Advisory Board
What does the Advisory Board do?
The Advisory Board on Veterans’ Services advises the Director on veterans’ issues, legislative proposals and program operations. The Board is made up of eight voting members representing all of the state’s counties. Members of the Advisory Board, with the consent of the Senate, are appointed by the Governor and hold four-year terms of office. At least five of the board’s seven members must be veterans.
When does the Advisory Board meet?
The Board meets on the first Friday of each month at 9:00 am to discuss matters related to the state’s 120,000 veterans. Meetings are held through Microsoft Teams Meeting and are open to the public.
OVS Advisory Board meeting agenda can be viewed on the state’s public event calendar. Scroll/select the month to see that month’s agenda.
Please contact your nearest OVS office or email [email protected] for more information if you would like to get involved.
Advisory Board Members
The Governor’s office on Boards and Commissions is accepting recommendations. Make a recommendation online or call (808) 433-0420.
Blair Suzuki, Oahu Board Member (Chair)
Blair Suzuki is a U.S. Navy veteran. He spent 7 years as a Surface Warfare Officer and served multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Blair currently works as a business and community leader on O’ahu and is a champion for Veteran issues, especially those affecting Post-9/11 veterans and under-represented members of the veteran community.
James K. Hussey, Jr.
Retired James K. Hussey, Jr., Command Sgt. Maj., served in the Airborne Rangers and Special Forces Unit in the U.S. Army for 35 years. He returned to Kailua Kona in 2014. Hussey served as the State Commander of the Hawaiʻi American Legion (2021-23) and is very active in the veteran community with DAV, VFW, ELKS, KIWANIS and the Chamber in Kailua Kona where he resides with his wife Cheryl.
Mary Kay Hertog, Kauai Board Member
Retired Maj. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog is an Air Force veteran with almost 34 years of service and six command tours. She is currently a member of the Kauai Police Commission and Commander of the Kauai Veterans Council.
Jason Seal
Retired Marine Col. Jason Seal served 27+ years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Oahu Veterans Council and a member of various Veterans Service Organizations.
Janet Covington
Janet Covington, LMFT/LMHC, has been helping veterans heal for over 20 years. She is the clinical supervisor at Child & Family Service’s ‘Ohana Resiliency Center, a non-profit outpatient behavioral health clinic specializing in counseling services for veterans and their family members. Janet’s commitment to this work is deeply personal. Her spouse is a Vietnam era airman and her father a career soldier who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. She remains steadfast in her mission to support those who have served, honoring their sacrifices through exceptional, heartfelt care.