Item O3
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: June 18,2008
Division:
County Administration
Bulk Item: Yes X No
Department: County Administration
Staff Contact Person: Debbie Frederick
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Confirmation of the County Administrator's appointment of William Hays to the position of Director,
Veterans Affairs.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The Director of Veterans Affairs retired in early June creating a position vacancy. The position was
advertised, interviews were conducted by the previous Director and Executive Administrator of
Veterans Affairs and Mr. William Hays, the most highly qualified applicant has been selected by
Administration to fulfill this position. Mr. Hays has agreed to begin work on June 23rd, training WIth
the Executive Admimstrator (who is also retiring) for one week and then coming aboard full time on
August 4th. Mr. Hays will be on leave without pay for this period of time.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOeC ACTION:
N/A
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Confirmation of the appointment of William Hays to the position of Director of the office of Veterans
AffaIrs.
TOTAL COST:
$63.633.50
BUDGETED: Yes -L No
COST TO COUNTY:
$63.633.50
SOURCE OF FUNDS: Ad Valorem
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No X AMOUNTPERMONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMBlPurchasing _ Risk Management_
DOCUMENTATION:
Included
x
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
. .
RESUME
WILLIAM D. HAYS
PERTINENT EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND
I have 16 years experience as a veteran's service officer, nine years at the Department of
Veterans Affairs Regional Otlice level and 6+ years at the County level I was accredited
by 15 major veteran service organizations to represent their claimants in preparation.
presentatioll, and prosecution of claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs (DV A)
under the laws relating to veterans' benefits I have competed all necessary training by
the Department of Veterans Affairs for access to their computer application systems I
completed the V A's lnstructor Certification Course which qualifies me to provide TRIP
certification training to other veteran service officers seeking V A certification
, served as the ASSIstant Department Service Officer for the Veterans of Foreign wars,
Department ofIndiana from 1991 to t 995. In this capac1ty I served as advocate for
claimants desirous of obtaining benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs Work
involved utilizing interviewing techniques, research, analyzation of data and preparation
of briefs Conversant in medical, legal. education and financial terminology. lnteracted
With Federal, State, County, City and private agencies regarding claimants and veterans
benefits Represented claimants at hearings before the DV A
Served as the Assistant Department Service Officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Department of Florida from 1977 to 2000 Acted as the Director in the absence ofthe
incumbent with supervisory responsibility of two service officers as well as the
administrative staff Assisted in preparation and presentation of statewide training for
VFW Post Service Officers and County Veteran Service Officers
Served as Veteran Claims Examiner for the State of Florida from 2000 to 2001 Duties
and responsibilities were similar to those performed as VFW Service Officer
Served as the Assistant Director and Director for PineJlas County Department of Veterans
Services from September 2001 to March 2007 My employment with Pinellas County
began as Senior Veteran Service Officer and assistant to the Director I was promoted to
Director in early 2006 and served in that capacity until my retirement in March 2007 I
had supervisory responsibility for 3 other Service Officers and 2 administrative staff
personnel in offices located in Clearwater and St Petersburg Signification
accomplishments include coordination and departmental access to V A computer systems,
] served as the trainer for newly assigned departmental employees, I was instrumental In
obtaining service organization accreditation for a11 service officers within the
Depanment While employed as a County Veteran Service Officer I was an active
member ofFlonda's National Association of County Veteran Service Officers I was an
elected officer within the Association and sef\.ed as the Central West Area Vice
President I was also selected by the Association as a Trainer and assisted in the V A
traIning of newly assigned Veteran ServIce Officers throughout the state of Florida