Chuck James is new Veterans Affairs Director for Benton County
By JUDY SCHLESSELMAN, Star Press Union reporter
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Chuck James |
U.S. Army veteran Chuck James, Urbana, is Benton County’s new Director of Veterans Affairs. James, 58, took office July 1, replacing Walter Kollmorgen who retired June 30 after nearly six years as director.
Interviewed his second day on the job, James said he was busy familiarizing himself with VA rules, regulations and veteran benefits. He had already seen seven clients at his offices in Vinton and Belle Plaine and is anxious to help more of Benton County’s 2,200 veterans.
James comes to his position with more than 30 years experience as a contract manager at Rockwell Collins and Northrop Grumman, a global security company. He views his past work experience as an advantage in his new role.
“I spent a lot of time in my prior life working with the government and government regulations, putting together proposals and writing and negotiating contracts,” James said. “These are different regulations, but it’s still working with the government. I’ve got a pretty good handle about how to do that and put the claims together so there is more likelihood the claims will be successful.”
A Watertown, S.D. native, James served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1972, completing a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1971. He later earned an accounting and business degree from the University of South Dakota and a master’s in business administration from the University of Iowa in 1992.
As a veteran, James said he became interested in the director’s position because he knows there are many vets who can use the help and he has a heart for this type of work.
To prepare for his new job, James visited VA staff in surrounding counties and at the state level prior to his official start date. He will attend a two-day training session in Marshalltown later this month and a workshop about posttraumatic stress disorder in Des Moines in September. James will officially become certified after completing a weeklong certification class this October.
Two big challenges face many veterans, James said. One is knowing the benefits available to them. The biggest is asking for help.
“Sometimes that’s pretty tough. There are veterans who come back and won’t join the American Legion or VFW or don’t have other types of support,” James said. “If they come and ask for help, I have enough resources to find out what’s available for them and what the best and easiest way is to get that accomplished.”
James said he is fairly computer savvy and plans to take advantage of online forms and other resources. He sees use of the Internet as a boon, especially as he works with institutionalized veterans.
“I can go to a client in the nursing home, do the forms while we sit, print them out and have them signed. That’s what I’m looking for, trying to get those folks who cannot necessarily come in (to the VA offices),” James stated.
Within the next month, James plans to identify all veterans living in Benton County care facilities so he can complete the necessary paperwork to get them their benefits.
He said he wants to make it easy for veterans to get the help they need close to home, rather than traveling to VA offices in neighboring counties.
James said county officials have been very helpful since he took the directorship.
“The supervisors have been doing nothing but supporting where we want to go with this, with equipment, with whatever resources. They’ve been doing a real good job,” James commented.
James’ family includes his wife of 15 years, Debra, and their 10-year-old son, Jared. Before moving to Urbana three years ago, the family resided in Maryland and Hiawatha, IA.
James said while Maryland offers many opportunities, his family returned to Iowa because of its lower cost of living and better quality of life.
“It’s a good place to raise a kid,” he noted.
When he is not busy learning the ropes of his new job, James enjoys fishing and coaching his son’s football league and baseball and soccer teams.
The Vinton Veterans Affairs office moved this month to 901 D Ave., Room 29, in the ICAS building across from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. It is open Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday 2 to 6 p.m. and Thursday 9 to 11 a.m. The office phone is (319) 472-3150.
Office hours in the driver’s licensing room at the Belle Plaine Community Center are Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Phone (319) 444-2019.
To ensure confidentiality, James encourages veterans to call ahead to schedule appointments. Walk-ins are welcome but will have to wait if James is assisting another at the time.
UPDATED July 15, 2009 9:18 AM