DAV Magazine — September/October 2016
National Convention DAV & Auxiliary Award Highlights
Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year
Accompanied by wife, Terri (left), Army veteran Bobby Body accepted the Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year award. The combat-injured, single-amputee veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom has excelled and set world records in powerlifting since his injury.
Outstanding Auxiliary Member of the Year
Matilda Brooks (center), of New York, was named Outstanding Auxiliary Member of the Year for her continued contributions and dedication in support of our nation’s ill and injured veterans and their families through her leadership and support of community events.
National Commander’s Outstanding VA Employee Awards
Dr. Murray Altose (left), chief of staff at the Cleveland VA Medical Center, accepts his Outstanding Veterans Health Administration Employee award from DAV National Legislative Director Joy Ilem (right) and VA Undersecretary for Health Dr. David J. Shulkin
Bobby Hall (center left) receives his Outstanding Veterans Benefits Administration Employee award in Atlanta. Hall serves Kentucky and southern Indiana’s terminally ill veterans at the Louisville VA Regional Office
The award for Outstanding National Cemetery Administration Employee was presented to Army veteran Srey Austin (center right) for her work as director of the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S. D., where she is responsible for all burial and administrative operations.
Top Recruiter of the Year
William Baker (left), from Chapter 9 in Enterprise, Ala., recruited 121 new members into the Department of Alabama during the 2015–16 membership year, and therefore, earning the Top Recruiter of the Year award.
Robert S. Marx Award
Gregory Remus accepted the Robert S. Marx Award on behalf of the Department of Minnesota. The award is presented to the Department with the highest percentage increase in fully paid life members.
Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright Award
For the 10th straight year, the Department of Texas took top honors for closing the membership year with the largest increase in members. Department Commander Charles W. Edwards (center) accepted the award on behalf of his Department.
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist
Robert Singer (center right) is an outreach specialist with the Virginia Employment Commission. Singer, a Marine Corps veteran, developed several unique programs designed to assist veterans in finding meaningful employment, including a resume training aid for veteran job seekers.
Top Venture Impacting Veterans
Marine veteran Ryan Ottosen (left) and his wife, Traci, founded the Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (VASH) Network in January 2013. VASH is comprised of real estate and mortgage specialists dedicated to preventing and ending veteran homelessness.
Large Employer of the Year
Atlanta-based First Data, a financial technology and merchant services company, has made it a regular business practice to hire veterans. In 2015, they hired 29 ill or injured veterans and 99 female veterans. Tom Higgins, executive vice president and chief administrative officer accepted the award.
Medium Employer of the Year
Z Systems Corp., a Killeen, Texas, company that specializes in logistics engineering, received the Medium Employer of the Year award. According to the company, 63 percent of their workforce is comprised of veterans. CEO Mike McCoy received the award.
Small Employer of the Year
Veteran Energy, a Houston-based electrical company, was selected as this year’s Small Employer of the Year, with more than 90 percent of their workforce comprised of veterans. Kevin Barber, president and founder, (center right) accepted the award on behalf of the company.
Top Department Recruiting Awards
Division I (35,000 or more members)
Department of California
Division II (18,000–34,000 members)
Department of Minnesota
Division III (10,000–17,000 members)
Department of Wisconsin
Division IV (5,000–9,999 members)
Department of Nevada
Division V (5,000 members or less)
Department of South Dakota
Local Veterans Assistance Program Awards
Division I (35,000 or more members)
Department of Virginia — 165,982 hours
Division II (18,000–34,000 members)
Department of Oklahoma — 94,720 hours
Division III (10,000–17,000 members)
Department of Missouri — 21,514 hours
Division IV (5,000–9,999 members)
Department of Nebraska — 11,603 hours
Division V (5,000 members or less)
Department of South Dakota — 16,982 hours
Accompanied by wife, Terri (left), Army veteran Bobby Body accepted the Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year award. The combat-injured, single-amputee veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom has excelled and set world records in powerlifting since his injury.
Outstanding Auxiliary Member of the Year
Matilda Brooks (center), of New York, was named Outstanding Auxiliary Member of the Year for her continued contributions and dedication in support of our nation’s ill and injured veterans and their families through her leadership and support of community events.
National Commander’s Outstanding VA Employee Awards
Dr. Murray Altose (left), chief of staff at the Cleveland VA Medical Center, accepts his Outstanding Veterans Health Administration Employee award from DAV National Legislative Director Joy Ilem (right) and VA Undersecretary for Health Dr. David J. Shulkin
Bobby Hall (center left) receives his Outstanding Veterans Benefits Administration Employee award in Atlanta. Hall serves Kentucky and southern Indiana’s terminally ill veterans at the Louisville VA Regional Office
The award for Outstanding National Cemetery Administration Employee was presented to Army veteran Srey Austin (center right) for her work as director of the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S. D., where she is responsible for all burial and administrative operations.
Top Recruiter of the Year
William Baker (left), from Chapter 9 in Enterprise, Ala., recruited 121 new members into the Department of Alabama during the 2015–16 membership year, and therefore, earning the Top Recruiter of the Year award.
Robert S. Marx Award
Gregory Remus accepted the Robert S. Marx Award on behalf of the Department of Minnesota. The award is presented to the Department with the highest percentage increase in fully paid life members.
Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright Award
For the 10th straight year, the Department of Texas took top honors for closing the membership year with the largest increase in members. Department Commander Charles W. Edwards (center) accepted the award on behalf of his Department.
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist
Robert Singer (center right) is an outreach specialist with the Virginia Employment Commission. Singer, a Marine Corps veteran, developed several unique programs designed to assist veterans in finding meaningful employment, including a resume training aid for veteran job seekers.
Top Venture Impacting Veterans
Marine veteran Ryan Ottosen (left) and his wife, Traci, founded the Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (VASH) Network in January 2013. VASH is comprised of real estate and mortgage specialists dedicated to preventing and ending veteran homelessness.
Large Employer of the Year
Atlanta-based First Data, a financial technology and merchant services company, has made it a regular business practice to hire veterans. In 2015, they hired 29 ill or injured veterans and 99 female veterans. Tom Higgins, executive vice president and chief administrative officer accepted the award.
Medium Employer of the Year
Z Systems Corp., a Killeen, Texas, company that specializes in logistics engineering, received the Medium Employer of the Year award. According to the company, 63 percent of their workforce is comprised of veterans. CEO Mike McCoy received the award.
Small Employer of the Year
Veteran Energy, a Houston-based electrical company, was selected as this year’s Small Employer of the Year, with more than 90 percent of their workforce comprised of veterans. Kevin Barber, president and founder, (center right) accepted the award on behalf of the company.
Top Department Recruiting Awards
Division I (35,000 or more members)
Department of California
Division II (18,000–34,000 members)
Department of Minnesota
Division III (10,000–17,000 members)
Department of Wisconsin
Division IV (5,000–9,999 members)
Department of Nevada
Division V (5,000 members or less)
Department of South Dakota
Local Veterans Assistance Program Awards
Division I (35,000 or more members)
Department of Virginia — 165,982 hours
Division II (18,000–34,000 members)
Department of Oklahoma — 94,720 hours
Division III (10,000–17,000 members)
Department of Missouri — 21,514 hours
Division IV (5,000–9,999 members)
Department of Nebraska — 11,603 hours
Division V (5,000 members or less)
Department of South Dakota — 16,982 hours
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