OLYMPIA, WA – Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs welcomes Ron Black as the new Chair and Robert “Bob” Meade as the Co-Chair of the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee
The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) is a seventeen-member committee appointed by the Governor. Each member is appointed to a term of four years. Veterans are recommended for appointment to the VAAC by the leadership of nationally recognized Veteran Service Organizations active in Washington State, and up to four members are appointed as veterans at large.
The VAAC Operates with the motto of No Veteran Forgotten and serves in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We are excited to welcome Ron, as the new Chair to the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee and Bob as the Vice Chair. With this duo’s dedication and expertise, I am confident that they will be great assets to your WDVA and will be instrumental in helping us continue to serve our Veterans with the best possible support and services. Ron and Bob’s passion and dedication to our Veterans makes them outstanding leaders and we look forward to furthering our mission of achieving the highest quality of life for our Veterans.” – WDVA Director, David Puente.
Ron Black Sr.
Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Chair
Ron Black Sr. was appointed to the VAAC in 2021. He is a resident of Pacific County, WA. He is well known in Southwest, WA. as an advocate for volunteer work as a Veterans Service Officer, 12 of those years spent as a volunteer DAV service officer at the former Chehalis Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), where he assisted hundreds of veterans and family members to navigate the VA claims process better, he continues to serve as a service officer today.
He is a Pacific County Veterans Advisory Board member and a life member of the Marine Corps League, American Legion, DAV, and American Veterans. Ron is a Tahoma National Cemetery Guardian Angel live bugler.
Ron served in the United States Marine Corps and Washington Army National Guard with 13 years of combined service. After military service, he served as a police officer, superintendent, and mental health counselor.
Ron recently completed 15 years of volunteer service as an Emergency Response Chaplain for Lewis County and Pacific County Sheriff's Departments. He celebrated 40 years of marriage to his wife Angela this year and has four children and six grandchildren.
Robert “Bob” Meade
Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Robert “Bob” C. Mead was appointed to the VAAC in 2022 and is a resident of Spokane County. Bob is also the VAAC liaison to the Spokane Veterans Home. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Military Officer Association of America as well as a member of several other veterans’ organizations.
Bob is a 30-year veteran of the United States Air Force who retired in 1998 as a Colonel. While on active duty, Bob served in Vietnam with assignments in special operations and tactical operations flying the C-47 and the F-4E. In addition, he was an instructor and curriculum developer at the Air Force Navigation School and a staff officer at Headquarters, United States Air Forces Europe. Near the end of his career, Bob was assigned as a recruiting officer with assignments as a Squadron and Group Commander and, after a one-year break to command an airport in war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bob completed his career as the Vice Commander for all Air Force recruiting efforts.
Bob is a graduate of Boston University holding a Bachelor of Science degree in management. He also has a master’s degree in business from Golden Gate University and is a graduate of the Air Force Air War College. He and his wife, Donna, of 55 years, live in Spokane, WA. They have two adult daughters and three grandchildren.
MORE INFORMATION::
You can find more information on the VAAC as well as upcoming meetings and Town Halls at https://www.dva.wa.gov/councils-committees/governors-veterans-affairs-advisory-committee-vaac
Media Contact
Heidi Audette
Communications and Legislative Director
(360) 791-8966 – cell
heidia@dva.wa.gov