Veterans Employment Coordination Service Briefing to Advisory Committee on Women Veterans Be A HERO. A gain. Dennis O. May, Director

2 Overview  Background  Mission  Activities  Comm/Marketing Plan  VECS Success  Contact Info

3 Background  Veterans comprise approximately 30% of VA’s 288,000 employees, and 8% are service- connected disabled veterans  VA ranks first among non-Defense agencies in the hiring of disabled veterans; second only to the Department of Defense in overall number of veterans

4  November 2007 – Acting VA Secretary announced the hiring of 10 full-time Regional Veterans Employment Coordinators (VECs)  January 2008 – Veterans Employment Coordination Service (VECS) office established  July 2008 – VECS fully staffed Background

5 Mission Statement  Lead Department efforts to attract, recruit, and hire veterans into the VA, particularly severely injured veterans.  Open opportunities to Veteran employment and ensure that Veterans are able to successfully enter VA’s workforce.  Help ensure that VA managers and supervisors are thoroughly familiar with the use of special authorities to hire veterans.

VECS ORGANIZATIONAL CHART ProgramSupportSpecialistRobertForney

Regional VEC Locations * Plus Over 160 Local VECs at HR offices Nationwide

8 VECS Activities  Partner with Veteran stakeholders to promote VA career opportunities  Outreach to veterans, particularly severely injured veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan  Maintain a constant presence at:  Military career fairs  Transition assistance centers  Outreach events

9 VECS Activities (cont’d)  Manage Local VECs and assist in their efforts to establish partnerships and collaborate with:  Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services  Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Regiment  Army’s Wounded Warrior Program & Warrior Transition Units  Veterans Service Organizations  Other veteran stakeholders

10 Comm/Marketing Plan  Developed and Distributed 50,000 Brochures and 500 Posters  Published Secretary’s Memo highlighting VA’s Commitment (Re-issue pending)  Published “Call-to Action” Memo (Re-issue pending)  Sent Direct Contact Memo to over 2300 Severely Injured Veterans  688 Responses  Launched VECS Website at,  Showcased during Diversity News & Diversity Newsletter

11 Comm/Marketing Plan  Produced VECS Informational DVD  Distributed to HR VA-wide  Featured on VA News Network  Available for Viewing on the Internet  (Getting Vets Hired)  Feature Cover Story for VA’s VAnguard magazine (Sep/Oct)  Other features:  GI Jobs  Diversity Careers  WHUR Radio (DC Tri-state area)

12 Comm/Marketing Plan

13 Comm/Marketing Plan

14 VECS Success – FY 09  Veterans Contacted: 70,071  Employment Service Provided: Introduction to VA Careers4218 Skills, Qualifications & Career Match3652 Training and Development Counseling2921 Collaborate w/VR&E Service1573 Resume Review & Assistance4323 Writing KSA's2138 Federal Application 4027 USA Staffing887 Placement Assistance746 Total24,485 Veteran Hires (RVEC): 200+

“At a time when members of the Armed Forces continue to defend this great Nation, it is imperative that we honor their service by enhancing our collective efforts in the area of Veteran employment. It is not only good business; it is the right thing to do.” The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, VA Secretary

Contact Information Dennis O. May, Director Veterans Employment Coordination Service (202) Greg Alleyne, Deputy Director Veterans Employment Coordination Service (202) To contact VECS, send to: For more information visit:

RVEC Contact Information To contact VECS, send to: For more information visit: Region 1 Name: Mr. Michael Lew Phone: (858) (Work) Address: VA Medical Center San Diego 3350 La Jolla Village Drive Building 22, Room 104 San Diego, CA Region 4 Name: Vacant Phone: Address: Region 7 Name: Thomas Green Phone: (800) extension: 5886 Cell: (910) Address: Veterans Affairs Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street PWC Building, (Stop 04) Fayetteville, NC Region 2 Name: Robert Lee Mortenson Phone: (206) extension: 3484 Address: Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Affairs Medical Center 915 Second Avenue Seattle, WA Region 5 Name: Gilbert Stubbs Phone: (502) (Work) (502) (Cell) Address: VA Medical Center, 001D 800 Zorn Ave, Louisville, KY Region 3 Name: Name: Mark Berninger Phone: (719) Cell: (303) Address: Department of Veterans Affairs 1620 Evans Street, Building 1219 Room: 111Fort Carson, CO Region 6 Name: Annette Taylor Phone: (706) (Work) Address: Seamless Transition Center, Heroes Village A -115 Augusta West Parkway Augusta, GA Region 8 Name: Andree M. Sutton Phone: (212) (Work) Address: Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office 245 W. Houston St., Room 303 New York, NY Region 9 Name: Vacant Phone: Address:

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