February 05, 2016
Friday, Feb. 5, 2016
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the reappointments of Robert Williams, of Benton Harbor, and Barry Wood, of Hastings, to the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Board of Trustees.
Housed in the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, the seven-member board oversees trust fund expenditures and policies and awards grants to eligible wartime-era veterans and their families to relieve temporary financial emergencies or hardships. In fiscal year 2015, grants from the trust fund helped stabilize nearly 1,500 veterans and their families.
“I appreciate both Robert and Barry for their selfless years of service to our state and country and their willingness to continue serving on this important board,” Snyder said.
stWilliams is a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1137 in Benton Harbor. He has served as post commander and has been post adjutant/quartermaster for the past 15 years. Williams served in VFW leadership positions on the local, state and federal level. He served in the U.S. Army with the 101 Airborne Division in Vietnam. Prior to retirement, he worked as a vehicle salesperson for the Ford Motor Company, payroll manager for the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman and a driver for the Berrien County Road Commission. He continues to represent the VFW.
Wood has been a member of the American Legion’s Lawrence J. Bauer Post 45 for the past 13 years. He served as post commander for three terms and also served as adjutant, chaplain, and judge advocate. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1965-1971 as a military intelligence analyst and re-enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1973-1989 as a military intelligence officer. Wood was employed by the Hastings Mutual Insurance Company as a computer operator, methods analyst and programmer. He earned an associate’s degree from Kellogg Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Hawaii Pacific University, and a master’s degree from Western Michigan University. He continues to represent the American Legion.
Members will serve three-year terms expiring Feb. 25, 2019. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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