Georgia’s seven-member State Veterans Service Board recently elected new officers for 2016-17. Their terms began April 1.

Phil Youngblood, a retired Army First Sergeant and South Georgia native, was re-elected chairman. This marks the first time in the board’s history a chairman has been elected to serve consecutive terms. He was appointed to the Veterans Service Board by Gov. Nathan Deal in 2012. Before starting his 20-year career with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service in 1992, Youngblood worked two years as a lieutenant in the Thomas County Georgia Sheriff’s Office upon retirement from the Army. His jobs with GDVS included office manager of the Valdosta VFSO and 14 years as manager of the South Georgia Region. Youngblood, who served 15 of his 20 years on active duty in the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, is a life member of the American Legion and is active in the American Legion at all levels. He has served as a post commander, district commander, and state commander of the American Legion Department of Georgia. He currently serves as director of the Georgia Boys State Program and as judge advocate for his home post and his home district. He represents Georgia’s American Legion on the National American Legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission. Youngblood, who now calls Quitman home, was born and raised in Thomasville. He is married to the former Yvonne Hall of Thomasville. They have two children (son, Scott and daughter, Niki) and three grandchildren (Gatlin, Grace, and Owen).

Charles Edward “Eddie” Whitted was selected as vice chairman. Whitted was appointed to the Veterans Service Board by Gov. Deal in 2011. Whitted began his career in building construction working for Orr International and Brown & Root construction companies. He then started his own business, B&W Construction and Door Company. He operated the business for 25 years, working there until his retirement. Whitted is currently president of Waycross Chapter 1070 Vietnam Veterans and has been a member of the Masonic Lodge for 40 years. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Blackshear. He and his wife, Brenda, reside in Blackshear.

Daniel Cravey was named board secretary. Cravey was appointed to the board by Gov. Nathan Deal in 2015. Cravey retired from the GDVS after serving as director of the Appeals Division. He is a retired Master Sergeant of the U.S. Army. Cravey is a member of the American Legion, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Disabled American Veterans. He and his wife, Lora, live in Milner. They have two children.  

Serving as members of the State Veterans Service Board for 2016-17 with Youngblood, Whitted, and Cravey are Fred T. Fincher, Sr. of LaGrange, Shawn Hanley of Atlanta, Jim Hussey of Appling, and Pat Phillips of Blairsville. The seven-member, governor-appointed, constitutional board recommends policy, procedure, and work projects for the GDVS. Through the Commissioner of Veterans Service, the board controls overall veterans policy for the state.

The board will hold its next meeting at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in the Pete Wheeler Conference Room at the GDVS Central Office, Suite E-962, Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, 205 Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30334.