NWACC’s Paneitz appointed to state task force
Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008
BENTONVILLE - Northwest Arkansas Community College President Dr. Becky Paneitz has been named an ex-officio member of an Arkansas Yellow Ribbon Task Force, Gov. Mike Beebe announced this week.
Paneitz will join 19 other Arkansans appointed to the task force focusing on issues faced by veterans returning from deployment overseas and aging veterans with increasing health needs.
NWACC has taken steps in recent months to strengthen its services to veterans. It opened the George Westmoreland Veterans Affairs Office in February. It hosted in April more than a dozen partners who are working to improve Arkansas' support of its veterans.
"Many soldiers returning home from military duty find reintegration extremely difficult and experience difficulties upon their return," Dr. Paneitz said. "There are many services, including higher education, that help providing reintegration for soldiers. We want to help connect the dots."
Gov. Beebe said the volunteers recognize the need to do more for men and women in uniform.
"By sitting down together, members of this Task Force will share their specialties and ideas to identify ways that we can better serve all our veterans," he said.
In addition to Paneitz, members of the Arkansas Yellow Ribbon Task Force are • George Westmoreland (chairman ), Rogers, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army • Senator David Bisbee, Rogers, veteran • Bob Burns, Magnolia, Farmer Bank and Trust, veteran • Representative David Cook, Williford, veteran • Kim Dixon, Prairie Grove, military wife • David Fletcher, Monette, director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs • Janet Huckabee, North Little Rock, American Red Cross Arkansas program manager for Services to Military Families • Theotis King, Little Rock, elder, McAlmont Church of Christ, veteran • Dr. Joann Kirchner, Heber Springs, South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center • Colonel Nate McGee (Ret. ), Hensley, former Army National Guard Deputy Chief of Logistics • Major General Don Morrow (Ret. ), Little Rock, executive director of Employer Support for Guard and Reserve • Representative Bobby Pierce, Sheridan, former Arkansas National Guardsman • Cheryl Rawls, North Little Rock, director of VA Regional Office • Andrea Rockefeller-Hobbs, Little Rock, Arkansas chapter president of Operation Homefront • Paige Smith, Fayetteville, president of Families Readiness Group-142 nd Fires Brigade • Representative Randy Stewart, Kirby, veteran • Chris Sultemeier, Rogers, Wal-Mart, veteran • Mike Winn, Bryant, director of the Little Rock VA Medical Center • Major General William Wofford, Conway, Adjutant General, Arkansas National Guard Gov. Beebe's office is coordinating efforts with Congressman John Boozman's office in developing the task force. Representatives from Arkansas state agencies and higher education institutions are also working with the Task Force.
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