Meet our 2023 Award Winners
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Innovative Community Support Bryan T. Brown, Chisago County, MN Bryan T. Brown created an innovative “Veterans’ Coffee Talk” program to ensure that local Veterans are aware of up-to-date VA information. He constantly strives to improve the working relationship with the Veterans Advocates throughout the VA system, and works with his own staff to support and their career goals to help better all of Chisago County.
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Exceptional Outreach Jessica McClellan, Stark County, ND Jessica McClellan takes time in her busy schedule to visit Veterans, bring them baked goods that she makes herself, and check in on them every month. She is an inspiration to newer Veterans Service Officers. She was instrumental in one of her counties building a Veterans Memorial and a large Veterans Pavilion which seats 160 for various events and gatherings. She was instrumental in getting the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Wall to be set up at the Stark County Veterans Memorial Park.
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All-Star Community Advocate Denise Formolo, Dickinson County, MI Denise Formolo worked with her congressman to propose a law be amended so that Veterans who receive hospice care at home rather than a VA for their final days can still receive burial benefits.
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Software Superstar Kenneth Kumle, Commission on Veterans Affairs Office, KS He is the subject matter expert for Veterans Benefits in Kansas, who trains all new VSOs because of his expertise and patience when dealing with new personnel. This is an additional duty he has been tasked with in addition to operating the busiest of 15 field offices in Kansas.
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Awesome Organization
Livingston County, MI The Livingston County Veteran Services team has expanded to support 4,500 Veterans in one year. They are on track for a record number of claims and appeals submitted in one year. One VSO has been named County Employee of the Quarter and another was recognized as the top VSO in Michigan. They attended 28 outreach events and created two more. |
Honorable Service Awards
- All-Star Community Advocate
- Lolita Dianne Rogers, Boone County, AR
- Jennifer Weintraub, Coskrey Law Office, GA
- Mindy Bennett, Marion County, AR
- Thomas Ornberg, Miller County, AR
- Exceptional Outreach
- Lisa Rubio, Rockland County, NY
- Donna Rosenbaum, Hempstead County, AR
- Joshua Morrison, Independence County, AR
- Awesome Organization
- Kankakee County, IL
- Clinton County Veterans Commission, OH
- Innovative Community Support
- Rick Voutour, District Director Veterans Services, MA
- Paul Pionke,Shawano County, WI
- Dewey Randall, Wells County, IN
- Software Superstar
- Michelle Ayers, Campbell County Veteran Services, TN
- Sammy Barnett, Wayne County, MS
- Anthony Gibson, Commission on Veterans Affairs, KS
Tyler Appreciates Your Participation!
What do our winners receive?
- A plaque or trophy to display
- A badge icon to place in their email signature showing they won the VSO Excellence Award
- Their story featured in our Veterans' Benefits newsletter
- A chance for their story to be highlighted in other ways
