NYSERVES - Key Persons
Brandon is currently serving as the Senior Care Coordinator at NCServes with Veterans Services of the Carolinas. Brandon is works to provide top notch care coordination in both Western and Coastal regions. Previous to this position, Brandon worked at Haywood Regional as an ER Technician. Brandon served in the Army for over 8 years and a combat deployment to Iraq. He received his Associates from Haywood Community College and has begun his Bachelor's Degree in psychology. Brandon's area of operations include Haywood County west, as he staffs our brick and mortar office in Bryson City, NC on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Brandon currently serves his Veteran community with Warrior Clan in Waynesville, North Carolina and is proud to serve Veterans.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Network Director
- Managing Director for the Veterans Services of the Carolinas
Brandon Wilson is currently serving as the Managing Director for the Veterans Services of the Carolinas with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM). His duties include oversight of Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF), Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), Healing Outreach Partnerships for Empowerment (HOPE) programs, in addition to leading the regions first service coordination platform for Veterans Service members and their families with NCServes Western. Prior to these roles Mr. Wilson worked in the Mental Health field with VAYA Health to bring awareness and coordination between the community and the Mental Health fields outside the Veterans Administration to better serve Veterans and their families. Previous to this position, Brandon held many positions with the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to include Regional Veteran Service Officer, State Training Coordinator and Deputy Director of the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs. During his time in Raleigh, Brandon served on the NCDVA Senior Leadership Team and was instrumental in the creation of the NC4Vets Resource Guide as well as the transformation and restructure of the agency and the establishment of a new NC cabinet level agency of Military and Veterans Affairs. As the State Training Coordinator Mr. Wilson developed a new training platform for VSO's which led to a 42% increase in Fully-Developed Claims leading to the growth of North Carolina's Veteran portfolio by over $1.2 Billion; the fastest growth rates in the United States. He began his career as the Director of Veterans Services with Haywood County in 2009, where he implemented several new programs and non-profits to address veterans and their family members. Brandon is a combat Marine who served in the infantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has served as an adviser to the Haywood County Veterans Council, NC State Veterans Commission, NC Veterans Council and served on many local and National VA committees and subcommittees. He currently serves on the State committee for Veterans with SAMHSA, the state steering committee for NC STRIVE, America Serves-Carolinas Community of Practice, co-chair of the Blue Ridge Veterans Community Engagement Board, and currently sits on the State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of NCServes
- Assistant Director of NCServes With Veterans Services
Hunter Russ is currently serving as the Assistant Director of NCServes with Veterans Services of the Carolinas. Hunter is working with NCDHHS and Veteran's Bridge Home to provide service coordination to all 100 counties in North Carolina. Previous to this position, Hunter worked for YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, a conference center in Western North Carolina. As well as, Doug Herbert's Put On The B.R.A.K.E.S., a nonprofit that teaches teens defensive driving techniques all across the country. Hunter holds a Bachelors in Human Services with a Minor in Management from Wingate University, as well as a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University at Shreveport. Her family has numerous people who have served or are currently serving in the military, including her husband. While this is Hunter's first role working exclusively with the Veteran population, she is proud to be able to serve those who gave their all in such an impactful way. Hunter is one of VSC's Mental Health First Aid trainers and utilizes her education background in the VSC grant writing process.
Job Titles:
- Care Coordinator
- Coordinator
Jessy Hill currently serves as a Care Coordinator with NCServes Western for Veterans Services of the Carolinas. Jessy is currently enrolled in the EMT and Fire Academy programs at HCC. Jessy is the daughter of an Army Veteran, and while this is her first time working exclusively with the Veteran population, she is thankful to be giving back to those who have given their all, and especially has a heart for helping others.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for NCServes Western With Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
Patrick Barton is currently serving as a Care Coordinator for NCServes Western with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM). Patrick joined NCServes in April of 2018 as an Intake Specialist. A Veteran of Afghanistan, he served 8 years in the United States Army with both active duty and reserve components. Previous to this position Patrick worked as a Narcotics Detective with Brevard Police Department. Included in his 10 year career as a police officer he served a 2 year assignment with the DEA. Mr. Barton holds a Psychology degree from Mars Hill University where he graduated with honors in 2018. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Psychology at Western Carolina University, as he intends to serve and support our Veterans and their families for years to come. Patrick also is a certified North Carolina Veteran Support Specialist and is QPR trained.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Public Relations Manager
Richelle Jara is a Marine Veteran who is currently serving as the Marketing Manager for ABCCM Veterans Services of the Carolinas. Ms. Jara assists our homeless Veteran population and their families in finding suitable housing and employment within 28 counties in North Carolina. Richelle received her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Asheville. Within her college institution, Ms. Jara aided in providing support to the Veteran Service office, as well as establishing a safe place for student Veterans to congregate and receive resources at UNCA. In addition, Richelle implements electronic campaigns for Veterans Services of the Carolinas to improve awareness and resources for Veterans and their families spanning across North Carolina.