My name is Star Smith and I am the newly appointed Veterans Employment Program Manager for the Department of the Treasury. As you may know, Ernie Beltz, Jr – the creator of this blog – recently left Treasury. I look forward to continuing his work promoting employment opportunities for veterans and sharing information regarding veterans’ employment initiatives.
Before coming to the Department of the Treasury, I served as the program manager for diversity recruitment including persons with disabilities and veterans for the IRS Recruitment Office. I created community-based partnerships with stakeholders and provided outreach and education regarding the Schedule A hiring authority for persons with disabilities.
I am no stranger to the military or to veterans’ issues. Some of you may be familiar with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which provides free income tax assistance to low income families. I worked the VITA program for many years and was instrumental in educating Judge Advocate Generals at Military installations worldwide regarding domestic and international income tax issues; helping service members with federal and state income tax compliance.
On a personal note, both my mother and father are Vietnam Era veterans. They both served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. My brother followed in their footsteps and served in the Army during the first Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. My husband is a former member of the US Air Force which makes me quite familiar with those issues faced by both veterans and veterans’ spouses.
I look forward to sharing information with you on a bi-weekly basis. I also want to hear from you about your suggestions, comments and concerns. Let’s keep the dialogue going as we promote employment opportunities for our Veterans.
Happy Holidays!
Congratulations, Star! Keep up the great work!
Hello Star. Thanks for all you do! If you haven’t checked out the FEW group yet, I invite you to do so and to perhaps join our organization. We would be honored to have someone like you among us!
I agree that FEW is worth checking out. Great networking tool. Regarding veteran employment, through a newsletter I write and via email, I often announce employment opportunities to Coast Guardsmen who are transitioning to civilian life. ned
Star if I may call yu by your first name allow me to introduce my self. I am Patrick Preston Major USA (Ret) I work as a Local Veterans Employment Representative and am the International Association of Workforce Professionals.(IAWP) Services to Veterans Chairman. I am working on a project with IAWP to re establish the awards program so that all of the awards stand on their own merits. Currently they are grouped together. Would it be possible to speak about this further. Your endorcement would be a big help. please contact me at [email protected] and thank you for your service.