Pictured from left to right: Gary Chilcott, current Director of Veterans Services; Michael Rauh, Veterans Service Officer; Gregory Carlson, new Director of Veterans Services; Dave Adams, Veterans Service Officer; and Vince Horrigan, Chautauqua County Executive.
JAMESTOWN – Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan has announced the appointment of a new Director of Veterans Services for Chautauqua County.
During an event Tuesday Morning, Horrigan announced that Gregory Carlson will take over as Veterans Services Director on Oct. 11. He is replacing current director Gary Chilcott, who will retire on Nov. 11, 2016.
Carlson is a 1995 graduate of Southwestern Central School. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Workforce Education and Development at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois and his Masters of Science in Aerospace Administration and Logistics at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma.
He is a retired Major of the United States Air Force, serving from 1996 to June 2016. Over the course of his tenure, he served as a Security Forces Member, Enlisted Accessions Recruiter, Airborne Mission Commander, Logistics Flight Commander, and Resource Advisor. He then completed his military career as a Squadron Executive Officer and Division Air Liaison Officer for the 20th Air Support Operations Squadron in Fort Drum, N.Y. In these roles, he provided training and instruction to aircrew members, led large and small teams with diverse backgrounds, and managed squadron budgets. He also provided separation counseling to assist airmen with veteran benefits and services such as the Post 9-11 GI Bill, VA Home Loans, Veterans Group Life Insurance, VA Health Care, and VA Disability Claims process.
He is a retired Major of the United States Air Force, serving from 1996 to June 2016.
“As a veteran of multiple combat deployments, changes in assignments, and now the transition to my post-military life, I understand first-hand the social, psychological, and economic challenges our veterans face,” said Carlson. “I come from a family of veterans and I cannot imagine a more rewarding second career than supporting and advocating for the Chautauqua County residents who selflessly served our country.”
Carlson also recently served as a Rehabilitative Case Manager for The Resource Center, where he advocated for disabled workers. He and his family live in Jamestown.
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