NJ SOS Stakeholders and Catholic Charities Veteran Services recognized at the annual Governor’s New Jersey National Guard Review in Seagirt.  Assistant Director of Veteran Services and NJ SOS Veteran Stakeholders Group Founder, David J. Pearson, receives the NJ Commendation Medal from Governor Murphy. This award is the highest civilian commendation that can be earned by a New Jersey citizen. Mr. Pearson was recognized for his advocacy, leadership, and support of veterans and their families in Northern New Jersey.NJ SOS Stakeholders partnered with Catholic Charities Veteran Services and spearheaded the effort to get support for a vet center in Northern New Jersey.  Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) led a bipartisan coalition of House Members to introduce legislation that would expand access to Vet Center mental health counseling across a wide breadth of American communities. NJ SOS Stakeholders and Catholic Charities collaborated to support the recently arrived Afghan refugees at Fort Dix.  Deployed the NJ SOS Stakeholders Woman’s Sub Committee to bring down clothing, food, and toiletries to the recently arriving Afghan refugees.NJ SOS Stakeholders partnered with Catholic Charities Veteran Services and started multiple PTSD Awareness and Suicide Awareness campaigns throughout multiple counties. Collaborated with other agencies to promote and host these events to facilitate conversations within the community and bring together resources to assist veterans who are struggling with these issues. Participated in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, and Morris county.

Provide administrative support to FDU School of Public and Global Affairs.

Conduct intake assessments for veterans in need of mental health, addiction treatment, and other essential supportive services.Partner with Hackensack Meridian Health, University of Pennsylvania Medicine - Princeton, and Discovery Institute to identify eligible veterans and direct them to NJRC programs;Establish partnerships with veteran communities to promote the NJRC Veterans Initiative's benefits;Identify sites in the neighborhood where vulnerable people may congregate and conduct outreach to veterans in these areas.Distribute NJRC veterans program information at community agency meetings and military-friendly organizations to link veterans with the NJRC program;Refer veterans in need of addiction and mental health services to partner organizations.Explain to veteran candidates the program's expectations and eligibility requirements;Represent NJRC and the Veteran Initiative program at veteran community events, state agency meetings, and conferences, as well as with community partners;Submit monthly outreach activities, reports, and Veterans Initiative progress updates;Respond to queries and provide veterans with guidance regarding federal and state welfare programs;Assist veterans and their families in submitting claims, representing them in VA hearings, directing them to relevant resources, and providing educational materials.Perform additional responsibilities as given by management;Support the mission, vision, values, policy, and procedures of the company and the program by demonstrating the following behaviors: excellence and competence, cooperation, innovation, respect, customization, dedication to our community, and accountability and ownership;Consistently collaborate with fellow NJRC Team Members in a pleasant and cooperative manner;Demonstrate consistently the capacity to adjust flexibly to changing events in order to satisfy current needs, such as reprioritizing tasks as required;

Reporting directly to the Director of the Office of Community Relations (OCR), I assist in leading the NJDOTs Office of Community Relations (OCR) team in planning, organizing, and maintaining a comprehensive liaison program with local US Congressional delegations, state legislatures, elected officials, community stakeholders, and the general public to inform them of upcoming transportation projects and/or improvements and to respond to inquiries about state transportation matters.Assist in managing daily operations of the Office of Community Relations (OCR), including staff oversight of the Regional Coordinators, Administrative Assistants, and interns.Assist with the oversight of the tracking and timely response of formal and informal correspondence (letters, emails, phone calls)Organize and facilitate meetings internally within NJDOT and externally with the community in response to local transportation concerns or in support of the Department's transportation projects, including but not limited to maintenance activities and improvements to existing infrastructure.Assist in translating technical verbiage, engineering, and planning information into terms which can be understood by the general public and develop effective communication plans designed to convey information effectively to local officials and affected communities. Ensure quality customer service and responsiveness to public concerns through OCRs coordination with in the various units of the NJDOT.Develop a positive workplace culture that emphasizes quality work, continuous improvement, and high performance.

Developed and implemented plans for a variety of community-based programs aimed at engagingveterans and their families throughout Bergen County. Housing assistance, employmentopportunities, and access to healthcare were prioritized for veterans.Developed and implemented community engagement activities such as neighborhoodvolunteerism, charitable giving, coordination of pro bono services, and awareness education.Utilized and utilized social networking platforms to increase engagement and interest.Managed the division's charity contribution program, which included evaluating requests forfinancial assistance, coordinating the approval process, and distributing monies.Oversaw the division's financial operations and established sufficient accountability for assetsand expenses.Consulted and referred at-risk veterans in need of additional aid and direction, utilizing local andfederal services and contacts.

My responsibilities include the recruitment, building pipelines and maintaining veteran attendance in hard to fill areas of study. I brief military personnel on current educational benefits, partner with other organizations to meet the needs of veterans, and facilitate a smoother transition from the service to academia. I also provide expertise in veteran education, benefits, social policy, training and development while mentoring, advising and motivating undergraduate and graduate student veterans throughout three campus locations. In addition, I develop and manage client relationships within the academic community including internal stakeholders while organizing and facilitating engagements, workshops and fundraisers. Last but not least, I facilitate veteran empowerment workshops in partnership with community leaders and leverage social networking opportunities to increase involvement and participation.Achievements:• Over a five year period increased student population by 180%, generating over $13 million dollars in tuition revenue.• Improved efficiency of daily processing of G.I Bill benefits by automating and streamlining various manual processes.

My responsibilities included managing and training staff on current policies and procedures for veteran student government benefits. I was instrumental in the creation of federal grant to assist veterans with higher education cost, as a member of the CUNY Veterans Affairs Committee. I counseled students on education benefits, mental health referrals, small business development and academic tutoring. I also conducted effective outreach programs within community by organizing veteran appreciation events and fundraisers. In addition, implemented creative recruitment strategies including social media, community outreach and job fairs to engage potential students while developing and maintaining strategic relationships within a matrix educational system and external organizations.

My responsibilities included raising awareness and generating enrollment in key markets including adult, continuing education and professional studies. I trained community residents, program participants and staff on the transitional elements of veteran to civilian development, education and outreach. I also attended trade shows, conferences, networking events representing university and engaged in extensive networking to develop additional sources and leads. In addition, I coordinated and designed various marketing methods including, direct mail, print ads, networking, and develop new methods of marketing.

I proudly served as a member of the United States Army and the New York National Guard and was able to obtain an understanding of the foregoing principles that makes this country what it is today. While serving in Korea, Iraq and New York I was able to gain the foundation of personal accountability, diligence, flexibility and integrity. Together with a focused effort to succeed I always challenge myself to what others may seem as impossible. Assignments:• Attached as a military policeman while deployed in Iraq, mission included force protection, convoy operation, and quick reactionary force.• During Operation Iraqi Freedom, managed convoy communications and logistics for squad.• Managed communication re-transmission operation which included set up, operation, maintenance, and break down.• Served as an instructor for pre-deployment at Fort Dix for the 9 Line Medevac, COMSEC operation, and educational briefings.• While in the National Guard Cross trained as Signal Support Specialist and served as a COMSEC (Communication Security) custodian.Military Citations:• Combat Action Badge• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal• Global War on Terrorism Medal• Korean Defense Services Medal• Overseas Service Medal• Expert Marksman Badge• Four Army Achievement Awards• Army Commendation Medal• Good Conduct Medal• Army Reserve Service Medal• Army Service Ribbon