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Veterans Advisory Board shares update, appoints new members

Posted 6/15/22

Gilbert’s Veterans Advisory Board has reorganized itself, moving from three task forces to three "pillars," its outgoing chairman said.

Advisory Board Chair Les Presmyk spoke at the Gilbert Town …

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Veterans Advisory Board shares update, appoints new members

Posted
Gilbert’s Veterans Advisory Board has reorganized itself, moving from three task forces to three "pillars," its outgoing chairman said.

Advisory Board Chair Les Presmyk spoke at the Gilbert Town Council meeting on June 14 to provide a thorough update on what the board has accomplished since its founding in 2020 under the guidance of council. Today, the growing group works to support veterans, service members and their families in the town of Gilbert.

“When we started out two years ago, we put together a strategic plan and established three task forces,” Presmyk said at the meeting. “Each of those were comprised of three [Veterans Advisory Board] members and additional community members to support their efforts.”

Under town ordinance, however, task forces are considered temporary positions, Presmyk said. Therefore, the board recently had to reestablish the titles within the organization to reinforce longevity.

“We have redefined our [task forces] into three pillars,” he said.

These three pillars work on veteran and service member wellness, events and an upcoming project with the USS Arizona submarine.

Council approved the invitation from Nikki Stratton, the sponsor of the USS Arizona submarine, for the town of Gilbert to be the host town "for what will be the newest and most modern nuclear submarine in the naval fleet,” Presmyk said.

Members of the USS Arizona pillar have been attending meetings with the Legacy Foundation to establish Gilbert’s role with the vessel.

The events pillar has worked on numerous projects this year, including a recent drive-by event for a local veteran that turned 100-years-old.


The group is working on establishing a veteran banner project in Gilbert’s Heritage District to feature pictures and names of local veterans in the area. They are also hopeful of creating a townwide business partnership to offer a discount program for veterans, Presmyk said.

The wellness pillar, which offers support to veterans and plans gatherings, is working alongside Mesa United Way to expand the Mesa Veterans Resource Center.

“[Mesa United Way] wants to expand the scope of what they’re doing not just for Mesa, but for the entire East and Southeast Valley,” Presmyk said.

Through this partnership, the board hopes to establish the East Valley Veterans Resource Center.

As of June 14, Presmyk and members Phil Bobadilla and Brenda Sullivan completed their terms with the board. Council reappointed Presmyk to the board and appointed two new members, Charles Dine and Lori Gauna-Barcklay, to the board from among 18 applicants and six finalists to fill the spots.

Their terms will begin June 16, 2022, and end June 15, 2025.

The board’s new chair and vice-chair positions will be elected at their next meeting, which will be the first meeting of fiscal year 2022-23.

“We’re going to hopefully have a work-study session with the council in August so that we can be granted the official authority to do fundraising,” Presmyk said.

With this addition, the Veterans Advisory Board hopes to establish a budget and a treasurer to oversee their funds into the future, he said.