Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today announced the formation of a Veterans Advisory Board made up of local veterans who will advise her on ways the federal government can better serve veterans.

“It’s our nation’s responsibility to serve and care for those who bravely risked their lives and made painful sacrifices for our families and freedoms,” DelBene said. “Too many veterans still aren’t getting the support they need. I look forward to collaborating with my Veterans Advisory Board to tackle challenges like veteran homelessness, unemployment and barriers to healthcare. Together, we will work to ensure all our veterans are receiving the support and benefits that they deserve and have earned.”

The board is composed of nine veteran leaders, who will meet quarterly to report feedback on issues important to the veteran community.

The list of members follows:

Gordon Rogers, retired deputy director of Whatcom Council of Government

Todd Nichols, trustee of the Puget Sound chapter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association

Chris Brown, co-founder and president of Growing Veterans in Lynden

Dane Olsen, Veterans Affairs Department employee working to find homeless veterans permanent housing

Rich Sundance, service officer for the Disabled American Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Mount Vernon

Rebecca Murch, program director for Seattle Stand Down

Monica McNeal, director of Seattle Four Block and president of the Washington chapter of Gold Star Mothers of America

Ahmad Bennett, coordinator of the Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success at Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Lindsey Zike, assistant director of veteran student life at the University of Washington

DelBene has introduced legislation to expand veterans’ access to long-term, good-paying jobs in the manufacturing industry, as well as legislation to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) veterans.

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