Committees

The National Symposium for the Needs of Young Veterans was organized by leaders and members of AMVETS as well as others committed to of America's military and veterans. Several committees were established to help guide Symposium development while ensuring a diverse range of opinions and ideas were considered in the planning process. Symposium organizers made it a goal to directly involve as many younger veterans in planning and attending the Symposium as possible.

The Steering Committee had overall oversight for the Symposium and set the tone for Symposium content. The final program was reviewed and approved by this committee as were decisions regarding keynote speakers and major presentations.

•Co-Chair: William A. Boettcher, Past National Commander, AMVETS (OH)
•Co-Chair: The Honorable Secretary Anthony J. Principi, BRAC Commission (VA) BRAC Commission
•Frederick J. Finch (Ret), CMSAF, USAF (TX)
•James L. Herdt (Ret), Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, USN (FL)
•MG Evan Hultman (Ret), AUS (IA)
•John Leonard, Command Sergeant Major, Office of the Chief National Guard Bureau (DC)
•Alford L. McMichael, Sergeant Major, USMC, Office of the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
•Duane Miskulin, Alternate Member of National Executive Committee, AMVETS (WI)
•Vincent Patton III, Ed.D, (Ret) MCPOCG, USCG, Director of Community Outreach for Military Advantage / Monster Worldwide (VA)
•Debra L. Strickland, Command Sergeant Major of the Army's Installation Management Agency (VA)
•Jack L. Tilley, Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret), Vice President for Military Affairs for Oak Grove Technologies (FL)
•Committee Advisor: Kevin Secor, Veterans Service Organizations’Liaison, US Department of Veterans Affairs
•Ex-Officio: Tom McGriff, National Commander, AMVETS (TX)
•Ex-Officio: James B. King, National Executive Director, AMVETS (MD)
•Staff Liaison: Velma R. Hart, National Finance Director/CFO, AMVETS (MD)

The Field Committee's major role was to ensure that AMVETS Departments were kept informed of the Symposium and encouraged to promote the event to AMVETS members and others with whom they work. The Field Committee assisted with recruitment of attendees.

•Chair: Andy Martel (MD)
•Vice Chair East: Rich Rossi (NY)
•Vice Chair West: Jeff Sharp (CA)
•District I Coordinator: Leon Proctor (NH)
•District II Coordinator: Jean Shinbur (MD)
•District III Coordinator: W.G. “Bill”Kilgore, Past National Commander, AMVETS (TN)
•District IV Coordinator: Dean Marsolek (WI)
•District V Coordinator: Steve Kinzer (OK)
•District VI Coordinator: Sarah Langley (NM)
•Staff Liason: Mark Del Piano, National Membership Director, AMVETS (MD)

The Issues Committee played a significant role in recommending the Symposium agenda and format to the Steering Committee. This included helping to decide the key benefit issues that were addressed at the Symposium.

•Chair: Jim Doran, CWO4, USN (Ret), National Service Director, AMVETS (MD)
•Vice Chair: John Patterson, AVCM, USN (Ret), Regional Service Director, AMVETS (TN)
•SFC (R) Carl Davis, QM, USA, Regional Service Director, AMVETS (FL)
•Mike Murphy, Past President, (USA Vet) National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (CA)
•John Dorrity, Past President, (USA Vet) National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NJ)
•Luz Rebollar, (USN Vet), Regional Service Director, AMVETS (TX)
•Mike Iwanicki (YN1(SW), USNR), Superintendent, Veterans Assistance Commission (IL)
•Pete Castillo (USA Vet), Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Representative (IL)
•Ron Drach (USA Vet), Department of Labor, Veterans Employment & Training Service (DC)
•Jessica Sue (USAF Vet), Disabled Vet (AZ)
•SSG Kevin Branham, NMARNG, (also USN Vet) (NM)
•Desirie Kintzley (USMC Vet), Disabled Vet (AZ)
•Erica Cabrera (USMC Vet), National Service Officer, AMVETS (FL)
•Grace Campa (USA Vet), National Service Officer, AMVETS (TX)
•Leto Arciaga (USN Vet), State Service Officer, AMVETS (CA)
•Tara Perry (USMC Vet), Disabled Vet (OH)

Issues Sub-Committee on Healthcare Chair: Carl Davis Tara Perry Grace Campa Leto Arciaga	Issues Sub-Committee on Employment Chair: Mike Murphy Jessica Sue Pete Castillo Ron Drach
Issues Sub-Committee on Benefits Chair: John Patterson John Dorrity Kevin Branham Desirie Kintzley Erica Cabrera	Issues Sub-Committee on Homeless Chair: John Dorrity Mike Iwanicki Luz Rebollar

The Development Committee identified resources and assisted in recruiting potential Symposium funders and supporters.