WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has appointed five new members to a long-standing committee that advises him on rehabilitation programs run by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"The after-effects of military service can be painful, lasting long after a veteran has returned to civilian life," said Principi. "This advisory committee, with the expertise of its new members, will help to ensure VA is providing the rehabilitative services that our veterans need."
The new members are John King, acting director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Charlotte G. Dixon, chairperson of the Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling in Tampa, Fla.; Marvin L. Meyers, president of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado; Dr. Maureen McGuire-Kuletz, assistant director of George Washington University's Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program; and Barry A. Jesinoski, associate national service director for Disabled American Veterans in Washington, D.C.
About 2.3 million veterans have medical problems that are connected to their military service. VA offers a wide range of rehabilitative services to help them, including rehabilitation medicine, vocational guidance, vocational rehabilitation, plus specialized employment and training programs.
The members of VA's advisory committee, known formally as the Veterans Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation, advises Principi on the rehabilitation needs of disabled veterans, review VA programs designed to meet these needs and offer recommendations for improvements.
The committee's members are appointed to terms not longer than three years. The committee's chairman is Chad Colley of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
Full Membership of the VA Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation
Chad Colley, New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Former vice chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and past national commander of the Disabled American Veterans.
Paul W. Andrew, Tucson, Ariz. National director with the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission.
Michael D'Arco, Santa Fe. New Mexico Director for Veterans Affairs. Vietnam-era veteran and former New Jersey state police officer.
Charlotte G. Dixon, Tampa, Fla. Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at the University of South Florida.
Jeffrey A. Dolezal, Fairfax, Va. Director of field services for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Debra A. Harley, Lexington, Ky. Associate professor in rehabilitation counseling at the University of Kentucky.
Barry A. Jesinoski, Washington, D.C. Associate national service director with the Disabled American Veterans and a disabled veteran of the Gulf War era.
John King, Olympia, Wash. Acting director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.
Lamona Hall Lucas, Dauphin Island, Ala. Retired commissioner of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and former president of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Maureen McGuire-Kuletz, Washington, D.C. Assistant director of the George Washington University's regional rehabilitation continuing education program.
Marvin L. Meyers, Englewood, Colo. President of United Veterans Committee of Colorado.
Terrence M. O'Connell II, Chevy Chase, Md. Chairman of the Reserve Forces Policy Board.
Carroll L. Williams, Clinton, Md. A Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War and executive with the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division of the American Legion.
