Donate
Ask A VSO
Donate
Ask A VSO
NVDS logos
Facebook Linkedin X-twitter

View All Memorial Day Events and Schdules

Veterans Services Commission

The Nevada Veterans Services Commission consists of 11 members. Seven are appointed by the Governor. Three are required to be members of nationally recognized veterans’ organizations and possess an honorable discharge from some branch of the military or naval service of the United States. One member who is a member of the Women Veterans Advisory Committee created by NRS 417.320. One member who is enrolled as a student at an institution of higher education in this State in a program for a baccalaureate or higher degree and who possesses an honorable discharge from some branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. The two remaining members are representatives from the general public.

Along with those members appointed by the Governor, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for a Veterans Cemetery in Northern Nevada and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for a Veterans Cemetery in Southern Nevada each appoint one member from their respective committees. Each of these members must be a representative of a nationally recognized veterans’ organization and possess an honorable discharge from some branch of the military or naval service of the United States.

The final two members of the commission are appointed as follows; The Majority Leader of the Senate shall appoint one member of the Senate to serve as a member of the Commission and the Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint one member of the Assembly to serve as a member of the Commission. The term of office of each member is 2 years and their duties are to advise the Director and Deputy Director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services and to make recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, the Executive Director and the Deputy Director regarding aid or benefits to veterans.

Members

wendell baylock
Wendell Blaylock

Chairman

Peggy Bohn bio picture

Peggy Bohn

Vice-Chairman

jerome washington

Jerome Washington

Commissioner

NDVS Nevada Department of Veterans Services logo

Hugh Sinnock

kacy dury

Kacy Drury

Barbara Ortiz bio picture

Barbara Ortiz

NDVS Nevada Department of Veterans Services logo

Jeff Detrick

NDVS Nevada Department of Veterans Services logo

Gil Hernandez

Agendas

2026

10.21.26

07.15.26

05.06.26

04.13.26

2025

11.20.25

10.16.25

07.17.25

03.20.25

01.16.25

2024

10.17.24

07.18.24

04.18.24

2023

10.19.23

07.06.23

03.16.23

01.12.23

2022

10.20.22

07.14.22

04.21.22

01.20.22

2021 - 2014

All Files

In accordance with NRS 241.035 (e) 2, all public meeting minutes will “be made available for inspection by the public within 30 working days after adjournment of the meeting.” Please send your request for minutes to pio.ndvs@veterans.nv.gov with: 1) The name of the entity, 2) Date of the meeting, 3) Your email address, 4) Full name, and 5) Phone number.

VSC Reports

VSC Report

2024 - VSC Report

VSC Report

2020 - VSC Report

How Can We Help?

Want more information on earned veterans benefits or have questions or concerns? You are in the right place! Veterans Service Officers are here to help. Please fill out the form and click “Submit." To find VSO Locations, please visit the Veterans Service Officer page.

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Have you filed a claim with the Federal VA?(Required)
NDVS (Nevada Department of Veterans Services) is currently dealing with a large number of requests.

VSO intake appointments are taking about 30–90 days to schedule. The wait time depends on which location you choose and appointment availability. If you have already submitted a request, you may need to wait longer than usual for someone to contact you. It does not necessarily mean your request has a problem, it’s primarily a notice about the current backlog.
wendell baylock

Wendell Blaylock

Wendell Carl Blaylock is recognized as a company and community leader, Wendell Blaylock has advocated successfully for the development of organization programs, policies and practices that have resulted in significantly increased diversity and inclusion in the areas of on-boarding, mentoring and promotion within a major multinational banking and financial services holding company.

Wendell is a United States Air Force veteran (Captain) and supported the 831st Tactical Squadron Hospital at George AFB, CA. He grew up in a military family. His father was a career Air Force Officer and one of the Original Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. His older brother is a retired Navy Officer and the first African American to command a flight wing in the U.S. Navy. Wendell’s younger brother is a retired Air Force Officer who served in Combat Control & Special Operations.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and his Master of Science degree from the University of Texas-Arlington. Wendell completed Executive Certification programs in Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Management sponsored by Georgetown University and the Society for Human Resource Management. In addition, he is certified in Employee Relations Law from the Institute of Applied Management & Law and served as an adjunct faculty member with the Georgetown College of Continuing and Professional Education.

Wendell was appointed in 2012 as an advisor to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights assisting with fact-finding, investigations, policy guidance and the dissemination of information pertinent to local and state civil rights issues. He currently serves as the Chair of the Nevada Advisory Committee to the Commission.

Wendell’s community involvement and recognition are extensive. He is on the Advisory Board for Teach for America – Las Vegas and serves with a number of community and veterans organizations including: the Thunderbird Chapter of the Air Force Association, National Association for Black Veterans, Merging Veterans and Players, attended the Congressional Black Caucus Military/Veterans event in 2017, presented to the Armed Forces Chamber and other organizations advocating for military & veteran causes.

As a result of his outstanding professional and community achievements in Nevada, he is recognized as a Citizen of Distinction by the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow – Las Vegas, Who’s Who in Black Las Vegas and named one of the Distinguished Men for the State of Nevada

Peggy Bohn bio picture

Peggy Bohn

Peggy Bohn is widely recognized in Nevada’s veterans community for her longstanding dedication to supporting and advocating for veterans and their families. A trusted connector and organizer, she has devoted countless hours to building networks of support for women veterans and justice-involved veterans, while helping strengthen communication and camaraderie across the veteran community. She was the coordinator of Lady Vets, a women veterans organization that served and connected women veterans for many years. She remains actively involved with the United Veterans Legislative Council. Peggy also served as a mentor with the Veterans Specialty Courts program, Courts Assisting Military Offenders (CAMO-RNO= Reno Municipal court) and the Reno District Court, and establish the nonprofit Battleborn Battle Buddies, a 501(c)(3) organization supporting graduates and alumni of the Veterans Court programs.

Peggy graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School in Colorado in 1973 before attending Fort Lewis College in Durango, where she earned a degree in biology in just three years. In 1977, she joined the United States Army and attended Women’s Army Corps Basic Training and the transition to becoming soldiers at Fort McClellan, Alabama, graduating as a Private First Class (E-3). Her primary military occupational specialty was Biological Science Assistant (01H), with specialized duties in ophthalmology as an eye technician. She later earned a secondary specialty as an operating room technician after attending Oak Knoll operating room technician school. Peggy served at the Presidio in San Francisco from 1977 to 1984 and advanced to the rank of Specialist 5 (E-5) during her military career.

Following her military service, Peggy built a diverse professional career that included work in computer software sales, office management, and supply services. After the birth of her son in 1986, she operated a licensed daycare business from her home before relocating to Carson City, Nevada, in 1992. In 1993, she began her public service career with the University of Nevada, Reno, coordinating classroom scheduling and event space management. She later worked for the Nevada Department of Mortgage Lending, the Nevada Department of Administration, and the Nevada Division of Insurance before returning to UNR in 2007 as an executive assistant in the Office of Planning, Budget and Analysis. She continued her service at the university through positions in the Department of Sponsored Projects and Community and Real Estate Management, retiring in July 2024 after more than 31 years of service with the State of Nevada.

Throughout her career and retirement, Peggy has remained deeply committed to fostering connection and support among veterans across Nevada. Beginning in 2007, she created and maintained a growing veterans outreach email network that eventually expanded to hundreds of contacts statewide, becoming an important communication resource within the veteran community. Her years of volunteerism, mentorship, leadership, and advocacy have earned her widespread respect and appreciation from veterans organizations, colleagues, and community leaders alike.

jerome washington

Jerome Washington

Jerome Washington is a United States Army Combat-Disabled Veteran of the Iraq War, serving the nation proudly as a Screaming Eagle of the 101ST Airborne Division (Air Assault).

He was elected as the Department Commander for Nevada in his hometown of Sparks at the 73RD Annual Convention.

Joining the Army in September 2001, Jerome spent the next year training in preparation for his inevitable deployment. After arriving in Fort Campbell, Kentucky from Fort Benning, Georgia in 2003, he deployed to Iraq where he participated in operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There he served in many capacities to include assisting with leading his unit in different task forces such as Long Range and Surveillance Detachment and Downed Aircraft and Recovery teams, and Civil Affairs where he was responsible for establishing positive working relationships with non-compliant and friendly forces.

In 2006, Jerome was medically discharged following injuries sustained in services, ending his military career. He married his wonderful bride, Charise, who is also a Combat Veteran that served our nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Charise is also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and serves as the Department Adjutant. They have five children ranging from the ages of 4 to 16 years old. Their children are often seen volunteering for Veterans and the community.

Jerome has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration with a concentration in Human Services. He is a licensed and ordained Minister for the State of Nevada and currently serves as an Assistant Pastor in Sparks,
where he is responsible for providing spiritual guidance and counseling throughout the community. He is often requested by local and state government officials to provide ministerial services, to include the House of
Representatives as well as the Governors office.

His chosen career since 2010 has been with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) where he currently serves as a Supervisor Legal Administrative Specialists. Throughout his years of services with the VA, he has been accredited and nationally recognized for spearheading one of the most robust outreach teams in the nation.

Jerome has focused on volunteerism, fundraising, organization support, and assists in membership growth and participation, specifically concerning our member’s population within college and Gulf War era Veterans.

Having a proven history of service to others, he is considered a champion in Veteran advocacy and is frequently called upon for teaching and assisting Veterans with their benefits and providing aid as needed.

In continuation of service, Jerome has served in other organizations and leadership roles in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS) Association, and other non-profit organizations, to include being an avid youth sports coach. Jerome is also frequently called upon to serve on varying committees to include community Veteran boards, Veterans Benefits Advisory committees, and he has served in and with other organizations such as Gold Star Families, Honor Flight Nevada, and the Truckee Meadows Suicide Prevention Team.

kacy dury

Kacy Drury

Kacy Drury was appointed to the Veterans’ Services Commission in 2020 and has been a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada for 17 years. She is a senior executive for a local company with sixteen years working in the gaming industry and eleven of those in the financial services sector. Kacy is also a member of the International Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists as well as a member of the local Southern Nevada ACAMS Chapter and is CAMS and CAMS-Audit Certified.

Kacy has twenty-six years of diverse work experience in a variety of industries in Nevada as well as California and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from California State University, San Bernardino. She also sits on the Board of the Community Roots Foundation, a charter school in Laguna Niguel. Ms. Drury finds it a privilege and an honor to serve the State and her community by contributing as a Member of the Veterans’ Services Commission.

Barbara Ortiz bio picture

Barbara Ortiz

Barbara Ortiz served 38 years in the Air Force, first as an enlisted Aircraft Mechanic and upon commissioning, as a Logistics Readiness Officer. She has held positions at all levels of command, to include Numbered Air Force, Major Command, Combatant Command, Air Force Headquarters and The Joint Staff. Barbara is the co-owner of Ardaithe Consulting, providing individualized consulting to government offices on strategic management issues and conducts internal investigations into workplace disputes and personnel matters. She holds a TS/SCI Clearance.