About Us

The Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission is a county agency dedicated to serving Montgomery County veterans. It is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

In May 1886 after the Civil War, the Ohio Legislature passed the Soldiers Relief Act, establishing the Soldiers Relief Commission, now known as the Veterans Service Commission. The Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission operates under ORC 5901.

The agency provides four distinct services:

  • Assistance when dealing with the VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) including compensation claims and widows’ benefits.
  • Financial assistance to eligible veterans and family members who have a demonstrated need.
  • Providing Transportation for any medical appointment in Montgomery County for eligible Veterans
  • Providing No-Cost legal consultations for Veterans
 

The Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission is comprised of five members each appointed by the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. 

The five members appointed by the Common Pleas Court represent the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV),  AMVETS,  and either the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), or the Korean War Veterans Association.

Our Commissioners:

Jerry Hays, President (DAV)

William Fried, Vice President (VVA)

James Dare, Secretary (American Legion)

John Theobald (AMVETS)

Michael J. Howley (VFW)

 

Our Staff:

Kim Frisco

Executive Director
Kim Frisco is the Executive Director and a retired Air Force Veteran. Since her retirement from the Air Force, Kim has been working to help Veterans receive the benefits they have earned. She served at the Dayton VA Medical Center for 12 years and is now dedicated to assisting the Veterans of Montgomery County since March 2020. Kim is a 2020 inductee to the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, honoring her post-military achievements. She is honored to serve her community and fellow Veterans.

Keith Carr

Veteran Service Officer
Keith Carr is one of the Veteran Service Officers here at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission. Keith is a retired Navy Seabee who started his career with us in 2019. He is also a member of AMVETS, American Legion, VFW, and the DAV.

Christine Coleman

Veterans Benefit Counselor
Christine Coleman is a Veterans Benefits Counselor and is the Daughter of a Korean War Veteran who served in the United States Army. She joined the Montgomery County Veteran Service team in 2003. ​

Bill Fitzgerald

Veteran Service Officer
Bill Fitzgerald is a Veteran Service Officer and is retired from the United States Air Force. Bill is on the Veterans Advisory Council at the Dayton VA and spent several years working to help homeless veterans find permanent housing here in Montgomery County. Bill has been with the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission since September 2019.

Lisa Lewber

Veteran Service Officer
Lisa Lewber is the Senior Veteran Service Officer serving Montgomery County Veterans and their dependents since April 2006. Ms. Lewber is an Air Force Veteran having served at Grissom AFB Indiana as a Strategic Aircraft Specialist on the KC 135 aircraft.

Anna McMinn

Veteran Service Officer
Anna McMinn is a Veteran Service Officer and is a Veteran who served in the United States Air Force Reserves. Anna has spent her professional career working in a variety of roles in human services. Anna joined the Montgomery County Veterans Service team in 2019. ​

Donald North

Veteran Service Officer
Donald North is a retired First Class Petty Officer who has also worked as a veterans liaison at a college in Indiana, as well as a Veteran Service Officer with our commission.

Tammy Savard

Veteran Service Officer
Tammy Savard is a Veterans Service Officer who proudly served in the United States Air Force. Tammy has worked for Montgomery County Veterans Services since 2008 helping veterans and their families.

Loren Scott

Receptionist
Loren Scott is the Receptionist and the daughter of a US Army Ranger. Loren has worked as a receptionist for several local businesses in her career. She joined the Montgomery County Veterans Service team in 2020.

Dan Semsel

Deputy Director
Dan Semsel is the Deputy Director and is a veteran who served in the United States Air Force. Dan has been working to support Ohio’s veterans in a variety of roles in the private and government sectors since he retired in 2013. He joined the Montgomery County Veterans Service team in 2020.

Steven Strain

Legal Counsel
Steve is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he served as an infantry rifleman with 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines. Steve is a graduate of Wright State University and the University of Dayton School of Law. He now serves as Legal Counsel for the Montgomery County Veteran Service Commission where he provides legal guidance to the Commission and legal advice and counsel to veterans in Montgomery County. He joined the Montgomery County Veterans Service team in 2021

Charles Strong

Mentor Coordinator
Charles Strong is the Montgomery County, Veterans Court, Mentor Coordinator and a retired United States Marine. Charles is also a member of the Greene County VFW. He joined the Montgomery County Veteran Service team in 2021.

Bryan Suddith

Administration Officer
Bryan Suddith is the Administration Officer and husband to former Air Force officer Melissa Suddith. Bryan has more than a decade of local government service and holds his Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Dayton. He joined the Montgomery County Veterans Service team in 2021.

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Visit Our Offices

Our offices our open for in-person visits and we are here to serve you. 

We are located at:

627 Edwin C. Moses Blvd., 4th Floor, East Medical Plaza

Dayton, OH 45417

(937) 225-4801

Fax (937) 225-4854

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Appointment Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

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