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Schenectady County Legislature Appoints New Veterans Service Agency Director

Newly appointed Director of Schenectady County's Veterans Service Agency and County Legislator Holly Vellano

The Schenectady County Legislature passed a resolution to appointment Jesus Santiago as the new Director of the Schenectady County Veterans Service Agency (SCVSA) effective April 1, 2023.

Current SCVSA Director William ‘Bill’ Frank, a Vietnam Veteran, is stepping down from full-time duties at the end of the month and will continue to work in the office part time until the end of May, which will give him a total of 13 years at the SCVSA.

“Bill Frank’s service and dedication has had a profound impact on veterans throughout our community over the last 13 years,” said Schenectady County Legislator Holly Vellano, Chair of the Military Affairs & Veterans Committee. “While we will miss him, Mr. Santiago’s military background and experience working as our Service Officer make him the perfect candidate to fill the director position. I look forward to working with him to continue the county’s commitment to serving those who have served our country in the military.”

Mr. Santiago has served as Schenectady County’s Veterans Service Officer under Director Frank since January of 2020. His military service includes serving as a member of the U.S. Army’s Military Police on active duty for eight years with the 401st MPCO at Fort Hood in Texas, including a deployment to Korea, and later serving over three years in the New York State Air National Guard.

Schenectady County Veterans Service Agency

SCVSA helps Schenectady County’s veterans navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by advising them on the benefits they are eligible for based on their service and assisting them in applying for those benefits and responding to all queries regarding their applications until the process is complete. This includes assisting veterans in gathering the information necessary to support a claim, helping them file a claim and tracking the claim through the VA system, and assisting with  filing appeals.

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