Deputy Director for Health Care
National Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission
The American Legion
Jacob B. Gadd was appointed Deputy Director of The American Legion's Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Division in June, 2010. He is responsible for overseeing five national field service representatives that conduct site visits of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Facilities in conjunction with The American Legion's "System Worth Saving" Program. The site visits are compiled into the "System Worth Saving" Publication which is submitted annually to the White House, Congress, VA officials and fellow legionnaires regarding the status of VA healthcare. Mr. Gadd also provides veterans analysis, advocacy and training on all Veterans Health Administration (VHA) trends and policies.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Gadd served as the Assistant Director for Program Management of The American Legion's VA&R division since December, 2006. In this position, Mr. Gadd was responsible for managing the resolution portfolio for the VA&R Commission and served as the Chairperson of the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) National Advisory Committee. He began working for The American Legion in 2005 as a Field Service Representative.
From 1998-2003, he served in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. Mr. Gadd assisted with the opening of Portsmouth Naval Hospital, served with the Marine Corps in Camp Lejuene, North Carolina and was stationed overseas in Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily.
Mr. Gadd and his wife reside in Virginia. Mr. Gadd is also an active legionnaire who assisted in the revitalization of The American Legion George Washington Post 1 in Washington DC.