Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie
State of VA Community Town Hall
Click here to watch the September 27, 2018, Town Hall
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie hosted his first State of VA Community Town Hall on September 27, 2018. The secretary and eight guest panelists highlighted the activity and direction of VA since his appointment to lead the department in July. “VA exists to make life easier for Veterans,” Wilkie recently told the crowd of Veterans at the AMVETS annual convention. “So my prime directive is customer service. When a Veteran comes in to VA, it is not up to him to get VA to say ‘yes.’ It is up to VA to give the Veteran tools.” The secretary and panelists discussed how VA is focused on becoming the leader in customer experience and improving services to our nation’s Veterans through various initiatives such as engagement with community partners, leaders, advocates, state/county VA departments, Department of Defense, Veteran Service Organizations, and community Veterans engagement boards. The secretary engaged Veterans directly during this webcast’s live question and answer session. All attendants were invited to submit questions during the webcast.
Panelists:
Jim Wartski – Veterans Experience Office
Dr. Richard Stone – Veterans Health Administration
Dr. Paul Lawrence – Veterans Benefits Administration Randy Reeves – National Cemetery Administration Alfie Alvarado-Ramos – National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs
Herman Breuer – National Association of County Veterans Service Officers
Anthony Wickham – National Guard Stephen Austin – Army Reserve
Secretary Wilkie online community town hall - LIVE January 17
Click here to watch the January 17, 2019, Town Hall
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie speaks on the state of VA, community resources for Veterans, department priorities, and address questions from the last community town hall. The Secretary is joined by a panel of VA leaders, including:
• Dr. Richard Stone – Veterans Health Administration
• Dr. Paul Lawrence – Veterans Benefits Administration
• Randy Reeves – National Cemetery Administration
• Cheryl Mason – Board of Veterans Appeals
• Dr. Lynda Davis – Veterans Experience Office
• Dr. Kameron Matthews – Community Care
• Dr. Keita Franklin – Suicide Prevention
The Secretary and panelists discuss how VA is focused on becoming the leader in customer experience and improving services to our nation’s Veterans. In addition, the Secretary and panelists address questions submitted by the more than 150 Community Veterans Engagement Boards around the country. If you have questions, compliments, or concerns about VA benefits and services, please call the White House VA Hotline at 855-948-2311.