U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans (ACMV)

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New Members Appointed to VA Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the appointment of three new members to the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. The committee was chartered on November 2, 1994, and advises the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the needs of the nation’s 4.7 million minority Veterans with respect to compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach and other benefits and programs administered by the VA. The committee assesses the needs of Veterans who are minority group members and recommends program improvements designed to meet their needs. The committee members are appointed to two or three-year terms. Minority Veterans comprise nearly 24 percent of the total Veteran population in the United States and its territories. Minority women Veterans represent approximately 33 percent of the women Veteran population.

The new committee members are:

• Lisa Carrington Firmin, Colonel, USAF (Retired)
  Lisa Carrington Firmin is the Military Liaison and Associate Vice President for Veteran and Military Affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). As the founding leader for Veteran and Military Affairs, she oversaw the consolidation and realignment of all veteran support services on campus and the creation of the Center for Military Affiliated Students to better support and serve veterans and military affiliated students. Firmin serves as a conduit between UTSA and the veteran/military community, coordinates, and integrates support services at the strategic level for military affiliated students.
  
  
• William “Bill” Cundiff, Air Force Veteran
  Bill Cundiff is a proud Chamorro son from the southern village of Agat. In 1991, after 24 years of service with the U.S. Air Force, his military career culminated with his retirement at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9). His diverse career experiences include Supply Computer Systems Analyst, Professional Military Education Instructor and Manager1 First Sergeant (Resource Management Superintendent), Family Support Center Deputy Director and Director. Bill Cundiff holds the record for First Sergeant of the Year – selected three times – at Aviano Air Base, Italy.
  
  
• Margaret G. “Muggs” Garvin, Navy Veteran
  Margaret G. Garvin is the Veterans Service Officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation and also serves as the Division Manager of HCN Veterans Affairs. She was previously the County Veterans Service Officer for Monroe and Jackson Counties in Wisconsin. Ms. Garvin is in her third term serving the County Veterans Service Officer Association of Wisconsin as the Secretary. She is also a member of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. While an active member of both associations she continues to advocate and create a great rapport with other tribes throughout the United States as the Ho-Chunk Nation does not have a reservation, the tribal members live nationwide. While in the US Navy, Margaret was stationed in Washington DC for 4 years as a Yeoman. She acquired her passion for the military while stationed at NMPC-6 Pride, Professionalism and Personal Excellence Command. After her time on active duty, Margaret continues her passion for the military by serving all veterans as a County Veteran Service Officer.
  
  

The new members join current members:

• Ginger M. Miller, Committee Chairperson, Navy Veteran
• Nestor A. Aliga, Colonel, USAR (Retired)
• Dorothy A. Button, Petty Officer First Class, USCG (Retired)
• Robson M. Henry, Sergeant First Class, USA (Retired)
• Irvin Lyons, Jr., Sergeant Major, USA (Retired)
• Robert V. “Bobby” McDonald, Navy Veteran
• Carlos Rivera, USAF Veteran
• Monica Valdiviez-Wiley, Sergeant First Class, USA (Retired)
• Glenda L. Wrenn-Gordon, MD, USMA Graduate