Selection committee is closer to determining candidate for VA director

In the coming weeks it is likely the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission will hold a meeting to decide who they want as their next director or administrator of the department. Following a successful vote, the matter will then be taken to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors for final approval.

Dennis Simon, director of human resources for Jasper County, said out of the 19 eligible applications, a total of seven people were interviewed by the selection committee. Apart from Simon serving as an advisor, the committee was made up of two commissioners and Supervisor Brandon Talsma and Mike Gunsaulus of the sheriff’s office.

“I thought we had very good candidates,” Simon said. “There is no individual that is turn key and has sat in the VSO position or has current or prior accreditations. So whoever would be coming in would be starting from Day One going through the training. As we know with (employee) Josh (Price) it will take about a year.”

Recently, Price was able to acquire his necessary accreditations. He has been working as the shared benefits coordinator for veterans affairs and general assistance for just over a year now. Simon said the committee was very pleased with two of the applicants but could not come to a final determination.

“I’m going to schedule another meeting where we (the selection committee) can get together and hopefully finalize our recommendation,” Simon said, noting he would be in contact with the chair of the commission to see if a special meeting needs to be held or wait until the scheduled March 12 meeting.

If the commission agrees with the committee’s choice, then Simon said his job is to then set up drug tests and background checks and develop a hiring resolution for the county board of supervisors to authorize payroll and benefits. He said by next week he could see some progress. It depends on when the committee can meet.

Commissioner Marta Ford noted that since the veterans affairs commission just went through what the accreditation process looks like for Price, it should make it easier for the upcoming director, too. They know what to do now, she said, and they know how long it takes. Ford said the commission has better guidelines.

Simon said as the director goes through the process, Price will get to act as a mentor and access the system to do some work under his supervision.