Doug Diers has been named the new county Veterans Services Agency director, County Executive Greg Edwards announced Friday.
Diers, who was introduced at a press conference outside the Jamestown Veterans Services office, will take his post Sept. 4.
"It was my belief (when we interviewed him) then, and I'm absolutely positive now, that Doug Diers was the best choice," Edwards said, flanked by veteran William Servis and legislator Mark Tarbrake, R-Ellicott.
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OBSERVER Photo by Eric Tichy
County Executive Greg Edwards announced Friday that Doug Diers has been named the new county Veterans Services director. From left to right is veteran William Servis, Edwards, Diers and legislator Mark Tarbrake, R-Ellicott.
"I'm pleased to say that I've been able to hire and add to our team of service," he continued.
Diers said he is excited to begin working with county veterans.
"I love to work with the vets," he said. "I used to work with the veterans. The opportunity just happened to come across. I grew up in Chautauqua County and it's good to be back."
Diers is a retired master sergeant with the U.S. Air Force, with more than 20 years in active duty including serving as a master instructor for the Air Force. He has also served as a vice commander of VFW Post 6731 and a county VFW service officer representative for southern Mississippi.
Diers, who replaces Troy Smith, is leaving his position as a production supervisor at Carriage House Companies Inc. Smith left to take a similar position with New York state.
The county executive said the selection was made through the help of a bipartisan committee of veterans, who selected their top four candidates. Members of that committee included Legislators Tom DeJoe, D-Brocton; Robert Stewart, R-Ellington; and Servis.
Diers earned associate degrees in military science and electronics systems technology at the Community College of the Air Force in Alabama. He received his bachelor's degree in technical occupational education at the University of Southern Mississippi, and his master's degree in instructional systems design at Troy University in Alabama.
He presently resides in Cassadaga.
Asked if he was related to Jeff Diers, county watershed coordinator, Doug quipped, "I'm the good looking one."
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