Our Advisory Council

Ed served as the University at Buffalo’s Veteran Services Support Coordinator and has been serving veterans in various capacities for several years. He also served in the United States Navy as an aviation structural mechanic from 1985-1997. Ed has been recognized by the Western New York Americorps (ABLE Recovery Program) as person of the year for his efforts in support of student veterans. Ed served on the Joining Forces-UB Advisory Council in 2015. We are very appreciative of the support and guidance he provided. 

Dan has spent the majority of his professional life in service, enlisting in the Army National Guard, working as a firefighter, and leading national efforts to assist with the recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina. Currently Dan leads all Veterans services at all three campuses of Erie Community College. Dan is a retired Army veteran (SFC).

Dr. Grinslade is the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs and a Clinical Professor at the UB School of Nursing. Dr. Grinslade serves as our veteran faculty representative from the School of Nursing.

Paul was the Team Leader at the Buffalo Vet Center until April 2015 when he moved to Manchester, NH to become Associate Regional Manager for Clinical Operations (NE region) for the Vet Center program. “I always had this connection with the vets, and I’m proud to be in a position now to help them. It’s just a real pleasure.” Paul also served in the US Marine Corps for four years after graduating from High School. Paul served on the project's Advisory Council through March 2015. We wish Paul the best of luck and are grateful for his involvement in Joining Forces-UB.

Faith has spent many years working with veterans. While at the Buffalo VA, Faith instituted the VA Domestic Violence Program in 1995. She is a School of Social Work alumna and currently is an adjunct instructor at the UB Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Degree Program, and a faculty member with the SSW’s Continuing Education office.

Mike served in the US Army from 1979-1999 utilizing his medical skills in a variety of settings, including service in Honduras. Mike was a faculty member at the UB School of Nursing from 2001-2014 and assisted in teaching the project's Intro to Issues in Veteran and Military Family Care course, launched in the Spring of 2014. Mike served on the Joining Forces-UB Advisory Council from June 2013 to January 2015. We are grateful for his contributions to the project.

Donna is the daughter of an Army veteran and has dedicated much of her career to bettering the lives of veterans. Donna is a graduate of the UB School of Social Work ('92) and has over 20 years of experience working in the field of social work, including many years in leadership at the VA Western New York Healthcare System. 

Pat is dedicated to providing high quality healthcare to veterans and their families and has spent much of her career working at the VA, both in Canandaigua and now in Buffalo. She is also a Veterans Health Administration certified mentor and has been honored with many nursing awards for her outstanding service.

Rosemary served in the US Navy Nurse Corps on active duty from 1962-1965 and on reserve duty from 1989-1991. She is currently retired after 30 years of US government service, including almost twenty years working at the VA Medical Center in Atlanta. Rosemary is a very accomplished Nurse, advocate, presenter, and author, focused on issues of women in the military.  

Tom is a decorated Vietnam-era veteran who served in the US Marine Corps from 1968-1969. In addition to his current responsibilities as a Research Professor, Tom is also the Co-Director of the Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care. He also provides valuable assistance in organizing and teaching the Intro to Issues in Veteran and Military family Care course that is part of this project. 

Jack has been involved in Erie County public service for many years and helped form the mentorship program within the Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court. Jack has received much recognition during his career, including receiving the Hank Pirowski, Jr. Award for his efforts with the Veterans Court. Jack is a decorated Vietnam-era veteran, who served in the US Army from 1969-1970. 

Connie is the daughter of an Air Force Vietnam veteran who has committed much of her career to serving veterans and military family members. Connie currently serves veterans through her private practice and is on a number of veteran-related Boards, including serving as the Treasurer for the Veterans One-stop Center of WNY. She is also the Chairperson for the Air Force Week at the military and Naval Park. 

Dan was appointed Director of UB Veterans Services in the Summer of 2013. Since then, he has been instrumental in expanding services for student veterans at UB, including opening a veterans lounge, facilitating the formation of a student veteran club, and helping UB achieve the designation of a military friendly school. 

Harry served in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman from 1969-1973. He is a retired Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Service Officer/Supervisor and former Ambassador for Upstate NY for the Wounded Warrior Project.  Harry is also a founding member of the Veterans One-stop Center of WNY where he currently serves on the Board of Directors.

Patrick is a decorated Vietnam-era US Marine Corps veteran.  He is the Former Director of the Center for Veterans and Veteran Family Services at Daemen College and of the Erie County Veterans Service Agency.  Patrick is currently involved as a Senior Mentor at the Buffalo Veterans Court. Patrick served on the Joining Forces-UB Advisory Council from June 2013 to June 2014. We are very appreciative of the support and guidance he provided. 

Roger has a combined 18 years of active and National Guard service with the US Army and is a decorated combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, having served in combat operations in Iraq in 2004-'05. Roger holds an EMBA from UB ('09) and currently serves as President and CEO of the Veterans One-stop Center of WNY, Inc.. He also serves on several veteran-related Boards, including as Treasurer of the WNY Veterans Housing Coalition.