The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) is an organization with a history dating back to 1946. In the aftermath of World War II, many veterans earned state and federal benefits which required coordinated efforts to ensure veterans received these entitlements. Thus, states developed a department or agency specifically to manage veterans’ affairs and carry out the responsibility for veteran services and programming.
NASDVA was formed to connect the leaders of these agencies in order to:
- foster the effective representation of persons claiming entitlements on account of the honorable military service of any person as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101;
- provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and information;
- facilitate reciprocal state services;
- secure uniformity, equality, efficiency, and effectiveness in providing services to veterans and their family members in all states and territories; and
- maintain an interest in all veteran legislation.
The NASDVA members represent all fifty states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Nationally, we are the second largest provider of services to veterans and our roles continue to expand.
State directors as leaders of governmental agencies are tasked by their respective governors, state boards and/or commissions with a the responsibility to address the needs of veterans regardless of age, gender, era of service, military branch or circumstance of service. Collectively, states contribute more than $6 billion annually in service of our nation’s veterans and their families. We are connected by the bonds of honorable service and united by our common goal to make a positive difference in the lives of our veterans and their families.
NASDVA President
Dennis Wimer – Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs Director
Dennis Wimer started his military career as a Cadet of ROTC Detachment 220 at Purdue University. After graduation, Dennis was assigned to Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather AFB, Calif., where he received the Paul F. Lorence Award as the top navigator student. Upon graduation, he served in the 16th Airlift Squadron at Charleston AFB, S.C., as a C-141B Starlifter navigator. His last duty assignment was at McGuire AFB, N.J. At McGuire, Dennis became the first operations officer for the C-141B Special Operations Low-Level II Squadron. During his time at McGuire Air Force Base, he also completed his MBA at the University of Pennsylvania’s world-renowned Wharton School of Business.
After leaving the Air Force, Dennis has worked in multiple sectors of the economy. These include: small private businesses, large public enterprise, non-profit, government, and higher education. He has worked at companies like McKinsey & Company, Eli Lilly & Company, ExaroMed LLC, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Indiana and Kentucky, Butler University and most recently, his family business LADS Consulting, LLC. Dennis was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Field Operations at the Indiana Department of Workforce Development by then-Governor Mitch Daniels. In this capacity, he oversaw the operations for all WorkOne centers located throughout Indiana. He led multiple state and federal programs, including the Jobs for Veterans State Grants, Re-Employment Services Program, and Trade Adjustment Assistance. Dennis started the Hoosier Initiative to Re-employ Ex-offenders (HIRE) and the Indiana Robotics Initiative. Dennis has also served on the board of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) and was the chair of the NASWA Veteran Affairs Committee.
Dennis is honored to be selected by Governor Eric Holcomb to serve as the Director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. He brings a servant’s mindset to the department and is excited to lead the department to serve Indiana’s veterans and their families.
Dennis is married with two adult children and lives in Washington Township, Indianapolis.
Executive Committee
| Position | Name | State |
|---|---|---|
| President | Dennis Wimer | Indiana |
| Sr. Vice President | Tim Sheppard | Wyoming |
| Jr. Vice President | Terry Prince | Illinois |
| Secretary | Mark Tscampl | Idaho |
| Treasurer | Lonnie Wangen | North Dakota |
| Historian | Gary Harter | Utah |
District Vice Presidents
| District | Name | State |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Kasim Yarn | Rhode Island |
| Southeast | Patrick Farrell | Virgin Islands |
| Midwest | Debbie Ashenhurst | Ohio |
| Southwest | Bill Turner | Kansas |
| Far West | David Puente Jr. | Washington |
Past Presidents
| Year | Name | State |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | James S. Hartsell | Florida |
| 2021-2022 | Thomas Palladino | Texas |
| 2019-2021 | John Hilgert | Nebraska |
| 2018-2019 | Alfie Alvarado-Ramos | Washington |
| 2017-2018 | Verdie Bowen | Alaska |
| 2016-2017 | Randy Reeves | Mississippi |
| 2015-2016 | David Brasuell | Idaho |
| 2014-2015 | Lonnie Wangen | North Dakota |
| 2013-2014 | Clyde Marsh | Alabama |
| 2012-2013 | Jim Willis | Oregon |
| 2011-2012 | David Fletcher | Arkansas |
| 2010-2011 | Linda Schwartz | Connecticut |