. Campbell has served as a volunteer and officer in many non-profit organizations. She is the co-founder of Apotheon Foundation, a national coaching, critical thinking, and learning strategies organization.
Patrick Daigle
Treasurer
He was born in Houston, Texas, but He lived and grew up in San Diego, California. Now, he lives in Thornton, Colorado, with his wife, Winona. Patrick attended San Diego Mesa College with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology. He was employed with Continental/United Airlines for 35 years as a team leader and used to DJ Professionally in clubs. He owned and operated his own DJ service for over 40 years. In retirement, Patrick enjoys traveling, going to the mountains, and visiting beach destinations.
Dennis Campbell
Director of Operations
Major Dennis Campbell retired from the Army in 2005 after 22 years of active military service in both the United States Marine Corps and the US Army. His service included assignments in over 10 different locations both in the states and abroad and included one combat tour. Dennis currently works for Army Cadet Command serving as the Deputy Director of Military Sciences for the Denver Public School’s 11 JROTC programs. Before moving into his current administrative position he taught JROTC in 3 of Denver’s 11 High Schools as well as coached many nationally-ranked Drill teams.
Major Campbell has served as a volunteer in a number of organizations and has been with the Buffalo Soldiers of the West since 2021.
Michael Trapasso, Ph.D.
Historical Consultant
Dr. Michael Trapasso is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. For thirty-five years, he made the study of the Civil War, and the Indian Wars, more than just a hobby. During the last three decades, has re-enacted battles with the 7th Tennessee Cavalry, and the 10th U.S. Cavalry. He has given numerous presentations concerning the Civil War and the role of “The Cavalry in Battle.” In addition, but he is a strong supporter for the preservation of historic sites, to insure their place in the History of the United States.
Jeannette Stribling-Bell, B. A.
Co Founder and Musical Director of the Buffalo Soldiers of the American West Inc.
Music degree in Education and Vocal Performance, an educator in both public and private schools, a professional opera singer for many years, and a family genealogist. Along with being a Colorado Territorial Daughter, she is the co-owner of Bell Family Show Horses.
Commemorative Buffalo Soldier Coin
Here is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a memento that honors the cavalry units of Buffalo Soldiers who served in the West from 1866 to 1944. Help us keep their stories alive. Buffalo Soldiers is proud to announce they are now selling Commemorative coins.
Limited Edition of 300 Antique Silver coins depicting the Ninth and Tenth U.S. Cavalry of the Buffalo Soldiers. The coins are 2 inches (51mm) in diameter, with two sides colored with numbering. Each coin is sent in RF bags with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Coins are $50.00 each, including shipping & handling.
Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. All sales are final.