The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) National Commander’s Award for 2020 Outstanding Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialist has been awarded to Mary Ann Bowersock, of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Mary Ann will be formally recognized during the DAV & Auxiliary Virtual Salute program scheduled for Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. EDT on DAV’s website (www.dav.org/virtualsalute).

Bowersock—who served in both the Air Force and Navy—is a veterans employment services specialist with the Virginia Employment Commission where she helps with the employment needs of eligible veterans, including homeless and disabled veterans with significant barriers to employment.

In 2019, Bowersock helped 50% of her Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) clients find sustained employment or gain acceptance into the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. Similarly, 55% of her Significant Barrier to Employment (SBE) veteran clients have also found employment or have been accepted into WIOA.

“I was greatly honored and humbled by just the nomination,” Bowersock said. “It is my sincere belief any award of this type is greater than the individual, but I promise to do my best to be worthy of the honor.”

Bowersock is a life member of DAV Chapter 7 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and has worked for the Virginia Employment Commission since 2001 after retiring from 24 years of service in the military.

“Mary Ann is one of the most committed outreach specialists out there,” said DAV National Commander Stephen “Butch” Whitehead. “Her passion for serving fellow disabled veterans is genuine and embodies the values of DAV and the veteran community. She fights so hard to make sure the veterans she meets are never left behind. She is truly deserving of this recognition.”

 

About DAV:
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them, fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, providing employment resources to veterans and their families, and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a nonprofit organization with more than 1 million veteran members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.