JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Executive Director Grace Link announced Thursday the appointment of several new leaders to key senior staff positions in the Missouri Veterans Commission.
“We are thrilled to announce changes to improve the leadership and management of the Missouri Veterans Commission. Leadership is the key to transforming Missouri into the best state in the nation for Veterans,” said Link.
Link announced the following MVC leadership appointments:
James Klahr, Missouri Veterans Commission Deputy Director. Klahr has more than 23 years of legal, legislative and policy experience in Missouri state government. He most recently served as Executive Director of the Missouri Ethics Commission. As MVC Deputy Director, Klahr will provide management and oversight to the Directors of MVC’s three programs: Veterans Homes, Veterans Cemeteries and Veteran Service Officers. He will work closely with the Executive Director to implement the goals, objectives and strategic plans of the Missouri Veterans Commission.
Roystan Pais, Director, Homes Program. Pais comes from the Kansas City area with extensive experience in health care administration in long-term skilled nursing care. As Director of the Homes Program, Pais will provide oversight for daily operations, regulatory compliance and the overall performance of Missouri’s seven Veterans Homes.
Randall “Randy” Watson, Director, Veterans Service Program. Watson is a retired Missouri Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) whose experience included deployment to Multi-National Task Force, Kosovo. He has over 35 years of extensive human resources and managerial experience. As Director of the Veterans Service Program, Watson will guide the direction, planning, analysis and coordination of the Veterans Service Program. Under his leadership, a new emphasis will be placed on outreach to promote the availability of benefits to Veterans and supporting the needs of Missouri’s entire Veteran population.
Brad Haggard, Assistant Director, Homes Program. Haggard was the first administrator of the Cameron Veterans Home when it opened in 1999. After a brief absence, he returned to the Cameron Home as the administrator in 2011 and has done an excellent job with the administration of the Veterans Home in Cameron. Haggard and will work closely with Pais to strengthen the performance of the seven Veterans Homes.
Kevin Colyott, Assistant Director, Veterans Service Program. Colyott is a retired Air Force Major where he served as Security Forces Officer. Colyott has extensive deployment experience in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. He has been with the Veterans Service Program since 2008, starting as a Veterans Service Officer, advancing to Veterans Service Supervisor-Southeast Region and finally served as Veterans Service Officer Training Manager. He will work closely with Watson on enhancements to the Veterans Service Program.
Jay Boresi, General Counsel. Boresi received his law degree from the University of Missouri. He served as Legal Counsel for Missouri Department of Corrections for four years and has a wealth of experience in employment law. Boresi has also served as an assistant prosecuting attorney and has experience in courts across the state. He will oversee all MVC legal matters and provide counsel to the Commission.
Jamie Melchert, Strategic Planning & Communications Administrator. Melchert is a retired Major with the Missouri Army National Guard and served several combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has over 25 years of experience in the fields of journalism and public relations, history and logistics. Melchert will oversee all communications and work with the MVC leadership team to convey MVC’s mission and expand public outreach efforts.
The Missouri Veterans Commission, a state agency, operates seven State Veterans Homes, five State Veterans Cemeteries, and the Veterans Services Program. The Commission is committed to honoring and serving Missouri’s Veterans whose dedication and sacrifices have preserved our nation and its freedoms.
