Renée Medina, County Veterans Services Officer, leads the team that advocates for Veterans and their families as it relates to military service disabilities, education, housing, medical care, Veterans Preference, Burial and survivor benefits. Renée served as Veterans advocate/Senior Veteran Services Counselor for 6 years before being promoted to the Division Manager. Renee is a proud third-generation military sailor—a Veteran of the United States Coast Guard, having served 4 years active duty and 4 years as a Reservist with a recall to active duty after the attacks on the US September 11, 2001. Renée was the 2021 January Employee of the Month, is a graduate of Manatee County Emerging Leadership Program (2022) and serves currently as the Site Coordinator of the County Veterans Services Officers Association of Florida (CVSOAFL). Renée started working for Manatee County in the Tax Collector’s office. Previously, she served Monroe County Government as an Intelligence Analyst for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Office and as a 911 dispatcher.
Jack Ruark, Senior Veterans Services Counselor, conducts and oversees the direct, day-to-day contact with the Veterans Client base and staff. He also manages the Division’s Outreach program, making regular visits throughout the community, educating them about VA benefits and services our office provides. Jack is an active duty retiree of the US Marine Corps and former banker. He serves as the Central West Vice President of the County Veterans Services Officers Association of Florida (CVSOAFL).
Ed Behn, Veterans Services Counselor, serves the Veteran community and their dependents by connecting them with their VA benefits as a Veteran Services Counselor with the Manatee County Veteran Services Office. Ed is a 10-year active-duty US Air Force Veteran. During his time in the Air Force, Ed served as a Security Forces Specialist and Combat Arms Instructor. He has served 4 tours of duty between Iraq and Afghanistan.
Nathan Negosa, Veterans Services Counselor, serves the Veteran community and their dependents by connecting them with their VA benefits. Nathan is a retired US Air Force Veteran and a retired Deputy Sheriff. Nathan was also a former State Prison Guard and Drug Rehab Counselor-Coordinator. His personal motto has always been “Service that makes a difference—whether he was servicing his Country or his Community.
Todd Enders, Veterans Services Counselor, serves the Veteran community and their dependents by connecting them with their VA benefits. Todd is an active-duty retiree (CWO FIVE) of U.S. Navy after a 33-year career. During his time in the Navy, Todd served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Officer and Naval Science Instructor. He has served multiple tours of duty throughout the world with boots on the ground and on ships at sea.
Victor McKenzie, Veterans Services Counselor, serves the Veteran community and their dependents by connecting them with their VA benefits. Victor is a nearly 8-year active duty US Air Force Veteran. Prior to Manatee County, Victor worked for several years at Centerstone and Jewish Family and Children Services (JFCS) 0as part of the Operation Military Assistance Program.
Kelly Lipp, Office Specialist, is the first point of contact for our County Veterans and their families that contact our office and strives to be knowledgeable in all subjects to bridge them with the resources and benefits needed. Her skills developed after 20 years in the journalism world as an award-winning page designer and copy editor in newspapers, including the Bradenton Herald. She likes to tell people that our office is about “making sure Veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned and connecting Veterans with the resources that they need.”