• Makes determinations as to the eligibility for the type of benefit sought to include questions relating to adequacy of military service, medical evidence, and the evaluation of evidence of income, employability, dependence, and relationship.• Requests examinations, re-examination, or opinions to evaluate disabilities resulting from diseases or injuries.• Reviews claims cases to assure all issues have been addressed, applies, and interprets VA laws, including veterans' case law, existing statutes and procedures, precedent rulings, and state law in the adjudication process.• May conduct interviews in person or by phone with veterans, representatives, and advocates to explain the full range of VA benefits and related programs.• Prepares and releases correspondence for use by other federal, state, and local agencies.• Utilizes various electronic data processing (EDP) systems to input data for processing claims and generating automated correspondence.

Wrote and published a historical fiction novel based on over 15 years of research and utilizing my American History Degree. The novel is based on the true events of the pirate Black Sam Bellamy.

● Led and supervised the Family Support and Preservation Program (FSPP), overseeing 4 state grants and 2 state contracts, totaling $650,000 in funding. These grants and contracts supported the provision of critical services to vulnerable populations.Managed in-home and supervised visitation services for over 100 clients referred by Child Protective Services (The Office of Children’s Services) and community agencies at a nonprofit organization.● Managed and updated a comprehensive program client database and maintained an organized archive of client files. Utilized Microsoft Products, Google Suite, and Adobe products for data management and file storage. ● Utilized strong business acumen skills to manage programs and projects, making data-informed decisions for leadership. Tracked and estimated project budgets and played a pivotal role in planning and executing grant and budget reporting requirements.● Demonstrated financial stewardship by successfully managing and reconciling budgets over 5 years for 5 grants and 2 contracts. Provided strategic counsel on program funding and allocations, and adeptly integrated new grant requirements into existing programs. Consistently reported quarterly data and expenditure updates to key stakeholders, including the CEO, Operations Director, and grantors, contributing to the continuous improvement of multiple interconnected programs.● Utilized the state grant portal, GEMS (Grants Electronic Management System) for Request for Proposals and submitting grant reports to the state. ● Created a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan, complete with a logic model and timeline, for a home-based drug education program. Managed a $170,200 contract with the State of Alaska, ensuring the successful achievement of all project milestones. Conducted a final evaluation of services for this pilot project, and my plan was recognized as the "Best Practice" in plan creation by the grant manager, serving as a model for other grantees.

● Assistant Supervisor for program staff of 9. Directed and managed training requirements.● Liaised with Office of Children's Services (OCS) and the Family Support Program Manager (FSPM) to facilitate referral process for 100-150 families per fiscal quarter. ● Directed conflict resolution and parental right mediation for Foster Parents, and Birth Parents.● Monitored case activities and case terminations. Assisted in quarterly grant and state reporting. ● Managed 2 offices, computer and staff training, purchase orders, and supply requirements.

● Streamlined hard file system updated records for 100+ cases due to extended vacancy at position.● Managed weekly reports for FSPM and OCS detailing casework and legal agency interaction.● Maintained client database, created administrative programs to facilitate client/staff interaction, scheduling and reporting.

● Administrative support services to the pastor of a church with a 150-congregation by answering the phone, coordinating documentation and messages, ensuring all technology is in working order, and training volunteer personnel on office policies and procedures. Created opening/closing checklists, greeter/usher/Acolyte booklets, church info pamphlets, rental fee schedules, meeting agendas, Pastor and church appointment calendars, rental contracts, meeting minutes, worship bulletins, and other types of procedures.● Maintained document database for members and created the LUMC Facebook page. Coordinated travel agendas and paperwork. The records custodian for personnel and organization files.● Successfully launched a wedding/funeral coordination program for LUMC tracking expenses and creating a new revenue stream.● Skilled in identifying day-to-day tasks and performing general tasks with little guidance such as delegating work tasks, lining up worship team members for each service, wedding, and/or memorial, ensuring supplies are stocked, and directing visitors and callers to appropriate personnel.